The 2021 Toyota Century is Japan's ultra-luxury flagship with a 5.0L hybrid V8 (2UR-FSE). While the platform is reliable by Toyota standards, the complexity of its hybrid system and the hand-assembled nature of certain components means repairs are expensive and parts availability can be challenging outside Japan.
Hybrid Battery Thermal Management System Failures
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Hybrid system warning lights and reduced power mode, Poor fuel economy as system relies more on gas engine, Battery cooling fan running constantly or not at all, Check hybrid system message on multi-information display
Fix: Hybrid battery cooling pump or fan motor replacement requires removing rear seat and hybrid battery access panels. 6-8 hours labor due to complexity and weight of components. Sometimes requires battery reconditioning or full replacement if thermal damage occurred.
Estimated cost: $3,500-8,500
Direct Injection Carbon Buildup on Intake Valves
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Rough idle especially when cold, Hesitation or stumble on acceleration from stop, Reduced fuel economy (2-3 mpg drop), Occasional misfire codes (P0300-P0308)
Fix: Walnut blasting intake valves requires removing intake manifold and throttle bodies. 8-10 hours labor because of tight engine bay packaging with hybrid components. This is a direct-injection design with no port injection to keep valves clean.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid spots under vehicle near front, Low transmission fluid warning or delayed engagement, Burnt fluid smell if driven low, Reddish fluid visible on cooler lines or radiator area
Fix: Corroded or damaged cooler lines where they connect to radiator. Requires removing undertray and sometimes front bumper for access. Lines are dealer-only parts. 3-4 hours labor plus full fluid flush with Toyota Type-IV fluid.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Harmonic Balancer Deterioration
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Belt squealing that changes with RPM, Vibration felt through steering wheel at idle, Visible rubber separation or wobble on balancer, Accessory belt wear or tracking issues
Fix: Rubber ring separates from hub causing severe vibration and potential timing disruption. Requires special puller and installer tools. 4-5 hours labor due to tight access with hybrid motor-generator mounted at front of engine. Critical to replace before catastrophic failure.
Estimated cost: $1,400-2,200
Air Suspension Compressor and Strut Failures
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Vehicle sitting low at one corner or entire rear, Suspension warning light and ride height error messages, Compressor running excessively or not at all, Harsh ride quality as system defaults to failure mode
Fix: Air struts develop leaks in bladders or compressor wears out. Struts are 3-4 hours each, compressor is 2-3 hours. Parts are Japan-import only with 4-6 week lead times. Compressor relay failures are also common and cheaper to diagnose first.
Estimated cost: $2,800-5,500
Inverter Cooling System Leaks
Rare · high severitySymptoms: Pink hybrid coolant puddles under vehicle center, Hybrid system overheat warnings, Reduced electric motor power or failure to start in EV mode, Coolant reservoir level dropping without external engine leaks
Fix: Separate cooling loop for hybrid inverter develops leaks at pump or heat exchanger. Diagnosis requires pressure testing isolated system. 6-9 hours labor, parts availability terrible outside Japan. Some techs have resorted to custom-fabricating lines.
Estimated cost: $4,000-7,500
Only buy if you have access to a Toyota specialist familiar with hybrid systems and accept that parts delays and $3k-8k repairs are part of ownership — this is a hand-built luxury vehicle, not a Camry.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.