Thinking about buying a used Toyota Altezza (1998–2005) in New Zealand? We've documented 7 known faults for this model spanning engine, suspension, transmission, and electrical. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Every one is listed below with its symptoms and repair cost, and each has its own page with where to look and what to ask the seller. Free, no account needed.
7
Critical
$600–$1,400
12
Can't confirm for this car
Toyota Altezza
Nothing has been narrowed yet, so nothing below is a claim about a particular car. Pick a year and an engine to see which faults apply.
Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.
matched on no vehicle context
Check the ball joint dust boot condition for cracks or grease loss.
Front Lower Arm Ball Joint Wear
The front suspension lower control arm ball joints on the Altezza use a conventional tapered stud and rubber-booted socket design that is susceptible to grease loss and corrosion over time, accelerated by New Zealand's wet driving conditions. As the ball joint wears, increasing axial and radial play develops, causing geometry instability and a characteristic knocking under braking and cornering loads. Failure of the ball joint taper to retain in the hub knuckle constitutes a critical loss-of-control risk.
What you would notice
Check oil pressure with a mechanical gauge at idle (hot) — below 14 psi at idle is a failure indicator.
3S-GE BEAMS Oil Pump Gear Wear — Low Oil Pressure
The 3S-GE BEAMS engine uses a chain-driven oil pump with close-tolerance rotor gears that are susceptible to wear when oil change intervals are extended or low-viscosity oil is used. As the inner and outer rotor gears wear, pump volumetric efficiency drops, leading to chronically low oil pressure at idle and elevated temperatures, which accelerates main and rod bearing wear if not addressed promptly.
What you would notice
Inspect all rear suspension arm bushes visually for cracking, separation, or sagging of the rubber element.
Rear Multi-Link Suspension Bush Collapse
The Altezza's rear multi-link suspension uses multiple rubber compliance bushes in each lateral and toe-control arm that deteriorate with age, UV exposure, and the heat cycling associated with performance driving. As the rubber matrix within each bush collapses and cracks, the rear suspension geometry shifts outside of specification, causing toe and camber angles to change unpredictably under cornering loads. This results in pronounced oversteer instability and is a common cause of rear tyre edge wear on used examples.
What you would notice
Seized pins will be immovable or corroded solid.
Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure
The front and rear sliding-type brake calipers on the Altezza rely on lubricated steel guide pins moving within aluminium caliper brackets to allow the caliper to float and apply even clamping force across both brake pad faces. Corrosion and the breakdown of guide pin grease over time causes the pins to seize within the bracket bores, preventing the caliper from sliding freely. This results in one-sided pad contact, rapid uneven pad wear, brake dragging and overheating, and significantly reduced braking performance.
What you would notice
Test drive the vehicle and perform deliberate 2nd-to-3rd and 3rd-to-2nd shifts at varying speeds.
Manual Transmission 3rd Gear Synchro Wear
The E153 5-speed manual transmission fitted to the RS200 Altezza is known for synchromesh ring wear on 3rd gear, which experiences the highest frequency of use during spirited driving that these vehicles attract. The brass synchro cone wears against the gear hub, reducing cone contact area and friction coefficient until the blocker ring can no longer match shaft and gear speeds before engagement, causing grinding during 2-3 upshifts and 3-2 downshifts.
What you would notice
With the vehicle stationary, turn the steering lock-to-lock and listen for clicking, rattling, or grinding from the steering rack.
Electric Power Steering Rack Rattle and Internal Wear
The Altezza uses an electric power steering (EPS) rack rather than a hydraulic system, with the electric motor integrated into the steering column or rack assembly. Over time, the rack-and-pinion internal gear mesh and the EPS motor brushes or worm-drive components wear, causing a mechanical rattle or knock that is transmitted directly through the steering wheel. In advanced cases the EPS control unit may fault, illuminating the EPS warning light and defaulting the system to full manual heavy steering.
What you would notice
Review the radiator and cooling hoses, as the plastic parts go brittle with age.
The original shocks have often lost their damping by now, which blunts the Altezza's crisp handling.
The original alternator or starter motor may start showing wear, simply from how long they have been in service.
The 1G-FE engines' first major timing belt and water pump service falls here.
Check the cooling system hoses and radiator, as the plastics can go brittle.
Suspension parts such as ball joints and sway bar links often benefit from renewal for a tighter feel.
The major timing belt service is due; check the service history shows it has been done.
Check the suspension bushings and ball joints, which usually show wear after two decades.
A compression test is worth doing here to confirm the 3S-GE internals are still healthy.
Make sure the timing belt has been replaced; it is a critical job on the 1G-FE engine.
The original suspension parts and cooling system hoses often reach the end of their life here and deserve a look.
Keep an eye on the alternator and starter motor, which may need renewing after this much service.
Can't confirm for this car
The Altezza uses an electric power steering (EPS) rack rather than a hydraulic system, with the electric motor integrated into the steering column or rack assembly. Over time, the rack-and-pinion internal gear mesh and the EPS motor brushes or worm-drive components wear, causing a mechanical rattle or knock that is transmitted directly through the steering wheel. In advanced cases the EPS control unit may fault, illuminating the EPS warning light and defaulting the system to full manual heavy steering.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Can't confirm for this car
The front suspension lower control arm ball joints on the Altezza use a conventional tapered stud and rubber-booted socket design that is susceptible to grease loss and corrosion over time, accelerated by New Zealand's wet driving conditions. As the ball joint wears, increasing axial and radial play develops, causing geometry instability and a characteristic knocking under braking and cornering loads. Failure of the ball joint taper to retain in the hub knuckle constitutes a critical loss-of-control risk.
Example of the part — not this vehicleA separated lower ball joint: the control arm has dropped and the wheel has splayed out under the guard.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Can't confirm for this car
The Altezza's rear multi-link suspension uses multiple rubber compliance bushes in each lateral and toe-control arm that deteriorate with age, UV exposure, and the heat cycling associated with performance driving. As the rubber matrix within each bush collapses and cracks, the rear suspension geometry shifts outside of specification, causing toe and camber angles to change unpredictably under cornering loads. This results in pronounced oversteer instability and is a common cause of rear tyre edge wear on used examples.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Can't confirm for this car
The front and rear sliding-type brake calipers on the Altezza rely on lubricated steel guide pins moving within aluminium caliper brackets to allow the caliper to float and apply even clamping force across both brake pad faces. Corrosion and the breakdown of guide pin grease over time causes the pins to seize within the bracket bores, preventing the caliper from sliding freely. This results in one-sided pad contact, rapid uneven pad wear, brake dragging and overheating, and significantly reduced braking performance.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 7 documented faults for the Toyota Altezza, the recurring problem areas are engine, suspension, and transmission. A Toyota Altezza with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
We've catalogued 7 known faults for the Toyota Altezza, covering engine, suspension, and transmission. All 7 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.
Most single repairs on the Toyota Altezza fall between $600–$1,400 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 7 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Yes. A Toyota Altezza inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.