IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ON STATE ROAD 27, I STARTING SMELLING FUEL IN THE CABIN; WHEN I GET TO MY DESTINATION, ABOUT 7 MILES AFTER, I CAME OUT WITH THE TRUCK STILL RUNNING, NOTICE A LOT OF FUEL UNDER THE TRUCK, I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY AND THE FLOW OF FUEL GRADUALLY STOPPED.
2002 Toyota Tundra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tundra years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Tundra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 144.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tundra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
530–25K
4425–50K
5350–75K
5475–100K
87100–150K
79150K+
370 reports with mileage · 112 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 154 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
30 crash reports1 fire reports16 injury reports
What owners actually said
482 reportsSTRUCTURE. 220,000 MILES I TOOL IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE TECH CALLS ME OVER TO SHOW ME THE ROTTED FRAME MEMBER'S. I TOOK IT TO TARBOX TOYOTA IN RI, THEY TOOK PICS AND SENT IT TO TOYOTA. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA SAID NO OUTSTANDING RECALL ON IT SO I AM OUT OF LUCK. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A…
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STRUCTURE. 220,000 MILES I TOOL IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE THE TECH CALLS ME OVER TO SHOW ME THE ROTTED FRAME MEMBER'S. I TOOK IT TO TARBOX TOYOTA IN RI, THEY TOOK PICS AND SENT IT TO TOYOTA. THEY ALSO TOLD ME I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA SAID NO OUTSTANDING RECALL ON IT SO I AM OUT OF LUCK. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL EXCEPT FOR THE ONE LISTED TO REPLACE A REAR CHASSIS MEMBER WHICH I HAD DONE. THE KILLER IS I HAVE PUT $5000 INTO IT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THINKING I WOULD HAVE THE TRUCK FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS...ITS ONLY USED OCCASIONALLY. NOW WHAT DO I DO?
THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER/HOIST RUSTED CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF THE TRUCK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.
IN 2012, MY FRAME WAS RECALLED FOR RUST. TOYOTA APPLIED A CORROSION RESISTANT SPRAY COMPOUND. IT DID NOT WORK. NOW I HAVE RUST HOLES COMING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS RUSTED SO BAD THAT OIL IS SEEPING THROUGH RUST PITS. THE FRAME IS ALSO RUSTED AND HAD TO HAVE IT WELDED. ALSO LOST THE SPARE TIRE DUE TO RUST.
FUEL TANK RUSTED
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2017 AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL WAS BEGINNING TO LEAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. FURTHER INSPECTION OF UNDERCARRIAGE DO TO A NOISE UNDER VEHICLE FOUND THAT THE FRAME AND BODY MOUNT HAD DETERIORATED DUE TO RUST CAUSING A HOLE IN THE BODY MOUNT CAUSING THE CAB TO …
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PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2017 AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL WAS BEGINNING TO LEAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. FURTHER INSPECTION OF UNDERCARRIAGE DO TO A NOISE UNDER VEHICLE FOUND THAT THE FRAME AND BODY MOUNT HAD DETERIORATED DUE TO RUST CAUSING A HOLE IN THE BODY MOUNT CAUSING THE CAB TO FLEX AND BOUNCE ON THE FRAME. VEHICLE TREATED BY TOYOTA FOR EARLIER RECALL DUE TO RUST OF THE FRAME AND GIVEN A 5YR EXTENDED WARRANTY. BODY OF VEHICLE IS FREE OF RUST, FRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL HAVE EXCESSIVE RUST MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE.
TAKATA RECALL TOYOTA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT OUR 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA HAS A FACTORY FAULTY AIRBAG/ SEATBELT SYSTEM, AND SAY THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR OUR VEHICLE, AND THAT WE HAVE TO PAY TO FIX IT. THE SEAT BELT IS ALWAYS LOOSE, THERE IS A PERMANENT LIT LIGHT RELATED TO THE AIRBAG.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED WITH HOLES. WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKES, A LARGE PIECE OF THE FRAME FELL ONTO THE GROUND. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED WITH HOLES. WHILE CHANGING THE BRAKES, A LARGE PIECE OF THE FRAME FELL ONTO THE GROUND. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE FRAME REPLACEMENT WARRANTY EXPIRED ON JUNE 1, 2017. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 1708210712. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000.
