Toyota

LandCruiser Prado J250 (250 Series) inspection checklist

2024-2026 · 4 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

This car

highRecall ZFU03 - electric brake controller / driver's airbag torque

Look for: Recall ZFU03 (issued March 2025) covers ~524 Australian 250-Series Prados built 24 June - 3 October 2024 fitted with the optional Electric Brake Controller. Incorrect fitting instructions meant the lower driver's airbag, removed during accessory fitment, may have been reinstalled to the wrong torque and may not deploy as intended in a crash.

If you find it: Free dealer rectification - confirm the recall has been completed by VIN before purchase.

Any (build-date specific) · ~$0 (recall - free)

mediumRaised, stepped boot floor / third row that won't fold flat

Look for: The seven-seat GXL/VX/Kakadu have a high, stepped cargo floor with plastic riser boxes and a load lip around a metre high; the third-row seats fold up rather than flat and cannot be removed (partly to package the 48V battery and seat mechanism). Behind the third row is only ~182L. This was the single most-cited complaint at point of sale and saw some buyers cancel orders.

If you find it: Not a fault - inspect in person and decide if the layout suits you; aftermarket flat-floor / drawer kits and false-floor solutions exist. The five-seat GX and Altitude avoid the worst of it.

Any (design) · N/A (design limitation)

mediumDPF clogging / regen issues on short-trip use

Look for: The 1GD-FTV's diesel particulate filter is the engine family's long-running weak point (the subject of an Australian class action over the 2015-2020 HiLux/Fortuner/Prado calibration). Cars driven mostly on short urban trips can't complete a passive regen, leading to a clogging warning, forced/active regens, fuel dilution of the oil and white smoke. The 250's revised calibration is better but the physics are unchanged.

If you find it: Do a regular highway run (20+ min above ~80km/h and ~2500rpm) to allow passive regen; keep service software up to date; don't interrupt an active regen. Worst case is a DPF clean or replacement.

Any (urban/short-trip use) · ~$300-3500

mediumMAF / intake sensor dust contamination - limp mode

Look for: As on the 150-Series 1GD, fine dust on dusty tracks can coat the mass-airflow sensor and feed bad data to the ECU, dropping the engine into limp mode. A risk for the touring/off-road buyers this model targets.

If you find it: Clean or replace the MAF; fit a quality air filter and ensure the airbox seals well; consider a pre-filter/snorkel for heavy dust use.

Any (dusty / off-road use) · ~$150-500

4 minor things (low severity)

lowReduced fuel range vs 150 (single 110L tank)

Look for: The 250 ships with a single 110L tank (80L main + 30L sub) and no factory long-range/dual-tank option as offered on some 150s. Combined with the sub-tank packaging, touring range disappointed buyers used to the old long-range setup.

If you find it: Fit an aftermarket long-range/replacement tank if remote touring; otherwise plan fuel stops. Not a reliability fault.

Any (design) · ~$1500-3500 (aftermarket long-range tank)

lowInfotainment / digital UX teething

Look for: The 12.3-inch system and deep menu structure draw owner gripes (menu depth, occasional lag, settings buried). Typical first-year software niggles rather than hardware failures.

If you find it: Keep head-unit software updated via the dealer; most complaints are usability rather than faults.

Any · ~$0-300

lowNew-model first-year build/trim niggles

Look for: As with any all-new platform, early 250s have reported assorted minor rattles, trim and electronic gremlins addressed under Toyota's warranty. Long-term durability data is still limited given the model's age.

If you find it: Buy with balance of factory warranty; document and have niggles fixed under warranty; favour cars with a clean service history.

Early build · ~$0 under warranty

lowEGR / intake carbon and injector wear (long term)

Look for: Standard modern common-rail diesel ageing: EGR and intake soot and eventual injector wear. Not yet seen at scale on the 250 given its age, but it is the known long-term 1GD maintenance pattern.

If you find it: EGR/intake clean and injector service as needed; quality fuel and filtration; a catch-can is a common preventative fit.

Expected at higher km (early cars not there yet) · ~$400-2500

From FlamingCars' Toyota LandCruiser Prado guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.