The Toyota Land Cruiser isn’t just a towing beast with exceptional off-road capabilities. It’s also a reliable automobile, as we’d expect from the Toyota brand—no wonder it has dominated the automobile industry for years.
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However, that’s not to say it doesn’t have its problems. Hence, let’s explore its best and worst model years.
The Best and Worst Years for the Toyota Land Cruiser Are:
The best years for the Toyota Land Cruiser are the 2002, 2009, 2012, 2019, and 2020 model years. On the other hand, the years to avoid are the 2000, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017 model years.
It’s noteworthy that a reliable model year doesn’t guarantee that every unit from that year would be problem-free and vice versa.
What Toyota Land Cruiser Years Are the Most Reliable?
These are the most reliable model years for the Land Cruiser. So, these model years would serve better if you’re concerned about how long a Toyota Land Cruiser would last.
1. 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser
This automobile is an excellent choice if you have a small budget for an SUV. It is an affordable vehicle with the necessary features you crave in an SUV.
However, you will be disappointed if you are concerned about fuel efficiency. With a consumption rate of 13 miles per gallon in the city, you may spend more on fuel purchases.
It possesses safety features such as airbags, electronic stability control, and safety sensors to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.
The SUV also offers a superb ride experience for all.
It has a robust V8 engine that delivers speed without stress. The 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser is a fantastic vehicle that offers a pleasant experience without breaking the bank.
2. 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser is part of the previous generation of the Land Cruiser family and one of the striking features of this SUV is its excellent fuel economy.
If you do not have a big budget, the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser is a perfect choice that delivers an impressive performance.
The manufacturer did not compromise on safety, as the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser has the necessary safety features.
The driving experience in the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser is a pleasant one you will relish for years.
3. 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser is similar to the vehicle generation released in 2008. It has an excellent design that has enticed millions of enthusiasts globally.
This vehicle is renowned for its ample cargo space with 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. You can have 43 cubic feet of cargo space when the third row is folded.
When the second and third rows are folded, you have a lavish 81.7 cubic feet of cargo space to yourself.
The 2019 version differs from the original version and is one of the most powerful SUVs in the Toyota Land Cruiser lineup.
The SUV has several features, such as a luxurious interior that ensures you enjoy your ride. Unfortunately, some drivers have reported the brakes’ over-sensitivity and the steering wheel’s heaviness.
This vehicle was ranked 11th out of 16 cars among full-size SUVs by RepairPal. It also received an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
4. 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is an upgrade from the previous version and is more potent.
Renowned for its ruggedness and one of the larger SUVs, the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is a beast on the road and a wild vehicle off the road.
That’s why this Toyota Land Cruiser is best for snow and winter driving.
The vehicle has several sophisticated features to ensure a safe riding experience. It has sufficient cargo space, and its optional third row can be folded to create more passenger space.
However, RepairPal gave this vehicle an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which means an above-average rating.
5. 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser is an incredible choice if you love a vehicle with off-road capabilities.
Its all-wheel drive system can withstand any rough terrain, and the safety features in the vehicle will ensure your safety in case of trouble.
The 2012 model has an opulent interior that leaves an impression of classiness and luxury in your mind.
The yearly repair expense of this vehicle is around $845, which is relatively higher than others.
6. 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser is a luxury SUV that delivers more than the expectations of most enthusiasts.
If you are looking for a smooth riding experience and extraordinary comfort, the retro seats in this vehicle do the job.
There are several enjoyable features in the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser, including traction control and safety features.
Its downside is the infotainment system, but the other tech features are excellent.
It also has a mediocre fuel efficiency rate of 15 miles per gallon. The vehicle has a V8 engine beneath the hood, an incredible feature that delivers speed.
What Toyota Land Cruiser Years Should You Avoid?
These Land Cruiser models may not be the best for you if you’ve got reliability in mind. You can also probe into where Toyota Land Cruisers are made.
1. 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser
You should avoid the 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser model.
The reason is that it has the highest number of customer complaints, which earned it the title of the worst vehicle on the market.
Its body construction, bumpers, and underbody contribute to the problems faced by owners of the 2020 model.
At least seven complaints have been received regarding the body and bumpers.
Servicing brakes and malfunctioning Powertrain are also part of the issues individuals who own this model face.
2. 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser
Despite its reliability, the sensors on the 2011 model have problems.
Some owners have complained about an abrupt shutting down of their engines. These sensors tend to break down unexpectedly, leading to false warning signals.
Sometimes, the hood-open sign is switched on while the hood is closed.
3. 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
The engine in the 2005 model emits blue smoke whenever there is a problem.
The 2005 model is also notorious for transmission problems, starting with the first shift.
4. 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser
The eighth generation of the Toyota Land Cruiser has its peculiar problems. Customers complain about the sudden failure of the air conditioning system in their vehicles.
The reason is that the air conditioning lines tend to rust quickly, and replacing them is the best solution.
The key fob of the vehicle is known to malfunction. Individuals living in locations with bad weather conditions must spend more on repairs.
5. 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2013 model has lighting issues, and the reason is that the manufacturer did not appropriately fix its headlights.
This leads to the headlights’ breakdown, which can be dangerous when the headlights cease to function.
It is hard driving at night when the headlights are off and this could lead to a fatal accident, especially when you cannot see the oncoming vehicle.
It is crucial to fix the wobbly headlights quickly.
6. 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the later versions, but the sound system is another feature that could break down anytime.
If you like listening to songs and audio files or receiving phone calls through Bluetooth, you may be in for a rude shock when the system fails.
There is only a single report about this issue, and it is unlikely you will face the problem of sound system failure.
7. 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser
According to Car Complaints, the 2016 model has the highest reports of problems.
These include
- Air conditioning failure
- Transmission issues, and
- Heater and interior accessories failure
Other problems are
- A howling noise while owners are about to park
- Shuddering to shift, and
- Rough shifting.
8. 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser is renowned for its drivetrain issues; most customers have complained about the awful driving experience.
Try to avoid purchasing this model, as it comes with unnecessary repair expenses.
Finally, you should avoid the two worst years of the Toyota Land Cruiser: the 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser and the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Both are renowned for their high maintenance fees, or you will experience more problems at lower mileage.
The 2005 model has more engine problems and complaints than other models in the Land Cruiser lineup.
The drivetrain difficulties, structure, and brakes of the 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser are part of the complaints from customers.
What Are Some Typical Problems With the Toyota Land Cruiser Models?
These are the common problems with Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles.
- Engine Problems
- Shifting Issues
- Body and Chassis issues
- Transmission issues.
- Excessive consumption of oil
Go back: Best/Worst years for all Toyota models.
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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.