Toyota has managed to become a household brand majorly because of its reliability and ease of maintenance. The Japanese brand has managed to set up a strong service network and this has earned them the reputation that they carry today. The Land Cruiser isn’t a regular Toyota as it aims to attract the high-end audience looking for a fullsize SUV. This sure is a hard task considering the vehicle is up against rivals such as the Lincoln Navigator, the Lexus LX 570, and the Infiniti QX80. However, it isn’t just the competition that acts as a hindrance but also the fact that the SUV came with issues relating to the suspensions and intermittent loss of power. Although NHTSA reports 0 complaints, users have had the above-mentioned issues with the Land Cruiser and the brand also issued 3 recalls pertaining to faulty mechanicals and a label error.
User complaints and problems
Mechanical Problems
- Air suspension – Users complained about the Land Cruiser leaning towards one side and it was said that the car failed to dampen the ride while moving over a rough patch. It was mentioned that there was a hissing noise coming from the suspension area and upon inspection, the air suspension was found to have a leak, and the mechanics recommended getting the airlines and the compressor replaced in order to fix the issue.
- Fuel filter – The owners of the 2019 Land Cruiser complained about the car not being able to accelerate while depressing the gas pedal. This condition made overtaking on the highways a highly dangerous task as the vehicle was exposed to a higher risk of getting rear-ended. The user drove to a dealership and it was found that the engine was getting insufficient amount of fuel due to a clogged fuel filter. The mechanics suggested getting the filter cleaned or in the worst cases, replaced to allow free-flow of fuel to the engine.
- Power steering – Some users found the steering wheel to need more force and it was said that driving the SUV got harder. This meant that the users were at a higher risk of an accident as making quick maneuvers was almost impossible. The dealers were able to find a worn-out pump, which caused the steering fluid to leak. Users had to replace the steering pump setup to fix the issue.
2019 Toyota Land Cruiser recalls
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
4th November 2020 |
20V682000 |
Fuel pump may fail |
The gasoline tank's internal low-pressure fuel pump could malfunction. Engine stalling while driving increases the likelihood of a collision if the fuel pump malfunctions. |
Owners will be notified by Toyota, and dealers will upgrade the fuel pump assembly at no additional cost. Owners of particular models were informed that replacement components would be accessible on January 21, 2021. As replacement parts become available, owners of further models will be informed. |
2. |
27th March 2019 |
19V244000 |
Non-permanent text on load capacity label |
The load capacity label's text can become unreadable. The FMVSS number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," criteria are thus broken by these cars. The risk of an accident rises if the driver is unable to read the label and unintentionally overloads the car. |
Gulf States Toyota will provide owners notice, and dealers will give out free revised load-bearing capacity stickers. |
3. |
13th December 2018 |
18V887000 |
Sensor wire may break deactivating airbags |
The front passenger airbag, knee airbag, and passenger seat-mounted side airbag could all become inoperable as a result of the seat belt tension sensor wire harness breaking over time. Deactivated airbags can raise the risk of injuries in a collision. |
Owners will be notified by Toyota, and dealers will either upgrade or replace the front passenger seatbelt assembly for free, depending on the situation. |
Should you buy the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser?
Although the Land Cruiser is a premium vehicle with a great off-road scope, it manages to carry the reliability factor that Toyota has mastered over the years. J.D.Power has scored the SUV a good 4 on 5 for its reliability, proving the SUV to be a good choice if you're looking for a vehicle that would last long without many troubles. Though there were multiple complaints from its users, Toyota claims that regular maintenance would exempt the chances of such issues rising, and for this reason, we find the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser a safe bet in terms of reliability. However, this SUV does not seem to retain its value as well as its rivals, and hence the depreciation on the Land Cruiser would be much higher. We would also recommend getting the suspensions checked to ensure they are free from a leak as getting them replaced can burn your bank account.