Daihatsu Taft: common problems, service schedule and fuel economy
What typically goes wrong on the Daihatsu Taft, 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.
- Years
- 2020–present
- Generations
- 1
- Engines
- 2
- Verified faults
- 4
LA900/LA910 (DNGA) · 2020–present
0.66 KF (NA) · 52 hp · 0.66 KF turbo · 64 hp
Known problems
- Good to know
2023 Daihatsu safety-certification testing irregularities (context)
Symptoms: not a mechanical fault of the car — a corporate-conduct issue disclosed in 2023
What to do: Be aware that in 2023 Daihatsu disclosed irregularities in some safety-certification tests spanning many years, which triggered a temporary production and shipment halt. Independent investigation and re-testing reported the affected vehicles still met occupant-protection standards. Treat it as background context, not a specific defect of an individual car.
- Good to know
D-CVT — service the fluid, limited long-term history
Symptoms: no widespread failure pattern yet; the concern is neglected fluid on this newer split-gear transmission leading to shudder or wear at high mileage
What to do: Keep the D-CVT fluid serviced on schedule (sooner under heavy city, heat or light off-road use) and have any shudder or hesitation checked early. This split-gear "dual-mode" CVT is relatively new, so long-term durability data is still building — fluid care is the main preventive step.
- Good to know
Raised-kei stability, noise and light construction
Symptoms: sensitivity to crosswinds and lorry wash at motorway speed from the tall, raised body, a fair amount of road and engine noise, and the modest crash protection of a light kei car; the large fixed "Sky Feel" glass roof can add cabin heat in strong sun
What to do: Ease off in strong side winds and leave extra braking margin — this is a light, tall 660cc crossover, not a full-size SUV, and its off-road ability is light-duty. Use the roof shade in hot sun.
- Good to know usually from 50,000 mi (80,000 km)
KF oil consumption / chain-cover weep (watch item)
Symptoms: possible minor oil seepage at the timing-chain cover and a modestly rising oil appetite between changes at higher mileage
What to do: Check the oil level regularly and keep fresh, correct-grade oil in it — the chain relies on clean oil and a clear oil jet, and the turbo is harder on oil. Reseal any weeping cover before it drips.
Service schedule
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin filter | every 9,000 mi (15,000 km) | — |
| Engine oil & filter change | every 9,000 mi (15,000 km) or 12 months | a small 660cc triple that works hard — shorten to ~5000-7500 km for short-trip/city use, and sooner on the turbo |
| Air filter | every 19,000 mi (30,000 km) | — |
| D-CVT fluid important | every 37,000 mi (60,000 km) | the DNGA D-CVT adds a mechanical split gear; treat the fluid as serviceable (roughly 50k severe, up to ~100k normal) rather than fill-for-life |
| Spark plugs | every 62,000 mi (100,000 km) | iridium on the NA; roughly halve on the turbo |
| Brake fluid important | every 24 months | — |
| Timing chain (no belt) | — | the KF is chain-driven — no scheduled belt; keep the oil fresh and investigate any cold-start rattle |
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 Taft problems?
The faults reported most often are: 2023 Daihatsu safety-certification testing irregularities (context); D-CVT — service the fluid, limited long-term history; Raised-kei stability, noise and light construction. Symptoms, the mileage each appears at and what to do about it are all above.
How often does the Daihatsu Taft need servicing?
Engine oil & filter change — every 9,000 mi (15,000 km) or 12 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.