Daihatsu Hijet Truck: common problems, service schedule and fuel economy
What typically goes wrong on the Daihatsu Hijet Truck, at what mileage, and what keeping it right involves — from Brimly's Vehicle Knowledge Base, where every fault is checked by a human before publication.
Ask the AI about the Daihatsu Hijet Truck- Years
- 1999–present
- Generations
- 4
- Engines
- 6
- Verified faults
- 11
S500P/S510P (2021+, CVT update) · 2021–present
0.66 KF-VE (5-speed manual / CVT) · 46 hp
Known problems
- Worth watching usually from 0 mi (0 km)
Battery negative-terminal bolt may corrode and break (2021-2025 builds)
Symptoms: water thrown up from the road collects at the negative terminal and corrodes the clamp bolt; if it snaps the starter gets no current and the engine will not start
What to do: Ask a Daihatsu dealer to check the frame number; a waterproof cover is added and the bolt replaced free. A truck that suddenly will not crank is worth a look at that terminal first.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil change (naturally aspirated) | every 6,000 mi (10,000 km) or 6 months | Daihatsu accessory page (daihatsu.co.jp, read 2026-10-26): kei cars 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever is first; it is a general kei figure ("one example"), not a Hijet-specific table. Severe use (rough roads, mountain driving, high mileage) halves it to 5,000 km. Check the car's maintenance booklet. |
| Engine oil filter | every 12,000 mi (20,000 km) | Daihatsu recommends a new filter at every second oil change; 20,000 km is that rule applied to the 10,000 km oil interval (turbo: every 10,000 km). |
| CVT fluid Important | every 31,000 mi (50,000 km) | Daihatsu accessory page: CVT fluid is a guide figure of 50,000 km; the page says the fluid type depends on model and production date, so use the one the booklet names. |
| Brake fluid Important | every 24 months | Daihatsu accessory page: replace at every shaken inspection (first at 3 years, then every 2 years), i.e. about every 24 months. |
| Drive belt and air cleaner element | — | No interval sourced. Inspect at each service and replace on condition (squealing belt, dirty element); the intervals are in the paper maintenance booklet. |
| Engine coolant Important | — | No interval stated: Daihatsu's page only says to follow the maintenance booklet and to check concentration (30% normal, 50% cold climate). Not a manufacturer interval. |
| Spark plugs | — | No interval given. Daihatsu says platinum or iridium plugs do not need replacing at a routine inspection; otherwise follow the maintenance booklet. |
S500P/S510P (2014-2021) · 2014–2021
0.66 KF-VE (4-speed automatic) · 53 hp · 0.66 KF-VE (5-speed manual) · 46 hp
Known problems
- Critical usually from 0 mi (0 km)
Automatic gearbox valve body wear and oil leak (2014-2020 builds)
Symptoms: the 4-speed automatic valve body can wear and leak oil, and the control computer may not notice; a large leak can engage a clutch unintentionally and cause a brief sharp slow-down
What to do: Automatic cars only. Ask a Daihatsu dealer to check the frame number; the computer is reflashed and the valve body replaced if it leaks. Manual cars are not affected.
- Critical usually from 0 mi (0 km)
Fuel pump impeller may swell and stall the engine (2017-2019 builds)
Symptoms: the plastic fuel-pump impeller can swell in fuel and rub the pump housing; the pump malfunctions and in the worst case the engine stalls while driving
What to do: Ask a Daihatsu dealer to check the frame number; the pump is replaced free. There are two campaigns for the truck (this one and the May-Sept 2019 builds below). Stalling or hard starting on a car of this age is worth a pump check regardless.
- Critical usually from 0 mi (0 km)
Fuel pump impeller recall, second batch (May-Sept 2019 builds)
Symptoms: same defect as the 2017-2019 batch: a swollen plastic impeller can make the fuel pump malfunction and stall the engine
What to do: Ask a Daihatsu dealer to check the frame number; the pump is replaced free. Builds from 9 May 2019 fall after the window of campaign 4978.
- Worth watching
Frame, cab-floor and bed rust
Symptoms: flaking and perforation of the frame, the forked front frame section, the underfloor, the cab base and the cargo bed, worst on cars used near the sea or on salted winter roads; a badly corroded frame can fail the shaken inspection
What to do: Look under the car and at the frame joints, cab mounts and bed underside before buying or after a hard winter; treat surface rust early with underbody wax or a rust-converter. Prefer cars that never saw salt, and check the frame rails with a hammer tap where they are flaking.
