Common problems · 2024–present
Land Cruiser 250 problems: 8 things to check
The problems owners and specialists flag most on the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Series, the repairs they end up doing and what those cost, plus the years and recalls to watch. Sourced, not scraped.
Land Cruiser 250 problems to check before you buy
- Know which grade you're looking atThe 1958 has round lamps, cloth seats, 245/70R18 tires on 18x7 wheels and no stabilizer disconnect. The Land Cruiser grade has rectangular lamps, 265/70R18 tires, and SDM availability. The 2024 First Edition (5,000 built for North America) keeps the round lamps and adds rock rails, a front skid and a roof rack. Premium Package trucks ride on 20-inch wheels with 265/60R20 tires.
- Run the VIN for recallsCampaigns so far include an instrument-cluster software update for displays that can go blank (about 82,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles, announced May 2026), a corrected load-capacity label on certain 2024 trucks accessorized by Gulf States Toyota, a rear-camera software fix, and a 2024–2027 recall (Toyota 26TA23, interim notice 26TB23; NHTSA 26V673000) for a fuel-tube connector that can disconnect and leak. Check NHTSA or the Toyota app.
- Listen for squeal in reverseFront-brake squeal when backing up is covered by TSB T-SB-0006-26, which supersedes T-SB-0046-25 and replaces pads and shims after a technician confirms the problem. Owners say you can tell it's been done from the newer anti-rattle springs on the caliper.
- Check the hybrid-battery ventsThe cooling intakes look like speaker grilles in the lower side trim at the rear door opening. Make sure nothing is blocking them. Owners have found cargo and even a plastic bag over them, and some owners got battery cooling-fan maintenance warnings at low mileage; in one case the dealer found nothing and cleared a reminder it thought had been set at the wrong interval.
- Test the 12 V batteryOwners on LandCruiserForum.com report no-starts after leaving doors or the hatch open for a few minutes at camp. Have the 12 V battery load-tested and ask whether it has been replaced.
- Look underneathOn used trucks, pull the front skid plate. Owners report stripped skid-plate bolt threads from repeated oil changes. Look for trail damage, and check whether any lift kit came with an alignment.
- Ask for diff and transfer-case service recordsThe owner's manual calls for 75W-85 GL-5 in the differentials, and owners report the dealer parts counter doesn't always stock it. Ask what was used.
- Do the range mathA 17.9-gallon tank at the EPA's 23 mpg combined is about 410 miles in theory, and less with bigger tires, a roof rack or a trailer. If you travel remote, budget for jerry cans or an aftermarket long-range tank.
The repairs Land Cruiser 250 owners end up doing
| REPAIR | SYMPTOMS | DIFFICULTY | TIME | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter change | Scheduled service. Many owners also change the factory oil early, at around 1,000–1,500 miles. | 1 / 5 | ≈ 1 hour | Oil and filter only |
| Differential and transfer-case fluid | Scheduled service, or after deep water crossings or heavy towing. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1–2 hours | Fluid only |
| Fix front-brake squeal in reverse | Squealing from the front brakes when backing up, especially at low speed. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1–2 hours | Covered by TSB under warranty |
| Clear the hybrid-battery cooling intakes | A 'battery cooling fan maintenance' message, or a fan running louder than usual. | 1 / 5 | ≈ 15 minutes | Free; filters if replaced |
| Keep the 12 V battery alive at camp | The truck won't go into Ready after the doors or hatch have been open for a while with the engine off. | 1 / 5 | ≈ 30 minutes | Battery monitor and jump pack |
| Make room for 35s | Rubbing at full lock or compression after fitting tires over about 33 inches. | 3 / 5 | ≈ Half a day plus alignment | Wheels and tires plus labor |
| Sunroof leak and a damp headliner | Water dripping through the overhead console with the roof shut, a damp headliner or passenger footwell, or a musty smell after rain. NHTSA complaints include a rear section of the sunroof that doesn't seal and a cabin that smells of mildew every time it rains. | 2 / 5 | ≈ 1 hour to clean the drains; a dealer visit if the seal is at fault | Free to clean; seal work under warranty |
| Quiet a vibrating driver's mirror | At highway speed the driver's mirror glass shakes enough to blur the view. Owners say the passenger side is solid. One NHTSA complainant says the dealer confirmed it and called it common to all Land Cruisers. | 1 / 5 | ≈ 30 minutes | A few dollars in thin plastic and felt |
Each repair links to a step-by-step guide with tools, part numbers and where to buy the parts.
Years with known problems
| YEARS | FLAG | WHAT TO KNOW |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–2025 | Recall | Model years covered by the combination-meter and camera recalls |
| 2024–2027 | Recall | All model years included in the fuel-tube leak recall (26V673000) announced October 2026, so check that it's been done |
Land Cruiser 250 recalls and service bulletins
- Fuel tube connection can leak ↗ 2024–2027 · NHTSA 26V673000The fuel tube connection near the tank can come apart and leak fuel. Dealers add a supplemental clamp or replace the resin tube (Toyota 26TA23/26TB23).
- Combination meter may not show warnings ↗ 2024–2025 · NHTSA 26V341000Parts of the 12.3-inch combination meter can go blank at start-up and fail to show some warnings or indicators (FMVSS 101). Toyota put the US total at about 82,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles (May 2026).
- Panoramic View Monitor camera freeze ↗ 2024–2025 · NHTSA 25V744000A software error can freeze or blank the rear camera image in reverse (FMVSS 111).
- Load-capacity modification label (distributor accessories) ↗ 2024 · NHTSA 24V548000Gulf States Toyota recall of certain accessorized vehicles, including 2024 Land Cruisers, whose load-capacity labels were missing or wrong (FMVSS 110).
- Front brake squeal / moan at low speed and in reverse ↗ · T-SB-0006-26 (supersedes T-SB-0046-25)New pads, shims and a revised anti-rattle spring on the front calipers; owners report rotors aren't replaced.
Check any VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls ↗, or see the recall tracker.
Owner questions about Land Cruiser 250 reliability
Is it reliable? Any recalls?
It's early days. Recalls so far are an instrument-cluster software update, a corrected load-capacity label, a rear-camera fix, and a 2024–2027 fuel-tube connector recall. Common owner complaints are front-brake squeal in reverse (fixed by a TSB), 12 V battery drain, and hybrid-battery fan warnings. The US 250 doesn't use the V35A V6 involved in the LX and Tundra bearing recalls.
SOURCE · TOYOTA · PICKUPTRUCKTALK · NHTSATake the printable Land Cruiser 250 inspection checklist: every check on this page plus the model-specific ones, on one sheet. Get the checklist →
Sourced from owners, specialists and factory documents; full sources are on the Land Cruiser 250 guide. Verify torque figures and procedures against the factory service manual (disclaimer).