LC 1958 - 10k Miles. Are the Quirks Endearing or Fatal?

[HarvLC]

Analogies are never perfect but you kinda lost my attention with the MG (or any other unreliable British roadster).

Perhaps insert the Miata instead.

 

[PC3]

Analogies are never perfect but you kinda lost my attention with the MG (or any other unreliable British roadster).

Perhaps insert the Miata instead.

Maybe the MG was a bad example. The point I'm making is that for a $60k+ car, Toyota missed an opportunity to hit a home run as a result of the minor items and annoyances. I love the styling, drive, and comfort, and still glad I got the truck, but if I were to recommend the vehicle, I'd say, it has the LC badge, but you should know ...

 

[ultane]

Not a proper engineer here, but I'll try to share some thoughts anyway:
1. Toyota went with nickel-metal hydride battery chemistry which is less power dense than lithium-ion battery i.e. if they went with the latter they could've get the same watt-hours capacity with less battery volume (roughly half of the volume) *
2. there is a bit of room between second row of sits and the battery and the trunk door, they could've use this space to make the battery thinner i.e. in l*w*h = v they could make w and l bigger and h smaller and still get the same battery volume **

summing 1 (better energy density) and 2 (flatter design) in result we could've get smaller "battery step"


* bla bla bla, more durable, wider temperature operating range (I don't 100% agree with that, since there are tons of EVs that are using lithium-ion chemistry and their batteries are not located mostly inside the cabin)
** the space between battery and trunk door is likely a buffer to extend crumple zone in case the truck gets rear ended so it doesn't get on fire

summing 1 (better energy density) and 2 (flatter design) and ** (let's keep that extra crumple zone cause we don't want to get on fire) = we still could've get a tiny bit more trunk space that would be a bit less ugly.

my 2c


View attachment 26287

Surely the engineers that designed the system thought about the stuff you mentioned, before making their build decisions. As TCCN mentioned in one of his videos, Toyota mastered the hybrid/hybrid nickel metal hydride battery almost two decades ago. No real reason to have lithium battery fires in their vehicles today.

 

[Code54]

This will fix your rear lift gate lighting issues. It is VERY bright!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMK56Q6B?tag=landcruiserforum-20

 

[ferrari1898]

Features Thrown Together - I always assumed the deicer was part of the defrost. I have never had a vehicle with a dedicated deicer. I am curious if this is to only use the deicer and/or if the defrost utilizes it as well?
Infotainment - The Toyota is a much better infotainment setup than my previous couple vehicles. There are some out there that are better, but there are plenty that are worse. As far as replacing the head unit, that ship has sailed for almost every vehicle for the last decade if not more.
Phone App Integration - No it is not perfect. I personally hate when Siri reads a message the music is not muted. Pairing has never been an issue, but I also do not remote start since it is kept in the garage (something that is rare in my neighborhood as most are parked in the driveway).
Driver Safety Aids - There are some setting you can adjust. One of my big issues with my previous Honda Ridgeline was how bad the safety system was. The system would get confused with oncoming vehicles on some curves in the road and beep. More times than not if the Toyota beeps I normally in agreement the situation warrants attention.
Saved Settings Aren’t Permanently Saved - Never had this happen. The Land Cruiser Trim with the larger display has 3 screens you can setup and scroll through. I have one for normal driving and another for towing and another for mpg / tire pressure. Whatever I leave the car with comes up the next time. Now typically my wife does not drive the car, so maybe that has something to do.
Aluminum Good and Bad - Uh yea, you are going to be hard pressed to find a vehicle with a steel hood. The 4Runner is likely one of the last, and that is just because it has been around for over a decade since a redesign.
First-Model-Year Issues - Dealer quality varies, typically any error light is in the manual. I had a rear seal that leaked and the service write mentioned it could take a little longer since the Land Cruiser was new. And sure, there are some unique systems, but a large portion (and most of the serviceable parts are all the same.
The Trunk - Sure, a dome light would be nice. while the load in height is high, in part from the battery, it is also in part to the ground clearance and frame.
Seat Covers - Land Cruiser Trim w/ Premium Package. I am not a huge fan of vinyl seats, and that was part of the reason to get the premium package.
Seat Heating -They work fine for me, I think they may not get as hot as some previous cars but they are not too far.

