Are Toyotas Expensive to Maintain?
Toyotas are a highly dependable brand with lower-than-average maintenance costs.
Table of Contents
- How much maintenance does my Toyota need?
- How much does maintenance on a Toyota cost?
- Budget: Yaris iA
- Mid-range: 4Runner
- Splurge: 86
- Why maintain your Toyota
- How often does a Toyota require maintenance?
- Oil changes
- Tire replacement
- Engine replacement
- Windshield replacement
- Paint
- Transmission
- Airbags
- Finding cheap car insurance
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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.
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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.
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
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)
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