We wouldn’t be surprised if the internet displayed “Toyota” as a synonym for the word “reliability” as that is one of the key aspects that the Japanese manufacturer has been bulls eyeing for a long period. The Toyota Land Cruiser is a unique vehicle for this automaker as it falls into the premium fullsize SUV market despite wearing the Toyota badge. For this reason, the sales have been dull, resulting in just 3,146 units crawling out of the dealerships. Though the SUV has no recalls or complaints registered on NHTSA, users reported issues with the suspension and air conditioner which further affected its claim of being a premium vehicle. The Toyota Land Cruiser does hold the reasonable maintenance costs that the brand is generally associated with but because it's up against rivals such as the Lincoln Navigator, the Land Rover Range Rover, and the Land Cruisers luxury cousin, the Lexus LX 570, it makes the buyers lean towards the competition than picking a Toyota worth over $80,000.
Electrical Problems
- Throttle position sensor - Users complained about the SUV not being able to accelerate at a normal rate and this made overtaking on the highways very dangerous. A crucial element that manages the engine's air intake is the TPS. The throttle position sensor may become misaligned as a result of throttle body wear or carbon accumulation. Users might need to get the TPS realigned or replaced if found to have major wear.
Mechanical Problems
- Air Conditioner – Users found the AC unit to deteriorate in terms of its performance and the cooling ability of the unit dropped by a drastic amount. This caused the cabin to hold an improper temperature, making the occupants uncomfortable. It issue was further looked into by the dealership to find out that the AC condenser was clogged due to dust grime and bugs. The dealers removed the front bumper to gain access to the condenser and recommended getting the unit deep cleaned to fix the issue.
- Air suspension - This problem may cause the car to sag or drop on one side, a condition known as "Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) lean" for automobiles using the technology. A leakage in the air suspension module may be to blame. In some circumstances, the affected area may also make a hissing noise. You must look for leaks in the airlines and connections in order to identify the issue. You might also want to make sure the air compressor is operating correctly. It could be necessary to replace the compressor if it is not performing properly.
- Fuel filter – Users complained that the SUV failed to accelerate or had a delayed acceleration while depressing the gas pedal. Insufficient fuel can enter the engine of your Toyota Land Cruiser if the fuel filter is clogged. As a result, the vehicle loses power and jerks when accelerating. The worst-case scenario involves an engine cut out while you're driving from a lack of fuel. Getting the fuel filter cleaned or replaced is the only solution to this issue.
2020 Toyota Land Cruiser recalls
The 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser does not have any recalls on NHTSA yet.
Should you buy the 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser?
Buying a 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser might not be for everyone and despite its limited unofficial complaints and no recalls, the Land Cruiser recorded the lowest sales among its competition. Regardless, this does not translate to the SUV being unreliable as users have found the maintenance on one of these vehicles to be easy as the Toyota service network is spread across the country and replacement parts have always been available. Despite its backfall, the Land Cruiser has a reputation for housing an almost bulletproof V8 under the hood that comes with a 5-year or 60,000 miles warranty from the original purchase date. However, considering its heavy steering and deteriorating value compared to its rivals, we would recommend considering options from Land Rover, Lincoln, or Lexus. The Land Cruiser still can be a top pick if you are someone who trails off-road as this car is capable of being through around trails but as far as reliability and resale value is concerned, there are better options available in the market.