Every vehicle is going to have some things lacking, but I think a large portion of this list will pop up in almost any alternative.

 

[PC3]

Features Thrown Together - I always assumed the deicer was part of the defrost. I have never had a vehicle with a dedicated deicer. I am curious if this is to only use the deicer and/or if the defrost utilizes it as well?
Infotainment - The Toyota is a much better infotainment setup than my previous couple vehicles. There are some out there that are better, but there are plenty that are worse. As far as replacing the head unit, that ship has sailed for almost every vehicle for the last decade if not more.
Phone App Integration - No it is not perfect. I personally hate when Siri reads a message the music is not muted. Pairing has never been an issue, but I also do not remote start since it is kept in the garage (something that is rare in my neighborhood as most are parked in the driveway).
Driver Safety Aids - There are some setting you can adjust. One of my big issues with my previous Honda Ridgeline was how bad the safety system was. The system would get confused with oncoming vehicles on some curves in the road and beep. More times than not if the Toyota beeps I normally in agreement the situation warrants attention.
Saved Settings Aren’t Permanently Saved - Never had this happen. The Land Cruiser Trim with the larger display has 3 screens you can setup and scroll through. I have one for normal driving and another for towing and another for mpg / tire pressure. Whatever I leave the car with comes up the next time. Now typically my wife does not drive the car, so maybe that has something to do.
Aluminum Good and Bad - Uh yea, you are going to be hard pressed to find a vehicle with a steel hood. The 4Runner is likely one of the last, and that is just because it has been around for over a decade since a redesign.
First-Model-Year Issues - Dealer quality varies, typically any error light is in the manual. I had a rear seal that leaked and the service write mentioned it could take a little longer since the Land Cruiser was new. And sure, there are some unique systems, but a large portion (and most of the serviceable parts are all the same.
The Trunk - Sure, a dome light would be nice. while the load in height is high, in part from the battery, it is also in part to the ground clearance and frame.
Seat Covers - Land Cruiser Trim w/ Premium Package. I am not a huge fan of vinyl seats, and that was part of the reason to get the premium package.
Seat Heating -They work fine for me, I think they may not get as hot as some previous cars but they are not too far.

Every vehicle is going to have some things lacking, but I think a large portion of this list will pop up in almost any alternative.

For the de-icer, it is a unique feature and not integrated with the defrost. We've had a lot of snow this year, and it has been great. It does a nice job of melting ice that is either caked on the windshield wipers or is pressed up against the bottom of the windshield. Stays on for 15 minutes at a time, which is usually enough, but on a couple of longer trips, I've re-started it when driving in snow. In the Canada models, the de-icer is an integrated button on the instrument panel. In the US, you access it via the touch screen climate settings.

Have been driving a lot in the snow and light off-road and the more I drive the truck, the better it gets. Really handles well.

 

[tanyamanatee]

In the 1980s, my uncle drove a 1969 MGB GT that he loved. He described it as quirky: burning oil, with erratic turn signals, and intermittently functional windows. But, he drove that car for years until his family got so large that he had to get a van. To this day, he describes it as his favorite vehicle.

After seven months and 10,000 miles, I wonder if I’m heading down a similar path with my LC 1958, or will I be driven mad by the litany of minor but annoying issues. Of the 10k miles I’ve driven, around 8k of those are local, and I’ve taken two trips of about 1k each. With respect to local driving, I’m about 70/30 highway/town with a decent amount of local driving light-duty off-road and snow. I’ve had the oil changed at 1k (reflecting comments on the board), 5k and 10k (scheduled service), and I averaged around 23.1 MPG in the warmer months, and 19.9 MPG in the colder. I have a pretty heavy foot. No mechanical issues to report.

Prior to the LC I had a 2019 4Runner Off Road (loved it), and prior to that I worked at GM, so I drove virtually everything in their lineup as a company car ranging from Bolt to Escalade. I can say without hesitation that the 1958 has exceeded my expectations in handling and performance in nearly every way, and I have to think back to my mom’s 1987 Toyota Camry for a vehicle that was more comfortable and as easy to drive.

I truly enjoy driving the car for short and long trips. Hence the 10k in seven months. The styling is also second to none, and I am a big fan of the utilitarian interior of the 1958. I considered the Lexus GX 550, but preferred the exterior styling of the LC, and had mechanical concerns given the main bearing problem.

