Research · Special Purpose Vehicles
1997 Toyota Land CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser. Most complaints involve tires (3) and service brakes, hydraulic (3). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
13mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
17
Top: tires
Fuel cost / yr
$4,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
17 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 1998 – Oct 2022
- Tires3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Equipment3
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Seats1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Service brakes, air1
- Steering1
- Power train1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Tires
3 reports
“TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER. THE VEHICLE HAS INTERCO - TRXUSM/T, SIZE 265/75/16 TIRES. THE DOT#T 4FW8T5M 20504. THE CONTACT PURCHASED 6 SNOW TIRES AND 2 OF THEM HAVE BLOWN OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 62 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT'S REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE RUBBER UNWRAPPED AROUND THE BEAD, AND IT EXPLODED THERE AND RIPPED THROUGH TO THE TREAD. THE TREAD REMAINED INTACT AND EACH OCCURRENCE WASIDENTICAL. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 29, 2006 AND THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES. TTHE CONTACT IWASCERTAIN THAT THERE WERE NO OBSTRUCTIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. THE TIRES WERE AFTER MARKET SNOW TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER AGREED TO ACCEPT THE TIRE VIA MAIL TO INVESTIGATE THE DAMAGE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACTWAS UNCERTAIN OF THE RECOURSE WITH THE TIRE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WITH THE AUTO AFTER MARKET TIRES. *AK”
Service brakes, hydraulic
3 reports
“FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. ALSO, LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A CURVE AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH THERE WAS INDICATION OR PRIOR WARNING.*AK”
Equipment
3 reports
“I WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP WHEN I GOT BLASTED IN THE FACE OUT OF AIR CONDITIONER VENTILATION WITH SOMETHING THAT MADE ME GO BLIND HYPERVENTILATE HAVE SEVER MUSCLE CRAMPS ARMS AND LEGS WENT NUMB. THE AIR IN THE TRUCK WAS TESTED AND IT WAS ISOBUTANE, BUTANE, 2-METHYL BUTANE,PENTANE,TOLUENE, ETHYLBENZENE AND XYLENES BLOWING THROUGHOUT MY TRUCK!!!!”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicles
- Engines
- 4.5L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 14 | 13 | $4,950 | 684 |
- 13mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
1997 Land Cruiser questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.
What are the most common 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser problems?
Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (3), service brakes, hydraulic (3), equipment (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026