Toyota Land Cruiser Reliability and Common Problems

When you want a big yet fast SUV with sound handling and a pleasant ride, the Toyota Land Cruiser is a superb choice. The latest model years of Toyota’s flagship SUV have cutting-edge features, such as a touch-screen audio system. Meanwhile, older units in good condition can prove a worthwhile investment. Besides boasting a robust towing capacity and great off-roading capabilities, a Land Cruiser only depreciates by 41 % after five years, according to CarEdge.com,

Are Toyota Land Cruisers Reliable?

When it comes to reliability, the Toyota Land Cruiser is considered below-average. RepairPal rates it 2.5 out of 5.0, putting it at 14th place out of 14 different full-size SUVs. The Land Cruiser’s ownership costs are higher than average. So it’s likely to need repairs over time, and the problems it may develop can tend toward the severe side of the spectrum.

Despite its low reliability rating, owners trust the model. When RepairPal asked Toyota Land Cruiser owners to rate their SUVs, they gave their vehicle an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Consumer Reports also gives the Land Cruiser a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0.

Many Land Cruisers can reach 100,000 miles or more, and it’s not uncommon for some units to rack up 200,000 or even 300,000 miles on their odometer. Want to keep your SUV running for a long time? Follow its recommended maintenance schedule and replace any old or broken part immediately.

Toyota Land Cruiser Common Problems

Manufactured since 1951, the Toyota Land Cruiser saw decades of improvement and revision. Understandably, some model years showed a higher susceptibility to developing problems than others.

The highest number of complaints involved the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser, and the most reported problem was rough shifting. However, CarComplaints.com considered the 2005 model year the worst for the severity of the issues some of its units developed.

Here are some of the most common problems reported by Toyota Land Cruiser owners:

Rough Shifting

There’s a lot of good things to say about the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser, like how its eight-speed automatic transmission saves fuel. Unfortunately, it’s also the model year that’s most likely to develop rough shifting.

Some 2016 owners have complained that their SUV’s transmission tends to vibrate excessively whenever they switch between gears. Both upshifting and downshifting were affected. The problem could manifest while driving at high RPMs as well as low speeds.

In addition to rough shifting, several drivers have also reported revving from their 2016 Land Cruiser’s engine while the vehicle’s transmission paused.

Automatic Transmission Doesn’t Shift Properly

Transmission troubles are not limited to the 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser. The transmission of some vehicles built during 1990-19976 and 1999 can shift to the wrong gear once they pass the 120,000-mile mark.

In many cases, a badly adjusted throttle position sensor or a faulty shift solenoid is responsible for the transmission shifting incorrectly. Whatever the reason, replacing the malfunctioning part that’s causing the issue usually restores the transmission performance.

Engine Abruptly Stops Working

The 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser ensures comfort during long trips on the road or off the beaten track. However, some have left their passengers stranded in the middle of nowhere due to unexpected engine failure.

According to the owners of the affected Land Cruisers, the engine gave out while they were driving to their destination. Many of them brought their vehicles to the dealership. However, most technicians could not identify the exact problem that caused the engine failure.

Engine Consumes Too Much Oil and Releases Blue Smoke

Thanks in part to its strong engine, the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser tackles the roughest terrain as easily as it handles the finest roads and highways. However, that same part can malfunction to the point of requiring a costly replacement.

Some 2005 Land Cruiser owners have reported that the first sign of a problem with the engine was that it consumed more oil than expected. Sometime later, their vehicles began releasing blue smoke, a common symptom of an oil leak and burning lubricant.

Most 2005 Land Cruiser owners who had to deal with this issue were forced to replace the entire engine to repair their ride.

Leaky Power Steering Pump

Many older Toyota Land Cruisers with 6-cylinder engines tend to need a new power steering pump when they reach 125,000-150,000 miles. These vehicles were built during 1990-1998 and 2000, so their stock pump is usually on its last legs. A worn-out pump is more likely to spring a leak that can hamper or even cripple the Land Cruiser’s power steering.

Bad Electrical Junction Block for Power Windows and Mirrors

Many Toyota Land Cruiser model years have power windows and power mirrors that the driver can adjust with just a push of a button. The electricity needed to run these convenient parts comes from the battery and is distributed by a junction block.

However, in older vehicles, this electrical junction block may fail because of age. If you encounter this issue, note that you can still drive your Land Cruiser even with faulty power windows and mirrors. However, it can make it a hassle to adjust those parts.

EVAP System Fault

The evaporative emissions control (EVAP) system keeps the Toyota Land Cruiser’s emission levels within safe and legal levels. When something goes wrong with this system, it will activate the check engine light to warn the driver. Reports show that a problem can show up as early as 25,000 miles in some vehicles. The issue can involve parts like the charcoal canister or gas cap.

The Toyota Land Cruiser lives up to the reliability ascribed to its manufacturer. But it never hurts to take measures to keep it in tip-top shape for a long time. To avoid costly repairs, look up the most common Land Cruiser problems associated with your Cruiser’s model year.