Toyota Crown years to avoid

How We Rated the Best and Worst Toyota Crown Years

The 2023 Toyota Crown has the most overall complaints, but CarComplaints rates the 2025 model year as worse because of other factors such as higher repair cost or more problems at lower mileage. That distinction matters: CarComplaints ranks years by its PainRank metric (repair cost and mileage at failure), while NHTSA tracks raw complaint volume - and those two rankings point to different years on the Crown.

Our years to avoid methodology draws on NHTSA complaint and recall counts, CarComplaints PainRank, RepairPal reliability ratings, J.D. Power scores, Consumer Reports owner surveys, and Edmunds owner reviews. NHTSA data shows the years with the most recall activity are 2023 (4 recalls), 2025 (3 recalls), and 2024 (3 recalls), while the years with the most NHTSA complaint volume are 2023 (23 complaints) and 2024 (14 complaints).

Important scope note: The Toyota Crown is a nameplate with a very long history in Japan, but this guide covers only the modern US-market generation launched in 2023 - the years used-car shoppers realistically shop today. The pre-2023 Crown was sold exclusively in Japan (and older generations are a separate collector market); those years are not assigned best/worst verdicts here.

Every Toyota Crown Model Year Ranked

The 15th-generation Crown arrived in the US for 2023 as a hybrid-only sedan, and every model year carries the same basic powertrain platform - so differences in verdict come down to complaint volume, recall count, and reported repair severity.

Most Common Toyota Crown Problems

The most-reported problem on CarComplaints is the 2025 Toyota Crown's issue with wiring destroyed by rodents. Beyond that top complaint, NHTSA data surfaces a cluster of electrical and powertrain issues that run across all current-generation model years.

1. Soy-Based Wiring and Rodent Damage

A proposed class action accused Toyota of incorporating soy-based materials in some of its cars' electrical wiring systems, attracting rodents to gnaw the wiring, while Toyota declined to cover repairs under warranty. On the Crown specifically, CarComplaints flags this as the single most-reported problem for the 2025 model year.

Rodent damage to car wiring can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to well over $5,000, depending on the vehicle and the extent of the damage. In one reported case, a dealership diagnosed rodent-chewed wiring and quoted $8,000 to replace the entire harness. Toyota does not cover rodent damage under its standard warranty; comprehensive auto insurance typically does, so confirm your policy before buying a used Crown. As of 2026, no major automaker has been held legally liable in a way that settles the debate over soy-based wiring, but the complaint volume across Toyota's lineup makes it a real pre-purchase consideration. A transmission fluid leak when parked can accompany severe underhood rodent damage if chewed lines affect fluid hoses, so inspect the ground under any used Crown.

2. Rearview and Frontview Camera Water Intrusion (2023)

Toyota recalled certain 2023 Crown vehicles equipped with rearview and/or frontview cameras because, due to insufficient laser welding, the camera cases may separate, allowing water to leak in and short-circuit the cameras; the images may not appear on the displays or may display a distorted image.

Dealers replace the affected cameras free of charge. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview and frontview cameras as necessary, free of charge, with owner letters mailed August 9, 2024. If you're buying a used 2023 Crown, confirm this recall is completed by running the VIN through the NHTSA lookup before signing.

3. Instrument Panel Software Failure (2023-2025)

Toyota recalled certain 2023-2025 Crown vehicles because, due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights - increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Dealers update the instrument panel software for non-PHEV vehicles free of charge. This was a software-only fix and does not indicate a deeper hardware defect, but confirm the repair is on record before purchase. Owners also report the main instrument panel locking on "Experience Drive Connect" when starting the vehicle and occasionally while driving, with the screen sometimes remaining locked after multiple shut-downs and causing loss of critical functions.

4. Hybrid System and Powertrain Hesitation

Owners of 2023 and 2024 Crown models report that after coming to a complete stop and trying to accelerate, the vehicle begins to proceed and then suddenly stops moving; some 2024 Crown Platinum owners specifically report random loss of power or torque when merging into traffic from a complete stop, with no torque available to reach posted speed - a significant safety concern when pulling into oncoming traffic.

A Toyota Service Bulletin exists for the same hesitation issue on the Toyota Highlander (TSB-0017-24), which addresses hesitation felt while accelerating at low speeds, and the fix involves a software update for the engine control unit. No Crown-specific TSB number was confirmed in research for this fault; ask your dealer to check for any open software campaigns before purchase. A car hesitating to start or hesitating under acceleration shares a diagnostic path with this low-speed torque interruption.

5. Rearview Camera Display Freeze (2022-2026 PVM-Equipped Vehicles)

Toyota recalled certain 2022-2026 Toyota vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system because a software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or display a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. The NHTSA campaign number for this recall is 25V-744. Confirm your specific VIN is remedied, as this recall spans a wide model-year range.

6. Parking Assist Software Issue (2024-2025)

Dealers update the parking assist software free of charge for this recall, with interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk expected to be mailed December 16, 2025, and additional letters to be sent once the final remedy is available; Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. The parking assist system can engage unexpectedly, as one owner complaint describes the vehicle accelerating into a garage wall with a foot lightly on the brake.

Which Toyota Crown Years Should You Avoid

The Toyota Crown years to avoid are 2023 and 2025. The 2023 Crown leads in raw complaint volume on CarComplaints, but CarComplaints rates the 2025 as the worse year overall because of higher repair cost and problems appearing at lower mileage - two different measures that make both years worth skipping if you have a choice. NHTSA data confirms 2023 carries the most recall campaigns at 4, followed by 2025 and 2024 with 3 each.

**Worst Toyota Crown years:** 2023, 2025

15th-Generation Toyota Crown (2023-present)

NHTSA complaint volume concentrates in 2023 (23 complaints) and 2024 (14 complaints). The 2023's elevated count is driven primarily by the camera water-intrusion recall, the instrument panel software recall, and early rodent-wiring complaints. Top recall themes across the generation are Other, Brakes, and Electrical, while the most reported complaint areas are Engine, Powertrain, and Structure. The 2025 earns CarComplaints' worst-year designation because its complaints tend to occur at lower mileage and carry higher repair costs than the 2023's.

What Are the Best Toyota Crown Years to Buy

The best Toyota Crown years to buy are 2024 and 2026. The 2024 Toyota Crown has 3 NHTSA recalls for equipment and 10 owner complaints - a significantly lighter load than the 2023 - and its recalls are all software-based remedies with no hardware replacement required. The 2026 Toyota Crown scores 88 out of 100 for reliability with 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

**Most reliable Toyota Crown years:** 2024, 2026

2024 Toyota Crown

The 2024 Toyota Crown has an excellent reliability score, with 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints noted in certain reliability-tracking datasets, while NHTSA's own raw complaint records show 10 owner complaints - a modest figure for a popular sedan in its second model year. The recalls it carries (instrument panel software, load-label, parking assist) were all resolved with software updates or mailed label replacements at no charge. If your budget targets this generation, 2024 is the safest entry point.

2026 Toyota Crown

Toyota Crown models from 2023 to 2026 demonstrate excellent reliability, with scores ranging from 84 to 88 out of 100 and consistently achieving a 5-star NHTSA safety rating. The 2026 sits at the top of that range. RepairPal rates the Toyota Crown at 4.5 out of 5.0 for reliability, above average for mid-range sedans, meaning lower expected repair frequency and cost compared to similar vehicles. For buyers who want the cleanest possible ownership history, the 2026 is the pick of the range.

Toyota Crown Submodel Years to Avoid

The Toyota Crown's US-market lineup includes the base grades (XLE, Limited, Nightshade) and the top-tier Crown Platinum; each is assessed on its own record below.

Toyota Crown Platinum Years to Avoid

The Crown Platinum is offered from 2023 onward and is mechanically distinct from the base Crown: it pairs a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and rear-mounted motor for standard all-wheel drive (the Hybrid Max system), compared to the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated hybrid in the XLE and Limited trims.

The 2024 Crown Platinum has drawn specific NHTSA complaints about random loss of power or torque when merging into traffic from a complete stop, with the vehicle jerking and then accelerating 3-4 seconds after pressing down the throttle. This powertrain hesitation complaint is reported on the Platinum specifically; base-trim complaint patterns are broader (electrical, structure). No Crown Platinum-specific recall has been identified in research separate from the platform-wide campaigns already covered above.

Although the 2023 Crown has the most overall complaints on CarComplaints, the Platinum's complaint volume within those years is too low to produce a statistically reliable avoid-year ranking on its own. No Crown Platinum model year has yet accumulated enough complaint data to flag one year decisively over another. The buyer check that matters most: verify the Hybrid Max powertrain's low-speed torque behavior during a test drive, specifically from a full stop in traffic, and confirm all platform-wide recalls are closed on the specific VIN.

