FaultScore report
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser with NHTSA between 2003 and 2023. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 13 worst.
FaultScore 50/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Toyota Land Cruiser.
How this is worked out17
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
56,712 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
21%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 62,856 mi
Median failure at 26,755 miles
Median failure at 75,523 miles
Median failure at 5,000 miles
Median failure at 69,000 miles
Median failure at 209,000 miles
Median failure at 209,000 miles
Median failure at 5,000 miles
Median failure at 239,000 miles
Median failure at 56,712 miles
Median failure at 56,712 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH CRASHING INTO HER SPOUSE WHO SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSURED WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10313883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have purchased this vehicle from the dealer at prestige toyota in ramsey NJ 2002- it was a certified dealer car. I have maintained my car and it still rides well, until about 2 weeks ago i felt the back of the car while driving 65mile hr highway that was curvy,felt like i was going to go out of control and it's never done that before. I took it to Toyota june 8th 2023 to get an oil change, and mechanic said my rear stable bar is missing due to excessive rot and the entire frame is rotted out and is not safe to drive, I am spending $1800.00 to get the AC recharged and rear brakes done. Come to find out that Toyota had recalls on the tundra and sequoia but if they used the same frame, why did they not recommend a fix before this happened, thousands of dollars later. I am not ready to give up my car, I have taken it there many times now my car is unsafe to drive. I am very upset and not ready to put out money for a new car. https://app.mykaarma.com/service-cart/mpi/p9qdyu1adwH03b-7zCmYM4OthQMfVtmzGdv-yqYEUMY/check/Your_CAR_CHECK_ID/media/0/view/1 above link is the video of the car
NHTSA complaint #11531221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
DURING NORMAL LOCAL DRIVING, TRYING TO STOP MY 2002 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER REQUIRES AN IMPOSSIBLE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. ON THE PHONE THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAID ELECTRIC BRAKE BOOSTER HAS FAILED, AND THE COST TO FIX IT IS ABOUT $4500--A HUGE AMOUNT FOR A 18-YEAR-OLD CAR THAT IS WORTH ONLY $7,000 OR $8,000. IT'S AN AMOUNT THAT IS DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO AFFORD. SO WHEN I NEED TO DRIVE, I HAVE TO DRIVE VERY SLOWLY.
NHTSA complaint #11323157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A FEW TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT FWY SPEEDS, AS WE START TO GO UPHILL THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKES BACK AND FORTH (STEERING WHEEL HARD TO HOLD ON TO). VSC, TRAC AND THE LIITLE CAR WITH THE SKID MARKS BEHIND IT FLASH ON THE DASH ALONG WITH AN ALARM THAT LASTS FROM 3-5 SECONDS. WE HAVE HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE. ALMOST RAN INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC, CALLED TOYOTA, TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA OF SAN LUIS DEALERSHIP AND NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. IT IS IN OUR OPINION THAT THIS CAR IN UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND UNSAFE TO SELL.
NHTSA complaint #11030394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
A FEW TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT FWY SPEEDS, AS WE START TO GO UPHILL THE CAR VIOLENTLY SHAKES BACK AND FORTH (STEERING WHEEL HARD TO HOLD ON TO). VSC, TRAC AND THE LIITLE CAR WITH THE SKID MARKS BEHIND IT FLASH ON THE DASH ALONG WITH AN ALARM THAT LASTS FROM 3-5 SECONDS. WE HAVE HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE. ALMOST RAN INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC, CALLED TOYOTA, TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA OF SAN LUIS DEALERSHIP AND NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. IT IS IN OUR OPINION THAT THIS CAR IN UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND UNSAFE TO SELL.
