Most common 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser problems
Share of the 10 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 →
2003 Toyota Land Cruiser recalls (1)
Air bags › Side/window
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016.
What 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser owners say
Brakes
Braking system failed. Unable to stop operating vehicle traveling 30 MPH without downshifting and allowing vehicle's momentum to dissipate. Vehicle towed to repair facility. Repair has been completed. Repair facility, Love Field Auto, in Dallas, TX diagnosed concern (master cylinder +'ABS system failure) and replaced components. Vehicle had approximately 155K miles.
As I was driving, the vehicle's ABS, vsc trac, vsc off, and brake light all came on at the same time, with an audible buzzer. Once I approached the intersection, I realized that the vehicles brakes were not working and had to push the pedal hard all the way to the floor and prayed that the vehicle stopped. I had just dropped my son and my neighbor's child off at school. Luckily, there was no one in front of me at the light and I was able to avoid an accident.
2003 Toyota Land Cruiser engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser a good car?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Land Cruiser rates average: 14% fewer complaints than 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 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser?
The brakes — 3 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components. Next are the body & structure (2) and air bags (2).
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser have?
There is 1 recall for the 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser, the most recent from February 5, 2016 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 14% 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.