Thinking about buying a used Toyota Noah (2001–2022) in New Zealand? We've documented 26 known faults for this model spanning cooling, suspension, electrical, and transmission. 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.
26
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$320–$1,800
Typical repair
7
Systems covered
Known Toyota Noah faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Inverter Electric Coolant Pump Failure (P0A93)
CriticalOccasionalCooling $700–$6,000 to fix
The ZWR80 hybrid uses a dedicated electric water pump to circulate coolant through the power inverter. This pump is a known wear item across Toyota hybrid platforms and fails due to impeller erosion and motor brush wear, setting code P0A93. Without coolant flow the inverter overheats within minutes of sustained load; continued driving risks permanent inverter damage, turning a sub-$1,000 pump job into a $4,000–6,000 inverter replacement.
Symptoms to notice
P0A93 (Inverter Cooling System Performance) or P0A94 fault code stored
Hybrid system warning triangle illuminated
Audible grinding or absence of expected pump hum from engine bay on start-up
Inverter coolant reservoir level drops over time with no external leak
Vehicle enters reduced-power mode or shuts down hybrid drive under sustained acceleration
What to check
With the engine warm, listen for a faint whirring from the inverter coolant pump near the front-left of the engine bay. Check the inverter coolant reservoir (separate small tank, usually near the strut tower) for correct level and absence of rust-coloured contamination indicating pump seal wear. If a workshop inspection is possible: An OBD scanner should show no P0A93 or P0A94 codes.
Where to look: Engine bay, front-left: small electric pump on dedicated inverter coolant circuit; inverter mounted above transmission
Ask the seller
“Has the inverter cooling pump ever been inspected or replaced, and can you show the service record?”
“Is there any history of hybrid system warning lights or reduced-power events?”
“Has the inverter coolant been flushed and refilled on schedule with Toyota Super Long Life Coolant?”
02Electric Power Steering Rack Knock and Rattle
MinorCommonSuspension $300–$1,800 to fix
Noah models of both ZRR70 and ZRR80 generations use an electric power steering (EPS) rack. A known failure mode is the development of a knock or rattle from the steering rack over road imperfections, caused by internal wear in the rack housing, worn tie-rod end sockets, or loosening of the EPS motor mount to the rack body. The rattle is distinct from suspension noise — it transmits directly through the steering column and is most evident at low speed over rough surfaces. In some cases the EPS motor drive gear or intermediate shaft splines develop lash, producing a knock on initial steering input from centre. Early intervention with tie-rod replacement or rack mount tightening can arrest the fault; a worn rack housing requires full rack replacement.
Symptoms to notice
Clunking or rattling noise from the steering rack area when driving over potholes or road joints
Knock felt through the steering wheel rim when hitting a bump while cornering
Loose or notchy feeling on-centre in the steering with slight free play before effort builds
Drive slowly over a speed bump or rough road surface and listen for a knock or rattle that coincides with steering wheel vibration. With the vehicle stationary, have a second person sharply turn the wheel left and right while you listen under the bonnet for clunking from the rack or intermediate shaft. Check for free play in the steering by gently rocking the wheel left and right — more than 10 mm of play at the rim before the rack moves indicates internal wear. Inspect tie-rod ends for play by gripping and attempting to move them with the wheel straight.
Where to look: Steering rack behind front subframe, EPS motor on rack body, intermediate steering shaft
Ask the seller
“Is there any knock or rattle from the steering when going over bumps?”
“Has the steering rack, tie-rod ends, or EPS components been serviced or replaced?”
“Does the steering feel tight and direct with no free play on-centre?”
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24 more documented faults on the Toyota Noah
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 26 documented faults for the Toyota Noah, the recurring problem areas are cooling, suspension, and electrical. A Toyota Noah 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 Noah?
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We've catalogued 26 known faults for the Toyota Noah, covering cooling, suspension, and electrical. 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 Noah?
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Most single repairs on the Toyota Noah fall between $320–$1,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 26 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 Noah?
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Yes. A Toyota Noah 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.