Toyota stops production of LandCruiser 300, 70 Series amid engine misconduct

UPDATE: Production of Land Cruiser, HiAce and other models suspended in Japan

Toyota has suspended six production lines at four Japanese assembly plants while the transport ministry confirms the affected diesel engines meet regulatory standards.

Whether the lines reopen will apparently be decided today. The closed lines produce Lexus LX, Land Cruiser 300 Series, Land Cruiser 70 Series, Coaster light truck, and HiAce models.

It's understood that the closures will affect plants beyond the specific lines, with Nikkei Asia reporting that Alphard minivan production is also affected.

The product halt comes after Toyota suspended shipments to Europe (see below) after irregularities were discovered between production engines and those used for compliance in 84,000 vehicles.

Whichcar has contacted Toyota Australia for local information, the car maker is aiming to provide an update on Monday.

Toyota will resume operations once the transport ministry has finished its investigations.

Our original story, below, continues unchanged

January 30: Irregularities detected in Toyota diesel engines

Shipments of Toyota HiLux and Land Cruiser 300 Series vehicles bound to leave ports for Europe have been halted as Toyota addresses irregularities in its 1GD 2.8-litre, 2GD 2.4-litre, and F33A 3.3-litre turbo-diesel engines.

It was found that the diesel engines found in 10 models globally (including HiLux, Land Cruiser 300 Series, and Lexus LX500d) were fitted with a different ECU software for certification.

A special investigation committee within Toyota – initially set up to tackle ‘inappropriate domestic emissions certification’ for forklift and construction machinery engines produced by Toyota Industrial Corporation – acknowledged the situation in a press release.

There's no word yet on how the shipment pause may affect Australia, but if engine production pauses there is potential to extend local wait times of HiLux and Land Cruiser 300 Series.

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“During certification testing, the horsepower output performance of engines was measured using ECUs with software that differed from that used for mass production so that results could measure to make values appear smoother with less variation”, said Toyota’s press release.

Toyota claims to have “re-verified the mass-produced products manufactured at the plant and confirmed that the affected engines and vehicles meet engine performance output standards.”

A Toyota Australia spokesperson said: “We are seeking information on any impact to vehicles in the Australian market. We have been informed that there is no variation in the power, torque or other powertrain-related values and in addition there is no compromise to the emissions, safety or driveability of the vehicles.

“We will keep our customers and dealers updated as more information is confirmed. We apologise for any inconvenience that they may experience.”

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The shipment pause affects Toyota’s Europe region which includes Eurasia, Israel and Turkey with the new Prado (known simply as Land Cruiser in other markets) not affected by the issue.

Reuters reports that the irregularity affects 10 global nameplates with sales totalling 84,000 since the issue occurred.

Although the ECUs used for compliance testing differ from what was sold to customers, Toyota claims that the power, torque, efficiency, and safety of existing vehicles is not affected.

The irregularities stem from Toyota's engine plant in Japan but the effect will also be felt in the Thai and South African factories that produce vehicles (including HiLux) for different markets around the world.

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In Australia, Toyota sold 61,111 HiLuxes last year (making it the second best-selling vehicle) and 15,035 Land Cruiser wagons.

The latest snag for Toyota follows closely behind the brand investigating misconduct occurring at its Daihatsu small-car subsidiary for rigged crash safety tests.

Locally, diesel particulate filters (DPFs) fitted to the Toyota HiLux, Fortuner, and Prado were deemed not of “acceptable quality” in a 2022 Federal Court case that affected 260,000 Australian Toyotas.

Toyota’s appeal was denied in March 2023 and the company could be liable for an estimated $1 billion in compensation. The Court acknowledged that Toyota developed an effective fix for the defect in May 2020 and subsequently offered it free to owners with an extended warranty on the item of ten years/unlimited-km.