Toyota Harrier common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 10 faults the Toyota Harrier is known for (2005–2016), 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.
Known problems on the Toyota Harrier
Hybrid inverter overheating, loss of drive
Safety risk
2005–2011 · 3MZ-FE · hybrid · Hybrid and EV
What to look for: Look for a 3215 recall sticker in the driver's door opening, and check for any hybrid warning on a cold start.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that variation between elements in the motor-control or generator-control circuit can push element temperature past the tolerance of the heat-dissipating solder, damaging the solder and the element. The stated worst case is that high-voltage current reaches the control circuit and blows the supply fuse, leaving the vehicle unable to be driven with no prior warning display.
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: Listen for a pump that runs for a long time or keeps cycling.
Why it matters: Symptoms: ABS, VSC and brake warning lights together, a warning buzzer, the pump buzzing or running on, grinding feel through the pedal, a pedal that goes further down, and in bad cases sharply reduced braking. Owners report it mostly at 190,000-240,000 km; replacement actuators cost US$2,500-5,500 and used units sometimes fail again within a year. Left unrepaired this is a safety risk on top of the repair bill.
What to look for: Look for a brake warning light that stays on after start-up, and ask if the brake actuator was replaced in Japan.
Why it matters: Toyota Japan's notice states that heavy brake use wears the solenoid valve section of the brake actuator, illuminating the brake warning lamp, and that continuing to drive brings an audible warning and reduced braking. On the imports named here the part is expensive, and knowing the campaign exists is the difference between a free Japanese repair and a bill in New Zealand.
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.
What to look for: Check each rear indicator for 30 seconds for a lamp that fails, flickers or changes flash speed.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the circuit board inside the rear indicator LED socket has insufficient water resistance, so rainwater dripping onto the socket condenses on the board; repeated cycles of powering up while damp and drying out form a short circuit on the board and in the worst case the rear indicator stops working.
What to look for: Check the dipstick: low oil on a car that was 'just serviced' is a warning.
Why it matters: Toyota ran an extended warranty in the US for engines using more than about a litre per 1,900 km, affecting around 1.7 million engines, so it is a known design fault rather than abuse. Symptoms usually start from about 70,000-80,000 km. Fix is new pistons and rings (expensive) or a used engine; better oil only slows it. Applies to the Harrier 240G and other 2AZ cars.
What to look for: Look at the front of the engine below the pump pulley for dried pink crust or wet coolant, and at the coolant.
Why it matters: Leaks have been reported from as early as about 40,000 km (a 2017 Kluger at 39,000 km, a 2007 RX350 at 40,000 miles) and are common past 100,000 km. A slow weep becomes a steady loss, the coolant level drops and the engine can overheat. Low-use cars seem prone to it. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
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 Harrier? Ask Credov: a noise, a warning light, a part or how to fix it.
Also check on every car
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.