Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact swerved to the left to avoid another vehicle and the steering had stiff. The contact stated that the front driver's side wheel then collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle skidded off the highway and onto the right shoulder. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light then illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The complete chassis frame under the vehicle, contains a lot of rust and holes due to corrosion. Some years ago, a Toyota dealership asked me to bring the vehicle in to one of their dealerships, where an undercoating was painted on the frame surface. However, the coating is worn away and the rust is visible again and this time there are even more deterioration.
My wife recently had a wreck, she was going 45 MPH, the truck went off the road, crossing over center line, after making impact with the dirt with the front end of the truck, the truck lost it's steering, from there the truck flipped 5 times on it's side, it finally came to rest on it's side, 5 feet away from a house. She had to be cut from the truck. Her l2 exploded in her back, she's now having to learn how to walk again among other things from extreme nerve damage. She just recently left the hospital/rehabilitation from an extended stay. Still upset about not knowing what caused the wreck, we decided to look up the truck to see if there had ever been a recall dealing with what exactly happened in her wreck, this is when we found out about the lower ball-joint failing causing the actions of loss of steering, accidents, and accidents with flipping. …
While I was driving the passenger side wheel completely buckled under the truck. Luckily, I was only driving 15 MPH. Had this broken while I was on the interstate, I would have been injured or injured someone else. As a result, the mechanic found that both ball joints were bad so both were replaced. The frame is completely rusted out and the spare tire cannot be removed. No notice was ever given to us or the previous owner by Toyota, regarding the problems stated above.
Lower ball joint separated from knuckle and it says 0 recalls repaired i want it replaced because there oem they were never replaced when recalled
I had made a left turn onto freeway entrance ramp, started accelerating to get up to speed. At approximately 30mph there was a loud bang/pop noise and the vehicle front left dropped down. I hung on to try and keep vehicle under control as it took an sharp left hand turn towards a pole. Even though the brake pedal went to the floor I was able to some how get the vehicle stopped before the passenger side hit the pole where my 1 year old daughter was riding. I had the truck checked for recalls in late 2008 when I purchased it. The report said ball joint recall was VIN # specific and that this truck was not in the VIN range. …
Frame recall: when I received notice of this recall I took it to a dealer in slc, ut and had it checked on 9/22/08. I was informed that it was fine and they didn't do anything to it. Now 8 years later, my truck has turned into a safety hazard because the frame is so rusted out, I can't even get my brake line that recently broke repaired. I have been told that this particular recall expired in 2014. I don't understand how a recall can expire. Nor do I understand that if my frame was fine in 2008, how it could have rusted away to this extent so quickly. The state of the current rust was pointed out to me in 2016. I understand that I have been driving the truck for 16 years; however, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the engine and I had hoped to drive it till the engine died. …
After a muffler shop pointed out serious holes in the frame of my 2001 Toyota Tacoma (with 174,000 miles), I contacted kings Toyota and Toyota manufacturing. They said the truck was out of warranty. I took it to hamilton body shop and they said there was a recall for the life of the truck.I contacted performance Toyota with my VIN # and they said there was no recall in their data bank. I have been told the truck is unsafe to drive. I have had the truck frame inspected at kings Toyota twice in the past several years and they said the frame was OK at that time. My truck is in mechanically good condition, body looks fine too. Would love to continue to drive it several more years. Would appreciate help determining if there is, in fact , a recall and how do I go about getting the information I need to get this frame repaired.
I took vehicle in for recall for tire plate replacement because cases have come to light where they rust and fall out along with tires. At the shop the mechanic determine the vehicle is dangerous for driving and they were unable to lift truck to replace plate because chassis is no longer good because of rust and its rusted out; no stability. They also advised Toyota has a recall for chassis and its also on the website NHTSA recall # 12V542 and manufacture recall # cov where they will replace , correct or buy back vehicle. I called Toyota and they stated its not a recall its only a campaign and they are not able to assist my vehicle even though it its a recall. I spoke to crystal from Toyota at [phone] case # 1505272075. Please assist I now have a perfect vehicle that is no longer good at all.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle's subframe felt loose underneath. The contact noticed rust and corrosion underneath the wheel well and on the subframe of the vehicle. Riverhead Toyota (1655 route 58 (old country road), riverhead, ny 1190[phone]) inspected the vehicle and stated the vehicle was not safe to be driven and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact was informed of a special program to the replace the subframe back in 01/2016 which expired. The contact had not received the notification. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The manufacturer provided the contact with a case number and promised a callback. The vehicle was still unrepaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
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.
Suspension complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, 20% of the model year's 396 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-225 (lower ball joint, May 17, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Tacoma suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 170,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries and 1 death to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.