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2008 Toyota Land Cruiser: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 8 owner complaints for the 2008 Land Cruiser, and the car has 5 recalls on file[1][2]. The air bag and seat belt recall stands out, because owners in our sample describe waiting for the repair[3][4].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA[1]. One mentions a crash, and none report a fire, injury or death[1].
By component group:
- Air bags: 5 complaints, no crashes[4]
- Speed control: 2 complaints, 1 with a crash[6]
- Seat belts: 2 complaints[7]
- Engine: 1 complaint[8]
- Electrical system: 1 complaint[9]
In the sample of air bag complaints we read, all 5 are about the passenger air bag and seat belt recall, and 4 of them describe waiting for the repair or for parts[4]. The 2 seat belt complaints in our sample are about the same recall[7]. The 2 speed control complaints we read describe the vehicle moving or accelerating without the driver's control, and the single engine complaint describes the same kind of event[6][8]. With counts this small, none of these is a proven pattern.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Air bag and seat belt sensor (18V887). A wire harness in the seat belt tension sensor can break over time. That can switch off the front passenger air bag, knee air bag and side air bag. The risk is greater injury in a crash. Toyota says dealers will modify or replace the passenger seat belt assembly for free[3]. Owners in our complaint sample say they waited for parts or for the final repair[4].
- Incorrect air bag (17V548). Some vehicles may have the wrong driver or front passenger air bag. It may not deploy as intended in a crash. Dealers replace the air bag assemblies for free[10].
- Accelerator pedal (12V305). A loose or wrong driver's floor mat can trap the accelerator pedal wide open. That can mean very high speeds and trouble stopping. Dealers modify or replace the pedal and replace any floor mat not specified for the vehicle. The recall notice says Toyota had not yet given a notification schedule for the added Land Cruisers[11].
- Tire pressure monitor (11V148). Some vehicles had accessory wheels and tires fitted before sale, and the monitor was not set correctly. It may not warn at the required low pressure, which could lead to tire failure. Dealers re-calibrate the system for free on the Land Cruiser[12].
- Load labels (10V036). Some vehicles were sold without the required load capacity labels, so a driver could overload the vehicle. Dealers mail or install the corrected label for free[13].
Ask a Toyota dealer which of these still apply to a specific vehicle[12].
Fuel economy
EPA rates the Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD with the 5.7L 8-cylinder engine and Automatic (S6) at 13 city, 18 highway and 15 combined MPG[5]. It takes regular fuel. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,450, based on EPA's current fuel price assumptions rather than prices when the car was new[5].
How 2008 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 2008 model year has 8 complaints and 5 recalls[2]. The 2007 model year has 3 complaints and 1 recall[2]. The 2009 year has 6 complaints and 7 recalls, and 2010 has 3 complaints and 6 recalls[2]. So 2008 has more complaints than its neighbors from 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (4 complaints, 5 recalls), but fewer recalls than 2009 and 2010[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as rough context.
Should you buy a used 2008 Land Cruiser?
The 8 complaints on file are a small sample, and the recalls matter more[1]. Before buying, ask a Toyota dealer to confirm that the air bag and seat belt recall 18V887 and the accelerator pedal recall 12V305 were completed[3][11]. Owners in our sample report delays in getting parts for 18V887, so ask for proof of the repair[4]. Fuel economy is 15 combined MPG, so budget for fuel[5]. Our data does not cover safety ratings, towing or repair costs.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser?
- NHTSA has 8 complaints[1]. Air bags lead with 5[1][4]. In the sample we read, they concern the passenger air bag and seat belt recall[4].
- How many recalls does the 2008 Land Cruiser have?
- NHTSA lists 5, covering air bags, the accelerator pedal, the tire pressure monitor and load labels[2][3][10][11][12][13].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2008 Land Cruiser?
- EPA rates it 13 city, 18 highway and 15 combined MPG[5].
- Is the 2008 Land Cruiser the year with the most recalls?
- No. 2008 has 5 recalls, while 2009 has 7 and 2010 has 6[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Land Cruiser model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V887, filed December 13, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- 5 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 2 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 17V548, filed August 31, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V305, filed June 29, 2012: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V148, filed March 4, 2011: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database