Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
159,765 miles · Feb 18, 2016
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
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…
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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 ODI #10836819
205,281 miles · Jun 29, 2015
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other
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.
NHTSA ODI #10731133
161,365 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Structure
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 AN…
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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 SUPPORT THIS. THEY DO NOT WANT ME TO USE AGAINST THEM. UNSAFE AND THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627283
140,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Structure
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.
NHTSA ODI #10557882
79,000 miles · Jun 10, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury
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 MILEA…
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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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 6/29/09 *CN UPDATED 06/30/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10273461
1 miles · Aug 24, 2008
Structure
FRAME IS HEAVILY CORRODED , SOME RUST PERFORATION EXISTS. TOYOTA HAS EXTENDED FRAME RUST COVERAGE FOR '95 TO '00. I DRIVE AN '01.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10239547
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2005
Suspension
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 WO…
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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 JOINTS AGAIN?! THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER DRIVEN WORSE THAN IT DOES NOW. SINCE GETTING IT BACK FROM REPAIRS IT SHIMMYS AND SHAKES SEVERLY AND DOES NOT FELL SAFE.
NHTSA ODI #10126079
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2001 Toyota Prerunner Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year