Toyota Problems

Toyota's LandCruiser is a genuine 4WD, not just a people mover dressed up to look tough, but which is nothing more than a car underneath that supposedly rugged body. Highly capable off-road, the big LandCruiser is a longtime favourite with those on the land, in the mines or wanting a hard working tow vehicle.Cruiser has seating for up to eight people, though it is best if the occupants of the rearmost, fold-down seats aren't over large. With all passenger seats in place luggage room becomes relatively restricted. Toyota LandCruiser is unashamedly a large vehicle and can be a real handful at times in tight suburban running, particularly in undercover carparks. It’s not only the size of the LandCruiser, but also its large turning circle, that can cause hassles. It has been improved over the years.But try one for yourself if you've never experienced the potential parking hassles. Despite this, quite a few are used as family wagons, thanks to the spacious cabin and big luggage area. The LandCruiser has been around for years, but really took off in the sales race with the introduction of the 80-Series in 1990. It was replaced in March 1998 by the 100-Series then the 200-Series arrived in November 2007.LandCruiser 200 is a major evolution of the 100 Series rather than a completely new model. Its styling is slightly softer than that of the 100, but its genuine 4WD capability remains under that smoother skin.The LandCruiser 70-Series workhorse and LandCruiser Prado share little in common with the 80, 100 and 200, so will be the subject of separate articles. The added refinement and comfort of the 80-Series compared with its truck-like ancestors made it easier to live with, but even the 80 is getting on in years now so be sure of its condition before handing over the folding stuff. The LandCruiser is relatively simple for the inexperienced owner to take into the bush. Naturally with all the usual provisos of preparation and driver knowledge that apply to all who drive in off-road conditions. Interestingly, the LandCruiser 100-Series reverted to part-time 4WD in its more basic models. Most engines on used LandCruisers are straight sixes, though V8s became more common in later years. The petrol unit was originally a somewhat ancient 4.0-litre six-cylinder unit that was thirsty and not particularly quick.A 4.5-litre, twin-cam, multi valve engine was installed in the topline models late in 1992 and subsequently spread to the rest of the petrol range. It’s a modern unit with tremendous torque and impressive smoothness. A petrol V8 of 4.7-litre capacity, as used in the Lexus LX470, was offered as an option in the LandCruiser 100-Series from 1998 until 2000. It's quite thirsty, but beautifully smooth and torquey.Later developments of that 4.7-litre V8 engine were used in the LandCruiser 200, with the latest being a 4.6-litre unit introduced early in 2012. A petrol V8 with 5.7 litres is also on offer in the LC200. Diesel sixes are relatively common on older 80-Series and came with displacements of 4.0 and 4.2 litres. From 1990 the 4.2 litre diesel used a single overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder. In 1995 it received a four-valve cylinder head, though it still had a single camshaft. Much better is the 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel used in the LC200 – it's reasonably economical, smooth and provides plenty of grunt. The turbo-diesel V8s are big grunt powerplants, making them particularly suited to heavy-duty towing.Five-speed manual gearboxes are offered in some LandCruisers, but most later models use automatic transmissions, with four speeds in the 80 series. There are five forward speeds in the 100 series, and either five or six ratios in the LC200 depending on the model. The LandCruiser has plenty of underbonnet and under-vehicle space so the knowledgeable home mechanic can do a lot of their own repairs. There are Toyota dealers in all areas of Australia, thanks to the company arguably having the most widespread of all networks.Servicing and spare parts are generally reasonably priced, though some parts cost a lot more than they should. Remember that these are heavy-duty, commercially-oriented vehicles so even things like tyres can cost considerably more than they do for a passenger car. Insurance is unlikely to cause real hassles as the working nature of the vehicle means most companies have favourable experiences with the vehicle, letting them keep prices relatively low.WHAT TO LOOK FORLandCruisers that have had severe off-road use – and plenty have – will probably have underbody, door-sill and bumper corner damage. Even those which have only had gentle use away from sealed roads are likely to have scratches in the paint on the doors.Look for dust in the cabin and boot. This may be caused by windows-down driving, but could also mean leaks around the door seals. Maybe even a twisted chassis due to off-road damage and/or a crash.Be wary of the engine’s condition if it has done harsh off-road driving and/or heavy-duty towing. Engines are generally long lasting but watch for a smoking exhaust when the engine is under load that may indicate it is near the end of its life. An oil light that’s slow to go out when the engine is started is another indication of engine wear. Manual gearboxes on older models are relatively heavy, even when new. The 100 Series and 200 Series are better than the older units. Crunching during downchanges to second and first gears is usually the first sign of problems. Transfer boxes are often stiff in operation even when they are working correctly. Be wary of one that’s too tight as they can be expensive to repair.Check for signs of salty sand as it can cause real rust troubles. Look for rust in the floor, especially if the Cruiser has had a lot of beach use. Have a professional inspector follow up your initial examination as a hard used example could cost big bucks to be put back together again.CAR BUYING TIPWhile we usually think of off-road use being tough on 4WDs, life in the suburbs with a mob of rough kids beating up the back area isn’t all that easy either. 

