Best and Worst Toyota and Lexus Models for Reliability in 2023

hello and welcome to the car care channel in today's video I want to share with you the best and worst Toyota models in 2023. the information in this video comes from first my long career with Toyota I used to work at a Toyota dealership and then I opened my own shop and actually around the time filming this video it is the one year anniversary of this shop specializing in Toyota and Lexus these are the cars that I see the least in the shop and when they do come in they only come in for maintenance they're truly like the top of the top the hidden gems the best ones majority of Toyota models are reliable however there are some that really exceed that by a lot and there are some that don't live up to that name small disclaimer before we start the video folks if your car is not on this list that doesn't mean you don't have a good car it just means it's not the top or talking about Toyota's and Lexus most of them are good cars most of them are reliable they're built to be that they're not built be exciting and fun and all they're made to be reliable so if your car is not on this list it doesn't mean it's a bad car the second thing is if your car in the worst car list that doesn't mean you should get rid of it or you're going to write a very angry comment that you know I own this car it's been great I am really happy if your car is in the worst list and it has been good to you I'm really happy for that because there are some things this video is aimed for you if you're buying a car today with that in mind let's start the first category let's start with the sedan category and really the top of the sedans here is the 2013 to 2018 Toyota Avalon V6 so the Avalon has actually a brother or sister car in the Lexus world the Lexus ES and specifically the ES350 from 2013 all the way to 2018. I mean those are so good cars folks they come in I rarely have any issues with them they always just maintenance brakes you know fluids whatnot but nothing really else and they're so low maintenance they won't have power steering that loves to leak like the previous generations they're the best one thing I will say about this one though the hybrid variant of these while it is really good there has been some issues with oil consumptions EGR problems what not so they're not in the list of the top they're still very good but not the top then the next one on the list is a Toyota Corolla specifically the 2016-2018 Toyota Corolla now some of you will say wait what about the 2014 to 2015. those are really good as well however there has been some isolated issues 14 was the first year of that generation 15 carried some of those issues but 16 to 18 they are really good and some folks have voice concerns over the CVT I've yet to see a CVT problem in those three years folks this Corolla is really good but the truth have to be said they are a little bit on the cheap feeling you get inside them after all the economy cars they're loud that's the concern about them but that should not be mistaken for quality of the stuff that matters if you are looking for a good commuter car that goes decent gas mileage and very good reliability wise that is definitely a top pick and then the next one is 2016 to 2022 Toyota Prius I mean in the past then you're going to talk a little bit about the Prius later on but in the past Priuses as they get older and they're used people are always afraid of them but I will definitely recommend you look into a 16 to 22 Toyota Prius I mean even the first year when they first came out they had very little issues usually the first year of production of any car they're going to have issues they're going to fix them under warranty and then the next year and the next year things get better but the Prius in that generation the fourth generation they were really good look they look odd they are an eco car after all it's not a fun car or anything gets really good gas mileage they look odd some people see them as good some people see them as odd looking and I understand but it is nonetheless a very good car to own if you're looking for good transportation that is reliable that gets excellent gas mileage and on the Lexus side the 2013 to 2020 Lexus GS350 and specifically the 350 and equally the 2014 until now is 350 and then the RC 350 from 2014 all the way to now folks these three cars are often overlooked all these are just boring cars they're too expensive they are so good and actually in my opinion they're actually fun cars to drive they're not the most exciting in the world but they are more fun than your average Toyota and Lexus and the best part about them is they're so well made I mean they are built in Japan in one specific Factory that is really good and things are these are the kind of cars that make you wonder are they everything going to break down they are really good but I one thing have to be said about them don't buy a neglected one because they are after all luxury cars and things can get expensive if they're really neglected that's the only note about them and the second thing is you're going to go through a lot of tires with these three models that's just how they are the tires are not very cheap for them because there are some of them