1988 Toyota Land cruiser problems

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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.

1988 Toyota Land cruiser

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Common 1988 Toyota Land cruiser problems

The Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 is known for certain common problems that have been reported by owners of this car. One of the most frequent issues is the failure of the seal on the transfer case input shaft. This problem can lead to a leak of transmission fluid, which may result in a complete failure of the transfer case. Replacing the seal can solve this issue, but it requires professional assistance.

Another common problem with the Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 is rust, especially in vehicles from Western Australia, which are often used by the mining industry and lead hard working lives in saltwater and acidic conditions. Rust can significantly decrease the lifespan of the vehicle and make it difficult to sell. Therefore, it's essential to check for rust around the windows and underneath the car before purchasing a Toyota Land Cruiser 1988.

The 2F engine, which is used in the Toyota Land Cruiser 1988, is known for its durability and can last for 300,000 miles with proper maintenance. However, there are some common problems associated with this engine. For instance, the carburetor may need to be rebuilt, which can cost around $300. The Webber 32/36 carburetor is a popular substitute, but it can cause jetting issues and may not work well with the smog equipment.

The smog equipment and vacuum hoses are also known to cause problems in the Toyota Land Cruiser 1988. Before assuming that the emissions control system is malfunctioning, it's essential to check the fuel and ignition systems carefully. Loose or broken vacuum hoses or wiring connections are the most frequent problem. For trucks over 200,000 miles, it's recommended to replace the vacuum hoses.

The front axle of the Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 can also cause issues. Axle grease may leak past its seals and cause sludge to come out of the knuckles. This problem is not a deal-breaker, but it will eventually need to be fixed, which can cost anywhere between $200 and $600.

The steering of the Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 can also cause problems, especially if the truck has been lifted past the factory height. This can cause stress on the steering and result in a wobble, also known as the death wobble. Installing an Old Man Emu steering damper can solve this issue, which is relatively inexpensive and can be installed by the owner.

Finally, if you're buying a Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 with over 200,000 miles, it's recommended to perform a compression check. A compression test can reveal the condition of the engine's valves, valve seats, and piston rings and whether these parts have worn evenly. Worn parts inside the engine can significantly reduce the engine's performance.

In summary, the Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 is known for common problems such as failed seals on the transfer case input shaft, rust, carburetor issues, vacuum hose problems, front axle sludge, steering issues, and engine performance problems in trucks with over 200,000 miles. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent these issues and ensure the longevity of the vehicle.

1988 Toyota Land cruiser engine

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.

What engine is in a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser?

The Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 is available in Diesel, Unleaded Petrol and Leaded Petrol. Engine sizes and transmissions vary from the SUV 3.4L 4 SP Automatic 4X4 to the Single Cab 4.0L 5SP Manual 4X4.

How many miles per gallon does a 1988 Land Cruiser get?

12 combined

Find and Compare Cars

1988 Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD
EPA MPGRegular Gasoline 12 combined city/highway MPG 11 city 13 highway 8.3 gals/100 miles
Unofficial MPG Estimates Shared by Vehicle OwnersView Estimates How can I share my MPG?
Vehicle Specification Data
EPA Size ClassSpecial Purpose Vehicles

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.

What engine is in a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser?

The Toyota Land Cruiser 1988 is available in Diesel, Unleaded Petrol and Leaded Petrol. Engine sizes and transmissions vary from the SUV 3.4L 4 SP Automatic 4X4 to the Single Cab 4.0L 5SP Manual 4X4.

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 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.

What is the most reliable Land Cruiser engine?

Here are some key features and reasons why the 1HZ engine is often considered one of the most reliable Land Cruiser engines… Durability – The 1HZ engine is known for its robust construction and durability. It has a cast-iron block and cylinder head, making it capable of withstanding tough conditions and heavy use.

1988 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:

  • Seat belts problems
  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems
  • Fuel/propulsion system problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Toyota Land cruiser vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1988 Toyota Land cruiser complaints

The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Toyota Land cruiser.

