Back to catalog
Toyota

LandCruiser

J300 (300 Series)· 2021-2026 suv-4wd Top pick

Top issues

14 known problems · 3 high
high
Vehicle theft / keyless security flaw
All engines
Any · ~$300-1500 (aftermarket security)
high
Machining-debris engine recall (bearings)
3.3L F33A-FTV twin-turbo diesel
Any (affected build dates) · ~$0 (recall) / $15000+ if out of warranty and failed
high
Transmission control (TCM/ECT-ECU) software recall
3.3L F33A-FTV twin-turbo diesel
Any (2021-2025 builds) · ~$0 (safety recall - software reflash)

Recalls

2 on record
REC-005908 2024-02-27
Defect: Due to a design issue, the transmission control module may not operate as intended.
Hazard: If this occurs, the automatic transmission may continue to transfer engine power to the wheels when shifted to Neutral; if the brake pedal or park brake are not applied, this may result in unintended vehicle movement.
Remedy: Toyota will contact owners to arrange a free transmission control module software update; until then, owners are encouraged to use Park rather than Neutral.
Affected: 28,491 units, LandCruiser 300 (FJA300) and Tundra (VXKH75), 2021-2024
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29
REC-006549 2026-02-26
Defect: If a transmission solenoid fails under certain conditions, the Transmission ECT-ECU may not communicate the fault to the Engine ECU, causing the transmission to over-rev in certain gears.
Hazard: In rare cases, transmission fluid leaks could occur and, if they contact hot exhaust components, increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: Toyota dealers will reprogram the Transmission ECT-ECU software, free of charge.
Affected: 11,019 units, LandCruiser 300 (FJA300R), built February-December 2025
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29

Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

At this odometer

See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.

Generations

Best and worst years for the Toyota LandCruiser →

After: None (current model)
Price (AUD)
$90k-$160k
Body styles
5-door wagon
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Torsen centre diff, lockable; dual-range)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan

Overview

The J300 replaced the long-running 200 Series in Australia in mid-2022, dropping the old 4.5L V8 diesel for a lighter, twin-turbo 3.3L V6 diesel (F33A-FTV) on a new TNGA-F ladder chassis. Sold here as GX, GXL, VX, Sahara, GR Sport and Sahara ZX, all with full-time 4WD, a 10-speed automatic and 3500kg braked towing. Unlike many markets, Australia got the diesel only at launch - the 3.5L V35A twin-turbo petrol V6 was never sold here - with the i-FORCE MAX petrol-hybrid (3.4L twin-turbo V6 + electric motor, 341kW/790Nm) arriving mid-2026 on GR Sport and Sahara ZX only. Demand massively outstripped supply, creating multi-year waitlists and inflated used prices. Mechanically the F33A is proving robust, but it is a heavily emissions-laden modern diesel: watch the documented oil consumption, the heat-soak/intercooler limp-mode tendency in Australian summer, and a string of recalls (transmission control software, the exhaust fuel-addition injector 'soft recall' on 40,000+ cars, and a machining-debris engine campaign).

Engines & variants

3.3L F33A-FTV twin-turbo diesel

Engine
3.3L common-rail twin-turbo diesel V6 (DOHC, DPF + SCR/AdBlue, 'hot-vee')
Engine code
F33A-FTV
Config
V6 twin-turbo
Displacement
3346cc
Power
227kW @ 4000rpm
Torque
700Nm @ 1600-2600rpm
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (Torsen, lockable; dual-range)
Economy
8.9-10.5 L/100km combined (ADR ~8.9, real-world 10-13 loaded/towing)
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
10AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (one primary roller chain plus two secondary chains)

Pros

  • Lighter, far more powerful and torquier than the old 200 Series V8 diesel
  • 3500kg braked towing with strong, flexible mid-range
  • Chain-driven timing and structurally sound internals
  • Smooth 10-speed auto and genuine long-distance touring comfort
  • Excellent resale and enormous parts/accessory support

Cons

  • Heavily emissions-laden (DPF + SCR/AdBlue) - the usual modern-diesel complexity
  • Documented excessive oil consumption on some engines
  • Water-to-air intercooler can heat-soak and trigger limp mode in extreme heat/load
  • Multiple recalls (transmission software, fuel-addition injector, machining debris)
  • High purchase price and theft target

