Toyota Spade common problems: what to check before you buy
Credov's researched list of the 5 faults the Toyota Spade is known for (2012–2017), 4 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 Spade
Slow or failed starting
Safety risk
2015–2017 · petrol · Electrical
What to look for: Listen for a slow, laboured crank or just a click when starting from stone cold, and again when hot after the drive.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification states that inadequate tightening instructions let the starter through-bolt loosen over time, shifting internal components and reducing starter output; continuing to use it can leave the engine unable to start, and repeated cranking in that state can overheat the starter with a worst-case fire. MLIT recorded 13 occurrences including two fires.
What to look for: Listen at cold start for the starter whirring or grinding on after the engine fires, and look for a 3344 recall sticker.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the energising setting for the starter drive relay was inadequate, so silver from the contacts aggregates and flakes off; a flake caught in the circuit holds the relay energised, the starter keeps turning and in the worst case a fire results. Toyota's remedy replaces both the relay and the starter.
What to look for: Check the fully opened tailgate stays up on its own for 30 seconds, and look for cracks or rust on the struts.
Why it matters: The MLIT improvement-measure notification records that temperature control during the plating process was inadequate, so internal stress from plating produces microscopic cracks on the damper stay surface; the enclosed gas leaks and in the worst case the back door can no longer be held open.
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 Spade? 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.