NHTSA complaint #11030394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
FIRST, MIDDLE SEAT BELT AT THE BACK WERE THE FIRS ONE THAT GOT STUCK, MEANT THE PERSON HAD FASTEN SEAT BELT AND WHEN HE TRIED TO UNFASTEN THE LOCK GOT STUCK WON'T OPEN AND SO WE HAD TO PULL HIM OUT ON THE SIDE TO GET OUT FROM THE SEAT BELT. AND NOW ALMOST ALL THE SEAT BELTS AREN'T WORKING PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10760775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 LANDCRUISER FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN GREENSBORO NC. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLES SUDDENLY STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE GAS PEDAL...THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON BUT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER GETTING POWER. WE HAD TO PULL OVER, STOP THE CAR. I THEN RESTARTED THE CAR...THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BUT HE CAR WAS RESPONSIVE AND I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE HOUSING THAT NEEDED A CLEANING. THE ISSUE SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE RECENT LEXUS RECALL . WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL OVER BUT IT WAS FRIGHTENING NONETHELESS. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10341741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2002 LANDCRUISER FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN GREENSBORO NC. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLES SUDDENLY STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE GAS PEDAL...THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON BUT THE CAR WAS NO LONGER GETTING POWER. WE HAD TO PULL OVER, STOP THE CAR. I THEN RESTARTED THE CAR...THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, BUT HE CAR WAS RESPONSIVE AND I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE HOUSING THAT NEEDED A CLEANING. THE ISSUE SEEMS SIMILAR TO THE RECENT LEXUS RECALL . WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PULL OVER BUT IT WAS FRIGHTENING NONETHELESS. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10341741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH CRASHING INTO HER SPOUSE WHO SUSTAINED A BROKEN LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSURED WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10313883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CAR WAS NEW WHEN I PICKED UP AT DEALER. HAVE BEEN BACK WITH DRIVER DOOR WINDOW PROBLEM OVER SIX TIMES. AT THIS TIME THE WINDOW SEAL IS LOOSE AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE. IT IS SAD TO PAY 56K AND STILL CAN'T GET THINGS FIXED...SECURITY IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I HAVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10206350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CAR WAS NEW WHEN I PICKED UP AT DEALER. HAVE BEEN BACK WITH DRIVER DOOR WINDOW PROBLEM OVER SIX TIMES. AT THIS TIME THE WINDOW SEAL IS LOOSE AND THE WINDOW WILL NOT CLOSE. IT IS SAD TO PAY 56K AND STILL CAN'T GET THINGS FIXED...SECURITY IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I HAVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10206350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DEAR SIRS, THIS MONDAY OF THIS WEEK (13 AUGUST 2007) WHEN I WAS PUTTING MY 3-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S CARSEAT IN MY TOYOTA, THE PASSENGER SEATBELT JAMMED IN THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER (TUSCALOOSA TOYOTA) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND WAS NOT COVERED BY A CRADLE-TO-GRAVE WARRANTY, MERELY A 5-YEAR, 60K WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF NEARLY $300. I BELIEVE THAT LEGALLY REQUIRED SAFETY ISSUES ON AUTOMOBILES NEED TO BE COVERED CRADLE-TO-GRAVE AS THEY HAVE PROFOUND IMPLICATIONS IN THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. AS A SIDE NOTE, AFTER 21 YEARS OF SERVICE MY 86 HONDA CRX NEEDED SIMILAR SERVICE. THIS WAS IMMEDIATELY REMEDIED BY MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER (TOWNSEND HONDA) AT NO COST, WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED. JAMES WESTON
NHTSA complaint #10199891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN EARLY DECEMBER 2004, 60 MPH AND CAR WENT COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AS IF A FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER, UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THOUGHTS WERE THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS KICKING ON (FOR NOT APPARENT REASON) DUE TO A WIRING/COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURED AT LEAST 15-20 TIMES WITH US ON THE HIGHWAY - WE HAVE THE CAR PARKED, EXCEPT TO TAKE IT BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO CANNOT SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP HAD IT 4 DAYS THE FIRST TIME AND 2-3 WEEKS THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DUPLICATED PROBLEM WITHIN THE FIRST 15 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE (WHICH IS A 2002 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER). NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP, AS THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T "DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S REQUEST". MANUFACTURER TOOK CLAIM BUT HAS DONE NOTHING. LOCAL MECHANIC NOTED ON HIS WORK ORDER THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY NOT BE FIXABLE AND THAT VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. HE ALSO "DIAGNOSED" PROBLEM, AS IN FACT, BEING A MALFUNCTION IN THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM" AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS HAVING THE BREAKS APPLIED (AT HIGH SPEEDS, FOR NO REASON) AND SYSTEM COMES ON MOMENTARILY, SOUNDING ALARM AND CAR SWERVES OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10118661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN EARLY DECEMBER 2004, 60 MPH AND CAR WENT COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AS IF A FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER, UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THOUGHTS WERE THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS KICKING ON (FOR NOT APPARENT REASON) DUE TO A WIRING/COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURED AT LEAST 15-20 TIMES WITH US ON THE HIGHWAY - WE HAVE THE CAR PARKED, EXCEPT TO TAKE IT BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO CANNOT SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP HAD IT 4 DAYS THE FIRST TIME AND 2-3 WEEKS THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DUPLICATED PROBLEM WITHIN THE FIRST 15 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE (WHICH IS A 2002 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER). NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP, AS THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T "DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S REQUEST". MANUFACTURER TOOK CLAIM BUT HAS DONE NOTHING. LOCAL MECHANIC NOTED ON HIS WORK ORDER THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY NOT BE FIXABLE AND THAT VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. HE ALSO "DIAGNOSED" PROBLEM, AS IN FACT, BEING A MALFUNCTION IN THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM" AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS HAVING THE BREAKS APPLIED (AT HIGH SPEEDS, FOR NO REASON) AND SYSTEM COMES ON MOMENTARILY, SOUNDING ALARM AND CAR SWERVES OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10118661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN EARLY DECEMBER 2004, 60 MPH AND CAR WENT COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AS IF A FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER, UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THOUGHTS WERE THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WAS KICKING ON (FOR NOT APPARENT REASON) DUE TO A WIRING/COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURED AT LEAST 15-20 TIMES WITH US ON THE HIGHWAY - WE HAVE THE CAR PARKED, EXCEPT TO TAKE IT BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO CANNOT SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP HAD IT 4 DAYS THE FIRST TIME AND 2-3 WEEKS THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DUPLICATED PROBLEM WITHIN THE FIRST 15 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE (WHICH IS A 2002 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER). NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP, AS THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T "DUPLICATE CUSTOMER'S REQUEST". MANUFACTURER TOOK CLAIM BUT HAS DONE NOTHING. LOCAL MECHANIC NOTED ON HIS WORK ORDER THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY NOT BE FIXABLE AND THAT VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS. HE ALSO "DIAGNOSED" PROBLEM, AS IN FACT, BEING A MALFUNCTION IN THE AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM" AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL IS HAVING THE BREAKS APPLIED (AT HIGH SPEEDS, FOR NO REASON) AND SYSTEM COMES ON MOMENTARILY, SOUNDING ALARM AND CAR SWERVES OUT OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10118661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO COMPUTERIZED KEYS WHEN PURCHASED. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW DAYS THE KEYS DID NOT WORK, AND COMPUTER CHIP FELL OUT. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT CONSUMER MUST ORDER NEW ONES AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. THE OTHER KEYS TO ANOTHER VEHICLE WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10087265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN THE SPRING OF 2002 WITH A FULL WARRANTY. IN APPROXIMATELY THE SUMMER OF 2002, THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL CHANGE. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EMIT BLUE SMOKE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE OIL WAS REPLACED WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR A LONG DRIVE TO BURN OFF THE OIL. WE DID SO. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED AND WOULD COSTS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.00 TO REPAIR DUE TO OIL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10069895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY LOCK WITHOUT MY PARTICIPATION.
NHTSA complaint #10028666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.