Known problems

medium
Excessive engine oil consumption
Some F33A engines consume noticeably more oil than expected - Toyota dealer guidance has acknowledged consumption up to roughly 1.7L between standard 10,000km services, attributed in part to the thin 0W-20 spec. Not universal but worth monitoring, especially when towing.
Fix: Check oil level regularly between services and keep records; raise consumption with Toyota under warranty as a baseline for any later claim. Severe cases investigated/rebuilt under warranty.
Any (from early ownership) · ~$0-2000 (monitoring; dealer investigation under warranty)
medium
Heat-soak / intercooler limp mode (intake air temp)
The factory water-to-air intercooler and heat exchangers can struggle to control charge-air temps under sustained load in Australian summer heat, dropping the engine into limp mode to protect itself - worse when bull bars, lights or accessories block airflow to the front heat exchangers.
Fix: Keep the cooling stack clear; many tourers fit upgraded heat exchangers/intercooler cores. Avoid airflow-blocking accessory installs.
Any (hot climate, sustained load) · ~$1500-4000 (aftermarket heat-exchanger/intercooler upgrade)
medium
Exhaust fuel-addition injector ('soft recall')
Toyota Australia ran a customer-service exercise on more than 40,000 LC300s to rectify a potential fault with the exhaust after-treatment fuel-addition injector used in the DPF/emissions system.
Fix: Confirm the campaign has been completed by a Toyota dealer; check the VIN against the campaign/recall record before purchase.
Any (built Jul 2021 - Feb 2025) · ~$0 (Toyota customer-service campaign)
high
Machining-debris engine recall (bearings)
A recall covered LC300 (and Tundra/LX) engines where machining debris may not have been fully cleared in production; debris adhering to bearings under sustained high load can cause knocking, rough running, no-start or engine stall, and ultimately bearing failure.
Fix: Verify the engine recall has been actioned for the specific VIN; inspect/replace short engine where required under the campaign.
Any (affected build dates) · ~$0 (recall) / $15000+ if out of warranty and failed
high
Transmission control (TCM/ECT-ECU) software recall
Safety recalls covered the 10-speed automatic: a TCM programming issue where the transmission could continue transmitting power in neutral, plus a later ECT-ECU software issue (~11,000 cars) where it could rev faster than intended causing loss of motive power and a fluid leak.
Fix: Confirm the transmission software recalls are completed for the VIN; reflash by a Toyota dealer at no cost.
Any (2021-2025 builds) · ~$0 (safety recall - software reflash)
low
Low-speed transmission/DPF behaviour and towing heat
Owners report occasionally jerky low-speed engagement and slow kickdown from the 10-speed, and DPF regen quirks; transmission temps can climb when towing heavy.
Fix: Aftermarket transmission cooler for heavy towing; regular highway running helps DPF regen complete.
Any · ~$300-900 (aftermarket trans cooler)

3.4L i-FORCE MAX petrol-hybrid

Engine
3.4L twin-turbo petrol V6 with single electric motor between engine and gearbox, 1.8kWh NiMH battery (hot-vee twin-turbo)
Engine code
V35A-FTS / 1-motor hybrid
Config
V6 twin-turbo + electric motor
Displacement
3445cc
Power
341kW combined
Torque
790Nm combined
Drivetrain
Full-time 4WD (lockable/Torsen; dual-range)
Economy
~11-13 L/100km combined (petrol-hybrid, indicative)
Tow (braked)
3500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
10AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven

Pros

  • Most powerful LandCruiser ever sold here (341kW/790Nm)
  • Strong, immediate torque with electric assist
  • Retains full-time 4WD, multi-terrain select and 3500kg towing
  • Avoids diesel DPF/AdBlue emissions complexity

Cons

  • Brand new to Australia (mid-2026) - no long-term reliability record yet
  • Petrol-hybrid will be thirstier than the diesel, especially towing
  • Only on top GR Sport and Sahara ZX grades at ~$156k+
  • 1.8kWh battery forces spare-wheel relocation; added hybrid complexity

Known problems

medium
Unproven long-term reliability (new powertrain)
The i-FORCE MAX hybrid only reaches Australian customers from mid-2026, so there is no local long-term durability data for the hybrid system, battery or the twin-turbo petrol V6 in heavy 4WD/towing use.
Fix: Buy with full Toyota warranty; let early-build data accumulate before relying on it for remote heavy-duty touring.
Unknown (new model)
low
Petrol-hybrid fuel use when loaded/towing
A 2.6-tonne 4WD on a turbo-petrol hybrid will use considerably more fuel than the diesel when towing 3500kg or loaded for touring - the hybrid helps around town, less so under sustained heavy load.
Fix: Accept higher fuel cost for heavy work, or choose the diesel for long-haul towing.
Any · Running cost
low
Hybrid battery / electrical complexity
Added high-voltage battery, electric motor and (unlike the diesel) electric power steering introduce more electrical complexity into an otherwise rugged platform.
Fix: Service at Toyota; ensure hybrid system checks are part of scheduled servicing.

Common problems (all variants)

high
Vehicle theft / keyless security flaw
The 300 Series is a prime target for organised theft, with reports of relay/keyfob-signal and ECU-based methods used to steal cars quickly. High value and overseas demand make it a magnet.
Fix: Fit an aftermarket immobiliser/GPS tracker, use a steering lock and a Faraday pouch for keys; park securely.
Any · ~$300-1500 (aftermarket security)
low
Interior rattles and trim noise
Owners report dashboard, windscreen-moulding and rear-seat rattles - some trim uses plastic clips rather than fasteners - which can develop over corrugated outback roads.
Fix: Dealer rattle-rectification or DIY re-clipping/felt; note any rattles at pre-purchase inspection.
Any · ~$0-400
low
Infotainment / CarPlay quirks (early cars)
Early LC300 infotainment can feel dated with sporadic wired/wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto dropouts before software updates.
Fix: Apply the latest infotainment software update at a Toyota dealer.
Any (pre-update) · ~$0 (software update)
low
Brake and tyre wear (heavy vehicle, towing)
A ~2.6-tonne seven-seater chews brakes and tyres, especially when towing near the 3500kg limit or doing heavy touring.
Fix: Quality pads/rotors and tyres rated for the load; towing-spec pads if used for heavy towing.
From 40k+ km · ~$500-1200
low
Suspension / KDSS-E and AVS at higher km
Higher grades use E-KDSS (GR Sport) or adaptive variable suspension (Sahara ZX); like the older KDSS these hydraulic/adaptive systems can eventually weep or develop faults, and heavy off-road/towing use accelerates bush and damper wear.
Fix: Inspect suspension and any KDSS/AVS components pre-purchase and at higher km; reseal or replace as needed.
From 100k+ km · ~$500-2500
Something wrong in this guide? Tell us →

Notes are read by our editors and are never published.