VehicleVerdict

2005 Toyota Land Cruiser problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Land Cruiser years?

Land Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted41 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1977: 4 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 6 complaints1985: 4 complaints1986: 1 complaints1987: 6 complaints1988: 14 complaints1989: 3 complaints1990: 5 complaints1991: 13 complaints1992: 10 complaints1993: 9 complaints1994: 25 complaints1995: 10 complaints1996: 16 complaints1997: 20 complaints1998: 21 complaints1999: 27 complaints2000: 41 complaints2001: 12 complaints2002: 17 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 11 complaints2006: 10 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 5 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 8 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 7 complaints2017: 8 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints
Land Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Land Cruiser years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes327%
Body & Structure218%
Other218%
Tires & Wheels19%
Steering19%
Airbags19%
Suspension19%

Does the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V065000AirbagsFebruary 5, 2016 · 320,409 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

Consequence

If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

09V223000OtherJune 15, 2009 · 27,080 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY failed. Lost all braking ability while driving. Had to use emergency brake for stopping. Dealer found the following codes: C1223, C1251, C1252 AND C1256. ABS CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, PUMP MOTOR IS LOCKED/OPEN CIRCUIT IN PUMP MOTOR GROUND. Hydraulic brake booster…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 27, 2024

“EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. I HAVE A STEERING STABILIZER BAR FRAME MOUNT THAT HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF AND THEREFORE THE STEERING STABILIZER IS NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY. HAPPENED DURING DRIVING. THIS IS THE SAME YEAR (TIME FRAME) AS THE NUMEROUS OTHER TOYOTA FRAME LAWSUIT ISSUES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 12, 2018

“EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST. I HAVE A STEERING STABILIZER BAR FRAME MOUNT THAT HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF AND THEREFORE THE STEERING STABILIZER IS NOT PERFORMING PROPERLY. HAPPENED DURING DRIVING. THIS IS THE SAME YEAR (TIME FRAME) AS THE NUMEROUS OTHER TOYOTA FRAME LAWSUIT ISSUES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 12, 2018

“CURRENTLY LEASING 2005 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE. AFTER 1500 OR SO MILES THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE CHECKING FOR TIRE BALANCE, AND I HAVE ALSO PAID FOR ALIGNMENT ETC. AFTER COMPLAINING TO TOYOTA CORPORATE THEY AUTHORIZED 4 NEW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 10, 2005

“GENERAL TIRE GRABBER R275/60R18 HAD A BLOW OUT RT FRONT TIRE 2MTHS OLD TIRES. LFT FRONT SHOWS A LINE CRACK ALONG SIDEWALL. 1ST TIRE TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE 2ND TIRE SHOWING DEFECT TOLD TO BUY NEW TIRE AND SEND DEFECT IN FOR RULING. NO GRABBER TIRE IN ALL COUNTRY FOR REPLACEMENT PER GENERAL ALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 20, 2010

2005 Toyota Land Cruiser — common questions

Is the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 Land Cruiser problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (3 complaints), other (2 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints).

Does the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Land Cruiser years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Land Cruiser years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among Land Cruiser years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.