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2003 Toyota Land Cruiser problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser is brakes. It has 2.0 times the complaints of a typical Land Cruiser model year.

Typical year2.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
10
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
117
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
13mpg

The worst 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Steering
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Steering
    1

Recalls 1

Air bags: side/windowReported February 5, 2016 · 320,409 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 16V065000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser 117

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 117 bulletins for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

2003 Toyota Land Cruiser fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.7L 8‑cyl4WD121613

What 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 19, 2021 · Brakes · TX

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.

Filed Apr 13, 2020 · Airbags · 307,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Body · 96,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Sep 26, 2016 · Brakes · 223,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Jul 14, 2016 · Brakes · 205,000 miles · TX

During normal driving and braking conditions, the anti-lock brake system activates, extending braking distance.

Filed Jan 29, 2013 · Steering · 100,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Apr 3, 2006 · Airbags · 60,081 miles · MA · 1 injury

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.

Filed Apr 21, 2004 · Body · FL

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.

Filed Apr 7, 2004 · 10,000 miles · WY

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.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · MD

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.

Compare the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

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Questions about the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

Is the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser reliable?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2.0 times a typical Land Cruiser model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser?

Brakes, with 3 complaints. Next is airbags (2).

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser get?

Official estimates for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser range from 13 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.7L 8-cyl, 4WD) gets 12 city and 16 highway.

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