1980 Toyota Land cruiser problems

General information about Toyota-Land cruiser
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Toyota Land Cruiser (Japanese: トヨタ・ランドクルーザー, Hepburn: Toyota Rando-Kurūzā) (also sometimes spelled as LandCruiser) is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles produced by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. It is Toyota's longest running series of models. As of 2019, the sales of the Land Cruiser totalled more than 10 million units worldwide.

Production of the first generation of the Land Cruiser began in 1951. The Land Cruiser has been produced in convertible, hardtop, station wagon and cab chassis body styles. The Land Cruiser's reliability and longevity have led to huge popularity, especially in Australia, where it is the best-selling body-on-frame, four-wheel drive vehicle. Toyota also extensively tests the Land Cruiser in the Australian outback – considered to be one of the toughest operating environments in both temperature and terrain. In Japan, the Land Cruiser was once exclusive to Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Store.

Since 1990, the smaller variation of the Land Cruiser has been marketed as the Land Cruiser Prado. Described as a 'light-duty' version of the Land Cruiser by Toyota, it features a different design compared to the full-size model and, up until 2023, it remains the only comfort-oriented Land Cruiser available with a short-wheelbase 3-door version.

As of 2023, the full-size Land Cruiser was available in many markets. Exceptions include the United States (since 2021), Canada (since 1996), Malaysia (which receives the Lexus LX instead), Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Brazil, and most of Europe. In Europe, the only countries where the full-size Land Cruiser is officially sold are Gibraltar, Moldova, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The Land Cruiser is hugely popular in the Middle East, Russia, and Australia, and also in Africa where it is used by farmers, the construction industry, non-governmental and humanitarian organizations, the United Nations, national armies (often the pickup version), and irregular armed groups who turn them into "technicals" by mounting machine guns in the rear. In August 2019, cumulative global sales of the Land Cruiser family surpassed 10 million units.

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Common 1980 Toyota Land cruiser problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Toyota Land Cruiser 1980, several common problems have been identified:

Slow Windows: Owners have reported issues with slow window operation in the Toyota Land Cruiser 1980. This problem can be frustrating and affect the overall convenience of the vehicle.
Fraying Seat Belts: Another common complaint is the fraying of seat belts in the Land Cruiser 1980. This poses a safety risk and may require replacement to ensure proper functioning.
Chipping and Peeling Lower Window Belt Trim: Owners have noted problems with the lower window belt trim chipping and peeling. This can affect the aesthetics of the vehicle and may require maintenance to address.
Interior Rattles: Complaints about interior rattles have been reported by owners. These rattles can be annoying and may indicate loose components within the vehicle.
Locking Seat Belt: Some owners have experienced issues with locking seat belts in the Toyota Land Cruiser 1980. This can be inconvenient and may require repair or replacement.
Shaky Side Mirror: Shaky side mirrors have been a concern for some owners, especially when driving at high speeds. This issue can impact visibility and may need to be addressed for safety reasons.
Cracked Dash: Cracking dashboards have been reported as a common problem. This issue is not uncommon in older vehicles and may require repair or replacement to maintain the interior aesthetics.
12 Miles Per Gallon: The Land Cruiser 1980's fuel efficiency, reported at 12 miles per gallon, has been a point of contention for some owners. While this may be expected for a vehicle of this type, it can still be a concern for those looking for better fuel economy.
"D" Light Burned Out: Owners have reported issues with the "D" light burning out. While this may seem like a minor problem, it can affect the visibility of the gear indicator and may require a simple bulb replacement.
Rust: Rust issues have been a common complaint among owners, especially in states that use road salt. Preventative measures like applying rust protection can help mitigate this problem.
Dead Rear Subwoofer: Some owners have experienced problems with the rear subwoofer not functioning. This can impact the audio experience in the vehicle and may require troubleshooting or replacement.
Leaking Knuckles: Leaking knuckles have been reported as an issue in the Toyota Land Cruiser 1980. This problem can lead to oil leaks and may require rebuilding the knuckles to address the issue effectively.
Lack of Cupholders: The absence of cupholders in the Land Cruiser 1980 has been a common complaint. This can be inconvenient for passengers who rely on cupholders for beverages during travel.

How reliable are old Land Cruisers?

What Are the Issues to Watch Out for With a Land Cruiser? Other than normal wear-and-tear issues, nothing really stands out as a major failing on these vehicles. Even 20-year-old models are still running strong. The Land Cruiser's engine, transmission, transfer case, and 4WD systems are all tough as nails.

