How Long Do Toyota Hilux Last? (8 Important Facts)

Hilux is derived from the words “high” and “luxury, a combination of sturdiness and comfort.

It was sold in the U.S. from the mid-70s until the Tacoma replaced it in 1995.

If you want to own a Toyota Hilux in the U.S, it can be imported, but you may have to pay a hefty 25% importation tax.

If you are considering the longevity and reliability of the Hilux, you are in the right place. This article will address all of your questions.

Here Is the Short Answer to How Long Toyota Hilux Last:

The Toyota Hilux can last up to 250,000 to 300,000 miles in a lifespan. With regular repairs and maintenance, any Toyota Hilux can reach 300,000 miles with ease. If you drive an average of 20,000 to 30,000 miles in a year, you can ride your Hilux for 10 to 15 years before needing major repairs.

How Many Miles Can You Expect From a Toyota Hilux?

The Toyota Hilux will deliver nothing less than 250,000 miles of satisfactory service with no serious problem.

Even yet, this is a modest estimate, as some Toyota Hilux owners have driven their vehicles for over 300,000 miles.

A farmer in Denmark reported over 380,000 miles on his 2001 Hilux. Interestingly, it is still running perfectly with no engine failure or transmission problem. This is a confirmation that you can squeeze out maximum miles from a Hilux before it requires expensive fixes.

The biggest deciding factor for Toyota Hilux’s longevity is maintenance. This will prevent minor issues from worsening and make your Hilux function properly.

Also, it’s advisable to handle your Hilux with care. When you ride your vehicle roughly, you’re unwittingly straining its components.

How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Toyota Hilux?

Rust is the silent destroyer of all ferrous products; it spreads sporadically like a plague.

From reports of owners, rust can appear on a Toyota Hilux in the first three to five years of ownership. The Hilux is notorious for chassis rust, which is common to 2003, 2004, and 2005 year models.

Isolating steel from the air, water, and other reactive elements by covering it with primers and paints or extra surfaces like anti-rust coating is the greatest anti-rust defense.

How Long Do Toyota Hilux Last Compared to Similar Pickup Trucks?

Below, we compare the Toyota Hilux to similar pickup trucks:

Toyota Hilux vs. Honda Ridgeline

Toyota and Honda are well known for their reliability. Therefore, it’s not surprising the Toyota Hilux and Honda Ridgeline are among the most reliable midsize trucks on the market.

A Toyota Hilux and a Honda Ridgeline can both reach 300,000 miles without major issues. However, the Toyota Hilux is cheaper to maintain compared to Honda Ridgeline.

Annually, it cost approximately $450 to service the Hilux while the Honda Ridgeline costs $502.

We can argue that both trucks are evenly matched, and it would ultimately be down to personal preferences when buying.

Read more: How Long Do Honda Ridgeline Last? (Solved & Explained!)

Toyota Hilux vs. Nissan Frontier

In terms of longevity, the Toyota Hilux out-match the Nissan Frontier. While the Hilux can last up to 300,000 miles, the best you can get from the Nissan Frontier is about 200,000 miles.

In terms of maintenance, they both have a similar annual maintenance cost. The average Frontier annual servicing cost is $470 while the Hilux costs about $450.

As it stands, we would pick the Toyota Hilux over the Nissan Frontier for a long-term truck.

How Reliable Is a Toyota Hilux?

Toyota has a known reputation for rock-solid cars with unbeatable long-term durability and low operating costs.

The Toyota Hilux is one of the most popular pickup trucks in the world because of its capability, style, versatility, and unrivaled reputation for durability.

In 2007, Toyota claimed the Hilux was the toughest vehicle in the world. The popular TV show Top Gear tested whether the Hilux lives up to their Toyotas’ claims.

Top Gear put a 1988 Hilux with 190,000 miles on the odometer through the most terrible conditions they can involve a truck in. These include:

• Driving it down a flight of stairs,
• Sideswiping buildings,
• Crashing it headlong into a tree,
• Submerging it in salty ocean water,
• Setting it on fire,
• Placing it on a 240-foot building as they demolished it.

