Used Toyota Land Cruiser

What to know before buying: Toyota Land Cruiser

From 3 forum threads and 1 press test · updated 12/10/2026

What the reviews say

• Produced since 1951, the Land Cruiser is described as one of Toyota’s longest-running models and is sold worldwide.[3][4]
• The sources associate the Land Cruiser with off-road ability, reliability and suitability for varied conditions and terrain.[3][4]
• The model has been offered in three- and five-door forms with different engines; the sources also highlight passenger comfort and luxury.[3][4]
• For 1997–2009 cars, APK data show 4.6–6.4 defects per rejected vehicle; maintenance and repairs are excluded, and the sample does not represent every car.[2]one sourceLand Cruiser (1997–2009)

Typical faults

• A forum records an isolated report of cracked pistons in an LC90 3.0 D-4D; the source gives neither model year nor mileage.[3]one source

  3.0 D-4D

• An LC120 forum case reports an air-suspension fault, resolved in that instance by replacing both air springs.[3]one source
• APK data for 1997–2006 repeatedly record up to 1.0 mm wear in steering or ball joints, affecting 4–8% of rejected cars depending on year.[2]one sourceLand Cruiser (1997–2009)

  1997–2006

• Brake-system fault: APK inspections found corrosion-damaged brake lines on 1998–2000 and 2003–2007 cars, generally in 3–6% of rejected examples.[2]one sourceLand Cruiser (1997–2009)
• In APK data for 2003–2008 cars, damaged driveshaft boots that no longer sealed affected 4–8% of rejected vehicles.[2]one sourceLand Cruiser (1997–2009)

  2003–2008

Which engine and version to take

• Consider an LC90 3.0 D-4D only after a Toyota dealer VIN check and diesel-specialist assessment of fuel pressure and injectors.[3]one source

What to avoid

• There is insufficient comparative evidence to reject an engine outright; the LC90 3.0 D-4D warrants extra scrutiny because of the cracked-piston report.[3]one source

What to check at the inspection

• Have the car inspected by one or more workshops: a Latvian forum contributor warns about flood-damaged vehicles and altered identification numbers.[1]one source
• On 1997–2009 cars, inspect steering and ball-joint play, brake-line corrosion, driveshaft boots and exhaust-system sealing.[2]one sourceLand Cruiser (1997–2009)
• For a diesel LC90, have a specialist measure fuel pressure and assess injector operation.[3]one source
• Check that the brakes release correctly and are balanced across each axle, then test all exterior lights, headlamp aim and wipers.[2]one sourceLand Cruiser (1997–2009)

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]iauto.lv — LandCruiser - Forums - iAuto · forum
2. [2]autozine.nl — Betrouwbaarheid Toyota Land Cruiser (1997 - 2009) · press
3. [3]problemcar.nl — Toyota Land Cruiser Forum · forum
4. [4]problemcar.nl — Toyota Land Cruiser Forum · forum

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