Toyota Land Cruiser 300: common faults & what to check
Thinking about buying a used Toyota Land Cruiser 300 (1990–2024) in New Zealand? We've documented 37 known faults for this model spanning suspension, body & rust, engine, and fluid leaks. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
37
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$800–$3,500
Typical repair
8
Systems covered
Known Toyota Land Cruiser 300 faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Active Height Control (AHC) Hydraulic Suspension System Failure
CriticalVery commonSuspension $4,000–$15,000 to fix
The optional Active Height Control (AHC) hydraulic suspension system fitted to many 100 series Land Cruisers is one of the most notorious and expensive failure points on the platform. The system uses a hydraulic pump, nitrogen-filled accumulators at each corner, steel hard lines, rubber hoses, and height sensors. Accumulators lose nitrogen charge over 10-15 years, causing the vehicle to sag to the bump stops overnight. The hydraulic pump, solenoids, and height sensors also fail independently. Complete system overhaul is extremely costly; many owners convert to aftermarket coilover suspension. Failure is considered nearly universal on unrestored high-mileage examples.
Symptoms to notice
Vehicle sags to the ground or sits very low when parked overnight
AHC warning light on the instrument cluster
Incorrect or uneven ride height corner-to-corner
Hydraulic pump running continuously or failing to activate
Slow or non-functional ride height adjustment
What to check
Observe vehicle ride height with all four corners — they should be level and at normal height. Look under the vehicle for hydraulic lines showing rust, weeping, or damage. Ask if the vehicle maintains its height after sitting overnight. Check the instrument cluster for any AHC warning light. Test the height adjustment function via the driver's controls if present.
Where to look: All four corners of the vehicle (accumulators at each wheel), hydraulic pump in the engine bay, height sensors mounted at suspension control arms
Ask the seller
“Does the vehicle maintain its ride height when parked overnight?”
“Has the AHC system been serviced, rebuilt, or converted to coilovers?”
“Are there any suspension or AHC warning lights currently or historically?”
“Has the hydraulic pump or any accumulator been replaced?”
The 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol (V35A-FTS) has a documented TSB for a mechanical ticking or rattling noise emanating from the fuel injectors, most pronounced on cold start and at low idle. Toyota issued a technical service bulletin addressing injector hold-down torque specification and in some cases revised injector supply pipes. The noise can persist after warm-up in more severe cases. Under warranty the fix is covered; out-of-warranty vehicles face potential injector or high-pressure fuel rail work.
Symptoms to notice
Rapid metallic ticking or rattling noise on cold start from engine top
Noise most audible at idle and low RPM, may reduce at higher revs
Persists beyond first 30 seconds of cold start in affected units
Occasional check engine light in severe cases with injector circuit codes
Slight rough idle or momentary hesitation during the noise period
What to check
Cold-start the engine from fully cold and listen for a rapid metallic ticking or chattering from the top of the engine lasting more than 15–20 seconds. Confirm noise is not valve train or exhaust. Ask dealer to check TSB history on the VIN for injector-related bulletins. Inspect high-pressure fuel rail connections for seepage.
Where to look: Top of engine, fuel injector rail area, driver side and passenger side cylinder banks
Ask the seller
“Has the vehicle had any Toyota TSB work done for injector noise or fuel system rattles?”
“Can I cold-start the engine from fully cold before purchase?”
“Is the vehicle still within Toyota's 5-year/100,000 km powertrain warranty?”
Body & RustCritical
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
EngineCritical
Fluid LeaksCritical
EngineCritical
CoolingCritical
EngineCritical
BrakesCritical
EngineMajor
TransmissionMajor
Body & RustMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
SuspensionMajor
TransmissionMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
SuspensionMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
BrakesMajor
Fluid LeaksMajor
SuspensionMajor
ElectricalMajor
EngineMajor
CoolingMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
EngineMinor
SuspensionMinor
TransmissionMinor
EngineMinor
35 more documented faults on the Toyota Land Cruiser 300
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 37 documented faults for the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, the recurring problem areas are suspension, body & rust, and engine. A Toyota Land Cruiser 300 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.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota Land Cruiser 300?
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We've catalogued 37 known faults for the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, covering suspension, body & rust, and engine. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Toyota Land Cruiser 300?
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Most single repairs on the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 fall between $800–$3,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 37 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.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Toyota Land Cruiser 300?
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Yes. A Toyota Land Cruiser 300 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 $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.