The Hilux was still drivable after such an experience. Top Gear concluded the Hilux is indestructible.

Owners have also praised recent models for their durability and reliability, which makes them one of the top choices around the world.

Look into our article which reads about 4 Most Common Problems With Toyota Hilux

It’s no surprise that Autocar named the Hilux number one on its 2021 list of the best pickup car in the UK. More so, Parker.co.uk named the Hilux the most reliable pickup on UK roads, giving it a 4.6 out of 5.0 rating.

Auto Express rated it a 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability and safety, making a good rating for an off-road pickup truck.

Although the Hilux was not rated on RepairPal and J.D. Power because it is not available in the U.S., we can take Top Gear’s word for it.

Related: How Long Do Chevrolet Colorado Last? (Solved & Explained!)

The Best and Worst Years for Toyota Hilux

In the eight generations of the Hilux, Toyota delivers a reliable and durable truck with a good rating from its customers. It made it difficult to find the worst year of Toyota Hilux.

But our research found a recent case of the Hilux in Australia that led to the recall of up to 250,000 Hilux between June 2015 to June 2018.

The major cause of the recall is the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) issue. The diesel particulate filter essentially works to limit or eliminate the amount of diesel particulate matter, or soot, by capturing soot in the filter and biting it off at high temperatures.

Despite this shortcoming, the Toyota Hilux has become Australia’s top-selling vehicle.

What About Recalls for These Models?

We could not find a comprehensive list of recalls for Toyota Hilux, as it is not commercially sold in the U.S.A.

Nonetheless, here are some rough Toyota Hilux recalls of recent:

In September 2010, Toyota announced a recall of Toyota Hilux four-wheel-drive petrol and diesel vehicles. This recall campaign affected 116,507 built between January 2005 and February 2010.

This was because of a fault related to the tail shaft center bearing support bracket on four-wheel-drive models.

In December 2020, Toyota Australia announced a recall of over 20,000 Hilux diesel engine vehicles. The recall campaign affected Hilux produced between June 2018 and December 2018. This was because of a safety issue relating to the cars’ brake system.

The most recent Toyota Hilux recall affected the 2020 to 2021 Hilux Rogue. The recall affected 683 units manufactured in Australia between May and October 2020.

The cause of the recall is multiple electrical faults that could lead to short-circuiting, overheating, and a potential fire risk.

Related: How Long Do Toyota Tacomas Last? (Solved & Explained!)

Toyota Hiluxs Model Year List

Here is a list of the model years of the Toyota Hilux:

Are Toyota Hiluxs Expensive To Maintain?

Reports show the Toyota Hilux to be one of the cheapest midsize pickups to maintain. Annually, it is estimated that maintenance of the Hilux will cost about $450.

How Long Do the Brakes Last?

Depending on your driving habits, the Toyota Hilux’s brakes can last anywhere between 30,000 to 70,000 miles.

If you apply breaks abruptly and sharply, your brake pads has the tendency of wearing out fast.

How Long Do the tires Last?

The Hilux has strong tires that can last between 40,000 to 60,000 miles. Notwithstanding, if you go off-roading frequently, your tires may wear faster.

How Long Do the Transmissions Last?

The transmission on a Toyota Hilux can last between 100,000 to 120,000 miles, with regular maintenance.

How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?

Based on our research, the Hilux spark plugs will need replacement between 70,000 to 100,000 miles. But this depends on your driving habits.

Tips To Prolong the Life of Your Toyota Hilux

Here are ways to prolong the life of your Toyota Hilux:

• Drive carefully and take care of the Hilux.
• Keep up with oil changes as specified in the service manual.
• Get your car treated with an anti-rust solution, most especially on the chassis. This will prevent corrosion and increase the lifespan of the vehicle.
• Also, wash your truck regularly to get rid of  salt and snow (during winter) to prevent rust.
• Change fluids periodically.
• Fix issues as soon as you notice them; don’t wait until they turn into bigger problems

Resources

Top Gear | Toyota Hilux

Repair and Maintenance of Toyota Hilux

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