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1999 Toyota Land Cruiser: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints for the 1999 Land Cruiser and no recalls on file, and brakes are the biggest complaint group[1][2][3]. Fuel economy is low at 13 MPG combined[4].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Four mention a crash, one a fire, and four mention injuries. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Brakes[2] | 9 |
| Speed control[5] | 4 |
| Power train[6] | 3 |
| Engine[7] | 2 |
| Unknown or other[8] | 2 |
| Interior lighting[9] | 1 |
| Structure[10] | 1 |
| Air bags[11] | 1 |
Brakes. This is the largest group, with 9 complaints, 1 crash and 0 injuries. The median mileage at failure was 150,979[2]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, all 8 describe the brakes suddenly failing[2]. Owners describe the pedal sinking to the floor. Several mention an ABS warning light and a high-pitched sound first. Owners say dealers pointed to the ABS unit, the master cylinder or the brake booster[2].
Speed control. Four complaints, with 2 crashes and 2 injuries[5]. In a sample of 4 texts, 3 describe the vehicle accelerating on its own[5]. One owner reports the cruise control light on although cruise was never used[5].
Power train. Three complaints, with 1 crash and 2 injuries[6]. In the sample of 3 texts we read, 2 describe the vehicle coming out of Park or shifting into neutral while stopped[6].
Engine. Two complaints, one of them a fire[7]. The one text we read describes the engine cutting off without warning[7].
The other groups have one or two complaints each, which is too few to call a pattern[8][9][10][11].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 1999 Land Cruiser[3]. That does not mean the problems above were never repaired. It only means no recall campaign is on file for this model year.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD with the 4.7L 8-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic[4] at 12 MPG city, 15 highway and 13 combined[4]. It runs on regular fuel[4].
EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $5,150[4]. That figure uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[4].
How 1999 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 | 0 |
| 1996 | 12 | 0 |
| 1997 | 17 | 0 |
| 1998 | 16 | 0 |
| 1999 | 23 | 0 |
| 2000 | 25 | 0 |
| 2001 | 9 | 0 |
| 2002 | 12 | 0 |
| 2003 | 10 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 | 1 |
| 2005 | 9 | 3 |
| 2006 | 9 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 | 1 |
| 2008 | 8 | 5 |
| 2009 | 6 | 7 |
| 2010 | 3 | 6 |
| 2011 | 4 | 5 |
| 2013 | 6 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 39 | 5 |
| 2025 | 33 | 4 |
| 2026 | 7 | 1 |
| 2027 | 1 | 1 |
The 1999 model has 23 complaints and 0 recalls[3]. Three years in the list have more complaints: 2024 with 39, 2025 with 33 and 2000 with 25[3]. Among the neighboring years from 1995 to 2002, only 2000 is higher. 1998 has 16 and 1997 has 17[3].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so treat them as a rough guide[3].
Should you buy a used 1999 Land Cruiser?
The record shows no recalls, which is a point in its favor[3]. The complaints point to brakes as the area to check. Owners describe sudden brake loss, with a median failure mileage of 150,979[2]. Ask for service records on the ABS unit, master cylinder and brake booster, and have a mechanic inspect the brakes. Fuel cost is also a factor at 13 MPG combined[4]. Our data does not cover towing, oil capacity or crash-test ratings, so check those elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser?
- Brakes have the most complaints, 9 of 23 on file with NHTSA[1][2]. Speed control has 4 and power train has 3[5][6].
- Does the 1999 Land Cruiser have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for this model year[3].
- What is the gas mileage of a 1999 Land Cruiser?
- EPA rates it at 12 city, 15 highway and 13 combined MPG[4].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser (4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 150,979). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Land Cruiser model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 15 highway / 13 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 4 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the interior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records