2018 Toyota Land Cruiser

2018 Toyota Landcruiser. Potential vehicle crash, injury, damage, loss of value, reduced lifespan & reliabilty. Issue #1 - 2-3 times a month I experience shift shock. The transmission hesitates shifting up between 1->2 gear or down 2->1 gear at less than 15 mph. Depending how far you push the accelerator to force it to shift into gear, the car can shift into gear after hesitating so hard it feels like the vehicle was hit from behind. Dealer checked for codes and nothing was recorded despite being an anomalous event and Toyota having a HISTORY OF SHIFT SHOCK. 2016-2017 Landcruiser and issued a TSB [XXX] Contacted Toyota to report the issue and was told they have not received any reports for my year or later, which is likely untrue. If the ECU/TCU was coded to log shift shock I think they’d have a lot of reports. FYI Toyota is having similar issues with the 2025 Lexus GX550. Issue #2 - shift hesitation of 1-2 seconds before shift shock may result in a crash or injury. Normally experience shift shock slowing down close to a stop in left turn lane to cross oncoming traffic. The pause results in a delay of acceleration that may result in a crash causing injury and damage to property. Transmission hesitation/shift shock can also occur slowing down for a red light changing to green where you almost come to a stop then need to accelerate suddenly. The hesitation may result in the vehicle being rear ended due to loss of speed/control. Issue #3 - shift shock could also result in a crash or loss of control dealing with slippery conditions caused by rain, snow, ice. I live in Colorado and experience all 3. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11663153

Incident

May 27, 2025

Driving on trail ridge road in Estes park. Fuel boiled and gas flowed out of the vehicle around the gas cap. It presents a real fire and environmental risk in addition to causing property damage to the vehicle by potentially damaging the paint with the boiling fuel. The government has not done anything to address this design flaw with Toyota despite it being known for decades. This has been present with the 80, 100, 200 series vehicles plus the Toyota Tundra, Lexus GX and Lexus LX. There are a frightening number complaints about this. Just google Landcruiser, Tundra, Lexus GX, Lexus LX and fuel boil. Post #54 on this thread gives a good explanation as to the problem and cause (design flaw). https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gas-fuel-vapors-fumes-visible-from-gas-door.1255549/page-4

NHTSA ID

11463798

Incident

Apr 30, 2022

THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONT COLLISION OVER 50MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

11267000

Incident

Jan 11, 2019

Mileage

8,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V887000 (AIR BAGS). CHEROKEE COUNTY TOYOTA (301 LIBERTY BLVD, CANTON, GA 30114, 770-383-1434) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THERE WAS NO TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AS DESIGNED AND THE VISIBILITY RANGE WAS LIMITED TO THIRTY FEET. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBERS: 1904090864 AND 190421-000096. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CASES WOULD BE CLOSED SINCE TOYOTA DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11242609

Incident

Aug 7, 2019

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

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.

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.

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.