- Worth watching usually from 0 mi (0 km)
Low-floor dump body: hinge pin bolt can loosen (2014-2018 builds)
Symptoms: on low-floor dump bodies the bolt holding the body hinge pin can work loose when tipping, causing noise and in the worst case the pin dropping out on the road
What to do: Only the low-floor dump version of the S510P (4WD) is affected. Ask a Daihatsu dealer to check the frame number; the pin is replaced free.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil change (naturally aspirated) | every 6,000 mi (10,000 km) or 6 months | Daihatsu accessory page (daihatsu.co.jp, read 2026-10-26): kei cars 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever is first; it is a general kei figure ("one example"), not a Hijet-specific table. Severe use (rough roads, mountain driving, high mileage) halves it to 5,000 km. Check the car's maintenance booklet. |
| Engine oil filter | every 12,000 mi (20,000 km) | Daihatsu recommends a new filter at every second oil change; 20,000 km is that rule applied to the 10,000 km oil interval (turbo: every 10,000 km). |
| Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) Important | every 62,000 mi (100,000 km) | Daihatsu accessory page: ATF is a guide figure of 100,000 km. Heavy commercial use (stop-start, loaded) is a good reason to do it earlier. |
| Brake fluid Important | every 24 months | Daihatsu accessory page: replace at every shaken inspection (first at 3 years, then every 2 years), i.e. about every 24 months. |
| Drive belt and air cleaner element | — | No interval sourced. Inspect at each service and replace on condition (squealing belt, dirty element); the intervals are in the paper maintenance booklet. |
| Engine coolant Important | — | No interval stated: Daihatsu's page only says to follow the maintenance booklet and to check concentration (30% normal, 50% cold climate). Not a manufacturer interval. |
| Spark plugs | — | No interval given. Daihatsu says platinum or iridium plugs do not need replacing at a routine inspection; otherwise follow the maintenance booklet. |
S201P/S211P (2007-2014) · 2007–2014
0.66 KF-VE (DOHC DVVT; 5-speed manual / 3-speed automatic) · 50 hp
Known problems
- Critical usually from 0 mi (0 km)
Crankshaft angle sensor may fail and stop the engine (2007-2010 builds)
Symptoms: the coil inside the crank angle sensor can break under repeated high-rpm running; the engine can cut out while driving or refuse to start
What to do: Ask a Daihatsu dealer to check the frame number; the sensor is replaced free. Until it is done, a car that stalls or cranks without firing may be this part.
- Worth watching
Frame, cab-floor and bed rust
Symptoms: flaking and perforation of the frame, the forked front frame section, the underfloor, the cab base and the cargo bed, worst on cars used near the sea or on salted winter roads; a badly corroded frame can fail the shaken inspection
What to do: Look under the car and at the frame joints, cab mounts and bed underside before buying or after a hard winter; treat surface rust early with underbody wax or a rust-converter. Prefer cars that never saw salt, and check the frame rails with a hammer tap where they are flaking.
