Creepy

Just an update. The car has been in twice more for the clattering. It has been diagnosed as pinging and has had the engine computer upgraded and labeled as a manufacturing fault. Still does it though so will be going in again soon.

Sorry for the late reply. Yes it is and the other hilux 2007 twin cab model is now having the same problem. The Twin cabs gear box got stripped down and it was found the torque converter was warped out of shape. This was replaced but even now it still overheats when towing around 750Kg or more. Faults so far between both cars and they are both just over a year old. Left side wiring to tail lights replaced - warn through in chassis Left electric mirror faulty - replaced Tail shaft fell out of gear box onto the road - replaced Both cars gear boxes overheat (one has had a cooler fan upgrade the other as above but both still overheat) Very low standard front ground clearance bash plate got broken off on a not so big rock the family car would get over Gear box seal went while towing around a 1 tonne boat blew oil over boat - seal replaced Transfer box seal went lost all oil on the drive way overnight - replaced Right side wiring to tail lights replaced - warn through same as left Currently engine on the single cab clatters like all hell going in this Friday So far the Prado's have been good touch wood. Only a suspension failure on one of them.

My 2007 4x4 Single cab D-4D has the same overheating automatic problem. If i tow or have in the tray anything more than 750Kg approx the transmission will overheat and that's on a flat road doing 90km/h outside temp around 20C. I can't see how it is possibly rated to 2000+Kg. It has gone back to Toyota and they can't find the problem they replaced some fan saying it was weak and replaced the oil because it was extremely burnt but i would have thought at that speed this "fan" shouldn't even be on. Also it will usually leave oil on the drive way the following night. Mine has been a complete lemon had many problems fixed under warranty.