2003 Toyota Land Cruiser

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.

NHTSA ID

11433549

Incident

May 26, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK, HEAD, AND HIP INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 307,000.

NHTSA ID

11320945

Incident

Feb 15, 2020

Mileage

307,000 mi

EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY RUSTING. I HAVE A TUNDRA WHOSE UNDERBODY WAS CHANGED UPON RECALL BY TOYOTA. CAR IS GARAGED OR LEFT IN DRIVEWAY. EVERY MECHANIC COMMENTS ON EXCESSIVE RUSTING INCLUDING PRESTIGE TOYOTA BUT THEY MAINTAIN IT'S SATISFACTORY. I HAD TO CHANGE THE THING HOLDING THE TIRE BECAUSE IT RUSTED THROUGH CREATING THE DANGER THE SPARE COULD BREAK LOOSE. AAA WOULD NOT CHANGE A SPARE TIRE BECAUSE OF RUSTING THROUGH. TOYOTA THINKS THE RUST IS OK. I DON'T AND WORRY ABOUT SAFETY.I CANNOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHEN THIS HAPPENED.I CAN'T ACCURATELY RECALL MILEAGE WHEN I NOTICED THIS

NHTSA ID

11297568

Incident

Jan 2, 2013

Mileage

96,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10909745

Incident

Sep 26, 2016

Mileage

223,000 mi

DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES, EXTENDING BRAKING DISTANCE.

NHTSA ID

10884815

Incident

Jul 11, 2016

Mileage

205,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED BUT THE WHEELS DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10495073

Incident

Jan 22, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE SIDE/ CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT NO DEFECT WAS DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURES WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND WAS SEEN BY HOSPITAL AND PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10154451

Incident

Apr 3, 2006

Mileage

60,081 mi

FROM THE TOYOTA INVOICE: "CUSTOMER STATES THE BACK OF THE CENTER CONSOLE FACING THE REAR SEATS GETS VERY, VERY HOT...ALMOST BURNING FINGERS." AND THIS STATEMENT IS CORRECT. THE FOLKS AT CLEARWATER, TOYOTA SAY THERE IS NOTHING MECHANICALLY INCORRECT WITH MY AUTOMOBILE, BUT I AM TELLING THEM, CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING INCORRECT WITH MY VEHICLE. THUS MY REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10067598

Incident

Apr 21, 2004

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.