are low profile tires and brakes are a little bit more expensive than usual but otherwise they are truly a Hidden Gem in my opinion let's talk about some honorable mentions here because this car here used to be on my top list but slowly it is coming off of it and let me tell you why 2015 to 2017 Toyota Camry folks this model is really good however extended oil change intervals and lack of Maintenance and this is something I see all the time here oil consumption with the four cylinder is becoming a problem slowly not all of them some of you will comment down below that you have extreme miles on these and they don't burn a drop of oil that's because you took care of them but unfortunately if you're going to buy one today you got to be really careful buy one that has been really well maintained that's the only reason it dropped from the top list to the honorable mention because they are really a good car especially the V6 the V6 really you're playing it safe no oil consumption there even with bad maintenance with that model be careful with the oil consumption for the four cylinder let's talk about the SUVs and the probably the star of this show will surprise some people 2016 to 2018 Toyota RAV4 look many things can be said about that generation RAV4 it feels very cheap on the inside it's very uninspiring very featureless and they're very loud to drive and yes some of those are potentially true but that car is not made to be a fun car it is meant to be a very reliable transportation car and for that matter those specific years hybrid or non-hybrid are really good I mean I rarely see them I see a 15 and a 16 16 these maintenance 15 needs other stuff but don't let me wrong the 13 to 15 they're not horrible cars don't take that as as the note here however here are some issues that you know why I went 1680. oil consumption is an issue with 13 14s and then the torque converter shuttered 13 14 15. they're all affected by it so these are potential issues that makes it not the top in reliability it drops it a little bit so the 13 to 15 is definitely an honorable mention but 1618 hybrid or not it is a very good SUV and the next one is 2015 and 2016 Toyota Highlander folks these are so good that you're you're really going to have a hard time finding one in good shape because they're that desirable you're only going to find the horrible ones for sale the one that are neglected and really abused however they are truly good yes they could develop some issues here and there but overall for the size of SUV that it is they are really good and the other thing about them is 2017-2019 in that generation the 17 is when they change the engine in the transmission that's probably the least desirable year because the 8-speed transmission had some issues in 17 the engine the updated 2gr had valve guide issues oil leaks coolant leaks they've had some issues when they switched the engine 18 late 18 and 219 they got better but if you want to play it safe 15-16 but in that generation 14 is also a year of that same generation that was the first year that was the year they had a few issues one note on this generation avoid the panoramic sunroof especially in 14. they had really some issues and they're extremely expensive to repair plus you're buying a car for the family that panoramic sunroof as nice as it is avoid it because you might have issues with other things will get expensive and then on the Lexus side equally to the Highlander your 2012-2015 Lexus RX 350. they are truly nice cars and they're very good on reliability and equally to the Highlander in two thousand 16 they changed the transmission they change the engine to the 2grfks the direct inject and Port injected engine and the 8-speed transmission they did have some issues in 16. 17 things got a little better if you want to play it safe 18 19 are also really good and then going forward into the Next Generation after that the main issues that were there with 16 and 17 transmission shifting issues valve guide issues oil leaks coolant leagues here and there until they figured it out and then one note on the Lexus RX 2010 and 2011 were really good however did have some issues steering column rear control arms real trailing arms there were a few issues that they resolved as time passed by play it safe if you're buying today get a 12 to 15 you won't have issues and you won't be disappointed and then another one on the Lexus side is the Lexus NX 2015 to 2021. folks from the Lexus NX 200t in specific came out many people were concerned wait a second we have a turbocharged engine once what gives here this is probably not a reliable truth has to be said they're super reliable but there's one thing you got to make sure of when you're buying an nx200t maintenance is key that turbo really likes its oil changes and then there's an additional circuit for the turbo also needs a coolant change so there's a little bit more maintenance required for those but they are truly good every single one that comes in the shop just needs maintenance rarely have seen any issues oil consumption issues have been reported I have not seen them they're not something rampant like some other models that we're going to talk about but that is one I if it comes on your radar as long as it's maintained