DecodedCars2005 Toyota Land Cruiser
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 4.7L 8-cyl
- Horsepower
- 227 hp
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 13 combined · 12 city / 16 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints4 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 52 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 13 MPG combined, 22% below the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 43 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser is a SUV - offered with a 4.7L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 13 MPG combined (12 city / 16 highway), 22% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Toyota City, Aichi
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2005 Land Cruiser configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Cruiser Wagon 4WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | -22% | $5,150 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser (this car) | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Suburban | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Side/Window · Feb 5, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V065000 · 320,409 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
- Risk
- If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
- Problem
- SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Risk
- A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Not every 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 122,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Land Cruiser years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Land Cruiser | 23 | – | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2026 Land Cruiser | 23 | 196.5 in | Not rated | 1 | 8 |
| 2025 Land Cruiser | 23 | 196.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 33 |
| 2024 Land Cruiser | 23 | 193.7 in | Not rated | 5 | 40 |
| 2021 Land Cruiser | 14 | – | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 Land Cruiser | 14 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 Land Cruiser | 15 | – | Not rated | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 Land Cruiser | 15 | – | Not rated | 2 | 4 |
| 2017 Land Cruiser | 15 | – | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2016 Land Cruiser | 15 | – | Not rated | 3 | 4 |
| 2015 Land Cruiser | 15 | – | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2014 Land Cruiser | 15 | – | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →