A used Toyota Pickup, the truck sold elsewhere as the Hilux, is a good buy when the frame is solid, the steering recall has been handled and the title matches the truck. The big recall on file is NHTSA campaign 05V389000, filed June 9, 2005, which covers a steering relay rod that can develop a fatigue crack on 1989 to 1995 Pickup and 4Runner trucks and 1993 to 1998 T100s, a population of 977,839 vehicles. These trucks have a reputation for running forever, and sellers price that in. So your job is to find out whether this one has actually been kept up or just kept running.
Pickup or Hilux
In the US, Toyota sold this truck as the Toyota Pickup until the Tacoma took over. The Hilux name was used in most other markets, per Wikipedia's Hilux entry. That matters because some trucks advertised as a Hilux are imports, often right-hand drive and often with kilometers on the cluster. An imported truck needs import paperwork and a clean state title, and our grey-market import title guide explains what to look for. For a US truck, the title should show Toyota and a 17-character VIN for 1981 and later.
The steering recall
Campaign 05V389000 is the one to ask about. NHTSA's summary says the steering relay rod can crack from fatigue, and a failed rod can affect steering control. Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup. If it shows open, a Toyota dealer is the place to ask, though parts for trucks this age are not guaranteed. On the test drive, feel for wander, clunks over bumps in the road and play in the wheel. Other entries under this model are mostly aftermarket lamp recalls, which do not apply to the truck itself.
Rust and frame checks
Get under the truck. Look at the frame rails near the rear leaf spring hangers, the crossmembers and the cab corners. Surface rust is normal on a truck this old; flaking, holes or fresh undercoating sprayed over soft metal are not. Check the bed floor and the wheel arches. If the truck has a lift, find out who installed it and whether the steering geometry was corrected. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is worth it here.
Engine and drivetrain
Many of these trucks run the 22R-E four-cylinder or the 3.0-liter V6, and plenty have had engine swaps. Ask which engine it has and match it to the paperwork. Listen for timing chain rattle on a cold start, check for oil leaks, and on four-wheel-drive trucks engage 4WD and make sure it engages and releases cleanly. A transfer case that pops out is not a small fix.
Paperwork for a truck this age
Older trucks change hands a lot, often for cash, and paperwork gets lost along the way. If the seller offers a bill of sale and a promise to mail the title later, stop there. Ask to see the title in person, check that the VIN on it matches the dash plate and the door jamb, and look for a lien that was never released. A truck sold as a farm or ranch vehicle may have spent years unregistered, which leaves gaps in any history report. We have seen sellers explain a missing title as a simple lost paper when the truck was actually tied to an unpaid loan, so ask the state for a title record if anything feels thin. Our lien release guide covers how to check.
Odometer and history
Five-digit odometers on older trucks roll over at 99,999, so a truck showing 60,000 miles may have 160,000 or 260,000. A history report and old inspection records help. If it is an import, read our kilometer to mile odometer fraud guide before you trust the number.
When to walk away
- The frame has holes or soft spots near the spring hangers.
- The title shows a different VIN or a different make.
- A Hilux import has no customs or import paperwork.
- The steering is loose and the seller has no record of the recall fix.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the steering relay rod recall been done?
- Is this a US-market Pickup or an imported Hilux?
- Has the odometer rolled over or been replaced?
- Any engine swap or lift kit, and who installed it?
How to price it
Clean four-wheel-drive trucks with records sell for far more than worn two-wheel-drive work trucks, and the spread is wide. Compare sold trucks with the same drive, engine and cab, then take off real money for frame rust and missing records. Do not pay a collector price for a truck with a rusty frame.
What the report costs
As of early November 2026 a CARFAX bought direct usually costs around $44.99, and AutoCheck sits a little lower. We are a licensed CARFAX and AutoCheck reseller, not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Our guest price has been about $5.50 a report, about $4.50 for members, and about $6.75 for a CARFAX and AutoCheck bundle. Confirm the price at checkout, since it can change.
On a car this old, read the report for title brands and odometer readings first; service entries are often thin.
Sources
- Toyota Hilux, Wikipedia
- NHTSA recall lookup (campaign 05V389000)
- NMVTIS, U.S. Department of Justice
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