2001 Toyota Prerunner problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (2) · Suspension:front (1) · Suspension (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Prerunner model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (9)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication 2024-03-04 · T-PANT-2024-004- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect toyota genuine motor oil and long life coolant, effective march 1, 2024. these products are ordered through the toyota complete maintenance care (tcmc) website.
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Toyota PRO19-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by toyota. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information
Air Bags 2021-03-17 · Toyota Safety Re · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2016-07-21 · Safety Recall an · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
update on technician certification requirements.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2013-08-01 · TC13-019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
summary to be provided on a future date.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint 2005-06-27 · 05015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
special service campaign 50j - phase i - front suspension lower ball joint may experience excessive wear and looseness causing increased steering, effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 9 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2016-02-18 · Suspension · 159,765 mi“my daughter was making a right hand turn on a city street when the ball joint broke away, the left side tire snapped off. it was still stuck to the brake rotor and suspension. it ruined the brake also. the tow truck even had problems picking it up.2nd the rear end seal has broke away and leaked all the way over to the brake. the tires now lock up w…”
2015-06-29 · Unknown Or Other · 205,281 mi“took my tacoma in today for spare tire recall. work was denied due to frame rust. i did not received any notices beforehand until this one. i feel my vehicle is unsafe to drive. i have owned my tacoma since 2003.…”
2014-08-21 · Structure:body · 161,365 mi“frame is rusted and unsafe to drive. toyota issued a special policy for 15 year frame warranty and even bought back trucks for this issue but the warranty did not get extended because the truck was not undercoated in 2011 to extend this 15 year warranty. toyota owners beware customer service is horrible they would not give me anything in writing to…”
2013-12-30 · Structure:body · 140,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota prerunner. the contact stated that the frame had deteriorated, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 140,000. …”
2009-06-10 · Air Bags:frontal · 79,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl*the contact owns a 2001 toyota prerunner. while making a left turn at 10 mph, a vehicle traveling 80 mph crashed into the front driver's side of the contact's vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy and the contact was injured. a police report was filed. the dealer was notified, but not the manufacturer. the current mileage was 92,000 and fa…”
2008-08-24 · Structure:frame And Members · 1 mi“frame is heavily corroded , some rust perforation exists. toyota has extended frame rust coverage for '95 to '00. i drive an '01.*tr…”
2005-06-21 · Suspension:front“driver's side ball joint fell off resulting in the entire wheel coming off. there was no forwarning of this going to occur. took it to the local dealer they replaced the lower & upper balljoints and the left lower ball joint. also, they replaced a tire and replaced a brake hose. they said to bring it back in july and they would replace the ball…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.