Graham Smith reviews the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Toyota Landcruiser Prado as a used buy.

When launched in October 1994, the Toyota RAV4 was a cute and cheeky 4WD. Over the years it expanded in size and from the latest model in February 2006 has become positively staid – sounds like the typical human life cycle doesn’t it!In the ‘teenage’ years of its life cycle, the funkiest of all RAV4s arrived in January 1998, but barely lasted two years on the market. Though called Cabriolet by Toyota, it is in fact an old-style soft-top. The roof is reasonably easy to pull down and erect, but we still recommend a bit of practice at home before you set out on a topless trip on a cloudy dayThe great majority of Toyota RAV4s have a two or four-door station wagon body. The former is on a shorter wheelbase than the latter, so misses out on both rear-seat space and luggage carrying capacity.The RAV4 isn't designed to conquer the great Aussie outback, Toyota has plenty of other 4WDs and SUVs capable of dong just that, but it is a lot more competent than you might expect. Good ground clearance, big wheels and handy approach, departure and ramp angles mean it can take on rocks, ruts and rough stuff with plenty of verve. The short-wheelbase is, naturally, better than the LWB if you want to get serious off-road.These little Toyota SUVs use what are virtually car tyres and don’t have a low-range transfer case. Better tyres can make it just perfect on the beach.The RAV4’s first engine was a modern 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that gives better than average performance for its class. The engine was extensively modified at the beginning of 1998 to give it a broader spread of torque. The four-cylinder engine was increased in size to 2.4 litres in 2003.From October 2007 a V6 engine option with the capacity of 3.5 litres joined the fray. It goes without saying the V6 has plenty of grunt, but it can be on the thirsty side at times.You have a choice between a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission in most models. The V6 comes only with a five-speed auto. The four-speed automatic is a modern unit that works well and doesn’t take too much edge off the performance, but many computers now provide five or six forward ratios.Toyota has been number one in the Australian automotive market for a number of years. So it has dealers in almost all areas of Australia, even those which are ignored by other big players in our market. So getting spares and repairs isn't likely to be a hassle.Dealers in the most remote zones are more likely to carry spare parts for LandCruisers than for the RAV4s. Nonetheless, you aren’t likely to have to wait for more than a few days for parts to be shipped to the bush from one of the major cities.Insurance is generally in the low to moderate range and there doesn't seem to be a huge variance in premium prices between them.WHAT TO LOOK FORThe Toyota RAV4 is built to a high standard but it’s still wise to have a full inspection after doing your own check up. Most RAV4s never go off road, but look closely for panel and underbody damage, just in case.Scratches in the paint and and/or the door sills and lower body corners are tell-tale signs a RAV4 has come into contact with solid objects, perhaps only bushes and similar shrubbery. But it all costs money to have rectified.If you come across sand in the underbody, try it for a salty taste. RAV4s appear to be well rust proofed but salt water really rips into steel if it gets half a chance. Check the condition of the trim, especially in a soft-top as the latter may have been caught out in the rain or even driven in the surf - again check for that salty smell or taste.Listen and feel for loose components in the transmission system that have been abused in off-road driving. The engine should start first time every time, and idle smoothly even when completely cold. If there is smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration the engine may be in a bad way.If a manual gearbox is reluctant to go down from third to second when the change is hurried, trouble could be brewing. Automatic transmissions which have had a hard life may be reluctant to change and could be slow at engaging a drive gear from Neutral or Park.CAR BUYING TIPSilly as it may sound, beware the 4WD that has been off-road. So few do any real work these days that it’s easy to find one that’s never been off sealed surfaces.

