Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser with NHTSA between 2004 and 2021.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 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 — 31
Against the median year of the Toyota Land Cruiser. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
27.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 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 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
327.3%
Median failure at 53,000 miles
Brakes
327.3%
Median failure at 214,000 miles
Body & Structure
218.2%
Median failure at 96,000 miles
Airbags
218.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 183,540 mi
Steering
19.1%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
112.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
225.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
112.5%
150,000+ miles
337.5%
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.
Apr 2004peak 3Sep 2021
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 307,000 milesClayton, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, HEAD, AND HIP INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,000.
NHTSA complaint #11320945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,081 milesChestnut Hill, MA1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE SIDE/ CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NO DEFECT WAS DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURES WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND WAS SEEN BY HOSPITAL AND PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.
NHTSA complaint #10154451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Dallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Braking system failed. Unable to stop operating vehicle traveling 30 MPH without downshifting and allowing vehicle’s momentum to dissipate. Vehicle towed to repair facility. Repair has been completed. Repair facility, Love Field Auto, in Dallas, TX diagnosed concern (master cylinder +’ABS system failure) and replaced components. Vehicle had approximately 155K miles.
NHTSA complaint #11433549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 307,000 milesClayton, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, HEAD, AND HIP INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,000.
NHTSA complaint #11320945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesOssining, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY RUSTING. I HAVE A TUNDRA WHOSE UNDERBODY WAS CHANGED UPON RECALL BY TOYOTA. CAR IS GARAGED OR LEFT IN DRIVEWAY. EVERY MECHANIC COMMENTS ON EXCESSIVE RUSTING INCLUDING PRESTIGE TOYOTA BUT THEY MAINTAIN IT'S SATISFACTORY. I HAD TO CHANGE THE THING HOLDING THE TIRE BECAUSE IT RUSTED THROUGH CREATING THE DANGER THE SPARE COULD BREAK LOOSE. AAA WOULD NOT CHANGE A SPARE TIRE BECAUSE OF RUSTING THROUGH. TOYOTA THINKS THE RUST IS OK. I DON'T AND WORRY ABOUT SAFETY.I CANNOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.I CAN'T ACCURATELY RECALL MILEAGE WHEN I NOTICED THIS
NHTSA complaint #11297568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesOssining, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY RUSTING. I HAVE A TUNDRA WHOSE UNDERBODY WAS CHANGED UPON RECALL BY TOYOTA. CAR IS GARAGED OR LEFT IN DRIVEWAY. EVERY MECHANIC COMMENTS ON EXCESSIVE RUSTING INCLUDING PRESTIGE TOYOTA BUT THEY MAINTAIN IT'S SATISFACTORY. I HAD TO CHANGE THE THING HOLDING THE TIRE BECAUSE IT RUSTED THROUGH CREATING THE DANGER THE SPARE COULD BREAK LOOSE. AAA WOULD NOT CHANGE A SPARE TIRE BECAUSE OF RUSTING THROUGH. TOYOTA THINKS THE RUST IS OK. I DON'T AND WORRY ABOUT SAFETY.I CANNOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.I CAN'T ACCURATELY RECALL MILEAGE WHEN I NOTICED THIS
NHTSA complaint #11297568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 223,000 milesSuffolk, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
AS I WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE'S ABS, VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, AND BRAKE LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME, WITH AN AUDIBLE BUZZER. ONCE I APPROACHED THE INTERSECTION, I REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLES BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AND HAD TO PUSH THE PEDAL HARD ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND PRAYED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED. I HAD JUST DROPPED MY SON AND MY NEIGHBOR'S CHILD OFF AT SCHOOL. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10909745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesFredericksburg, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES, EXTENDING BRAKING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10884815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED BUT THE WHEELS DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10495073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,081 milesChestnut Hill, MA1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE SIDE/ CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NO DEFECT WAS DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURES WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND WAS SEEN BY HOSPITAL AND PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.
NHTSA complaint #10154451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Joppa, MD
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A TOYOTAL HIGHLANDER WHICH HAS A HEADREST PROBLEM - IT IS SO LARGE THAT IT PUSHES THE HEAD OF THE PERSON IN THE SEAT FORWARD TO THE POINT IT IS VERY VERY UNCOMFORTABLE - IN MY CASE VERY PAINFUL. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR TOYOTA WILL HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE HEADREST - NEIGHBORS ARE AND I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE DRIVING HIGHLANDERS WITHOUT HEADRESTS, WHICH ARE A SAFETY ISSUE. IN MY CASE IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY PROBLEM - I WAS REAR ENDED TWICE IN A VEHICLE WITHOUT A HEADREST AND AM SUFFERING CERVICAL SPINE PROBLEMS AS A RESULT. WE NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10069995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clearwater, FL
STRUCTURE
FROM THE TOYOTA INVOICE: "CUSTOMER STATES THE BACK OF THE CENTER CONSOLE FACING THE REAR SEATS GETS VERY, VERY HOT...ALMOST BURNING FINGERS." AND THIS STATEMENT IS CORRECT. THE FOLKS AT CLEARWATER, TOYOTA SAY THERE IS NOTHING MECHANICALLY INCORRECT WITH MY AUTOMOBILE, BUT I AM TELLING THEM, CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING INCORRECT WITH MY VEHICLE. THUS MY REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10067598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesJackson, WY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION IN MY 2003 TOYOTA LANDCRIUSER. ONCE IN A PARKING LOT ALMOST PUSHING ME INTO PEDESTRIANS WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ANOTHER TIME WHEN MAKING A TURN AND ALMOST PUSHED ME INTO A CAR - MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I DIDN'T HAVE A FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I HEARD YOU WERE LOOOKING INTO THIS ON A CAMRY - I HAVE THIS ALSO AND IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I'VE CALLED TOYOTA WITH NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10065728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.