With that having been said, here are quirks I’ve noticed with the 1958 (in no particular order, and non-exhaustive):

Features Thrown Together: The 1958 has a lot of features ranging from the very capable off-road system to a number of its other bells and whistles. That said, it seems like some of the items were either an after-thought or the interior design was finalized before the list of standard features was established. Example: the front window de-icer. On a normal car, or for 1958s sold in Canada apparently, there would be a de-icer button on the instrument panel. On the 1958, I have to navigate to it through the touch screen. Now that I know where it is, I can find it, and appreciate having the option, BUT it’s still a three-step process that should be one step.

Infotainment: Welcome to circa 2004. This is a known Toyota problem, but I’d almost prefer that the LC go 100% analog than include this half-hearted effort at an infotainment system. I can’t customize the ordering of the Toyota icons, and I am stuck seeing their advertisement for their subscription service every time I turn on the vehicle. It’s underwhelming to say the least, and it’s on my list of items that I expect will fail first. I wish I could replace the entire shit show with an after-market product along with the stereo and speakers.

Phone App Integration: When I purchased the 1958, Toyota provided the app connect service free for a period of time. While Toyota typically exceeds the US autos from a build quality perspective, they lag in all tech and particularly this tech. If I remote start my car, the App does not sync when I get in the vehicle. Also, the mileage is usually inconsistent between the vehicle and the app – off by 5 miles or less. It’s very sloppy and clunky, and effectively defeats the purpose of the App and makes it annoying and unreliable.

Driver Safety Aids: I’ve not yet determined whether Toyota’s safety features are meant to save you or kill you. The incessant binging and whining of the various items is beyond annoying and ultimately not helpful. I realize that you can customize the safety features to a degree, and have done so, but some you can’t turn off. AND, when you retain some that you’d like, such as various sensors, the second there is rain or a large snowflake, the system freaks out and you are limited in disabling the notifications. The system also very frequently reminds you, like every 60 seconds, when something is not working. Since around mid-January, most of the sensor-based systems on the vehicle have either self-disabled, or I’ve had to turn them off. Again, I’d prefer a very base analog approach rather than what Toyota has done.

Saved Settings Aren’t Permanently Saved: Toyota offers you the ability to save a number of settings on the vehicle. This is nice from a customization perspective. However, the system is inconsistent in saving the settings, and often forgets that they were saved so that you are required to change the settings periodically. Example: You can change the view of the instrument cluster. I have done so twice, and in doing so the changes were saved, but then several days later they reverted to the factory settings.

Aluminum Good and Bad: I believe the hood, and possibly the top of the vehicle are made of aluminum. While this is great from a vehicle weight perspective, having such a large flat surface made of aluminum rather than tempered steel has its drawbacks. I parked under an oak tree and ended up with a number of sizeable dents in my hood and roof as a result of falling acorns. 2012 Honda Odyssey and 2019 4Runner under same tree - no dents. That's on me, but something to be aware of.

First-Model-Year Issues. In buying the first model year of any vehicle, you know there will be some issues. In Toyota’s case, parts have been in short supply (e.g., windshields) but that didn’t really surprise me all that much. I will say that the Toyota techs don’t seem overly familiar with the LC systems. I have an idiot light on my dash (yellow circle with the vehicle in the middle), and when I took the car in for 10k service, the dealership wanted to keep the car for a day to run diagnostics - no idea what it meant. That was a little disappointing.

The Trunk: Two issues with the trunk: the stupid step up for the battery AND the lack of lighting. On the former point: really? Someone in design couldn’t have tackled this early in the process? On the lighting, there are two little spot lights on the side walls of the trunk, but how about a good old fashioned dome light or door light?

Seat Covers: I get that Toyota is attempting to “go green”, but I shouldn’t have to go to a third-party vendor to get actual leather seats. Granted, the Katzkin seats are well-made and comfortable, but some of us don’t want vinyl and leather should be a factory option. I’ve seen the Toyota/Lexus faux leather evolve over the years, but still prefer the real deal. Plus, the faux stuff is perforated, which allows mud to penetrate. This is strategic error on Toyota’s part, IMHO.

