Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
1999 Toyota Land CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints for the 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser. Most complaints involve service brakes (7) and vehicle speed control (4). 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
23
Top: service brakes
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 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
23 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 1998 – Feb 2023
- Service brakes7
- Vehicle speed control4
- Power train3
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Air bags1
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
Service brakes
7 reports1 crash
“TURNED VEHICLE ON TO DRIVE MY SON TO SCHOOL. PROCEEDED 5 BLOCKS AND HEARD WARNING SOUND COMING FROM DASH. 2 SECONDS LATER WHILE CROSSING MAJOR INTERSECTION 8 LANE AVENUE IN THE BRONX NEW YORK, LOSS COMPLETE POWER TO BRAKES. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO POWER AT ALL. USED E BRAKE TO COME TO A CRUISING STOP IN FRONT OF 49TH POLICE PRECINCT. ALMOST COLLIDED WITH FULL SIZE SCHOOL BUS WHILE TRYING TO E BRAKE STOP. MASTER CYLINDER COMPLETE FAILURE DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS $3K DOLLARS. NO PREVIOUS WARNING BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS BRAKING BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN AMONG LAND CRUISER OWNERS. CHECKED IH8MUD.COM FOR MORE CASES INVOLVING THIS MODEL VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA. I'VE HAD MORE THAN 15 CARS IN MY LIFETIME, SOME WITH VERY HIGH MILEAGE. NEVER HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. I THINK ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY IF I WAS ON HIGHWAY DOING 65MPH WITH NO SHOULDER OR TRAFFIC AHEAD. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECTIFIED AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND THE YEARS 1998-1999. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I WOULD HAVE NEVER EVER PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING…”
Vehicle speed control
4 reports2 crashes
“Throttle accelerates on its own when cold. This especially happens when vehicle has not fully warmed up in weather below freezing. I will let off the throttle and vehicle will continue to accelerate for several seconds before seemingly getting unstuck. There is no issue with throttle cable, and throttle body has been cleaned since the onset, which changed nothing.”
Power train
3 reports1 crash
“VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IN PARK POSITION IN THE DRIVEWAY WHILE CONSUMER WAS LOADING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN CAME OUT OF GEAR, ROLLED BACKWARDS, ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RACING. CONTACTED THE DEALER. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS MAY 1999. BACKED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE INTO THE DRIVEWAY, PUT IN PARK TO HELP DAUGHTER GET SOMETHING OUT THE BACK, AND THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF GEAR, ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RACING. *AK *ML”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 4.7L 8-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, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 15 | 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 1999 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.
1999 Land Cruiser questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 27, 2026.
What are the most common 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser problems?
Owners filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (7), vehicle speed control (4), power train (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser get?
The EPA rates the 1999 Toyota Land Cruiser at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026