How reliable are 80 series Land Cruisers?

80 series cruiser are some of the most reliable vehicles ever built. But this aging platform also has its draw backs. The first and most major shortcoming is fuel range and fuel consumption. My cruiser has a 24 gallon tank and on a good day I can get a max range of 250 miles.

What engine is in a 1980 Toyota Land Cruiser?

1980 – The H diesel engine (HJ45) was replaced by the 4.0 L 2H engine (now with chassis code HJ47). 1981 – The Diesel version received front disc brakes and the more powerful 3.4 L 3B engine, and the LWB BJ45 with 3B engine was added to the range.

What is the power steering problem in the 80 series?

Unfortunately, 80s are renowned for losing power steering fluid like it's going out of fashion. Hoses have been replaced, steering boxes rebuilt, and more often than not, the cause of the leak is misdiagnosed. The cause of most of these leaks is simply the reservoir.

How reliable are old Land Cruisers?

How reliable are 80 series Land Cruisers?

How long can a Toyota Land Cruiser engine last?

The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota Sequoia both offer a potential lifespan of more than 300,000 miles.

Is Land Cruiser high maintenance?

The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Toyota Land Cruiser is $843, compared to an average of $784 for fullsize SUVs and $652 for all vehicle models.

1980 Toyota Land cruiser car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Land cruiser problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Wheels problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1980 Toyota Land cruiser vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1980 Toyota Land cruiser complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1980 Toyota Land cruiser.

2016-12-27

WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2016-12-26
VIN: FJ40319178
Components: WHEELS
Summary: I AM SUBMITTING THIS ON BEHALF OF THE VEHICLE OWNERS. FOUR NEW YOKOHAMA GEOLANDER A/T-S 31X10.50 R15 LT 109S 6PR WERE INSTALLED LAST SUMMER BY OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (FREEMAN TOYOTA SANTA ROSA, CA). VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN ANOTHER SHOP SINCE THEN HAVING PRE-RESTORATION WORK DONE. TIRES HAVE NO MORE THAN 300-400 NORMAL ROAD MILES ON THEM. I PICKED IT UP DEC. 26, 2016 TO BRING HOME, A ROAD TRIP OF 50 MILES. TEN MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. FAILURE WAS CATASTROPHIC AT THE BEAD. BEAD REMAINS IN PLACE ON RIM, TIRE IS BLOWN OFF OF BEAD AND SPLIT (SEE PHOTOS). I IMMEDIATELY FELT RIM AND BRAKE DRUM FOR HEAT AND FOUND ONLY NORMAL WARMTH AFTER A TRIP. I CHECKED PRESSURE OF THREE REMAINING TIRES AND READ 50 PSI, PROPER SPEC AT RATED MAX LOAD. THERE IS AN INTERESTING SCUFF MARK THAT I CAN'T DECIPHER IN IMAGES 11898 AND 11899. IT EXTENDS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON TO THE BEAD AREA WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN HIDDEN FROM ANY ROAD HAZARDS BEFORE IT BLEW. I DON'T SEE HOW IT COULD HAVE CONTACTED ANYTHING WHEN IT BLEW. *TR

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1980 Toyota Land cruiser recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1980 Toyota Land cruiser.

1991-06-26

Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO FIRE WHEN NEAR AN IGNITIONSOURCE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WITH AN IMPROVED TANK.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1980 Toyota Land cruiser problems:

Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series common problems and solutions ...

https://magazine.unsealed4x4.com.au/unsealed-4x4-issue-066/toyota_landcruiser_80_series_common_problems_and_solutions

GUIDE · CHASSIS CRACKS AROUND THE STEERING BOX Being a massively popular solid axle front end four-wheel drive, the first thing everyone does when they get an 80 ...

Want to buy a FJ40?? | IH8MUD Forum

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/want-to-buy-a-fj40.562454/

What problems are most common for a maintained FJ40? ... Many are still available from Toyota. 4 ... Land Cruiser - The family car ...

How reliable are Land Cruisers compared to other Toyotas? : r/Toyota

https://www.reddit.com/r/Toyota/comments/vthuml/how_reliable_are_land_cruisers_compared_to_other/

Jul 7, 2022 ... LC's however are known for their reliability. They are used by everyone from presidential entourages to NGO's. Toyotas are famously easy to work ...