The arrival of the Toyota Hilux at the top of the sales chart a couple of years ago showed that Australians were looking for an all-  round vehicle that could perform a number of roles. In its high-end dual-cab configuration it could be a family car, but at the same time it could haul a tradie's trailer, tow the caravan around the country on the trip of a lifetime, or simply look cool cruising to the beach. The humble ute is no longer just a working class vehicle. Toyota covered all bases by offering a wide range of body styles in two and four-wheel configurations, and the choice of petrol or turbo-  diesel engines. The 2005 Hilux had more cabin space, bigger payloads, better performance and economy, and improved safety, comfort and equipment.Underneath lay a conventional ladder chassis with coil spring front suspension and semi-elliptic leaf spring rear suspension. Steering was by power-assisted rack-and-pinion and brakes were a combination of front discs and rear drums, with ABS available on the SR5.At the working class end of the range the Workmate had an updated 2.7-  litre four-cylinder petrol engine, but the heroes of the line-up had new V6 and turbo-diesel engines. The new 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine put out an imp ressive 175 kW and 376 Nm, which gave it all the punch you could possibly want on the road. The stunning performance did come at a cost, however, as the big V6 sucked unleaded like there was no tomorrow. The answer to the pump blues was the turbo-diesel, which boasted impressive performance with 120 kW and 343 Nm, while delivering much better fuel economy. Both the V6 and the turbo-diesel could be coupled with manual or automatic transmissions, and both were available with rear two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.Now Toyota has always boasted that the Hilux is unbreakable, but perhaps it's not as unbreakable as they've led us to believe. A potentially very serious problem has come to light affecting the 1KD-FTV diesel engine used in the Hilux (and the Prado) relating to the fuel-injector seals. The seals can leak letting blow-by gases enter the engine oil stream, which can turn the oil to carbon and eventually clog the oil pickup in the sump and in some cased starve the engine of oil. The worst case scenario is engine seizure. Such is the seriousness of the issue that Toyota has had a recall on Hiluxes in the UK, while in New Zealand the company has introduced a requirement to change the injector seals every 45,000 km, presumably to avoid the problem affecting engines in that country. We have had a report of one total engine failure here at Carsguide, requiring a new engine, and two others where the engines were inspected and found to have carbon at least partly clogging the oil pickup. In these cases the engines were saved before they too seized. The suggestion is that had they not been inspected and allowed to run on they too would have suffered a major engine meltdown. To date there has been no indication from Toyota here that they will instigate a similar recall campaign as their UK cousins have done. Owners of Hiluxes with the 1KD-FTV engine would be well advised to have their dealers inspect the oil pickup to check on carbon buildup and have it cleaned if carbon is found.It's possible to inspect the oil pickup by inserting a probe through the oil drain plug without removing the sump. It would also be prudent to change the injector oil seals. In 2010 Toyota recalled 4WD models to check for a possible failure of the tailshaft support bracket.Ensure any vehicle you're thinking of buying has been checked and cleared of this problem. With the potential to be used as a tradie's work hack or offroad it's important to thoroughly inspect any Hilux being considered for purchase. It's particularly important to check underneath any 4WD model for damage. We've heard of CV joint seals splitting, so make these one of your checks. Check for regular servicing and, particularly in light of the potential issues with the diesel, check for evidence of regular oil changes.SMITHY SAYSTough as nails, but be aware of potential for oil starvation problems with the diesel engine. It's a deal-breaker.Toyota Hilux 2005-2009Price new: $20,990 to $51,850Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 118 kW/241 Nm; 4.0-litre V6 petrol, 175 kW/376 Nm; 3.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 120 kW/343 Nm.Transmission: 5-speed manual, 5-speed auto (V6), 4-speed auto (TD), RWD, 4WDEconomy: 13.1 L/100 km (V6), 8.5 L/100 km (TD)Body: single cab, extra cab, double cabVariants: Workmate, SR, SR5Safety: 4-star ANCAP

SUVs like the Toyota Kluger have replaced the station wagon as the   favourite transport for many families. Their appeal lies in their flexibility, size and perceived safety. Toyota has been one of the innovators in the SUV market with a number of models to suit all sizes and budgets.The Kluger is the mid-sized model aimed fairly and squarely as the average family. The Kluger was a close relative of the Camry and that's a pretty good way to look at it. Like the Camry it was conservatively styled, but does everything pretty well without being too outstanding in anything.Typically Toyota really. It carried up to seven and still had a bit of space for those things families seem to need to take with them when they hit the road. It had a capable all-wheel drive system, which was able to cope with most rough roads the average family adventurer would encounter. On the upper models there was an array of electronic helpers to keep you out of trouble in the rough stuff. Power came from a smooth 3.3-litre double overhead camshaft V6 with plenty of punch, and all models had a five-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.While it felt safe and sound it was a little vague on the road and felt disconnected from the driver. Off road the suspension soaked up the bumps with ease, and it was capable on bush tracks that upset other similar cars.Three models made up the Kluger range. The base CV had cloth trim and carpets, the CVX had leather, a sports steering wheel, powered driver's seat, and alloy wheels, while the Grande also had wood grain highlights.IN THE SHOPThere are no serious flaws in the Kluger; any problem will be unique to the individual car. It's important to check for signs of offroad use. Few will have been taken down anything more challenging than a gravel road, but it's best to be safe and check underneath.Look for sand blasting of the underbody, bent or dented brackets and fittings, and torn rubber boots and seals. Check for a service record to confirm the oil and filter have been changed regularly. The Kluger engine has a cam-timing belt that needs changing at around 150,000 km.IN A CRASHThe CV has dual front airbags, but the CVX and Grande had an array of   front and side airbags, plus traction control and stability control. It was enough to win a 4-star stamp from ANCAP. AT THE PUMP Toyota claimed the Kluger would average 12.3 L/100 km. The   recommended fuel was 91-octane regular unleaded, and E10 blend was approved.Toyota Kluger - 2003-2007Price new: $43,990 to $58,990Engine: 3.3-litre V6; 172 kW/328 NmTransmission: 5-speed auto, AWDEconomy: 12.3 L/100 kmBody: 5-door wagonVariants: CV, CVX, GrandeSafety: 4-star ANCAPVERDICTTypically bland Toyota looks hide competent, well-built family wagon.