Toyota Land Cruiser Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Toyota Land Cruiser model year (1998–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Toyota Land Cruiser Years to Avoid
0 recalls · 18 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 30
0 recalls · 14 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 22
3 recalls · 3 complaints
Top issue: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Problem score: 12
Best Toyota Land Cruiser Years to Buy
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 1 complaint
Main area: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 4
0 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
Problem score: 6
Found the right year? Verify that specific Land Cruiser with a free VIN report.
Toyota Land Cruiser — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2018 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 10 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 7 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 4 | — | — | 10 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 4 | Good |
| 2013 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Good |
| 2011 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2009 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 12 | Caution |
| 2008 | 1 | 8 | — | — | 11 | Caution |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 8 | Good |
| 2005 | 2 | 3 | — | — | 9 | Good |
| 2004 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2003 | 1 | 5 | — | — | 8 | Good |
| 2002 | 0 | 9 | 1 | — | 11 | Caution |
| 2001 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2000 | 0 | 18 | 6 | — | 30 | Avoid |
| 1999 | 0 | 14 | 4 | — | 22 | Avoid |
| 1998 | 0 | 9 | 1 | — | 11 | Caution |
All 27 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Toyota Land Cruiser Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Land Cruiser models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Land Cruiser units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Land Cruiser models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Land Cruiser should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser if possible. It has 0 recalls, 18 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 30 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Land Cruiser to buy?+
The 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 3. It has only 1 recall and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Land Cruiser has the fewest problems?+
The 2012, 2014, 2001 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Toyota Land Cruiser Research
Check a Specific Toyota Land Cruiser VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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