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Used Toyota Known Issues
There's a reason Toyota cars are so often on the "most frequently stolen" lists: they're solid cars that last forever when properly maintained. Open your favorite search engine and type in "used Toyota cars" and you'll get pages of offerings, everything from dealers who specialize in new and used Toyotas to individuals who are offering their own vehicles for sale. Whether you're looking for a Toyota Highlander or a Camry, a Corolla or a Tundra truck, the perfect used vehicle is waiting for you.
When shopping for your used Toyota, for the most part you'll want to follow the same advice that applies when shopping for any used car: research the model you want, come up with a spending plan and stick to it, do a search on the VIN of the vehicle you choose to make sure the title is clear and there are no serious accidents on record. You'll want to do a test-drive, and you'll want to have a mechanic look over the car.
Aside from normal wear and tear there isn't a lot that goes wrong with Toyota cars, and what few flaws you're likely to find are generally corrected inexpensively with aftermarket parts. Ripped upholstery, especially in models with fabric seats, is a common issue in older vehicles, and is easily solved with a brand-specific seat cover. On the other hand, there are issues that have been serious enough to warrant recalls, and when you are considering the purchase of a used car, you'll want to know about them.
Here are a few of the more serious recall issues:
- 2005 Toyota Highlander: Some of the 2005 Highlanders had an issue where the retaining clips for the center console on the driver's side would come apart from the carpet, causing the console cover to lean toward the accelerator pedal and interfere with the pedal rod, not allowing the pedal to release after being pressed. The solution was to replace the carpet clips on the cover. The recall period ran from July - September, 2006.
- 2006 Toyota Prius: About 133 of these cars had an issue where the side, side-curtain, and knee airbags didn't have enough of the necessary heating agents to allow proper inflation, making them substandard for crash protection. The recall began in April, 2006, and the solution was a free replacement of the air bag.
- 2005 Toyota Tundra: Almost 6,000 of these trucks had an issue with the exhaust system, though it was only on models that also had vehicle stability control. In this case the driver's side exhaust was in a position where there could be contact with a brake line, causing brake fluid to leak. The recall began in May, 2005, and dealers replaced the necessary exhaust pipe after a free inspection.
While these and other recall-worthy issues are alarming, it's important to remember that Toyota has always been proactive about fixing issues, and is still one of the most reliable brands on the market. You should not be afraid of a used Toyota, but you should do the research and ask questions to make sure the model you buy has had any issues fixed. A search for "Toyota recall issues" will take you to a database of information sorted by year and model.
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