Seat Heating: Many threads on this forum on seat-heating issues. I had non-perforated vinyl seats on my Off-Road 4Runner, and they worked great. Those on the 1958: not so much. They work enough that I haven’t raised the issue with the dealer, but not what I would otherwise expect.

None of these is a major issue, but when taken together I’ll see over time whether they eventually drive me to get rid of the car, or I just accept them as mild quirks much like my uncle did in the 80s. The one difference between this car and the MGB GT is that this car, even in its base format, is around $60k all-in NEW. I just wonder if Toyota in its rush to put out this vehicle, its Lexus sibling, the 4Runner, and the other Toyota and Lexus products on the same frame architecture didn’t quite make the effort to fully bake the cake.

Agree w many things you're talking about, but haven't had the car long enough to notice it all. One thing I did take away from your post, tho--- I had a 1987 Toyota Camry, too!! It was my fav car of all time. It was a burgundy/wine color and it had all the extras. I got it my senior year in high school (used from my aunt, but still felt new). It was so luxurious and smooth and you couldn't even hear the engine running. To this day, over thirty years later, I have dreams that I still have it!!

 

[LC250UAE]

In the 1980s, my uncle drove a 1969 MGB GT that he loved. He described it as quirky: burning oil, with erratic turn signals, and intermittently functional windows. But, he drove that car for years until his family got so large that he had to get a van. To this day, he describes it as his favorite vehicle.

After seven months and 10,000 miles, I wonder if I’m heading down a similar path with my LC 1958, or will I be driven mad by the litany of minor but annoying issues. Of the 10k miles I’ve driven, around 8k of those are local, and I’ve taken two trips of about 1k each. With respect to local driving, I’m about 70/30 highway/town with a decent amount of local driving light-duty off-road and snow. I’ve had the oil changed at 1k (reflecting comments on the board), 5k and 10k (scheduled service), and I averaged around 23.1 MPG in the warmer months, and 19.9 MPG in the colder. I have a pretty heavy foot. No mechanical issues to report.

Prior to the LC I had a 2019 4Runner Off Road (loved it), and prior to that I worked at GM, so I drove virtually everything in their lineup as a company car ranging from Bolt to Escalade. I can say without hesitation that the 1958 has exceeded my expectations in handling and performance in nearly every way, and I have to think back to my mom’s 1987 Toyota Camry for a vehicle that was more comfortable and as easy to drive.

I truly enjoy driving the car for short and long trips. Hence the 10k in seven months. The styling is also second to none, and I am a big fan of the utilitarian interior of the 1958. I considered the Lexus GX 550, but preferred the exterior styling of the LC, and had mechanical concerns given the main bearing problem.

With that having been said, here are quirks I’ve noticed with the 1958 (in no particular order, and non-exhaustive):

Features Thrown Together: The 1958 has a lot of features ranging from the very capable off-road system to a number of its other bells and whistles. That said, it seems like some of the items were either an after-thought or the interior design was finalized before the list of standard features was established. Example: the front window de-icer. On a normal car, or for 1958s sold in Canada apparently, there would be a de-icer button on the instrument panel. On the 1958, I have to navigate to it through the touch screen. Now that I know where it is, I can find it, and appreciate having the option, BUT it’s still a three-step process that should be one step.

Infotainment: Welcome to circa 2004. This is a known Toyota problem, but I’d almost prefer that the LC go 100% analog than include this half-hearted effort at an infotainment system. I can’t customize the ordering of the Toyota icons, and I am stuck seeing their advertisement for their subscription service every time I turn on the vehicle. It’s underwhelming to say the least, and it’s on my list of items that I expect will fail first. I wish I could replace the entire shit show with an after-market product along with the stereo and speakers.

Phone App Integration: When I purchased the 1958, Toyota provided the app connect service free for a period of time. While Toyota typically exceeds the US autos from a build quality perspective, they lag in all tech and particularly this tech. If I remote start my car, the App does not sync when I get in the vehicle. Also, the mileage is usually inconsistent between the vehicle and the app – off by 5 miles or less. It’s very sloppy and clunky, and effectively defeats the purpose of the App and makes it annoying and unreliable.

