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Toyota2002 Major issues documented

Toyota Probox XP50: common faults & what to check

The XP50 is the Toyota Probox built 2002–2014. It was sold here with the 1.3 petrol and 1.5 petrol. Of the 6 faults documented for the Probox, 6 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

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  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

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6

Documented faults

Major

Most serious

$300–$1,300

Typical repair

17

Service milestones

You're looking at the XP50

2 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

A 2002 Toyota Probox is the XP50 generation (2002 to 2014).

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Toyota Probox XP50Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the Probox came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

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Can't confirm for this car

Toyota Probox · 2002

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

Toyota Probox service schedule

The 3 engines a 2002 Toyota Probox was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

First Generation (P50) · 2002–2014 · 1.3L (2NZ-FE) - Standard Commercial Trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 150,000 km

    Flush the cooling system and check every rubber coolant hose.

  2. 200,000 km

    The alternator brushes and starter motor solenoid are worth checking or servicing before they give trouble.

  3. 250,000 km

    Worth checking the timing chain tensioner and looking for chain stretch; it is uncommon, but keep an eye out.

First Generation (P50) · 2002–2007 · 1.4L (1ND-TV) - Diesel Commercial

Diesel

Due by distance

  1. 150,000 km

    Assess the alternator and starter motor, both regular service items on the 1ND-TV engine.

  2. 200,000 km

    Make sure the timing chain has been checked, as this diesel depends on the chain lasting.

First Generation (P50) · 2002–2014 · 1.5L (1NZ-FE) - F/GL/F Extra Package

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 150,000 km

    Make sure the serpentine belt has been checked for cracking and that the water pump is not seeping.

  2. 200,000 km

    A major service point where fresh transmission fluid and a check of the alternator output make sense.

  3. 250,000 km

    Have a professional look at the engine mounts by now to keep cabin vibration down.

See all 6 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked.
Body, brakes, suspension & interior2

01Underbody, wheel-arch and tailgate corrosion on hard-worked coastal examples

2002 onwardBody & RustRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

02Rear suspension sag and worn rear dampers from constant load carrying

The Probox/Succeed is bought as a load-carrying workhorse, and the rear suspension and dampers wear from years of being run loaded.2002 onwardSuspension
CommonSuspension $350–$1,300 to fix

The Probox/Succeed is bought as a load-carrying workhorse, and the rear suspension and dampers wear from years of being run loaded. On high-mileage examples the rear can sit low or noticeably lower on one side, the rear shocks lose their damping, and bushings tire, which shows up as bottoming-out over bumps when laden and vague handling. This is expected load-related wear rather than a design defect or recall, and it is easy to hide by inspecting the car empty. Because it directly affects ride height, tyre wear and braking stability, confirm the rear sits level and the dampers still control the load. Costs cover replacement rear dampers and, where fitted, tired springs or bushes.

Symptoms to notice

  • Rear of the vehicle sits low or lower on one side, especially when loaded
  • Bottoming-out or harsh crashing over bumps when carrying weight
  • Bouncy, poorly-controlled rear ride or nose-up stance
  • Leaking or oil-filmed rear shock absorbers
  • Uneven or cupped rear tyre wear

What to check

  1. Check the car sits level front-to-rear and side-to-side on flat ground, then push down hard on each rear corner and confirm it settles in one rebound rather than bouncing.
  2. Inspect the rear dampers for oil leaks and the springs and bushings for sag, cracks or perishing.
  3. If possible, load some weight in the back and confirm the rear does not squat excessively or bottom out.

Where to look: Rear suspension - rear shock absorbers, springs and bushings

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the car been used to carry heavy or regular loads?”
  • “Have the rear shocks, springs or bushes ever been replaced?”
  • “Does the rear bottom out or sag when you load it up?”
  • “Does it sit level, or lower at the back or on one side?”
Depends on the exact engine — 4 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling2

011NZ-FE / 2NZ-FE timing-chain tensioner and VVT-i cam-gear cold-start rattle

Start the engine dead cold (first start of the day) and listen at the front timing-cover end for a short rattle.petrol2002 onwardEngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

021NZ-FE / 2NZ-FE timing chain tensioner cold-start rattle

Cold-start the engine and immediately listen for chain rattle from the front of the engine block.petrol2002 onwardEngineRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller
Fluid leaks2

01High-mileage engine oil leaks (rear main seal, cam and timing cover) and rising oil use

Look under the engine and along the back of the block for oil seepage.petrol2002 onwardFluid LeaksRead the full fault: symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller

021NZ-FE valve cover gasket oil seepage

After a warm run, inspect the valve cover perimeter for oil seepage.petrol2002 onwardFluid Leaks
Very commonFluid Leaks $180–$450 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

As with the mechanically identical Succeed, the Probox 1NZ-FE engine's rubber valve cover gasket is a well-documented failure point at higher mileages. Commercial Probox variants used in delivery or tradesperson roles typically accumulate mileages well above 200,000 km, at which point the valve cover gasket and integral spark plug tube seals have invariably hardened and begun to seep. Oil entering spark plug wells is common and causes misfire symptoms that are frequently misdiagnosed as coil pack failure before the true source is identified.

Symptoms to notice

  • Burnt oil smell from engine bay during and after driving
  • Dark oily residue visible around the valve cover edges
  • Oil inside spark plug recesses when leads are removed
  • Misfire on one or more cylinders caused by oil contaminating plug boots

What to check

After a warm run, inspect the valve cover perimeter for oil seepage. High-mileage commercial Probox units should be assumed to have a leaking valve cover gasket unless recent replacement is documented. The repair is straightforward and low cost; confirm whether it has already been done. If a workshop inspection is possible: Remove all spark plug leads and check each recess for pooled oil with a torch — this is a reliable indicator of tube seal failure.

Where to look: Top of engine — valve cover perimeter gasket and spark plug tube seals

Parts involved: Rocker / valve cover.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the valve cover gasket been replaced on this vehicle?”
  • “Is there a burning oil smell when driving, or oil visible around the top of the engine?”

Toyota Probox faults in detail

Narrowed to the Toyota Probox · 2002. Each of these has its own page: the symptoms, where to look, what to ask the seller and what the repair costs. Free, no account needed.

1NZ-FE / 2NZ-FE timing chain tensioner cold-start rattleMajor · Engine1NZ-FE / 2NZ-FE timing-chain tensioner and VVT-i cam-gear cold-start rattleMajor · EngineHigh-mileage engine oil leaks (rear main seal, cam and timing cover) and rising oil useMajor · Fluid LeaksUnderbody, wheel-arch and tailgate corrosion on hard-worked coastal examplesMajor · Body & Rust

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Toyota Probox’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Toyota models

Toyota Prado64 documented faultsToyota RAV463 documented faultsToyota Hilux59 documented faultsToyota Starlet6 documented faultsToyota Auris5 documented faultsToyota Avanza5 documented faults

Toyota Probox buyer questions

Is the Toyota Probox reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 6 documented faults for the Toyota Probox, the recurring problem areas are body & rust, engine, and fluid leaks. A Toyota Probox 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 Probox?

We've catalogued 6 known faults for the Toyota Probox, covering body & rust, engine, and fluid leaks. All 6 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.

How much do repairs cost on a Toyota Probox?

Most single repairs on the Toyota Probox fall between $300–$1,300 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 6 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 Probox?

Yes. A Toyota Probox 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.