Toyota Crown Pre-Purchase Checklist

Before buying any used Crown, work through this list:

• Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall checker to confirm every open campaign - especially the camera water-intrusion recall (2023), instrument panel software recall (2023-2025), parking assist recall (2024-2025, Toyota numbers 25TB13/25LB06), and the PVM rearview camera freeze recall (25V-744, covering 2022-2026 PVM-equipped vehicles) - is closed before purchase.
• On 2023 models, verify the camera recall is complete. Toyota recalled 2023 Crown vehicles for insufficient laser welding in the camera cases, which allows water to leak in and short-circuit the rearview and frontview cameras. Ask for the dealer paperwork confirming the cameras were replaced.
• Test the low-speed acceleration on any Crown Platinum. Pull away from a full stop and attempt to accelerate quickly; the powertrain hesitation complaint on 2024 Platinum models appears from rest, so a parking-lot test simulating a merge will tell you a lot.
• Inspect the engine bay for signs of rodent activity. Several class-action lawsuits have alleged that soy-based wiring attracts rodents, leading to chewed electrical systems and thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs. Look for chewed insulation, droppings, or nesting material near the wiring harness.
• Confirm your comprehensive insurance covers rodent damage. Toyota does not cover rodent-chewed wiring under its factory warranty, and repair costs can range from a few hundred to over $5,000.
• Ask for the full service record to verify the powertrain warranty (5 years/60,000 miles on a new car) is still active and that no open recalls were left unaddressed by the previous owner.
• Check the instrument cluster at startup on 2023-2025 models to verify vehicle speed, brake warnings, and tire pressure indicators display normally - the instrument panel software recall addressed a failure to show these at startup.

Better Alternatives to Consider

If the Crown years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Toyota Camry - a longer US production run with a clearer year-by-year reliability record and a comparable hybrid powertrain

• Toyota Highlander - if you need more cargo space and want to stay within Toyota's hybrid ecosystem, with a longer US complaint history to evaluate

• Lexus ES - shares platform DNA with Toyota's large-sedan hybrids and carries a stronger predicted reliability record at a comparable price point

• Honda Accord Hybrid - well-established hybrid sedan with a longer US reliability dataset, useful if you want to compare avoid years before committing

Is the Toyota Crown Worth Buying

Yes - with a clear preference for the 2024 or 2026 model year. The NHTSA showcases that the Toyota Crown's safety rating is a strong point, with the frontal crash and side crash each receiving five out of five stars and the rollover scoring four out of five stars. J.D. Power's Toyota Crown reliability rating scored 81 out of 100, with 82 out of 100 for driving experience and 86 out of 100 for resale value. The 2023 and 2025 years are worth avoiding because of elevated complaint volume and recall counts, not because the Crown is a fundamentally troubled car. Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker and verify maintenance history before closing any deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Toyota Crown years to buy?

The best Toyota Crown years to buy are 2024 and 2026. The 2026 scores 88 out of 100 for reliability with 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints, while the 2024 carries a lighter complaint count than the 2023 and its three recalls were all resolved through software updates.

What are the worst years for the Toyota Crown?

The worst years for the Toyota Crown are 2023 and 2025. The 2023 has the most overall complaints on CarComplaints, while CarComplaints rates the 2025 model year as worse based on higher repair cost and problems appearing at lower mileage. NHTSA complaint volume peaks at 2023 with 23 complaints, followed by 2024 with 14.

Which year Toyota Crown is most reliable?

The 2026 Toyota Crown is the most reliable pick in the current generation. It scores 88 out of 100 for reliability with 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints on record. The 2024 is the most reliable used buy if you prefer a model year with more on-road time to assess.

What year Toyota Crown has the most wiring and electrical problems?

The 2025 Toyota Crown is the top-cited model year for wiring destroyed by rodents on CarComplaints, while the 2023 also draws electrical complaints tied to the camera water-intrusion recall and the instrument panel software recall. Class-action suits have alleged that Toyota's soy-based wiring insulation attracts rodents, leading to chewed electrical systems and thousands of dollars in vehicle repairs, though no recall covering this defect has been issued. Owners researching this issue benefit from clear editorial guidelines for vehicle research that distinguish between confirmed recalls, open class-action allegations, and anecdotal complaints - categories that carry very different weight when evaluating a used car.

How long does a Toyota Crown last?

RepairPal rates the Toyota Crown at 4.5 out of 5.0 for reliability, above average for mid-range sedans, indicating lower expected repair frequency and cost compared to similar vehicles. Toyota's hybrid system carries a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty on new cars, and Toyota hybrid batteries broadly have a strong long-term track record. With regular maintenance and a clean ownership history, a Crown can realistically reach well past 150,000 miles.