Thread locked for reference only. If you have any questions, post in the applicable Toyota section for your vehicle, as this section is not viewed regularly. Thank you. From Toyota's site:
http://www.toyotaownersonline.com/news/articles.php?id=10Service Campaign Set for Some '01-'04 Truck and SUV Models
Publication Date: 05/31/2005
On certain 2001 û 2002 Model Year 4Runner, 2001 û 2004 Model Year Tacoma 4WD and PreRunner, and 2002 û 2004 Model Year Sequoia and Tundra vehicles, there is a possibility that the Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint may experience excessive wear and looseness causing increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension. If the vehicle is continued to be operated in this condition, in extreme cases, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing a loss of vehicle steering control.
This new Special Service Campaign (SSC) will be launched in late June, 2005. Owners of the involved vehicles will receive a SSC notification by first class mail beginning in late June, 2005. The owner notification will be completed around December, 2005. Toyota dealers will replace the left and right Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint at NO CHARGE to the vehicle owners.
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 768379
Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
Defect Consequence:
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE RECALL BEGAN JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC., 50J
Other links:
http://www.autobuyguide.com/2001/12-aut/toyota/tacoma/recalls/http://auto-recalls.justia.com/content/05V225000-TOYOTA-4-RUNNER-2002.htmlhttp://www.internetautoguide.com/auto-recalls/67-int/2004/toyota/tacoma/base/http://www.alldata.com/Other notes:
**SASÆd Yotas do not fall under this recall (common sense disclaimer).
**The dealer should check the alignment after replacing the ball joints
**If you do not receive a letter from Toyota, call the number above; have your VIN handy, as they will need it. Those of you who do NOT have a dealership do your work will need to take this action, as recall notices are sent out on based on their dealershipsÆ databases, and NOT your vehicle registration. YOU are the one responsible for making an appointment with your dealership to make this repair, once itÆs established that your vehicle is eligible for the recall.
