Japanese carmaker Toyota is renowned for making durable, long-lasting cars—and the numbers bear this out. Toyotas rate as very reliable vehicles with lower-than-average ownership costs. The average Toyota needs just $441 annually to cover any fixes, compared to $652 per year for the average car.

That said, it is unreasonable to expect you’ll pay barely anything in maintenance costs once you drive a new Toyota home from the dealership. Every car needs maintenance, and to keep your Toyota running like new, you’ll have to take it to the repair shop on a regularly scheduled basis. You should know, however, that each Toyota’s maintenance needs will vary from one car to the next.

To make sure you know everything necessary to keep your Toyota on the road,

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How much maintenance does my Toyota need?

While every car—including your Toyota—will need regular maintenance, a Toyota driver’s unscheduled visits to the repair shop will likely be lower than for most cars.

Toyota owners bring their cars in for unscheduled maintenance an average of 0.3 times per year, slightly lower than the average of 0.4 for most cars on the road. About 12% of those visits will be deemed severe, right in line with the average across all makes.

MORE:

Basic car maintenance schedule

How much does maintenance on a Toyota cost?

Toyotas offer great bang for their buck, as the average Toyota costs just $441 per year on average in maintenance costs. That is significantly lower than the $652 in yearly maintenance costs for most cars.

Still, maintenance costs will differ from one Toyota to another, so we’ve put together the average costs of some of the most popular Toyotas on the road today.

Budget: Yaris iA

Reliability: 4.4/5 ( above average)

Annual maintenance cost: $266

Repair frequency: 1.0/y

Mid-range: 4Runner

Reliability: 4/5 (above average)

Annual maintenance cost: $492

Repair frequency: Every 5,000 miles

Splurge: 86

Reliability: 4/5 (average)

Annual maintenance cost: $755

Repair frequency: no estimates

Why maintain your Toyota

There are many reasons to keep your Toyota in top shape, amongst them:

Keeping its driving performance at a high level

Ensure you keep yourself and passengers safe while in your Toyota

Maintain a high potential resale value for your Toyota

Prevent any potential mechanical, electrical, or wear issues further down the road

If you neglect your Toyota’s maintenance needs, you’re opening yourself up to more future repairs, not to mention the cumulative costs of preventable vehicle issues.

Key Takeaway On average, more expensive Toyotas have higher maintenance costs than cheaper Toyota vehicles.

How often does a Toyota require maintenance?

Mileage	Service	Average cost
Every 10,000 miles	Minor maintenance service: oil and filter change, tire rotation, safety inspection	$179 to $198
Every 20,000 miles	Fluid leak inspection, abnormal noise check, possible brake pad replacement	$179 to $198
Every 30,000 miles	Replace automatic differential fluid, engine coolant, transmission fluid; potential timing belt replacement, spark plug replacement	$474 to $560
Every 40,000 miles	Service any recalls or fix any issues before the warranty expires	$179 to $198
Every 60,000 miles	Comprehensive safety inspection; service any recalls; potentially replaces tires, brake pads, and drive belts	$563 to $668

Oil changes

When: Should be done between every 5,000 to 7,500 miles

Cost: $25 to $50

Why: Oil changes are necessary to remove excess dirt from engine walls and to promote optimal engine function

DIY?: Yes—if you have the right equipment and knowledge

Tire replacement

When: NHTSA recommends drivers replace their vehicle’s tires every six years, regardless of how many miles driven or wear on the tires

Cost: $150 to $500

Why: When tires wear out, handling ability slips, especially in wet weather

DIY?: No—let professionals swap out your tires to ensure even wear and a smooth driving experience

Engine replacement

When: If your Toyota’s engine is cracked, if the engine is damaged in an accident, or if it has run its course due to heavy use

Cost: $3,000 to $5,000

Why: A proper functioning engine will ensure a smooth drive

DIY?: No—take your car to a certified professional if it needs a new engine

Windshield replacement

When: If your windshield has serious cracks or blemishes; if the cracks reach the windshield’s outer border; if the crack goes halfway-deep into the windshield

Cost: ~$300

Why: Driving with a cracked windshield can be dangerous because your sight can be hindered

DIY?: No—installing a windshield is a delicate task that should be done by professionals

Paint

When: If you notice peeling or discolored paint on your car

Cost: $300 to $2,000

Why: Paint helps maintain a car’s structural integrity, prevents corrosion and rust build-up, and helps maintain potential resale value

DIY?: Maybe—but a professional-looking paint job requires specific equipment, specialized training, and time

MORE:

How to know if a mechanic is taking too long with car repairs

Transmission

When: At some point between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, your transmission may begin to fail

Cost: $800 to $3400

Why: Your car’s transmission is responsible for distributing the appropriate amount of power to each wheel, depending on the speed

DIY?: No—replacing a transmission can be difficult, so get a professional to replace it for you

Airbags

When: If a recall is issued for airbag repairs; if the car is between 15-20 years old

Cost: $50 to $600

Why: Safety issues—faulty airbags can deploy explosively and cause injury or even death in rare cares; in Toyotas 15-20 years old, the propellant that deploys the airbag can degrade with time

DIY?: No—only allow professionals to repair or replace airbags

Finding cheap car insurance

While Toyota is known for building reliable cars, a Toyota will only keep you on the road so long as you take care of it as set out by the manufacturer. Along with regular maintenance, an expansive (but not expensive)

car insurance

plan is a stellar way to make sure your vehicle is protected even in the most unusual circumstances.

With

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Once you pick your policy, Jerry takes care of all the paperwork so you don’t have to. That means that we take care of signing you up to your new policy, canceling your old one, and automatically searching for better rates on your behalf before each renewal period. You don’t need to lift a finger—Jerry’s got you (and your car) covered.

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