well taken care of it is actually a really good car and let's talk about some honorable mentions here 2009 to 2015 Toyota avenza V6 specifically the V6 completely avoid the four cylinder which versus underpowered second they have severe oil consumption issues that generation Venza is really good they are very Bland the steering wheel feels strange the 20-inch wheels are really expensive to change the tires on but overall they're really good the engine is very good transmission is very good they are known for some strut issues you know they wear out struts tires are expensive and some leaks here and there but nothing major whether with total the car and make a horrible experience to own one so those if they come on your radar they're in good shape it's a V6 those are actually very good cars let's talk about Toyota and Lexus trucks and by trucks I mean body on frame trucks probably the star of this segment is the fifth generation Forerunner I mean the fifth generation Forerunner is so good even when you go into 2010 which was the first year they have so little problems I mean I see them coming in with extreme miles they need nothing they rarely fail inspection unless they have been severely neglected modified that's one thing that you need to know about don't buy modified ones or they are Rusty and this goes to all Toyota trucks please avoid the rusty ones and we're going to talk about this in a little bit another very big highlight is the Lexus GX in general GX470 and even the gx460 GX 460 being a little bit better they're newer better examples are easier to find the GX470 they're getting a little older they are very good but finding good examples becoming harder and harder as people hold on to them because they're really good something about the GX 460 though they are a little bit more expensive to buy and they do have a few things air suspension issues as they get older and they rack up miles some coolant leaks some oil leaks but even with this stuff it's such a good truck just don't buy a rusty one please because rust on the GX really sends the bills high and you do not want to be caught with one that is Rusty and of course we cannot talk about good cars without talking about the Land Cruisers as far as I'm concerned you cannot go wrong buying a Land Cruiser or Alexis LX however avoid the rusty ones avoid the ones that have never been maintained or serviced in any way shape or form be careful because those will last until you buy one with 300 000 miles and it needs everything under the sun because nothing was fixed on them because they are that good they will last extreme miles without you fixing anything and then you buy one it needs everything because nothing was done to it be careful with those if you're going to buy a Land Cruiser buy a good one they're expensive yes but they're truly good let's talk about some honorable mentions in the truck segment Tacoma's up to 2015 that generation 2000 probably 2000 let's put a 2010 to 15 are the better years than all the way to 2005. those are truly good but if you buy one with a rusty frame we have severe problems and the other thing is and the only reason their honorable mentions not top pick here they do tend to as they age and as they get miles some of them develop head gasket issues they do have some random oil leaks vibrations whatnot as they get older that's the only reason they're not a top pick and then the Tundra 2007 to 2021 they're really good however if you want to play it safe with those get a 2010 and up the early ones did have some issues with oil leaks secondary air injection the things that can get expensive and of course double down on the no Rusty ones the rusty ones I mean these rust so bad and things get so bad especially if you buy old one with a lot of miles that have been neglected on top of the rust I mean they become just why did I buy this I might have as well just bought a bicycle some of them get that bad that's why they're honorable mentions and of course we cannot talk about trucks without talking about the FJ Cruiser look FJ Cruisers generally are really good 2007 to 2014 that was the Run for the FJ Cruiser 2010 to 2014 however are the honorable mention they have the 4Runner engine the fifth generation 4Runner engine basically bulletproof they really have very little issues however rust again is a big thing for these they love to rust especially the early ones plus 2002 2014 not only has a better engine it takes regular gas not a premium for some reason like the 2007 to 2009 so if you're gonna go for FJ Cruiser good maintenance no rust 2010 2014 you really can't go wrong with these let's talk about the worst Toyota models to buy in 2023 and let me reiterate the disclaimer that we talked about if you own one of these cars and they have been really good for you from the bottom of my heart I am truly happy I'm simply sharing my experience with these cars as I see them just continuously decline with large repairs that just seem never ending and the first winner of those worst things is Rusty trucks all of them even the Land Cruiser you get a rusty one it just one thing leads to another one thing leads to another and it's just a never-ending road to a rotten frame and then we're done I recently made a video about