The 2020 Toyota Crown is a luxury sedan sold primarily in Japan and select Asian markets, built on the TNGA-N platform. Generally reliable, but the 8AR-FTS turbo four has known oil consumption and carbon buildup issues, while hybrid variants are solid with occasional transmission cooler and mount concerns.
8AR-FTS Turbo Engine Oil Consumption & Carbon Buildup
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Low oil level between changes, burning oil smell, Rough idle, misfires, loss of power on acceleration, Check engine light with P0300-P0304 misfire codes, Hesitation or stumbling when cold
Fix: Direct injection engines are prone to intake valve carbon deposits. Walnut blasting the intake valves takes 3-4 hours. If oil consumption is severe (>1 qt per 1,000 mi), may require piston ring replacement or short block, adding 12-18 hours labor. Preventive: frequent oil changes with quality synthetic.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for carbon cleaning; $4,000-7,000 for ring or engine work
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks (Hybrid Models)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under vehicle, usually front-center, Low fluid warning on dash or erratic shifting, Pink/red fluid visible near radiator area, Overheating transmission if driven low on fluid
Fix: Cooler lines or fittings corrode or crack where they connect to the radiator assembly. Replacement involves draining CVT fluid, removing lines, installing new OEM lines, refilling with Toyota CVT-FE fluid. 2-3 hours labor. Flush recommended if contamination suspected.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Transmission Mount Failure
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Vibration felt through cabin at idle, especially in drive, Excessive engine movement visible when revving in park, Noticeable on aggressive acceleration or braking
Fix: Rubber isolator in transmission mount deteriorates, allowing excessive drivetrain movement. Front or rear mount replacement takes 1.5-2.5 hours depending on access. Often recommended to do both mounts if one has failed. OEM Toyota parts strongly preferred for NVH control.
Estimated cost: $350-650 per mount
Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Wear (8AR-FTS)
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling or whirring noise from front of engine on cold start, Check engine light with P0016/P0017 cam/crank correlation codes, Loss of power, rough running, stalling in severe cases, Noise disappears after engine warms up (early stage)
Fix: 8AR-FTS can stretch timing chain if oil changes neglected or extended intervals used. Requires timing chain, guides, tensioners, and VVT gears. 8-12 hours labor, valve timing must be reset. Catastrophic failure can bend valves. Inspect at 60k if oil change history unknown.
Estimated cost: $2,500-4,500
Hydraulic Lifter Noise and Wear
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Ticking or tapping from valve cover area, worse when cold, Noise may quiet down after engine reaches operating temp, No performance loss but noise is annoying, Can affect one or multiple cylinders
Fix: Lifters can wear or stick, especially if oil changes stretched. Individual lifter replacement possible but often all 16 are done on the 8AR-FTS to prevent comebacks. Requires valve cover removal, camshaft R&R. 6-8 hours for all lifters. Use only OEM Toyota lifters and fresh oil.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Hybrid Battery Cooling Fan Failure (Hybrid Models)
Rare · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Hybrid system warning light with reduced power, Whirring or grinding noise from rear seat or trunk area, Battery overheat protection kicks in, limits EV mode, Fan not audible when hybrid system active
Fix: The NiMH hybrid battery has a dedicated cooling fan that can fail or become clogged with debris. Replacement involves rear seat removal, cleaning air intake filter (if clogged), and fan motor replacement. 2-3 hours labor. Clean filter every 30k to extend fan life.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Hybrid variants are the safer bet for longevity; avoid turbo 8AR-FTS models without documented frequent oil changes or budget $2-3k for deferred maintenance.
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.