Video goes viral as influencers’ Toyota Prado breaks

An Australian influencer has taken aim at a major car brand after his vehicle failed. But everything isn’t as it seems.

“Thought Toyotas were reliable!”

That’s the anguished cry of a new-gen Prado four-wheel-drive owner, after their modified “dream rig” ended up on the back of a tow truck, following an apparent suspension failure.

In a now-viral Instagram video, influencers and Toyota fans ‘lilandjake’ posted a short clip of their modified 250 Series Prado loaded up on the back of a local tow vehicle, where it is clear that the new toy, allegedly with “only 8000km” on it, has failed.

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News Corp Australia has reached out to Toyota Australia’s public relations team for comment.

There is no question that some of the modifications to the all-new Prado could have played a part in the issues faced by the owners, as the owner explains that the vehicle is still running a stock standard suspension system despite multiple weight-adding modifications that could cause undue stress on the mechanicals and chassis components of the vehicle.

There are All Terrain Industries AT-01 hybrid beadlock wheels with aggressive Maxxis Razr mud tyres – in 305/70/R17 spec - which are very heavy and put excess strain on the car’s suspension.

Other modifications include airbag rear shock absorber system, a roof rack system, towing kit and much more.

The extra weight of the wheel and tyre package, as well as the other modifications to the Prado would no doubt have caused some strain to the vehicle, in this instance, causing the front left suspension bolt to come undone.

Instagram influencers 'lilandjake' have had trouble with their Toyota Prado. Picture: Supplied

Commenters on the post state that it isn’t a major failure, while others insist it can’t have been like that from the Toyota factory.

“Nothing broken. Lower shock bolt left loose and has come out. 100% would not have been lose out of the factory, has been touched P/D [post delivery]. You could’ve fixed that in about 20 minutes and driven it to the next town” said user tgb_adventure.

“They don’t make them like the used too! [sic]” said danmeisterr.

“Looks like the bolt has come out of the locating pin the strut eye slides over.” commented the_4wd_zone_bathurst.

“Looks like you lost the bolt, rather than a breakage, can you confirm?” asked more4x4.au.

On the their YouTube channel, Jake calls out the fact that the transmission is close to overheating because of some of the modifications, and further comments that he has plans to upgrade the suspension to be a more durable and off-road-focused set up.

The new 2024 Toyota Prado GXL. Photo: Thomas Wielecki

It isn’t the first drama to engulf the new-generation Prado in Australia, with Carsales testers ‘killing’ a new Prado after testing it off-road.

Tester Feann Torr said the Prado Altitude was being put to the test in similar ways to how owners would drive it, so the failure was a big surprise.

“The Prado died, appearing to lose all voltage – albeit slowly. It wouldn’t start initially but all the electrics worked. Then the whole shebang went dark,” he wrote in his road test.

“Roadside assistance tested the battery and then called a tow truck after discovering the alternator was not holding charge.

“After running diagnostics at a nearby dealership a day later, Toyota Australia came back with an explanation: water infiltrated the air filter, which messed up the 48V motor-generator (and the alternator for the 12V battery), thus causing the malfunction.”

Originally published as Video goes viral as influencers’ Toyota Prado breaks