a sequoia I am going to reiterate that please when you buy a truck really inspect it if you're buying it from the Rust Belt or around the area be very careful all it takes is you leading underneath the truck and looking at it they're usually high you can easily lean underneath them do not buy a rusty one you will be so sorry all the reliability will go out of the window because of rust they really fall apart and this is something the truth have to be said Toyota isn't rust they don't get along very well and then starting with the first one which will make a lot of people upset do apologize in advance but the truth have to be said Lexus LS 460 specifically 2007 to 2009 because these are probably the number one Lexus in my shop for some reason at reasons beyond my understanding comprehension those bottles are always neglected I mean I rarely see one that is in good shape that's the truth and usually people that have those that are in good shape they are taken care of they keep them they rarely sell them because they're such nice cars when they run right and they're taken care of but the ones that are usually for sale are the cheap ones so what I'm gonna reiterate here is avoid the cheap ls460s because whatever you pay for it you're gonna double it in repairs in the first year that is almost a guarantee small example for that if everything is perfectly fine but the front suspension decides to fall apart you know control arms knuckle ball joints whatnot you're likely to spend upwards of ten thousand dollars just to replace the front suspension and some struts and then if the engine suddenly decides to start burning oil which they love to do that in the early years we're talking about if you want to do short block and redo the whole engine to rebuild it we're talking upwards of thirty thousand dollars ask me if I know that actually written the estimates like that just to make people realize get rid of this car please when they get this bad folks do not jump on a cheap ls460 there's no such thing these are Flagship cars they're Mega complicated beautiful cars and in their segment they are reliable but if you're going from your Camry to an LS 460 don't buy the cheap one trust me I see the faces of people and it breaks my heart when they do that to the shop and we have to give them these massive bills to repair it's not it's not good please avoid the cheap ones and if you're going to buy an LS 460 splurge and buy one that is in good shape and my recommendation is 2010 and up all-wheel drive make sure it's been taken care of make sure it's been maintained don't buy a neglected one and worse the cheap one because there's no such thing as a cheap LS 460. and then the next one is the third generation Prius the entire generation honestly the truth have to be said first absolutely avoid buying a used 2010-2011 Prius some of you and actually personally know some customers that come to our shop with those two years that have zero issues and they run perfectly fine why because they took care of them for some reason beyond my comprehension these two years people just didn't take care of them the majority of people really neglected these cars and now you go buy one and they're cheap and like it's a previous it's a Toyota they're great cars they're not I mean we start with EGR problems very expensive EGR problems and then the head gasket goes and then the engine starts burning oil and then all kinds of problems leading up to the grand finale the battery goes up because it has no filter and the fan is completely clogged avoid these and things got better right around 14 15 with the oil consumption and the head gasket issues but at that point why don't you just spend a little bit more and get such a better version of the Prius which is the 2016 and up so that's why I say avoid third generation Prius in 2023 if you have one that is running great please take care of it because if you take care of these they're actually decent cars cheap feeling yes they're on they're boring cars some people will call them but they are really good cars if you take care of them but that is becoming very rare these days and then the next one which is One Singular model with two specific years Toyota Tacoma 2016 to 2017. folks this will make some people upset but here's the truth from the bottom of my heart I am not trying to make you upset I'm just trying to share with you the truth these two years were probably the worst years in the Tacoma period the entire Tacoma lineup they had so many issues in 2016 if your engine is not leaking oil your torque converter is shuttering if the torque converter is not shuttering the drive shaft is vibrating or there's some kind of noise or rattle or something going on and if all that is fine your valve guides all of a sudden just decide to start leaking and you have all kinds of random misfires and all kinds of issues I mean 2016 Tacoma if you own one it's been fine you already have 150 000 miles on it I'm really happy but unfortunately so many of you have not had this success with the 16 Tacoma as we film this video I am looking right next to me 60 in Tacoma with a leaking front timing cover and then leaking coolant from the rear coolant pipe it's just the list goes on and on with the 16 Tacoma 