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Buying guide

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 Series (2002 to 2009): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 Series was built from 2002 to 2009 as an SUV, with a manual or automatic gearbox, four wheel drive and petrol or diesel power. Chassis codes: KDJ120, KDJ125, GRJ120, TRJ120 and RZJ120. Redline has a curated guide to its 5 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2002 to 2009
Chassis codes
KDJ120, KDJ125, GRJ120, TRJ120, RZJ120
Body types
SUV
Gearboxes
Manual, Automatic
Drive
4WD (four wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 Series (2002 to 2009). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. 1KD-FTV injector seals and oil pickup

    The 3.0 turbo diesel injector seals leak, letting gases into the oil that build carbon and block the oil pickup, leading to engine failure.

    Where to look
    The injector seal history, and the oil pickup in the sump
    How to test
    Have a workshop check the oil pickup with a probe through the sump drain plug; carbon on it makes the engine suspect. Ask for injector seal invoices.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost a replacement engine costs about $15,000

    Sources: draft.carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab), 4x4australia.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  2. Injectors sticking open

    Injectors can fail outright or stick open, flooding a cylinder with fuel.

    Where to look
    The injectors on top of the engine, and injector invoices
    How to test
    Listen for a rough idle and knock, and ask whether the injectors have been replaced.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost injectors, and engine damage if one sticks

    Sources: 4x4australia.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  3. Cracked dashboard

    The dash cracks on the passenger side round the passenger airbag and the cracks spread.

    Where to look
    The passenger side of the dash top
    How to test
    Look closely at the dash top round the airbag cover.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost a new dash fascia

    Sources: draft.carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  4. Split rear door

    The rear door skin splits along the hinge side, blamed on the weight of the door and the spare wheel.

    Where to look
    The rear door skin along the hinge side
    How to test
    Open the rear door and look along the hinge side for cracks in the skin.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost a new door

    Sources: draft.carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  5. Self levelling rear suspension (Grande)

    The Grande's self levelling rear suspension makes aftermarket suspension harder and dearer to fit.

    Where to look
    The rear suspension on Grande models
    How to test
    Check the rear sits level and ask whether the suspension is original.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost specialist parts

    Sources: 4x4australia.com.au (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 1 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Service items

Questions to ask the seller

  • When were the injector seals last done, and at what km?
  • Have the injectors been replaced, and when?
  • Has the oil pickup ever been checked for carbon?
  • Is it the 3.0 diesel or the 4.0 V6?
  • Has the dash or rear door been repaired?

New Zealand notes

  • NZ owners replace the 3.0 diesel injector seals every 45,000 km. Ask for those invoices.

A 120 suits a family that wants a capable mid size 4WD wagon; the 4.0 V6 avoids the diesel injector questions.

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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