Driver Safety Aids: I’ve not yet determined whether Toyota’s safety features are meant to save you or kill you. The incessant binging and whining of the various items is beyond annoying and ultimately not helpful. I realize that you can customize the safety features to a degree, and have done so, but some you can’t turn off. AND, when you retain some that you’d like, such as various sensors, the second there is rain or a large snowflake, the system freaks out and you are limited in disabling the notifications. The system also very frequently reminds you, like every 60 seconds, when something is not working. Since around mid-January, most of the sensor-based systems on the vehicle have either self-disabled, or I’ve had to turn them off. Again, I’d prefer a very base analog approach rather than what Toyota has done.

Saved Settings Aren’t Permanently Saved: Toyota offers you the ability to save a number of settings on the vehicle. This is nice from a customization perspective. However, the system is inconsistent in saving the settings, and often forgets that they were saved so that you are required to change the settings periodically. Example: You can change the view of the instrument cluster. I have done so twice, and in doing so the changes were saved, but then several days later they reverted to the factory settings.

Aluminum Good and Bad: I believe the hood, and possibly the top of the vehicle are made of aluminum. While this is great from a vehicle weight perspective, having such a large flat surface made of aluminum rather than tempered steel has its drawbacks. I parked under an oak tree and ended up with a number of sizeable dents in my hood and roof as a result of falling acorns. 2012 Honda Odyssey and 2019 4Runner under same tree - no dents. That's on me, but something to be aware of.

First-Model-Year Issues. In buying the first model year of any vehicle, you know there will be some issues. In Toyota’s case, parts have been in short supply (e.g., windshields) but that didn’t really surprise me all that much. I will say that the Toyota techs don’t seem overly familiar with the LC systems. I have an idiot light on my dash (yellow circle with the vehicle in the middle), and when I took the car in for 10k service, the dealership wanted to keep the car for a day to run diagnostics - no idea what it meant. That was a little disappointing.

The Trunk: Two issues with the trunk: the stupid step up for the battery AND the lack of lighting. On the former point: really? Someone in design couldn’t have tackled this early in the process? On the lighting, there are two little spot lights on the side walls of the trunk, but how about a good old fashioned dome light or door light?

Seat Covers: I get that Toyota is attempting to “go green”, but I shouldn’t have to go to a third-party vendor to get actual leather seats. Granted, the Katzkin seats are well-made and comfortable, but some of us don’t want vinyl and leather should be a factory option. I’ve seen the Toyota/Lexus faux leather evolve over the years, but still prefer the real deal. Plus, the faux stuff is perforated, which allows mud to penetrate. This is strategic error on Toyota’s part, IMHO.

Seat Heating: Many threads on this forum on seat-heating issues. I had non-perforated vinyl seats on my Off-Road 4Runner, and they worked great. Those on the 1958: not so much. They work enough that I haven’t raised the issue with the dealer, but not what I would otherwise expect.

None of these is a major issue, but when taken together I’ll see over time whether they eventually drive me to get rid of the car, or I just accept them as mild quirks much like my uncle did in the 80s. The one difference between this car and the MGB GT is that this car, even in its base format, is around $60k all-in NEW. I just wonder if Toyota in its rush to put out this vehicle, its Lexus sibling, the 4Runner, and the other Toyota and Lexus products on the same frame architecture didn’t quite make the effort to fully bake the cake.

Hello I have a non hybrid 2.4T version in UAE. Also 10k miles or 16k KM. It takes a certain lifestyle and acquired taste to get used and embrace the quirks. The UAE version, after you connect your phone has no volume button for the passenger. For the past 9 months I am buying OEM parts from all over the word to fix my baby. Mud flaps from Japan, interior trim and performance parts from the US and snorkel from Australia. You will fall in love or fall apart

 

[dato6966]

I have to agree with all the "quirks" of the 1958 LC. The most annoying of them all for me is when the sensors get covered in snow, ice, or mud. I had the displeasure of driving home at night for some 480 km in a blizzard. The distraction at night of the bright orange warning was so annoying pus the large square telling me sensors weren't working in the center of the cluster & covering all the other information is beyond stupid. Finally pulled over and tore a piece cardboard to cover the display and the bright warning - making the dash useless but at least I wasn't distracted for the long trip. Why the center warning can't be turned off & the bright orange dimmed is beyond me. All the other complaints or quirks I can live with but to my thinking this is a case of distracted driving and it becomes a safety issue. Only other gripe I have is the incredibly small gas tank especially when towing - but I knew this when buying it and just carry a couple of gas cans (but that's also a safety issue) as premium gas is very hard to find when you are in rural areas where I often go. I've now got 17,000km on it in 7 months.

