Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser with NHTSA between 1998 and 2021.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 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 — 59
Against the median year of the Toyota Land Cruiser. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
28.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1998 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 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
733.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 198,612 mi
Body & Structure
314.3%
Median failure at 165,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
314.3%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Seat Belts
29.5%
Other & Unspecified
14.8%
Median failure at 200,000 miles
Wheels
14.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Suspension
14.8%
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Steering
14.8%
Airbags
14.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 140,000 mi
Electrical System
14.8%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
218.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
19.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
327.3%
150,000+ miles
545.5%
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.
Dec 1998peak 3Jul 2021
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 177,224 milesValencia, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS IN A DRIVE THRU AND AS I APPROACHED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD ZERO RESISTANCE AS MY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND ZERO RESPONSE FROM BRAKES. AS I DEPRESSED PEDAL, MY ABS LIGHT WENT ON THE DASHBOARD AND A BEEP ALARMED. I TRIED HITTING THE PEDAL AGAIN TO NO AVAIL AND TURNED TO ATTEMPT TO MISS THE VEHICLE AND PULLED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS MOVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND HAD ZERO HISTORY OF BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES. AFTER SOME HOMEWORK ONLINE, I AM SEEING IT IS IN LINE WITH A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVING AN ABS MOTOR FAILURE, BOOSTER MOTOR FAILURE, AND/OR AN ACCUMULATOR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11329566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesLittleton, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH UNDER BLACK ICE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE SUPPORT COLUMN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. THERE WERE FRACTURES TO THE RIBS, STERNUM AND LEFT TIBIA. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT WAS NOT IN THE PROPERLY SEATED POSITION FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10319845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CACrash1 injured1 killed
WHEELS
MY FATHER WAS DRIVING A 1998 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER WHICH HE HAD HAD FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, AND HAD ALREDY TAKEN ON COUPLE OF LONG TRIPS. IN THE POLICE REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT IT SITED THAT THE CAUSE OFTHE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF THE CAR BROKE OFF DUE TO A FAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE CAR. I HAVE WRITTEN AND FAXED AND CALLED TOYOTA A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT THEY DO NOT RESPOND. I HAVE READ OF TWO OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THE SAME CAR, ONE IN ITALY AND ONE IN INDIA - REPORTED BECAUSE SOME PROMENENT PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THE CRASHES, AN AMBASSADOR AND A SINGER. WHEN I HEARD ON CNN ABOUT TOYOTA RECALLING A NUMBER OF ITS MODELS, THE PROBLEM THEY SITED SOUNDED A LOT LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FATHER'S CAR. THE PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER MODELS THEY SAID WAS THAT THE HEAT OF THE FRICTION FROM LONG OR BUMPY RIDING CAUSES THE FRONT WHEEL CONNECTIONS TO BECOME LOOSE AND MAYBE FALL OUT. CAN YOU HELP ME? OR DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THINGS I MIGHT DO TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE WHEEL OF MY FATHERS CAR BROKE OFF ON A FLAT STRAIGHT ROAD WITHOUT ANY OTHER CARS INVOLVED. I ALSO HAVE LOTS OF PICTURES OF THE CAR AND THE PART THAT BROKE OFF, AS WELL AS THE CAR ITSELF, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SEND THEM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #709474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bountiful, UT
SERVICE BRAKES
I live in Utah, The incident occurred in San Francisco with children in car. going down one of the steeper roads towards fisherman wharf. the ABS alarm went off and I lost all breaking power. I immediately downshifted(automatic trans), used the emergency break almost killed some pedestrians.. pulled over. I checked all fuses, breaks. etc. I did not have any money, so as nightfall came upon us, with ABS glaring in our ears. I drove through the night back to Utah when the traffic was the lowest and used the emergency break all the way home, it was a horrific experience. The repair on this was not cheep where I had the ABS/brakes fixed so the breaks would work at our local dealer where I live, This was about 8-10 years ago, I am still pretty upset someone cold have been killed, why would the breaks fail if the ABS fails.. this could have killed my family and/or someone else. I would have to check with Menlove Bountiful Toyota for an exact date of repair.
NHTSA complaint #11424136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 177,224 milesValencia, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS IN A DRIVE THRU AND AS I APPROACHED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD ZERO RESISTANCE AS MY PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND ZERO RESPONSE FROM BRAKES. AS I DEPRESSED PEDAL, MY ABS LIGHT WENT ON THE DASHBOARD AND A BEEP ALARMED. I TRIED HITTING THE PEDAL AGAIN TO NO AVAIL AND TURNED TO ATTEMPT TO MISS THE VEHICLE AND PULLED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. I WAS MOVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND HAD ZERO HISTORY OF BRAKE SYSTEM ISSUES. AFTER SOME HOMEWORK ONLINE, I AM SEEING IT IS IN LINE WITH A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAVING AN ABS MOTOR FAILURE, BOOSTER MOTOR FAILURE, AND/OR AN ACCUMULATOR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11329566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesLouisville, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF EXPLOSION. DRIVING FROM ESTES PARK, CO TO LOUISVILLE, CO WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD SON IN BACK SEAT. HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION OVERHEAD ABOUT 5 MILES NORTH OF BOULDER, CO ON HWY. 93. NEAREST CAR WAS 6-7 LENGTHS IN AHEAD AND TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. IT WAS A WARM SEPTEMBER DAY WITH INTENSE 2:00P SUN. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AFTER 5 MINUTES. THERE WAS A NICKLE SIZED HOLE IN THE SUNROOF.