- Worth watching
Water pump bearing noise on the KF engine
Symptoms: rattling, growling or squealing from the front of the engine at idle and on start-up that follows the engine speed, sometimes with coolant weeping from the pump weep hole; a failed pump can overheat the engine
What to do: Have the pump listened to with a long screwdriver or stethoscope if a noise appears; replace the pump (and the drive belt and coolant, which come off anyway) rather than driving on. On a Hijet the job is described as roughly an hour for a mechanic with the pump and pulley as the main parts. Check the cooling system when buying a high-mileage car.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil change (naturally aspirated) | every 6,000 mi (10,000 km) or 6 months | Daihatsu accessory page (daihatsu.co.jp, read 2026-10-26): kei cars 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever is first; it is a general kei figure ("one example"), not a Hijet-specific table. Severe use (rough roads, mountain driving, high mileage) halves it to 5,000 km. Check the car's maintenance booklet. |
| Engine oil filter | every 12,000 mi (20,000 km) | Daihatsu recommends a new filter at every second oil change; 20,000 km is that rule applied to the 10,000 km oil interval (turbo: every 10,000 km). |
| Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) Important | every 62,000 mi (100,000 km) | Daihatsu accessory page: ATF is a guide figure of 100,000 km. Heavy commercial use (stop-start, loaded) is a good reason to do it earlier. |
| Brake fluid Important | every 24 months | Daihatsu accessory page: replace at every shaken inspection (first at 3 years, then every 2 years), i.e. about every 24 months. |
| Drive belt and air cleaner element | — | No interval sourced. Inspect at each service and replace on condition (squealing belt, dirty element); the intervals are in the paper maintenance booklet. |
| Engine coolant Important | — | No interval stated: Daihatsu's page only says to follow the maintenance booklet and to check concentration (30% normal, 50% cold climate). Not a manufacturer interval. |
| Spark plugs | — | No interval given. Daihatsu says platinum or iridium plugs do not need replacing at a routine inspection; otherwise follow the maintenance booklet. |
S200P/S210P (1999-2007) · 1999–2007
0.66 EF-SE (SOHC, manual) · 45 hp · 0.66 EF-VE (DOHC DVVT) · 53 hp
Known problems
- Worth watching
Frame, cab-floor and bed rust
Symptoms: flaking and perforation of the frame, the forked front frame section, the underfloor, the cab base and the cargo bed, worst on cars used near the sea or on salted winter roads; a badly corroded frame can fail the shaken inspection
What to do: Look under the car and at the frame joints, cab mounts and bed underside before buying or after a hard winter; treat surface rust early with underbody wax or a rust-converter. Prefer cars that never saw salt, and check the frame rails with a hammer tap where they are flaking.
- Worth watching usually from 0 mi (0 km)
Ignition key cylinder may crack (July-Oct 2007 builds)
Symptoms: the ignition (and door) key cylinders were made with too much lead; if muddy water gets in the cylinder weakens and can break so the key can no longer be used
What to do: Ask a Daihatsu dealer to check the frame number; the cylinders are replaced free. If the key turns stiffly or the cylinder is already damaged, do not force it.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil change (naturally aspirated) | every 6,000 mi (10,000 km) or 6 months | Daihatsu accessory page (daihatsu.co.jp, read 2026-10-26): kei cars 10,000 km or 6 months, whichever is first; it is a general kei figure ("one example"), not a Hijet-specific table. Severe use (rough roads, mountain driving, high mileage) halves it to 5,000 km. Check the car's maintenance booklet. |
| Engine oil filter | every 12,000 mi (20,000 km) | Daihatsu recommends a new filter at every second oil change; 20,000 km is that rule applied to the 10,000 km oil interval (turbo: every 10,000 km). |
| Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) Important | every 62,000 mi (100,000 km) | Daihatsu accessory page: ATF is a guide figure of 100,000 km. Heavy commercial use (stop-start, loaded) is a good reason to do it earlier. |
| Brake fluid Important | every 24 months | Daihatsu accessory page: replace at every shaken inspection (first at 3 years, then every 2 years), i.e. about every 24 months. |
| Drive belt and air cleaner element | — | No interval sourced. Inspect at each service and replace on condition (squealing belt, dirty element); the intervals are in the paper maintenance booklet. |
| Engine coolant Important | — | No interval stated: Daihatsu's page only says to follow the maintenance booklet and to check concentration (30% normal, 50% cold climate). Not a manufacturer interval. |
| Spark plugs | — | No interval given. Daihatsu says platinum or iridium plugs do not need replacing at a routine inspection; otherwise follow the maintenance booklet. |
Manufacturer-declared fuel economy
No manufacturer-declared figures for this model are in the Knowledge Base yet. A figure without the cycle it was measured under is not comparable to anything, so we publish none rather than a number you cannot interpret.
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Frequently asked
What are the most common Daihatsu Hijet Truck problems?
The faults reported most often are: Crankshaft angle sensor may fail and stop the engine (2007-2010 builds); Automatic gearbox valve body wear and oil leak (2014-2020 builds); Fuel pump impeller may swell and stall the engine (2017-2019 builds). Symptoms, the mileage each appears at and what to do about it are all above.
How often does the Daihatsu Hijet Truck need servicing?
Engine oil change (naturally aspirated) — every 6,000 mi (10,000 km) or 6 months. The full published schedule is above; your car's own service book always takes precedence.
Where does this data come from?
Brimly's Vehicle Knowledge Base — the same verified facts the app's AI assistant answers from. Every fault is written up from public sources and then checked by a human before it is published; nothing here is generated on the fly.