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2018 Toyota Land Cruiser: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2018 Land Cruiser has few owner complaints on file, 4 at NHTSA[1]. The two recalls deserve more attention, one for a fuel pump that can fail and one for a passenger air bag that can switch off[2][3].
Reported problems
NHTSA lists 4 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash. None mention a fire, an injury or a death. These are unverified reports from owners. One complaint can name more than one component, so the groups below do not add up to the total.
- Air bags: 2 complaints[6]
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaint[7]
- Unknown or other: 1 complaint[8]
- Power train: 1 complaint[9]
In the complaint texts we read, an owner describes getting the air bag recall notice and being told by a dealer that parts were not available, with no date given[6]. The same text says the headlights did not light as expected and The same text says the headlights did not light as expected and that Toyota considered the vehicle to be working as designed[7].[7]. In the power train text, an owner describes occasional hard, hesitating shifts at low speed[9]. That is one text per group, so it shows what a few owners wrote and nothing more.
The counts are small and are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year[4]. They are below, newest first.
- Fuel pump (20V682). Announced 2020-11-04[2]. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the tank may fail. If it does, the engine can stall while driving, which raises the risk of a crash. Toyota says dealers will replace the pump assembly with an improved one at no cost. Parts were expected to be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021[2]. This recall covers many Toyota and Lexus models, and the 2018 to 2019 Land Cruiser is among them[2].
- Passenger air bags (18V887). Announced 2018-12-13[3]. Over time, a wire harness for the seat belt tension sensor may break. That can switch off the front passenger air bag, the knee air bag and the passenger seat side air bag. In a crash, this raises the risk of injury. Toyota says dealers will repair the passenger seat belt unit or swap in an improved one if needed, at no cost. The recall began February 11, 2019[3].
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the Land Cruiser with the 5.7L 8-cylinder engine and Automatic (S8) at 13 city, 18 highway and 15 combined MPG[5]. It runs on regular fuel and has four-wheel drive. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,450[5]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not given this model year a 5-Star Safety Rating[10]. Not rated does not mean poor. It means there is no score to compare.
Engine and size
The EPA test car list shows a 5.7L 8-cylinder engine rated at 381 hp[11].
How 2018 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 |
NHTSA counts for the 2018 Land Cruiser are 4 complaints and 2 recalls[4]. The year before, 2017, has 4 complaints and 1 recall[4]. The year after, 2019, has 0 complaints and 3 recalls[4]. Some years have far more complaints, such as 2024 with 39[4]. Some have more recalls, such as 2009 with 7[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as rough context.
Should you buy a used 2018 Land Cruiser?
The complaint record is light, with 4 complaints and no reported fires, injuries or deaths[1]. The bigger question is the recalls. Ask for proof that both the fuel pump and the passenger air bag repairs were done, since each addresses a safety risk[2][3]. Fuel economy is 15 combined MPG, with an estimated $4,450 a year[5]., at 15 combined MPG and an estimated $4,450 a year[5]. Our data does not cover towing, tires or long-term reliability, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems does the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser have?
- NHTSA has 4 owner complaints, covering air bags, exterior lighting, power train and one unknown group[1][6][7][8][9].
- Are there recalls on the 2018 Land Cruiser?
- Yes, 2[4]. One is for a fuel pump that can fail (20V682) and one for a passenger air bag that can deactivate (18V887)[2][3].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Land Cruiser?
- The EPA rates it at 13 city, 18 highway and 15 combined MPG[5].
- How much horsepower does the 2018 Land Cruiser have?
- The EPA test car list shows 381 hp for the 5.7L 8-cylinder[11].
- Did NHTSA give the 2018 Land Cruiser a safety rating?
- No. It is listed as not rated[10].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 4 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V682, filed November 4, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V887, filed December 13, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Land Cruiser model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S8), Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 2 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2018 Toyota Land Cruiser with 5.7L 8-cylinder: rated 381 hp. www.epa.gov