2002 Toyota 4runner recall id from NHTSA: 05V225000 auto recall date: 05/17/2005 vehicle component: Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint estimated vehicles affected: 768379 2002 Toyota 4runner 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.

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

Vehicle is not handling right; body feels very loose and unstable going over bumps in the road. Took it to a Toyota repair shop who indicated that front, right lower ball joint was loose, worn and needed to be replaced. That ball joint was already replaced by the dealer when purchased in 8/05 as part of the manufacturer's recall. Took vehicle back to the dealer where the work was originally done and after 3 hours they confirmed that the ball joint did need replacing. However there is only a 1 year warranty on the replacement and they wanted over $400 to replace it. So you're telling me that I get over 4 years on an allegedly defective ball joint but only 2 years on the supposedly good one? updated 09/28/07.

- Denver, CO, USA

2002 Toyota 4runner recall- lower ball joint customer wants to know if techs are required to be certified mechanics and have certification from Toyota on the diagnosis and repair of Toyota vehicles*

- Unknown, DC, USA

I received a safety recall notice from Toyota concerning a defect with the front suspension lower ball joint in 2002 Toyota 4runners (ref NHTSA campaign id number : 05V225000). I contacted Toyota on 9 May 2006 to begin the process to replace the defective parts. My situation is unique. I'm in the military and currently stationed in seoul, South Korea. There are no Toyota dealerships in South Korea, however, Lexus (owned by the same parent company) is located in seoul. It took the Toyota customer service folks til Aug to notify me that my issue had been forwarded to Toyota hq in Japan for resolution. In September I followed up since no one had contacted me about the situation. I was told by Toyota that Toyota hq had up to 4 months to work the issue. Toyota would also not provide the contact information for the office in Japan handling the issue and also would not provide the contact information for the vendor that would accomplish the recall work. This is unacceptable as I'm driving my wife and one year old child in this vehicle with an identified defect in the front suspension. Any assistance you can provide to have Toyota quickly resolve this matter would be greatly appreciated.

- Apo, AP, USA

: the contact stated the recall work for NHTSA recall # 05V225000, pertaining to the lower ball joint, was unable to be performed on the vehicle within the noted 24 hours. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who determined the repair would take 2 days. The contact stated that the dealer refused to provide a loaner vehicle during that time. The service manager was consulted, who was unable to address the issue. The manufacturer was consulted, who offered to send out paperwork for an investigation.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

On April 17th at 5:45 am while driving on I-465, I felt a loss of steering in the wheel. I did nothing to the wheel, as one would normally do when driving on ice. I was driving in the middle lane, the vehicle crashed into the highway divider and then careened off the road. A carmel police officer came to the scene and an accident report was entered. Front ball joint(s) failed and front wheel folded under vehicle; this resulted in the loss of steering and crash on interstate highway. The vehicle hit the concrete highway divider and then bounced across the interstate and off the road. When the vehicle was examined at the repair facility it was suggested that the cause of the accident was the failure of the ball joint. It appears that the lower ball joint(s) were not replaced. The old assembly(s) do not appear to have been touched. There is a consistent pattern of rust on the assembly(s) and nuts that have not been disturbed. I spoke with a Toyota representative and was told that my vehicle id was a part of the recall ssc 50J or NHTSA campaign id number: 05V225000. I was also told that the work had been completed at obrien Toyota on September 9th 2005. The ssc 50J completion label was not applied to the vehicle. I called the dealership the first part of may and spoke with the service manager, dan johnson, who assured me that the part had been replaced on both front suspensions. He stated that this service was performed by joe, who was one of his best mechanics. My complaint is either that the recalled part was not replaced or that the replacement part does not work.

- Fishers, IN, USA

2002 4runner was unstable after purchase, consumer had tires replaced and an alignment. Front and rear tires blew out. Consumer received letter of front suspension ball joints after accident occurred.

- Arleta, CA, USA