Most common 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Land Cruiser complaints by model year
Best Land Cruiser years: 2012, 2019, 2004. Years to avoid: 1997. Compare all years →
What 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser owners say
Speed control & acceleration
Driving on highway in early December 2004, 60 MPH and car went completely out of control as if a front tire had blown. This happened again 3 days later, under the same conditions. Thoughts were that the automatic traction control system was kicking on (for not apparent reason) due to a wiring/computer malfunction. This malfunction has occured at least 15-20 times with us on the highway - we have the car parked, except to take it back and forth to the dealership, who cannot seem to duplicate the problem. Dealership had it 4 days the first time and 2-3 weeks the second and third times. Took it to local mechanic who duplicated problem within the first 15 miles of driving the vehicle (which is a 2002 Toyota landcruiser). Nothing has been done by the dealership, as they claim they can't "duplicate customer's request". Manufacturer took claim but has done nothing. …
I recently purchased a 2002 landcruiser from a Toyota dealer in greensboro nc. While driving on the highway going about 60 MPH, the vehicles suddenly stopped responding to the gas pedal...the engine was still on but the car was no longer getting power. We had to pull over, stop the car. I then restarted the car...the engine light came on, but he car was responsive and I drove it to the dealership. They said it was the throttle housing that needed a cleaning. The issue seems similar to the recent Lexus recall . We had the opportunity to pull over but it was frightening nonetheless. Thank you for looking into it. [redacted]
2002 Toyota Land Cruiser engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 15 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Land Cruiser rates average: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Land Cruiser at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser?
The speed control & acceleration — 3 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the locks & latches (2) and engine & cooling (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Land Cruiser?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2019 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997. See the full Toyota Land Cruiser years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Land Cruiser problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 57,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.