Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2008 Problems
No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2008 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.
- Diesel
- Engine
- Recall
- Transmission
- 2022
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- 2008
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- 2004
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- 2001
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- 1997
- 1996
Toyota Prado: Carbon build up
Toyota did have a spate of diesel engine failures some years ago when it was discovered that the fuel injector seals were leaking and letting fuel into the oil stream.
Sludge would build up on the oil pickup and eventually it be blocked and the engine would lose oil pressure. As you say the pickup can be inspected through the oil drain hole, so you should be able to see if there is a problem there. It is worthwhile changing the injector seals every 45,000 km.
Toyota Prado 2008: Cracked pistons
It sounds as if it has been running lean for some reason, and the obvious place to start is with the injectors. You say the dealer checked them and they were found to be ok, so the next step should be to go through the fuel system, the pump and the filters looking for something that has affected the fuel flow. I doubt that it is caused by dirty fuel as you have been told. While you are checking inspect the oil pickup in the sump as there have been problems with fuel leaking into the oil past the injector seals causing deposits to build up in the oil and eventually blocking the oil pickup. It's a long shot because it usually happens at very high kilometres, not 100,000km like yours, but it's worth eliminating as a cause.
Toyota Prado tow bar
There have been a few issues with the tow bar on Prados and Toyota has been checking and replacing the attaching bolts and replacing the hitch with a genuine Toyota one where the vehicle is fitted with an aftermarket one. The Toyota hitches are rated to handle the weight the Prado is approved to tow.
Toyota Prado diesel shakes and rattles
I'd be looking at the fuel system and having the fuel-injectors checked.
Toyota Prado: Brake shudder
You need to have the ABS system checked; it sounds like a dodgy wheel sensor or something similar.
2008 Toyota Prado
To fail engine mounts after 54,200 km is unacceptable, I believe Toyota should pay the entire cost of replacing them, not 50 per cent as they seem to be saying. Hit them for the lot. They should replace the fuel-injectors free of charge, they do wear out, and yours is not the only case we've heard of.
Toyota Prado towing capacity
Your caravan is within Toyota's claimed towing capacity for the Prado, which is 2500 kg, so that's fine. You can tow the caravan in "Drive" on the flat, but pull it back into fourth when approaching a hill and don't let it labour in a higher gear. The gearbox will downchange automatically, but by the time it works out that it needs a lower gear you would have lost momentum and might actually need to go down to an even lower gear. Drive according to the terrain.