2005 Toyota Land Cruiser: common problems

Owners of the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and structure. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 9

What fails most often

1 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
2 Structure 22% of all complaints
3 Air bags 11% of all complaints
4 Steering 11% of all complaints
5 Suspension 11% of all complaints
6 Tires 11% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Service brakes: 3 complaints (33% of all).
Structure: 2 complaints (22% of all).
Air bags: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Steering: 1 complaints (11% of all).
Suspension: 1 complaints (11% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

4.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
automatic, 5-speed

Drive: AWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

rust, corrosion2 · 22%
warning lights, check engine2 · 22%
headlights and tail lights1 · 11%
rollaway, parking brake1 · 11%
vibration1 · 11%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Service brakes	3	0	0
Structure	2	0	0
Air bags	1	0	0
Steering	1	0	0
Suspension	1	0	0
Tires	1	0	0
Other	2	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

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.
Service brakes · 2024-02-02 · NHTSA complaint #11569439
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.
Structure · 2018-12-19 · NHTSA complaint #11162508
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?
Air bags · 2016-10-16 · NHTSA complaint #10916324
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.
Service brakes · 2016-07-15 · NHTSA complaint #10885111
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.
Tires · 2010-12-20 · NHTSA complaint #10371857
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.
Service brakes · 2010-04-28 · NHTSA complaint #10327923
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.
Steering · 2005-11-06 · NHTSA complaint #10141870
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 windshield into the fuse box.
Structure · 2005-10-12 · NHTSA complaint #10139452

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20053
20102
20162
20181
20241

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Land Cruiser has 7 complaints (43 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.

What to check before buying

Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.

Other years of this model

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, structure, air bags. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (22%), warning lights, check engine (22%), headlights and tail lights (11%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2005 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.