100 Series Sahara Auto Levelling suspension problems

I posted here a month or so back about problems with my 12 month old Sahara and the auto levelling suspension dropping down on long trips under moderate load. Thought I would update those who gave me advice on Poly air springs etc to solve the problem.

I decided to take Toyota head on over the issue after yet another trip with the family to Fraser Island where all we had was the usual fridge and clothes in the back an no trailer. After 2 hours of driving and less than the handbook load on board, the suspension dropped to the low setting.

I took the car back to Toyota and told them to find the problem or not give the car back. They found a failure on their computer but could not find the physical cause when they conducted the tests. Hence, all they could do was bleed the system and go from there.

I told them that was not satisfactory after learning of others with the issue and that if they could not tell me that it was possible to take my camper trailer to the tip of Cape York in September without the suspension dropping down, then I would be seeking an economic exit strategy from them to get rid of the car. They agreed it was a blight on the Landcruiser brand if the trip I was proposing could not be done in their top of the range vehicle.

The Toyota dealer rang me back a few days later to inform me they have formally written to Toyota in relation to my vehicle to seek a solution as I was not the only customer who has reported this issue. They did refer to the handbook loads and I promptly told them that may be fine but to get a handbook, one must first hand over $80K+ for the vehicle and at no time in the sales process was the issue of load capacity mentioned.

I am due for a follow up and will get in touch with them this week and keep you all informed. I am sticking to my guns that if they cannot solve this problem, I will be seeking for them to help me get out of the vehicle that they sold me and perhaps into a new Sahara or VX (which funnily enough does not have the same suspension any more).

I would be interested to hear from other Sahara owners who have had this issue as I would like to hit Toyota over the head with a few more cases and if possible, force them legally to make a recall and fix the problem.

Cheers

Allan