KNOWN FAULTS · Toyota

Known faults for the Toyota Land Cruiser (J120).

2003–2009 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

2 known faults with sources

Engines: 4.0 V6 (Petrol) · 3.0 D-4D (Diesel)

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Cracked dashboard, splitting rear door and injector seals on the Land Cruiser 120Known weak points

Engine / equipment: Toyota Land Cruiser 120 (Prado 120), 4.0 V6 petrol and 3.0 D-4D
Period mentioned: 2003–2009
Symptoms: Cracks in the dashboard starting on the passenger side and spreading; the rear door skin (carrying the spare wheel) splits along the hinge side; on the V6, real consumption well above the official figure (up to 18 l/100 km against 13.6).
Possible cause described: According to CarsGuide (Prado is the Australian name of the Land Cruiser), the dashboard cracks do not affect the airbag and Toyota usually paid part of the repair; the door splits because of its own and the wheel’s weight (Toyota paid at least part; some new doors cracked again). On the 3.0 diesel, leaking injector seals can end up destroying the engine (own 1KD-FTV sheet).
Check for the garage: Look at the dashboard and the door skin near the hinges; on the diesel, check through the sump plug with a probe for carbon on the oil pick-up.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 3.0 D-4D (Diesel)

Injector seats and cracked pistons on the 3.0 D-4D (1KD-FTV)Injection / turbo

Engine / equipment: 3.0 D-4D (1KD-FTV): Hilux, Land Cruiser and Dyna
Period mentioned: Approx. 2005–2015
Symptoms: Rattle when cold, rough idle, smoke and blow-by; dirty, sludgy oil and, if the oil pickup blocks, serious engine failure.
Possible cause described: The copper seats under the injectors often failed and let gases into the crankcase: the oil gets dirty and can block the pickup screen. Faulty injectors are also linked to cracked pistons; Toyota issued a bulletin (EG-008T-0112) for Euro IV engines.
Check for the garage: Check for blow-by at the oil filler cap, test the injectors (back-leak test) and inspect their seats; clean the pickup screen if the oil is sludgy.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.