Credov's researched list of the 11 faults the Toyota Esquire is known for (2014–2021), 9 of them serious or costly. Each one says what to look for when you check the car, so you can spot it before you buy. Not every car has these faults: they are the ones worth checking on this model.
What to look for: Look for brake, ABS and skid warning lights staying on together in READY, and feel for a very heavy brake pedal.
Why it matters: Toyota Japan's notice states that frequent braking can wear the hydraulic control valve in the electric brake actuator earlier than designed, that several warning lamps then illuminate together, and that continuing to drive brings on an audible warning with higher pedal effort and reduced braking.
What to look for: Look for a 4683 or 5404 recall sticker in the driver's door opening, and listen for a stumbling or uneven cold idle.
Why it matters: The MLIT notifications record that the moulding conditions for the resin impeller were inadequate, giving low resin density; the impeller then swells with fuel and deforms, contacts the pump case, the pump malfunctions and in the worst case the engine stalls while the vehicle is moving. Toyota's remedy is replacement of the low-pressure fuel pump.
What to look for: Look for a 4567 recall sticker in the driver's door opening, and feel whether each front seat back moves when pushed hard.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records two defects. On the hybrid fuel pump, high applied voltage combined with poorly fitted motor brushes lets a brush tilt, produce excessive sparking and wear abnormally, so the pump malfunctions and the engine stalls. On the seats, the spring spacer end shape is inadequate, so repeated reclining lets the recliner lock spring come off the spacer;
What to look for: Look for a 4185 recall sticker in the driver's door opening or a Japanese record; a normal airbag light doesn't settle it.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the manufacturing conditions for the IC chip in the acceleration sensor or the pressure sensor were inadequate, so an open circuit can form inside the IC; the airbag warning lamp then illuminates and the airbags cannot operate properly.
What to look for: Switch to READY and listen for the brake pump buzzing repeatedly or running for long periods.
Why it matters: The fix is a new brake booster and booster pump with actuator, and a change to a wear-resistant brake fluid. Noah and Voxy hybrids built December 2013 to December 2020 and Esquire hybrids built to April 2020 are in the affected range, as is the Aqua with the same system. Left unrepaired this is a safety risk on top of the repair bill.
What to look for: Drive with several speed-up and slow-down runs, and look for a gearbox warning light or the car going into limp mode.
Why it matters: Toyota Japan's notice states that manufacturing variation left some lock-up clutch components in the CVT torque converter short of strength, so repeated acceleration and deceleration can stop the clutch working, illuminating a warning lamp and putting the car into fail-safe running.
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What to look for: Check the engine and VSC/slip lights come on at key-on and go out.
Why it matters: The required codes for Toyota Japan's extended cover are P2757, P075B and P0741; if one is missing cover was refused. The dealer fix replaced the torque converter, valve body and fluid. Toyota Japan's extended cover does not apply in NZ. A rebuilt CVT costs about 400,000 yen in Japan. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Drive at 40-90 km/h on a smooth road with the radio off.
Why it matters: Owners on Kakaku.com also report noise and unstable acceleration around 50 km/h on 7-year-old cars. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Drive at least 20 minutes including hills and watch the battery gauge.
Why it matters: Early signs are worse fuel use, the engine running more and weak regeneration; later the 'hybrid system check' or 'battery system fault, have it checked' message appears. One ZWR80 at 169,000 km had one block far below the rest with a large state-of-charge spread. Replacement in Japan is about 200,000-250,000 yen new or 100,000-150,000 yen rebuilt. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Open and close both sliding doors and the back door repeatedly by key fob, dash switch, B-pillar button and handle.
Why it matters: A wiring harness between the door motor unit and the easy-close (latch) motor breaks from repeated flexing: the door will not open or close electrically, the closer does not pull it shut, it is very heavy to close by hand and a buzzer beeps continuously; a Japanese shop found the wire fully broken with more chafed spots and fixed it with a harness (about 16,600 yen) instead of a motor unit (about 60,000 yen).
What to look for: Look around the catch in the driver's door opening for Toyota recall stickers, and photograph any numbers you find.
Why it matters: The instruction to apply a numbered sticker near the driver's door striker appears in the text of the Toyota recall notifications themselves, which makes it the one field marker a New Zealand dealer can read without a scan tool or a dealer account.
Got a question about a Toyota Esquire? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
On top of the faults above, every Credov inspection covers the basics: fuel smell, leaks or filler rust, engine oil leaks, power steering fluid leak, drive belt cracks or squeal, rust underneath: chassis and mounts, engine mounts, engine oil level and colour, coolant level, colour and leaks, head gasket failure signs, cold start: rattle, knock or smoke, rough or hunting idle, engine running hot on gauge, gearbox or diff oil leak, swapped gearbox without lvv and more.
Researched by Credov from manufacturer recalls and service bulletins, owner reports and workshop sources. Repair prices are typical ranges, not quotes. See also fault codes and repair costs.