1996 Toyota Land Cruiser

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Head gasket leak All years

  What to check: Watch for coolant that drops with no leak on the ground, and wet coolant on the outside of the engine. Ask whether the head gasket has been done.

  FLEX lists head gaskets among the common faults of the 4.5L.

  $1,100 at a dealer, in one owner's 2003 forum post

  Sources ^5,7

• Leaking front knuckles and worn wheel bearings All years One source so far

  What to check: Look for grease or oil weeping from the front axle knuckles.

  Sources ⁵

• Cracked frame at the steering box All years One source so far

  What to check: Look for cracks in the frame around the steering box mounts.

  FLEX says the steering box puts a lot of stress on the frame, and some owners add a reinforcing plate there.

  Sources ⁵

• Rust in the floors and around the rear windows All years One source so far

  What to check: Look at the front footwell floors, under the truck and around the rear windows, above all on trucks from salted roads.

  Sources ⁵

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

• Rare Black Package Package

  Offered for 1996 only^1,3

Recalls

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Avoid: The 4.0L for towing All years Less sought after One source so far

  In one IH8MUD thread on a 1992 against a 1993, nine of thirteen members favor the 1993 and later trucks with the 4.5L, most of them for towing power. Two prefer the 4.0L, one as much easier to work on, though that one agrees it is not the engine for heavy towing. A third member says the 4.0L has head gasket and ECU relay problems.⁸

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.