Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser with NHTSA between 1998 and 2022.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Toyota Land Cruiser. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1997 compares with every other Toyota Land Cruiser
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
420.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Equipment & Accessories
315.0%
Tires
315.0%
Median failure at 156,895 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
210.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
210.0%
Seats
15.0%
Wheels
15.0%
Steering
15.0%
Airbags
15.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.0%
Engine & Cooling
15.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1998peak 3Oct 2022
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Ossining, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND FLIPPED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookeville, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 35-40MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY, CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #855174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA1 injured
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP WHEN I GOT BLASTED IN THE FACE OUT OF AIR CONDITIONER VENTILATION WITH SOMETHING THAT MADE ME GO BLIND HYPERVENTILATE HAVE SEVER MUSCLE CRAMPS ARMS AND LEGS WENT NUMB. THE AIR IN THE TRUCK WAS TESTED AND IT WAS ISOBUTANE, BUTANE, 2-METHYL BUTANE,PENTANE,TOLUENE, ETHYLBENZENE AND XYLENES BLOWING THROUGHOUT MY TRUCK!!!!
NHTSA complaint #701251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA2 injured
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C ON REC. AIR FULL BLAST HAS GIVEN OFF TOXIC FUMES THAT MADE ME GO BLIND, HAVE SEVER HEAD ACHES, SEVER MUSCLE CRAMPS ALL OVER BODY, SEVER BURNING EYES, MOUTH AND LUNGS, TOTAL NUMBERS OF MY BILATERAL UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITYS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO WITH MY TRUCK TO HAVE IT PROPERLY TESTED NO ONE CAN DRIVE IT WITH OUT GETTING SICK.
NHTSA complaint #540312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Los Angeles, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel tank develops crack and leaks when filled more than 10 gallons approx 1/2 full. There is a specific point on the tank where it cracks on top. The metal is very thin at this point and possibly with newer Ethanol fuels the tank expands and contracts far more in hot weather? This problem is well documented on Toyota Land Cruiser websites, specifically IH8MUD.com. The website is telling owners to log complaints with NHTSA. I would think leaking gas is a major safety issue along with being an emissions violation. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection. Manufacturer gives no response. The FJ 60/62 Land Cruiser (model before, did have a recall on the fuel tank) No warning lamps or messages OBD2.
NHTSA complaint #11488878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shreveport, LA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE FUEL TANK LEAKS FROM A CRACK POTENTIALLY FORMED BY STRESS OF FUEL AND A PRESSURIZED SYSTEM. WHEN FULL OF FUEL, THE SYSTEM ACTIVELY DRIPS AND LEAKS FUEL OUT. EVEN WHEN NOT FULL, THERE IS A VAPOR SMELL PRESENT. HTTP://FORUM.IH8MUD.COM/THREADS/LEAKING-GAS-FROM-TOP-OF-TANK.225705/ THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN PRESENT AND IS DISCUSSED HERE ON THIS FORUM; INCLUDING PICTURES OF THE LOCATION, ATTEMPTED REPAIRS AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF REPAIRS. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD, AS ANYTHING AS MINIMAL AS A SPARK COULD LEAD TO A FIRE HAZARD. MY VEHICLE HAS ACTIVE LEAKING WITH A FULL FUEL TANK DRIPPING OF THE FUEL UNTIL A CERTAIN LEVEL, AND A FUEL ODOR PRESENT CONSTANTLY DESPITE FUEL LEVEL. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY SMELLS LIKE FUEL AS WELL. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON AN OLDER MODEL 60 SERIES LAND CRUISER, AND TOYOTA APPEARS TO ACKNOWLEDGE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE PAST THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED EVEN 10 YEARS LATER IN MANUFACTURING.
