Toyota Prado Problems

We have received a number of similar reports on the same issue, and we have passed them all on to Toyota for a response, which we will publish when we receive it.

We have passed some on to Toyota for their attention and response, and they have come back to us asking for the details of relevant owners and the dealers they have consulted so their Technical Services Department can deal directly with them in an effort to resolve their complaints. Specifically they would like to contact readers Jim Rogers of Boronia in Victoria and Mick Ryan of Niddrie, also in Victoria. If those two readers contact us at carsguide.com.au, quoting this announcement we will pass their details on to Toyota.

We have passed a number of these reports on to Toyota for their response and last week we received this comment from a Toyota spokesman: "Toyota acknowledges owners comments regarding the ATM light illuminating when towing heavy loads. We are currently investigating the issue. However, we wish to advise, the ATM light only indicates high oil temperature. Owners who experience this condition should follow the 'Owners Manual' instruction, as well as ensuring airflow to the radiator is not blocked."

You’re on a loser trying to convince Toyota to pay for a new clutch. At the very, very best they might cough up for part of the cost, but I doubt they’ll show any interest at all for the reasons you quote. If the clutch is still operating fine, then take the clutch man’s advice and crank up the radio until the clutch fails and needs replacing.

We were told of a similar issue with the turbo-diesel engine in the HiLux, which was claimed to be cause by over-fuelling during the warm-up phase and there was a revised ECU developed to fix it. Go back to your dealer and check the availability of the fix for your car.

We've asked Toyota about the 'fix' and whether it applies to the HiLux and will report back once we have an answer.

We have asked Toyota for a response on this issue, but so far they haven’t come back to us. Stay tuned, as we will continue to press for an answer.

Toyota has told us that some customers have reported “dashpad vinyl surface deterioration on some older model Prado vehicles.” They go on to say that “the dashpad vinyl surface is purely a cosmetic finish that can be affected by the general care and maintenance afforded, however the condition of the surface will not affect the structure or operation of the passenger SRS airbag in any way. Toyota provides a comprehensive new vehicle warranty and our customer satisfaction policies provide for Dealer evaluation and individual case-by-case assessment well beyond this period.” If indeed it is only the vinyl covering that is affected there’s no affect on the airbag operation and there’s no reason the car should be deemed unroadworthy as some owners have told us their’s have been. If it is a more deep-seated problem affecting the structure of the vehicle then I think there is a risk to the operation of the airbag and is certainly worth following up. As Toyota told us dealers are able to assess older vehicles like the early Prado, so if you are concerned that the operation of the airbag in your vehicle might be affected by the cracking have your dealer check it.

Yours is the first report of a problem we have received at Cars Guide. We have passed your report on to Toyota for their response, and in the meantime ask Prado owners to contact us if they have had the same problem.

When unloaded the tyres should be inflated to 200 kpa (29 psi) front and rear, but when loaded the recommended pressure is 200 kpa (29 psi) and the front and 220 kpa (32 psi) at the rear. If you open the driver's door you will find a sticker on the door pillar with the recommended tyre pressures, and you will also find it in the owner's manual.