NHTSA complaint #11323307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesLouisville, CO
STRUCTURE:BODY
EXPERIENCED SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF EXPLOSION. DRIVING FROM ESTES PARK, CO TO LOUISVILLE, CO WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD SON IN BACK SEAT. HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION OVERHEAD ABOUT 5 MILES NORTH OF BOULDER, CO ON HWY. 93. NEAREST CAR WAS 6-7 LENGTHS IN AHEAD AND TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. IT WAS A WARM SEPTEMBER DAY WITH INTENSE 2:00P SUN. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AFTER 5 MINUTES. THERE WAS A NICKLE SIZED HOLE IN THE SUNROOF.
NHTSA complaint #11323307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 265,000 milesLongmont, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
FOR THE SECOND TIME, A COMPLETE BRAKING FAILURE DUE TO MASTER CYLINDER MOTOR FAILURE. OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY WAS GOING UNDER 20 MPH ON A VACANT STREET AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #11281613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesWhitehall, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT PART OF THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER THAT ATTACHED NEAR THE SUSPENSION MOUNT AND TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER AND THE FRAME RAIL WERE ALL CORRODED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10944453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesWhitehall, PA
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT PART OF THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER THAT ATTACHED NEAR THE SUSPENSION MOUNT AND TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER AND THE FRAME RAIL WERE ALL CORRODED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10944453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,000 milesNapa, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING - WHEN THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BUZZER SOUNDED THERE WERE ZERO BRAKES. JUST STARTING OUT IN THE MORNING. AS WE LIVE ON A LONG TWISTING ROAD THAT IS MOSTLY DOWNHILL INTO TOWN, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. WHO DESIGNS A BRAKE SYSTEM THAT FAILS TO ZERO???
NHTSA complaint #10864483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesCedar Glen, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MY 1998 LAND CRUISER IS ALSO ON ITS THIRD FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. BOTH HAD RING FAILURE WITH ONE OF THEM GOING THROUGH THE CASE. THIS HAS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH THE DEALERS WILL NOT ADDRESS.
NHTSA complaint #10410772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesLittleton, COCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH UNDER BLACK ICE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE SUPPORT COLUMN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES. THERE WERE FRACTURES TO THE RIBS, STERNUM AND LEFT TIBIA. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT WAS NOT IN THE PROPERLY SEATED POSITION FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10319845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCedar Glen, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MY 1998 LC470 HAS HAD TWO FRONT DIFFS. FAIL NOW. BOTH TIMES THE RING GEAR FAILED, ONCE GOING THROUGH THE HOUSING. I TRIED TO CONTACT TOYOTA BUT NO ANSWER. ANYONE ELSE WITH THIS PROBLEM????
NHTSA complaint #10259675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,428 milesGladwyne, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE APPLIES THE BRAKES OF HER 1998 TOYOTA LAND-CRUISER THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY IN MAY ' JULY OF 2006 WHILE DRIVING AT 60 - 70 MPH. THE VIBRATION NOW OCCURS AT 30 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,428. THE CONTACT HAS REPEATEDLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED, AND BALANCED THE TIRES, AS WELL AS, HAVING THE VEHICLE ALIGNED. THE CONTACT HAS RESEARCHED AND FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA SUV'S.
NHTSA complaint #10178904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avenel, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ANTI THEFT CHIP IN THE REMOTE FELL OUT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE COMPUTER UNIT DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avenel, NJ
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
ANTI THEFT CHIP IN THE REMOTE FELL OUT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE COMPUTER UNIT DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANTI THEFT CHIP IN THE REMOTE FELL OUT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE ENTIRE COMPUTER UNIT DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colts Neck, NM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY OVERRIDEN AND IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFERENCE IF THE CAR WAS PUT IN PARK OR REVERSE, THE CAR STILL WAS BUCKING FORWARD. IT STOPPED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS KILLED. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED AND THE MOST SEVERE CASE. THE FIRST TIME IT ONLY STARTED TO REV BUT DID COME TO A STOP AT THE LIGHT. THE INCIDENTS WERE APPROXIMATELY 2-3 WEEKS APART.
NHTSA complaint #710236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Barbara, CACrash1 injured1 killed
WHEELS
MY FATHER WAS DRIVING A 1998 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER WHICH HE HAD HAD FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, AND HAD ALREDY TAKEN ON COUPLE OF LONG TRIPS. IN THE POLICE REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT IT SITED THAT THE CAUSE OFTHE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF THE CAR BROKE OFF DUE TO A FAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE CAR. I HAVE WRITTEN AND FAXED AND CALLED TOYOTA A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT THEY DO NOT RESPOND. I HAVE READ OF TWO OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THE SAME CAR, ONE IN ITALY AND ONE IN INDIA - REPORTED BECAUSE SOME PROMENENT PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED IN THE CRASHES, AN AMBASSADOR AND A SINGER. WHEN I HEARD ON CNN ABOUT TOYOTA RECALLING A NUMBER OF ITS MODELS, THE PROBLEM THEY SITED SOUNDED A LOT LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FATHER'S CAR. THE PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER MODELS THEY SAID WAS THAT THE HEAT OF THE FRICTION FROM LONG OR BUMPY RIDING CAUSES THE FRONT WHEEL CONNECTIONS TO BECOME LOOSE AND MAYBE FALL OUT. CAN YOU HELP ME? OR DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THINGS I MIGHT DO TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE WHEEL OF MY FATHERS CAR BROKE OFF ON A FLAT STRAIGHT ROAD WITHOUT ANY OTHER CARS INVOLVED. I ALSO HAVE LOTS OF PICTURES OF THE CAR AND THE PART THAT BROKE OFF, AS WELL AS THE CAR ITSELF, AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SEND THEM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #709474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermosa Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR ,RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #843056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duarte, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duarte, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
REAR SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shreveport, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER 2-3 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR BRAKES. WAITING TO HEAR FROM MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #832143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.