My husband first noticed a vibration and said that the steering felt odd in our 2001 Tundra. He was then suddenly surprised when the driver's side front wheel detached and the driver's side front end slammed to the ground. He was lucky because he was driving at a low rate of speed on a secondary road and no collision or injuries occurred. Just minutes before he was driving on a main congested road at a higher rate of speed and this could have caused a major collision and substantial injuries. The Tundra was taken to the local toyato dealer in our town of boone, nc. It has been determined that the lower and upper ball joints separated. We are in the process of contacting Toyota to see why a recall has not been placed and if they are willing to do anything for us. It seems as if there are many reports of this problem and nothing has been done. I cannot believe that Toyota has not recalled these trucks when peoples lives are at risk.

- Sugar Grove, NC, USA

Driving North on alvernon in the left lane between 37th and palo verde the front left wheel of the 2001 Toyota Tundra separated from the vehicle. The wheel remained under the vehicle attached to the front drive shaft. Failure of the ball joints is suspected. Approximate speed was 40 mph. After separation the vehicle tracked straight for approximate 100 feet, I then controlled the vehicle and move to the far side of the right lane and stopped. Damage to the front wheel drive system, wheel, front bumper, front left panel, ABS system and other expected damage occurred. No damage to other vehicles on the road or significant property damage other than damage to the roadway. At this time there are not related physical damage or injury to myself (I was alone when this occurred) or anyone else. Toyota at this time has refused to make repairs of the vehicle due to this mechanical failure. There is a recall NHTSA campaign id 05V225000 for this type of failure, but currently does not include the 2001 year for this make and model.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

(1) I left my work at 6:00 am the morning of Sept. 22. I had only gone approx. 2 miles at about 50 mph, when all of a sudden the vehicle started shaking and sparks were flying from under the vehicle until I could get it off the road and stopped. (2) I got out to see what had happened and found the driver side tire off and wedged under the front of the car. I was really shaken about this. In another 10 minutes I would have been driving home through a real windy canyon drive that I commute about 54 miles one-way to work, with mountain on one side and a canyon with river on the other. I definitely could have been killed. We found the lower ball joint down the road. It had been completely sheered at the thread area. I called the bakersfield Toyota dealership and my 2001 Tundra was not covered for this. I also called the Toyota manufacturer and it was not covered for this. I have taken excellent care of my Tundra. I had no clue as to a problem with my ball joints. The ball joint shouldn't have failed like this. (3) I had my Tundra towed to a local brake and front end shop and had the work done there. I had both the upper and lower ball joints on both sides done. It cost me $624.

- Weldon, CA, USA