NHTSA complaint #10824707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, NC
SEATS
AUTOMATIC FRONT SEATS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND PARTS OF THE MECHANISM ARE FOUND ON THE FLOOR BOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10723598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,895 milesSpencer, WV
TIRES
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE VEHICLE HAS INTERCO - TRXUSM/T, SIZE 265/75/16 TIRES. THE DOT#T 4FW8T5M 20504. THE CONTACT PURCHASED 6 SNOW TIRES AND 2 OF THEM HAVE BLOWN OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT'S REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE RUBBER UNWRAPPED AROUND THE BEAD, AND IT EXPLODED THERE AND RIPPED THROUGH TO THE TREAD. THE TREAD REMAINED INTACT AND EACH OCCURRENCE WASIDENTICAL. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 29, 2006 AND THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES. TTHE CONTACT IWASCERTAIN THAT THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. THE TIRES WERE AFTER MARKET SNOW TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER AGREED TO ACCEPT THE TIRE VIA MAIL TO INVESTIGATE THE DAMAGE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACTWAS UNCERTAIN OF THE RECOURSE WITH THE TIRE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WITH THE AUTO AFTER MARKET TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10177907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Dorado Hills, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
OUR 1997 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER IS NOW INOPERABLE DUE TO MULTIPLE FAILURES IN REPAIRS BY FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA. COOLANT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN NOTED SINCE 1999 WITH THE ABOVE REPAIR FACILITY FAILING TO CORRECT DEFECT. CURRENT PROBLEMS INVOLVE FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA REFUSING TO CORRECT FAILED REPAIRS, COOLANT MIXING WITH ENGINE OIL CAUSING AUTO TO BE UNUSABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10162481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ossining, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND FLIPPED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THREE OF THE FOUR BOLTS THAT SUPPORT THE STREERING KNUCKLE TO THE HUB AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WERE SHEARED AND BROKEN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ACTION RESULTED IN THE RUPTURING OF THE TRANSAXLE SEAL ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SUV. THE RELEASING OF THAT FLUID AND MY NOTICING IT ON THE GROUND AROUND THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WAS THE FIRST SIGN OF ANY PROBLEM. IT WAS ONLY AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE STREERING KNUCKLE WAS DISCOVERED.
NHTSA complaint #747018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
THREE OF THE FOUR BOLTS THAT SUPPORT THE STREERING KNUCKLE TO THE HUB AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WERE SHEARED AND BROKEN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ACTION RESULTED IN THE RUPTURING OF THE TRANSAXLE SEAL ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SUV. THE RELEASING OF THAT FLUID AND MY NOTICING IT ON THE GROUND AROUND THE WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, WAS THE FIRST SIGN OF ANY PROBLEM. IT WAS ONLY AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE STREERING KNUCKLE WAS DISCOVERED.
NHTSA complaint #747018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highlands Ranch, CO
TIRES:SIDEWALL
PURCHASED TIRES SEPTEMBER 27, 1999, VEHICLE HAD 52,400 MILES. HAD SIDEWALL BLOWOUT ON 1 TIRE ON DECEMBER 8, 2000 AT 71,500 MILES (ABOUT 19,000 MILES ON TIRE). HAD SECOND BLOWOUT ON DECEMBER 20, 2000 AT 72,000 MILES (19,500 MILES ON TIRE). BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURING AT HIGH SPEEDS - 50+MPH. DOT #B73R 171X 349 (DOT NUMBER: B73R171X34 TIRESIZE: 275/70 R16)
NHTSA complaint #738091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. ALSO, LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH THERE WAS INDICATION OR PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #878551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. ALSO, LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH THERE WAS INDICATION OR PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #878551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
VEHICLE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN CONSUMER LIFTS FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE JUST CUTS OFF. IDLE CONTROL VALVE FAULTY, CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN OR RACE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #860392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
VEHICLE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. WHEN CONSUMER LIFTS FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE JUST CUTS OFF. IDLE CONTROL VALVE FAULTY, CAUSES ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN OR RACE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #860392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brookeville, MDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 35-40MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY, CONSUMER 'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #855174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA1 injured
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP WHEN I GOT BLASTED IN THE FACE OUT OF AIR CONDITIONER VENTILATION WITH SOMETHING THAT MADE ME GO BLIND HYPERVENTILATE HAVE SEVER MUSCLE CRAMPS ARMS AND LEGS WENT NUMB. THE AIR IN THE TRUCK WAS TESTED AND IT WAS ISOBUTANE, BUTANE, 2-METHYL BUTANE,PENTANE,TOLUENE, ETHYLBENZENE AND XYLENES BLOWING THROUGHOUT MY TRUCK!!!!
NHTSA complaint #701251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temcula, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS WOR EOUTEVERY 2,000 MILE AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. DEALER COULD NO T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #853545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barb, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS DAMAGE. YH
NHTSA complaint #607389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lithonia, GA
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH TIRE BLEW AT 33,000 MILES. TOOK THE TIRE TO NTB & WAS INFORMED THAT ALL THE TIRES WERE PREMATURELY DRY ROTTED & WERE SEPARATING. MICHELIN LTX 27570R/16.
NHTSA complaint #840859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA2 injured
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C ON REC. AIR FULL BLAST HAS GIVEN OFF TOXIC FUMES THAT MADE ME GO BLIND, HAVE SEVER HEAD ACHES, SEVER MUSCLE CRAMPS ALL OVER BODY, SEVER BURNING EYES, MOUTH AND LUNGS, TOTAL NUMBERS OF MY BILATERAL UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITYS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO WITH MY TRUCK TO HAVE IT PROPERLY TESTED NO ONE CAN DRIVE IT WITH OUT GETTING SICK.
NHTSA complaint #540312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ODOR COMING FROM A/C UNIT. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #831209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.