2021-09-24

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-09-24
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G2J0
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: The contact owns a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 89V155000 (Seat Belts) and 91V110000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available and was no longer being produced. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2015-09-29

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2015-09-07
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G5J0
  • Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE FUEL TANK IS LETTING WATER IN AND I HAVE RUST IN MY FUEL LINE.
2010-03-09

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2010-01-15
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G2J0
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: ON A FEW OCCASIONS (4-8 TIMES), THE GAS PEDAL HAS GOTTEN STUCK, IN SUCH A WAY, THAT THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY ACCELERATED. IT HAS HAPPENED FROM A COMPLETE STOP GOING UP TO 20-25 MPH, AND WHILE ON THE FWY, DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH. THE FIRST TIME, WHILE DRIVING FROM COMPLETE STOP TO ABOUT 20-25 MPH, MY WIFE NOTICED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING, SHE TURNED INTO A SMALLER STREET, THEN FORCED THE SHIFTER INTO PARK, AND PULLED UP THE E-BRAKE. ALL OTHER TIMES, WE SIMPLY TAP, OR PUMP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR IT TO GET 'UNSTUCK'. *TR
2005-03-10

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2005-03-09
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G0J0
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: I HAVE A 1988 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER. THERE IS A SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (M01) NHTSA CAMPAIGN #91V110000 THAT DIRECTS THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL GAS TANK WITH ONE WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED DESIGN. I SPOKE TO MY DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY REFFERED ME TO SERVCO PACIFIC WHICH IS THE TOYOTA DISTRIBUTOR FOR MY AREA. I SPOKE WITH A MAN NAMED FRED KITAJIMA WHOM IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER FOR SERVCO. HE TOLD ME THAT A CHECK OF MY VIN NUMBER [XXX] SHOWED THAT THE REPLACEMENT HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE ON 05/29/1992, AND THAT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY FURTHER SERVICE. HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT SERVCO PUTS A TEN - YEAR CAP ON SSCS, SO EVEN IF THE FUEL TANK HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED, THEY WOULD NOT DO IT ANYWAY. MY VEHICLE HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CAB, SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO TRACK DOWN THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL. THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT I HAVE A FAULTY "VAPOR CONTROL VALVE" WHICH THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN WHAT THE PART NUMBER WAS ON THE FUEL TANK THAT IS NOW ON MY VEHICLE AND HE GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING #: [XXX]. I CHECKED SSC M01 AND IT READS THAT THE FUEL TANK IS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED WITH PART #: [XXX]. I FEEL THAT MY FUEL TANK HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED AS STATED BY SERVCO PACIFIC AND THAT THEY, SERVCO PACIFIC, IS EITHER NEGLIGENT OR MISTAKEN. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
1996-07-30

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1989-01-01
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G4J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT AFTER RECALL REPAIR.
1996-03-05

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1992-01-01
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: SEAT BELT FAILED.
1996-03-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1989-01-01
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: BATTERY FAILED.
1996-03-05

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-01-01
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: HEAD GASKET FAILED. *DSH
1995-08-15

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-08-15
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G3J0
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: THE LIFTGATE ON VEHICLE HAS FAILED, WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER, BUT HAS STARTED TO CORRODE AFTER ITS FIRST YEAR, OWNER BELIEVES IT WAS NOT A TOYOTA REPLACEMENT
1995-07-17

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-05
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G6J0
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: VEHICLES EXTERIOR SIDE VIEW MIRROR SHAKES DURING NORMAL DRIVING, CAUSING SEVERE DISTORTION AND MISCALCULATION WHEN CHANGING LANE. TT
1995-05-25

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G1J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: RECEIVE RECALL ON THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR #89V155000 ALL OF THE REAR SEAT LAP BELT CAN NOT PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR FULLY. TT
1995-05-25

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G1J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: RECEIVE RECALL ON THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR #89V155000 ALL OF THE REAR SEAT LAP BELT CAN NOT PULL OUT OF THE RETRACTOR FULLY. TT
1995-03-23

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-08-01
  • VIN: JT3FJ62G5J0
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: GAS TANK SPLIT AT SPOT WELD, CAUSING FUEL LEAK PRIOR TO RECALL. (91V-110) *AW

1988 Toyota Land cruiser recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1988 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.
1989-09-14
  • Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
  • Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
  • Summary: REAR SEAT LAP BELT MAY NOT RETURN TO FULLY RETRACTED POSITION AFTER USE.
  • Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, BELT COULD NOT BE RELEASED, DUE TOLOCKING CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR SYSTEM.
  • Remedy: INSTALL BELT GUIDE, OR SHEATH, TO DECREASE RETRACTING RESISTANCE AND ALLOW FREE BELT MOVEMENT.
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Additional sources

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'88 FJ60 Common Problems | IH8MUD Forum
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toyota land cruiser 1989 photo
Land cruiser 1989
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0

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toyota land cruiser 1990 photo
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5

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toyota land cruiser 1991 photo
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11

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toyota land cruiser 1992 photo
Land cruiser 1992
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toyota land cruiser 1993 photo
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toyota land cruiser 1994 photo
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1988 Toyota Land cruiser photo