200 Series Reliability (1 Viewer)

[TRAILROAMER]

One of the most reliable vehicles has not been that reliable for me... After searching for quite a while I picked up a 2010 LX 570 with 75K miles on it back in December of 2017. The truck was found in Texas at a Toyota dealership, had no rust and had been serviced at either Lexus or Toyota all of it's life. I drove down to Amarillo, traded in my 5th gen 4runner and brought it back Colorado. At 78K miles the heat exchange/valley plate started to leak and had to be removed and resealed. Now at 85K miles the radiator went out and my LX is back in the shop. In addition to this, the passenger side heated/cooled seat stopped working and required a new seat ECU. I know I didn't purchase a new vehicle and that others have had these issues as well but given the reputation of the LX/Land Cruiser and only having 85K miles to it, I am a little disappointed so far.

 

[CanyonLX]

I don’t have a 200 series. However I’m considering one, and spoke with my neighbor the other day who has had two (LC’s). He mentioned his 200’s were at the shop considerably more than his 100 series ever was. Of the 200’s, he mentioned his first one had a bad alternator and radiator before 50k. His other one is a 2017 and has been trouble free, besides for a sensor error when he drove it off the lot.

 

[steenh]

My experience has been the opposite. More problems with my 100 at similar miles than my 200. 100 was very good. 200 hasn't had a single issue yet.

 

[32cls6speedmt]

My experience has been the opposite. More problems with my 100 at similar miles than my 200. 100 was very good. 200 hasn't had a single issue yet.

how many miles and what year?

 

[highrisk]

The only issue I have had, that wasn’t on an aftermakert part, is the air conditioner condenser started leaking and had to be replaced. That was in 40,000 mile range. I’m at 90,000 now with no other issues.

 

[steenh]

how many miles and what year?

I bought it 6 years ago with 60k. Now at 138k. It's an '08

 

[MikeVpdx503]

I think "reliability" of any given make/model is a perception based on theoretical research, stories containing fact or fiction of others first hand experience and mostly effective marketing. On the aggregate, cars and trucks are very reliable. Each individual unit has it's own quirks and imperfections, thus different experiences by different owners. I have owned 5 cars/trucks for extended periods of time from both allegedly reliable and unreliable brands and have had little mechanical issues with any of them. Those issues that did arise were certainly frustrating, but when I look at the overall ownership experience for each vehicle, can't say I am disappointed. So far very happy with my 2013 LC200.

OP - likely the cost of the repairs you have had so far still doesn't justly (financially) purchasing a new model with full warranty. Best of luck for many more miles and fun with your rig.

 

[M1911]

I bought my 2013 3 years ago with 28k miles. When I bought it, the front defroster wasn’t working. Fixing it required replacing the head unit under warranty.

I know have about 70k miles on it. Here are the other things that have broken since then: none, zip, nada.

I’ve had the oil changed, the diffs serviced, the brakes serviced, driveshafts lubricated — all just normal service.

 

[Tommy Dwyer]

I have a 2010 LC, purchased it new, and have driven every one of the 155k miles that I have on the clock. Outside of normal maintenance, tires, etc, the only issues I’ve had were the radiator and the front climate system blower motor. Both items were done around the 140k mark. Other than those two things, nothing unexpected or out of the ordinary.

 

[pizdets17]

bought mine with 35k on it, have 115k now, zero issues. Reg maintenance at dealer.

 

[TRAILROAMER]

Luckily I purchased the Toyota extended warranty when I bought the vehicle. Other than maintenance, I’ve only had to cover the heated seat ECU out of pocket. With the two other repairs covered, I’m already ahead with what I paid on the warranty and still have 26 months/26k miles left. Overall I’m happy with the vehicle and still plan on keeping it for years to come.

 

[linuxgod]

The cooling system on the 200 is unfortunately a known weakness. My radiator was replaced at 77k miles, but if you look in the common repairs thread you'll see doing the radiator at/before 100k is common as is the water pump. The only other failure I've had was a failed gas tank cover spring, to the tune of $4.15, which seems to be semi-common.

I don't recall seeing any postings about the seat ECUs going bad so that may just be bad luck.

As far as overall reliability goes, the mean time between failure (MTBF) of most components in the truck is likely lower than the 100-series. However the entire system (vehicle) consists of many more components than the prior generation. While individually lower, the aggregate failure rate of all components in a well-maintained vehicle summed together is higher.

 

[ranma21]

The radiator is a common issue like others mention it cracks at the top. Depends on how you interpret problems, so 8 yrs 85k miles radiator replacement is actually not that bad. That being said my 97 with 136k still has its original radiator.

Unfortunately newer vehicle has so much electronic bells and whistles chances of things going wrong is much higher than the 90s LC. Other issues that may arise is the starter and waterpump, may go anywhere from 90k-130k miles. So prepare that as your next maintenance items.

Other than that, you should be good for a long time. My 11 with 98k miles has been trouble free so far except the common radiator crack issue.

 

[kreiten]

Bought mine new in 2013, put 90k tough miles on it only thing I've done is change the oil, brakes and 1 door actuator...

 

[SchobTime]

Bought my 2011 with 30k miles on it, just went over the 125k mark and have zero complaints. I have not had any issues with the radiator or water pump - just standard maintenance (oil, tires, brakes, etc).

 

[linuxgod]

Bought mine new in 2013, put 90k tough miles on it only thing I've done is change the oil, brakes and 1 door actuator...

I think the radiator is due to the number of heating/cooling cycles. I replaced mine in my 2013 at 77k miles last July. My truck was manufactured around 1/1/13. But I live in the city and aside from the 4000-5000 mile long ass road trip we do out west and some closer 100-200 mile camping trips in the summer, solidly half of the 13k miles per year are local city trips where I by our average is less than 3 miles. Warm up, cool off, warm up, cool off.

My single example is of course anecdotal. It could just as easily be that the truck spent the first 2 years in Houston heat, or the last 3 winters in Chicago cold, road salt, or who else knows. It’s just my hunch...

 

[Reckless]

Land Cruiser is extremely reliable when compared to any german vehicle. My german cars spent more time in the dealer shop than in my garage. The frustration that left me with led me to my 100. My 100 led me to my 200. They are not perfect but once you make a repair you generally don't have to repeat it for a long while. The 100 had more issues than the 200 but it could also been age. They are not fool proof but when properly maintained can be the most solid vehicles on the market. I have yet to see anything come close especially when going over 100K+ miles. These can reliably do 250-500k miles. I ran a poll some years ago about expected life and a lot of 200 people felt over 500k was possible.

 

[jmw101]

Just my experience:

2013 LC. Purchased new. Now has 270,000 miles.

The only repair item I have done so far was to address a coolant leak in the valley seal/gasket at 255,000 miles. I'm planning on "proactively" replacing some key items (starter, water pump, etc.) at 300K.

Reliability for me has been beyond measure. Haven't done any hard core wheeling with it, but I've pulled RVs, tractors, hay, sod and mulch by the pallets, and Lord knows what all else. Not to mention hauling my family to both coasts and beyond a couple of times.

Plan on keeping this one until 350-400K miles and then get another one. And I'll hang it to this fella and continue to have fun with it.

 

[04UZJ100]

Was the radiator weakness addressed in later model years?

 

[32cls6speedmt]

Was the radiator weakness addressed in later model years?

My 2013 lx 570 started showing the crack at 86,000 miles. It was a florida rig. The mud forum members pointed it out. I had ordered one off one from one of the discounted toyota dealerships and picked it up. I had mechanic install.