Toyota Prerunner Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Toyota Prerunner (1999–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 7. Across all years, the part named most often is suspension (6 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Prerunner model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 6 | 62,430 | 0 | 9 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 7 | 149,882 | 0 | 8 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 7 | 79,000 | 0 | 6 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Suspension6 22%
- Body and structure6 22%
- Transmission and drivetrain4 15%
- Air bags4 15%
- Other or unknown3 11%
- Seat belts2 7.4%
- Tires1 3.7%
- Steering1 3.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1999: “Purchased second set of tires for my truck from dealership. Michlin lxt m/s2 type. Have 81,000 miles on my Toyota Prerunner pickup at this time. Have had the tires rotated and balanced at dealership on timely bases. Last time in for maintenance the service rep pointed out that the tires had dry rotted . Tread thickness is very acceptable. Photos attached.”
NHTSA complaint #10992994, filed 2017-06, 79,000 miles2002: “I received notice from Toyota of possible excessive frame rust years ago . (about 2007) I did the inspection myself and thought frame was good. Did not take to dealer for inspection . In september of 2013 I find out that Toyota is not responsible and I missed the deadline. I think I understand that since it was not a NHTSA issued recall, they have the right to put a expiration date on the recall . The bottom line is I goofed up . But there still existed thousands of tacomas and tundras on the roads today that are a hazard to the driver and all others around them . …”
NHTSA complaint #10543571, filed 2013-09, 104,000 miles2001: “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 when trying to move forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10836819, filed 2016-02, 159,765 milesOther Toyota models
18,207 complaintsToyota Prius
12,519 complaintsToyota Corolla
11,738 complaintsToyota RAV4
9,401 complaintsToyota Sienna
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6,944 complaintsToyota 4RUNNER
5,900 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology