Toyota Hiace common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 10 faults the Toyota Hiace is known for (2010–2019), 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 Hiace
Diesel leak at the fuel pipe
Safety risk
2019 · diesel · Engine
What to look for: Look along the high-pressure fuel pipe in the cold engine bay for a wet or dust-caked join, and smell for diesel.
Why it matters: Toyota New Zealand's own notice says the pipe connecting the fuel pump to the common rail could come loose from engine vibration and the engine could stall. On a work van or a tow vehicle a stall is a safety and a liability problem, and the remedy is a roughly four-hour job that Toyota does at no charge if the VIN is in scope.
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: Ask the importer for a Japanese recall check on the chassis number, plus the auction sheet and any recall records.
Why it matters: The MLIT recall schedules behind the Japanese campaigns cited elsewhere in this overlay all state that the manufacturer notifies vehicle users by direct mail, with trade notification through the Japanese repairers' association journal and the manufacturer's own website.
What to look for: Drive away briskly and feel for slipping, harsh or flaring gear changes, and ask if the gearbox has been rebuilt.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the shift hydraulic control program inside the engine ECU was inadequate, so hydraulic pressure becomes excessively high during shifts; repeated hard acceleration then damages a clutch inside the transmission, producing poor acceleration and, in the worst case, leaving the vehicle unable to be driven.
2010–2013 · 1KD-FTV, 2KD-FTV · diesel · Exhaust and emissions
What to look for: Look for black exhaust smoke and a check engine light, and ask whether the coolant needs topping up.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the bypass pipe in the EGR cooler has insufficient strength, so repeated heating and cooling cracks the pipe joint; continuing to use the vehicle leaves the exhaust emissions outside the regulated limits. The remedy is a replacement EGR cooler.
What to look for: Look for pink or white coolant crust around the water pump area.
Why it matters: Water pumps often start weeping before 150,000 km. On a Hiace the engine sits under the front seats so labour costs more than in a ute. A snapped belt wrecks the engine. Japanese Hiace specialists treat belt history as the key check on diesel vans. Valve clearances (adjustable) are normally checked at the same time; tight valves at high km give rough idle and hard starting.
What to look for: Ask for the timing belt receipt and odometer reading, look for a belt sticker, and look for coolant crust at the water.
Why it matters: A broken belt destroys the engine. Engine access under the seats adds labour on a Hiace. Valve clearances are normally checked at the same time; when they close up the engine idles badly and loses power. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Look for a DPF warning light and engine light.
Why it matters: Toyota issued improved ECU calibrations from 2017 and made a manual regeneration switch standard from mid-2018. A blocked or damaged DPF is expensive. 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 Hiace? 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.