MY TUNDRA WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH CRITICAL FRAME DAMAGE THAT WILL NOT PASS PA. STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY TOYOTA FOR MOST OF IT,S LIFE AND ALL FRAME RECALLS WERE COMPLETED. THE TRUCK HAS 136,078 MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. MY RECENT CLAIM WITH TOYOTA WAS REJECTED BASED ON THE THEIR INTERRUPTATION …
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MY TUNDRA WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH CRITICAL FRAME DAMAGE THAT WILL NOT PASS PA. STATE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY TOYOTA FOR MOST OF IT,S LIFE AND ALL FRAME RECALLS WERE COMPLETED. THE TRUCK HAS 136,078 MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. MY RECENT CLAIM WITH TOYOTA WAS REJECTED BASED ON THE THEIR INTERRUPTATION THAT ALL REQUIRED RECALLS WERE DONE AND THERE IS NOTHING TOYOTA CAN DUE FOR ME. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTAS RESPONSE. THE FIRST BEGINNING THAT WHEN I PICKED THE TRUCK UP AFTER THE FRAME RECALL TREATMENT I ASKED THE TECH HOW THE FRAME LOOKED, HE SAID GOOD BUT THERE IS A SEPARATION STARTING AT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING. THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE MY PROBLEM LIES TODAY. I BELIEVE TOYOTA COVERED UP THE PROBLEM BY TREATING THE FRAMES RATHER THEN REPLACING THEM IN AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE MONEY. HOW MANY VEHICLES COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY WERE TREATED IN THE SAME MANNER AND ARE STILL CURRENTLY DRIVING ON THE ROADS TODAY? HOW MANY OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES NOW POSE A PROBLEM TO ALL MOTORIST. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS
Official recalls
309V444000 · Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields
Nov 18, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER MAY CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE TRUCK BED WHICH WOULD PRESENT A ROAD HAZARD THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. ALSO, CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS MEMBER COULD AFFECT THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND THE PROPORTIONING VALVE RESULTING IN DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE SPARE TIRE AND DIMINISHED BRAKE CAPACITY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA IS ASKING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE UNTIL A REMEDY CAN BE OBTAINED. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CROSS MEMBER AND RELATED COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE BRAKE LINES, AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY. IF THE CROSS MEMBER DOES NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL BE SPRAYED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COMPOUND. THESE SERVICES WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE, HOWEVER MULTIPLE VISITS TO THE DEALER MAY BE REQUIRED. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT APRIL 30, 2010. OWNER MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
May 17, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
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 FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
02V129000 · Wheels
May 1, 2002
ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE TIRE AS A TEMPORARY USE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDES 4 LARGER SIZE TIRES WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/STEEL WHEEL IS NOT PART OF THE UPGRADE AND WAS NOT CHANGED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE EXPERIENCED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND AN INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3PE09049 · Frame Corrosion
Opened Oct 6, 2009 · Closed Jan 26, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:differential Proportional Valve; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Structure:frame And Members; Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (8)
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Gasoline
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:differential Proportional Valve
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Structure:frame And Members
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BASED ON 20 REPORTS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES EXPERIENCING SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, RESULTING IN EITHER UNDER-BODY MOUNTED SPARE TIRE SEPARATION OR REAR BRAKE FAILURE.THE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS SHOWN ABOVE ARE FOR MY 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES ONLY.BY LETTER OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (09V-444) OF APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE AFFECTED RECALLED VEHICLES WERE SOLD OR ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND THE STATES OF CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WI, WV.TOYOTA ALLEGES HIGH AMOUNTS OF ROAD SALTS ARE USED IN THESE AREAS AND EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER (TO WHICH THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED) CAN OCCUR AND CAUSE THE SPARE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAN ALSO LEAD TO REAR BRAKE FAILURE.TOYOTA STATED: TOYOTA HAS TENTATIVELY CONCLUDED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, INCLUDING USAGE IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS APPLIED, INADEQUATE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE (I.E., NOT FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL), THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER, AND MANUFACTURING ISSUES.THE DESIGN OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IS SUCH THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE TOP SIDE AND SUSCEPTIBLE TO