Credov's researched list of the 16 faults the Toyota Vellfire is known for (2013–2018), 15 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: Check the electric handbrake holds the car on a slope, and look for a 4265 recall sticker in the driver's door opening.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the parking-brake computer's power-circuit abnormality-detection program was inadequate, so with a degraded battery the voltage drop when restarting from idle-stop is judged as a fault; a warning lamp illuminates and the electric parking brake does not operate.
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: Listen near the left front of the engine bay for the brake pump running repeatedly or buzzing every 10 seconds.
Why it matters: Early signs are a buzzing or 'squeaking' noise from the pump every few seconds when parked or braking, or the pump running for long periods. When it fails the car beeps, shows VSC/ABS/brake warnings and regenerative braking stops, the pedal goes hard and you need a lot of force to stop. A related fault is the brake control power supply (a capacitor unit that backs up the actuator), which sets ABS lights.
What to look for: Check the build date on the compliance plate or import papers (Dec 2014 - Mar 2016 is the risk window).
Why it matters: Toyota Japan extended the warranty on the torque converter (9-11 years from first registration in Japan), which does not follow the car to NZ. The fix is a new torque converter or a replacement CVT, around 300,000-400,000 yen in Japan. Left unrepaired this is a safety risk on top of the repair bill.
What to look for: Check the dash screen comes up fully each time you switch the car off and on three times.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification states that inadequate control-program design lets circuit board elements degrade early as meter operating hours accumulate, so the meter screen may fail to display at start-up leaving the speedometer and warning lamps unreadable. An unreadable speedometer is a warrant of fitness problem, and the fix in Japan is a program correction or a meter replacement at no charge.
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: 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.
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What to look for: Check the engine restarts quickly after idle-stop, and look for a bulging, corroded or uncovered battery under the bonnet.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the control program was inadequate and battery insulation insufficient, so repeated use with a hot battery after long idling leaves the regeneration charge that limits deterioration short of what is needed; the battery then degrades abnormally and the engine cannot restart after idle-stop.
What to look for: Listen at the front of the idling engine for rattling or whirring from the alternator, and watch for a battery warning light.
Why it matters: The MLIT notification records that the durability of the alternator clutch pulley against engine vibration was insufficiently assessed, so long idling or repeated running at certain engine speeds wears and breaks the clutch inside the pulley; abnormal noise and the charge warning lamp follow, and continuing to drive can stall the vehicle while it is moving.
What to look for: Walk round in good light and look closely at the roof (stand on the door sill), roof edges by the mouldings, above.
Why it matters: Proper repair means stripping and repainting whole panels. Left unrepaired this grows into a major repair bill.
What to look for: Pull the dipstick: well below the full mark on a car that was 'just serviced' is a warning.
Why it matters: Reports start as low as 70,000 km but most show up from about 100,000-120,000 km and it gets worse with age. Owners often only find out when the dipstick reads empty at a service. Running it low starves the timing chain, VVT and bearings, so a neglected engine can end up knocking or seized. The proper fix is new pistons and rings (engine out) or a replacement engine; thicker oil and additives only slow it.
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 Vellfire? 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.