2005 Toyota Land Cruiser problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (2) · Tires (1) · Suspension:rear (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Land Cruiser model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:side/Window 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V065000 · 320,409 vehicles
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.
Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
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.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (155)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 155 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-02-02 · Service Brakes“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 assembly was replaced with a new oem unit and brake…”
2018-12-19 · Unknown Or Other · 122,000 mi“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.…”
2016-10-16 · Air Bags“toyota sent us a recall notice several months ago. there is a potential defect in curtain side airbag. we expected the remedy to be available in september 2016. it is now mid-october 2016. there is no update in terms of timing available. is my car safe to drive? next steps?…”
2016-07-15 · Service Brakes · 67,132 mi“parking brake is frozen. my private mechanic explained this model year uses a white metal that corrodes very easily. i was not able to engage the parking break while parked on a hill on a city street. i've attached a picture of the parts that show the corrosion. i believe that toyota should recall these vehicles and replace this part for safety r…”
2010-12-20 · Tires · 89,564 mi“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 out of stock for 3 mths or so. *tr…”
2010-04-28 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 55,893 mi“i was driving on freeway at a speed 60-70mph. it felt like front driver side brake was engaged by itself without pressing on the brakes. i lost the control of the car, and the car started skidding towards to left. i heard high pitch noise. i and my passenger felt like the car was going to roll over. the weather was sunny, no rain, no snow. the road…”
2005-12-27 · Unknown Or Other · 85,715 mi“the incident is on my 2001 toyota land cruiser. i was driving between 70-75 mph with the cruise control activated. after approx 2 hours the cruise control shut off with out any warning. i deactivated the cruise and continued to drive. approx. 1 hour later the traction control light came on (flashing) and the warning chime activated. then the vehi…”
2005-11-06 · Suspension:rear · 1,500 mi“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 tires and local dealership checked the car. they d…”
2005-10-12 · Structure“windshield was replaced by cascade auto glass in april 2005 due to crack. car resides in garage all summer as we live in mt during summer months. last week car was outside in rain for 2 days in greensboro, nc and head lights came on and would not go off. it was determined by mechanic at rice toyota in greensboro that there was a leak from windshi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.