ACCUMULATION OF DIRT, WATER AND ROAD SALT.MANUFACTURING ISSUES OF THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER RELATED TO THE COATING PROCESS ALSO AFFECT ITS CORROSION RESISTANCE.TOYOTA ALSO STATES THAT OWNERS OF MY 2000 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES IN STATES NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL WILL BE NOTIFIED ON HOW TO OBTAIN THE SAME INSPECTION AND REPAIR AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE.FURTHER TOYOTA STATES: PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED A DEFECT EXISTS IN 2004 THROUGH 2006 MY TUNDRA VEHICLES, TOYOTA PLANS ON INITIATING A FIELD ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION ON THOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE AFFECTED REGION AT NO COST TO THE OWNER.BY LETTER OF JANUARY 8, 2010 TOYOTA HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT AMENDED ITS DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT FOR SAFETY RECALL 09V-444 TO INCLUDE THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM (I.E., FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS AND FUEL TANK MOUNTING CROSS-MEMBERS) IN THE SAFETY RECALL.TOYOTA STATES: TOYOTA HAS NOT DECIDED THAT THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SYSTEM IN THOSE VEHICLES CONTAINS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY LAW.RATHER, TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS ACTION AT ODI'S REQUEST AND TO AVOID FUTURE DISAGREEMENT WITH ODI WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.MY 2007 AND NEWER TUNDRA VEHICLES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF TOYOTA'S ACTIONS AS THE REAR CROSS-MEMBER IN THOSE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO THAT IT IS OPEN ON THE BOTTOM.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY TOYOTA ARE SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA04024 · Ball Joint Separation
Opened Aug 20, 2004 · Closed Jul 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:front:control Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm; Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA04-024 FOR MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.DURING EA04-024, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE. ON MAY 16, 2005, TOYOTA NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2002-2004 TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2001 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2003), MY 2001-2004 TACOMA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 31, 2001 AND DECEMBER 23, 2003), AND MY 2001-2002 4RUNNER VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN MAY 22, 2001 AND AUGUST 23, 2002).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS (WHICH CONNECT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLES OF THE FRONT WHEELS) THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED.SUCH SCRATCHES MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATED WEAR OF THE JOINT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, IF THE [SUBJECT] VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, REDUCED VEHICLE SELF-CENTERING, AND NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.IN EXTREME CASES, WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL. TOYOTA WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA04-024 FOR MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.DURING EA04-024, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE. ON MAY 16, 2005, TOYOTA NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2002-2004 TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2001 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2003), MY 2001-2004 TACOMA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 31, 2001 AND DECEMBER 23, 2003), AND MY 2001-2002 4RUNNER VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN MAY 22, 2001 AND AUGUST 23, 2002).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS (WHICH CONNECT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLES OF THE FRONT WHEELS) THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED.SUCH SCRATCHES MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATED WEAR OF THE JOINT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, IF THE [SUBJECT] VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, REDUCED VEHICLE SELF-CENTERING, AND NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.IN EXTREME CASES, WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL. TOYOTA WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA04-024 FOR MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.DURING EA04-024, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE. ON MAY 16, 2005, TOYOTA NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2002-2004 TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2001 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2003), MY 2001-2004 TACOMA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 31, 2001 AND DECEMBER 23, 2003), AND MY 2001-2002 4RUNNER VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN MAY 22, 2001 AND AUGUST 23, 2002).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS (WHICH CONNECT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLES OF THE FRONT WHEELS) THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED.SUCH SCRATCHES MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATED WEAR OF THE JOINT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, IF THE [SUBJECT] VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, REDUCED VEHICLE SELF-CENTERING, AND NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.IN EXTREME CASES, WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL. TOYOTA WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Suspension:front:control Arm
ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA04-024 FOR MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.DURING EA04-024, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE. ON MAY 16, 2005, TOYOTA NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2002-2004 TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2001 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2003), MY 2001-2004 TACOMA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 31, 2001 AND DECEMBER 23, 2003), AND MY 2001-2002 4RUNNER VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN MAY 22, 2001 AND AUGUST 23, 2002).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS (WHICH CONNECT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLES OF THE FRONT WHEELS) THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED.SUCH SCRATCHES MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATED WEAR OF THE JOINT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, IF THE [SUBJECT] VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, REDUCED VEHICLE SELF-CENTERING, AND NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.IN EXTREME CASES, WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL. TOYOTA WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Suspension
ODI RECEIVED 3 CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT SEPARATION ON MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE02-040 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA04-024 FOR MY 2002 TUNDRA VEHICLES.DURING EA04-024, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE. ON MAY 16, 2005, TOYOTA NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2002-2004 TUNDRA AND SEQUOIA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2001 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2003), MY 2001-2004 TACOMA VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN JULY 31, 2001 AND DECEMBER 23, 2003), AND MY 2001-2002 4RUNNER VEHICLES (PRODUCED BETWEEN MAY 22, 2001 AND AUGUST 23, 2002).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS (WHICH CONNECT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS TO THE STEERING KNUCKLES OF THE FRONT WHEELS) THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED.SUCH SCRATCHES MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY ACCELERATED WEAR OF THE JOINT. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, IF THE [SUBJECT] VEHICLE IS OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THIS CONDITION, THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, REDUCED VEHICLE SELF-CENTERING, AND NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.IN EXTREME CASES, WHEN THE DRIVER CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL. TOYOTA WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
PE04040 · Front Suspension Ball Joint Breakage
Opened Apr 13, 2004 · Closed Aug 20, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint; Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
ODI OPENED PE04-040 BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT FAILURE.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED THE FAILURE OF A LOWER BALL JOINT.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 15 COMPLAINTS OF LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH, AND 28 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR.ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT OF THE 15 SEPARATIONS, 11 WERE ON FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES (24.2 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), WHICH MAKE UP APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE 2002 MY POPULATION (45,448 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWED THAT SOME DRIVERS LOST FRONT BRAKING ABILITY AS THE BRAKE LINE SEVERED WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, TO ASSESS THE SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
ODI OPENED PE04-040 BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT FAILURE.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED THE FAILURE OF A LOWER BALL JOINT.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 15 COMPLAINTS OF LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH, AND 28 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR.ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT OF THE 15 SEPARATIONS, 11 WERE ON FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES (24.2 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), WHICH MAKE UP APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE 2002 MY POPULATION (45,448 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWED THAT SOME DRIVERS LOST FRONT BRAKING ABILITY AS THE BRAKE LINE SEVERED WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, TO ASSESS THE SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.
Suspension:front:control Arm:upper Ball Joint
ODI OPENED PE04-040 BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS OF ALLEGED BALL JOINT FAILURE.THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT A FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED THE FAILURE OF A LOWER BALL JOINT.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, TOYOTA IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 15 COMPLAINTS OF LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH, AND 28 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO LOWER BALL JOINT WEAR.ODI'S ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT OF THE 15 SEPARATIONS, 11 WERE ON FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES (24.2 PER 100,000 VEHICLES), WHICH MAKE UP APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE 2002 MY POPULATION (45,448 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWED THAT SOME DRIVERS LOST FRONT BRAKING ABILITY AS THE BRAKE LINE SEVERED WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE, TO ASSESS THE SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.