17 got a little better but it was still had many of the issues 18 and up things got much better leading into the 2020 and up until the latest one before the 24 comes out they've gotten much better but 16 and 17 if you're out in the market buying one today avoid them go for 18 and up or better yet go for a 15 Rusty those are really good and then the next one is 2006 to 2012 Toyota RAV4 for reasons beyond my comprehension and understanding also these this generation RAV4 often not taken care of neglected flat out I see so many of them that are completely Fallen apart that makes me wonder what happened so here's a breakdown of that model and what to know about them 2006 to 2008 four-cylinder loves to burn oil they did come up with an updated piston design very expensive repair if this repair has been done this is not a bad carb then the V6 all kinds of oil and coolant leak head gasket coolant leak front time and cover leak and then the biggest one the biggest problem vvti gear rattles very expensive very common in this in this year range then we went to the 2009 to 2012 which they changed the four cylinder great well not really they have an issue with rattle and cold start expensive but doable that's the only thing we're good they also love to burn oil that was the first revision of the 2ar they really love to burn oil and we've done so many of them here rebuilds something becoming a little bit alarming because the number of them clogging catalog converters and the list goes on and on with their suspension falling apart all kinds of stuff that's not a very good model the V6 however from 2009 2012 did get a little bit better especially with the vbti Rattle and cold starts but still there is a tendency of neglecting these and the best part is people who do not neglect these and they have good success with them they usually don't sell them they just pass them to their kids they keep them so you rarely find these in good shape out there be very careful with this year range of this RAV4 then the next one is a single year of the Corolla so 2009 Corolla and very specific the 10 is much better 11 12 13 very good the 2009 that was not a good year for the Corolla they had so many issues vvti Rattle and cold start interior falling apart all kinds of oil leaks coolant leaks water pump going out CV boots leaking just one thing after another one thing after another that's perhaps not the best year if you have one that is running great keep taking care of it because so many of them just completely fall apart and they become they total themselves out you go to 2010 it's much better it's like wait a second it's exactly the same car that was because that was year one they really had a lot of issues in 2009 with that one and then the last worst Toyota of Dubai is actually a Pontiac Vibe some people will laugh right now if you're not familiar with the Pontiac Vibe it is actually a toy or a matrix the Toyota Matrix is a great car but the Pontiac Vibe even though it's exactly the same just let's back up this video a little bit I just told you 2009 Toyota Corolla and matrix by the way the Corolla Matrix are exactly the same they're not a good year to buy the Pontiac Vibe was only two years 2009 and 2010 in the last generation basically you have a non-toyota in the worst Toyota a year and then the 2010 had a 2.4 liter engine which burns oil so here is the magnitude of the problem with the Pontiac Vibe it's a Pontiac it is not a Toyota yes they do have the same Parts but when you go to a Toyota dealership they'll be like we can't sell you Parts this is a Pontiac I understand but there is they can't sell you parts so you're gonna have to basically tell them I have a 2009 Matrix and then you'll sell your parts but you have no warranty on these parts because when they tell you what car did you install it in a Pontiac Vibe well that's not a Toyota there is something very tricky with the Pontiac Vibe in Pontiac of course it's long gone we actually discontinued working on Pontiac Vibes in the shop because of warranty issues I would like to give my people that come through the door proper warranty on the parts and I can't do that because there's no panning to buy parts from and then Toyota if you buy parts from them they don't want warranty it for a Pontiac so basically I have to charge people full price with no warranty that is not ethical and it's best to discontinue working for them and please do not look for cheaper alternatives to Toyotas and find the vibe wait a second it's a Toyota let's buy it they're actually not good they fall apart so quickly and I actually have my doubts that they're even the same quality as the regular Toyotas because they fall apart in a way that is just unbelievable the problem is 2009 was a strange year for the Corolla in The Matrix and equally the vibe there are some parts that are discontinued like throttle body gasket there's a specific throttle body gasket that we've been looking for for one customer that we're we worked on their car and now we have to find we're having a really hard time finding it and that's that was the point where we discontinued working on Vibes at the shop but avoid them they will find them a lot cheaper and you will think wait a second but this is a matrix avoid