 

[surf fishing offroader]

Saved Settings Aren’t Permanently Saved: Toyota offers you the ability to save a number of settings on the vehicle. This is nice from a customization perspective. However, the system is inconsistent in saving the settings, and often forgets that they were saved so that you are required to change the settings periodically. Example: You can change the view of the instrument cluster. I have done so twice, and in doing so the changes were saved, but then several days later they reverted to the factory settings.

This one does annoy me a little bit... it'll remember if you have the steering wheel warmer or seat warmer on - but it'll forget to turn the A/C on EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Granted, it's just a single button to push, but a/c should turn on automatically if I had it on prior to shut off

Minor gripe, but aggravating

 

[APIOQM]

I have to agree with all the "quirks" of the 1958 LC. The most annoying of them all for me is when the sensors get covered in snow, ice, or mud.

This is an issue for all LC grades.

 

[ckrough]

it'll forget to turn the A/C on

Your AC setting doesn’t persist between restarts? Mine does. I’ve set it once and never touched it again.

 

[Winchester44]

I find it a bit numerous that folks continuously criticize the 250 as not a real Land Cruiser compared the prior North American Luxo barge spec. Then others question why it couldn’t be made more like a Honda crossover with lithium batteries. As others have pointed to neither would be fit for purpose of the demands placed on land cruisers as they are used in the vast majority of the markets around the world.

Bottom line is lithium batteries are comparatively very delicate and sensitive to both impact and temperature extremes. Good on Toyota for avoiding them in a vehicle that in many cases will not see much pavement and where breaking down can have serious implications.

I just swapped my golf cart from lead acid to lithium. It certainly has its advantages being much smaller and lighter battery pack vs. the lead acid. However, I would wager the warnings and cautions for a crate of dynamite are less extensive than those the golf cart mechanic insisted I review with him before he let me leave with it.

 

[PC3]

I have to agree with all the "quirks" of the 1958 LC. The most annoying of them all for me is when the sensors get covered in snow, ice, or mud. I had the displeasure of driving home at night for some 480 km in a blizzard. The distraction at night of the bright orange warning was so annoying pus the large square telling me sensors weren't working in the center of the cluster & covering all the other information is beyond stupid. Finally pulled over and tore a piece cardboard to cover the display and the bright warning - making the dash useless but at least I wasn't distracted for the long trip. Why the center warning can't be turned off & the bright orange dimmed is beyond me. All the other complaints or quirks I can live with but to my thinking this is a case of distracted driving and it becomes a safety issue. Only other gripe I have is the incredibly small gas tank especially when towing - but I knew this when buying it and just carry a couple of gas cans (but that's also a safety issue) as premium gas is very hard to find when you are in rural areas where I often go. I've now got 17,000km on it in 7 months.

Live in MI and travel through Canada quite a bit to see my son in Kingston. This item scaled my list as we moved through the winter. Just allow me to turn it off is all I ask.

 

[surf fishing offroader]

Your AC setting doesn’t persist between restarts? Mine does. I’ve set it once and never touched it again.

All the settings are held, except the A/C button. The fan setting, low/high/mix discharge, etc, are all held

That's the button, below

 

[Blue Sky]

The towing setup! You have to manually go into the sensor setting to turn off the parking, surround and proximity sensors. Wish that stuff would just automatically disable when I press the tow/haul button.

 

[ckrough]

All the settings are held, except the A/C button. The fan setting, low/high/mix discharge, etc, are all held

That's the button, below
View attachment 31833

Ah, it may be because I only use Auto. I set it to auto and 64 and never had to touch it. Are you setting it manually? I wonder if thats the difference. I'll try it on mine next time I shut it down.

 

[n0m@d]

except the A/C button

iirc I also had this issue. . . there are more A/C settings in the main multimedia display, I've managed to configure it in a way that I manually control A/C (took some trial and error )

Ah, it may be because I only use Auto.

for me it seems to remember A/C setting regardless Auto on/off (I have Auto off 90% of time, so maybe I'm wrong )