Which Toyota Land Cruiser years should you avoid?

The Toyota Land Cruiser years to avoid are 2008, 2003, 2002 and 2000: they have the lowest Year Scores on owner complaints per year on the road, crash and fire reports, and recalls, against the model's other years. The best year is 2021 (few owner reports). Graded from 19 model years of NHTSA data.

What are the most common Toyota Land Cruiser problems?

Across all years, the most-reported areas are service brakes (87 complaints), power train (37 complaints), hydraulic (23 complaints).

Toyota Land Cruiser years to avoid and best years

Avoid: 2008, 2003, 2002, 2000 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)

Best: 2021 (few owner reports)

19 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade

Across 25 model years, the Toyota Land Cruiser has 312 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 51 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and power train. 2024 drew the most complaints (39), 2015 the fewest of the years on the road 3+ years (2).

Model years tracked

312

Owner complaints

Recalls

Median per year

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles (US, public record).

Which Land Cruiser years have the most problems?

Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Most reported
2026	5	0	service brakes
2025	32	0	service brakes
2024	39	4	service brakes
2018	4	2	air bags
2017	4	1	air bags
2016	4	3	seats
2015	2	4	air bags
2014	2	4	power train
2013	6	2	electrical system
2011	4	5	tires
2010	3	6	engine
2009	6	7	vehicle speed control
2008	8	5	air bags
2007	3	1	electrical system
2006	9	2	service brakes
2005	9	3	service brakes
2004	5	1	service brakes
2003	22	1	service brakes
2002	38	0	service brakes
2001	9	0	service brakes
2000	24	0	structure
1999	23	0	service brakes
1998	19	0	service brakes
1997	17	0	service brakes
1996	15	0	service brakes

Highest: 2024 (39 complaints). Lowest: 2015 (2).

Where owners report problems

service brakes87

power train37

hydraulic23

structure22

vehicle speed control22

What owners say

Sentiment is highly positive for the 200 Series (LC200/LX570) and 70 Series, centered on legendary long-term reliability, overbuilt solidity, and exceptional off-road capability.

Very frequentConcerns about new powertrain reliability
Widespread concern about the long-term reliability of Toyota's new turbocharged engines (e.g., in Tundra, 4Runner, Land Cruiser) and the complexity of hybrid systems compared to older, naturally aspirated engines.
RecurrentUnrefined engine feel (250 Series 2.4L turbo)
Engine sounds and feels like it is working hard, lacks smoothness, driving experience is very electronically assisted.
IsolatedFrame rust on older models (e.g., 2006)
Can be severe, requiring costly rail replacement and specialized repair shops.
IsolatedReal-world fuel economy discrepancy (250 Series)
Achieving approximately 19 MPG combined versus an EPA estimate of 23/25 MPG.
IsolatedManufacturer defect (250 Series)
One report of an unidentified defect that could not be diagnosed or fixed by the dealer, leading to a vehicle switch.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Land Cruiser. Individual model years are broken down above.

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