# 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA — STEERING
> NHTSA complaint `1269555` · 2016-03-21 · Toyota Motor Corporation
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** Yes
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** TOYOTA
- **Model:** SEQUOIA
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Toyota Motor Corporation
- **Component:** STEERING
- **Miles at failure:** 215,444
- **Speed:** 30 mph
## Narrative
LAST WEEK, (3/17/16) MY NEIGHBOR WAS TAKING HER THREE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN HER 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. SHE WAS TRAVELING ON A NEW ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED ON DRIVER'S SIDE.  SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE SO SHE STEERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.    IT APPEARS THE DRIVER'S SIDE, LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED (SEE PHOTOS).   I CALLED HENDRICK TOYOTA OF APEX, NC AND TALKED WITH MR. JOHN SPECHT  (919-335-1678).  HE CHECKED THE VIN AND SAID THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD A RECALL AND WERE CHANGED ON AUG. 15, 2007. HE ALSO SUGGESTED I CONTACT TOYOTA TO REQUEST THEIR ASSISTANCE TO COVER THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE (CASE NO.[XXX]). HE ADVISED THE VEHICLE BE BROUGHT IN FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL TOO.  VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME ON A DOLLY TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION.  THE VEHICLE HAS 215,444 MILES AND WAS NOT USED FOR OFF-ROAD DRIVING. THE VEHICLE RECENTLY PASSED STATE INSPECTION WITH NO PROBLEMS NOTED ABOUT THE FRONT END. IF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE ALREADY REPLACED IN A RECALL (2007) WHAT DID THEY REPLACE THEM WITH, AND HOW DID THEY CORRECT THE PROBLEM?  THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEADLY ACCIDENT AT HIGHER SPEED.  WHEN A LOWER BALL JOINT BREAKS, THE DRIVER CAN ONLY STEER WITH ONE WHEEL.[XXX]   'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *BF
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*