them because warranty issues and they tend to fall apart very rapidly for some reason [Music] let's talk about some oldies but goodies these are cars that are much older but if you are on a budget you need a second spare car or you're buying a car for your kid these are cars you want to consider but I will advise you one thing be very careful with these because if you don't do your due diligence they could be bad cars because again they are much older first one in that list is 2000 to 2004 Toyota Avalon folks these are really good if they've been taken care of they're a little bit higher on the maintenance side because they do have a timing belt that needs replacement and some odds and ends that they are older rust is really bad for these especially the brake lines that's one thing you want to watch for but if you find one that is somewhat rust free been well taken care of it doesn't have extreme miles these are actually really good to buy and the next one is 2004 to 2006 Toyota Camry V6 specifically the V6 those are really good again you got to be careful the rust careful with leaks they love to leak a lot but if they've been taken care of and people have fixed leaks as they go and you find a good example these can be really good are and equally to that one is 2004 to 2006 es 330. those are basically a Camry they're exactly the same just quieter a little bit nicer inside those are really good but again same thing applies be careful as these are a little bit older car and then the next one is 2005 2008 Toyota Corolla they do have their issues some oil leaks what not but if you find one in a good shape those are actually good cheaper older cars to buy prices for those are soaring because everybody knows they're really good cars that specific year range though 2005 2008 they did have 2003 2004. those did have some issues but if you go over the five to eight that is in good shape rust three these are really good and the last one on our oldies but goodies is the Lexus LS 430. specifically 2004 to 2006. they had a better transmission I actually own a 2001 Lexus LS 430 with 600 000 miles but that doesn't count the transmission on the 2004-2006 is a lot better and overall the car has been improved and in my opinion actually looks better those are good cars to buy however there's a big notice here and disclaimer they are expensive cars to maintain they do eventually fall apart and when they do things get very expensive so if you're gonna buy one of these be ready to splurge on the car they are truly well made and they last so long if you take care of them but when things go of course it's a machine nothing lasts forever when things go things will be a little bit more expensive so perhaps that would be a side toy car they're dried very nicely they're super comfortable but just know that maintenance and repair cost on these if you want to keep them good with by good I mean original parts they can be a little bit on the expensive side and the most important thing regardless of which car you're buying or how good it is and how reliable you're expecting it to be you must get a pre-purchase inspection there are things that sellers can hide about a car but a proper inspection or at least if you cannot get a pre-purchase inspection put it on a lift look around research watch videos understand this car and it's common problems so you can properly check it and not buy yourself one that has every single common problem and then the other thing is was this car taken care of it is really sometimes difficult look I understand when you go buy a car service records are not always available but you want to do your due diligence try to investigate the car look at the Carfax if there are service records call a servicing dealer sometimes they will be nice and they will kind of tell you at least hey this car looks like it's been maintained or oh this car was once here for an oil change that we've never seen it again and there's absolutely no records to really track the maintenance of this car some of the owners I get in the shop God bless them because they keep meticulous records of their cars and this is the kind of car you want to buy you at least understand how it was taken care of what was done where is it at what it's maintenance so you can continue taking care of it and you will have a good car folks I hope this video was helpful informative I hope you learned something new if you like it consider giving it a thumbs up if you're not a subscriber consider subscribing to the channel check out some of my other videos until the next video folks may the Lord bless you and keep you and you have yourself a wonderful day

Channel: The Car Care Nut

Views: 782,308

Keywords: best and worst, best toyota model, worst toyota model, best lexus model, worst lexus model, 2023, toyota, lexus, toyota reliability, lexus reliability, 2023 toyota, 2023 lexus, 2024 toyota, 2024 lexus, lexus gx, lexus tx, toyota 4runner, toyota camry, toyota rav4, toyota tundra, toyota tacoma, the car care nut, should you buy a toyota, toyota problems, lexus problems, land cruiser, lexus lx, lexus rx, scotty kilmer, car wizard, best car to buy, car inspection, mechanic

Id: fDliZpFibIY

Length: 32min 35sec (1955 seconds)

Published: Sat Jun 10 2023