Toyota FJ Cruiser Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 907 consumer complaints across the 8 model years of the Toyota FJ Cruiser (2007–2014) that have at least 5 complaints. 2007 has the most, with 593. Across all years, the part named most often is body and structure (332 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst FJ Cruiser years →
All FJ Cruiser model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 30 | 31,110 | 5 | 197 | 1 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 23 | 20,500 | 4 | 205 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 41 | 6,850 | 4 | 203 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2011 | 23 | 15,000 | 6 | 206 | — | Stable |
| 2010 | 66 | 14,500 | 10 | 190 | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 7 | 68,000 | 10 | 172 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 124 | 30,300 | 9 | 165 | 72 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 593 | 53,000 | 8 | 162 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Body and structure332 34%
- Brakes136 14%
- Suspension121 12%
- Other or unknown121 12%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)92 9.4%
- Transmission and drivetrain65 6.6%
- Steering63 6.4%
- Fuel system51 5.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2012: “I am one of the many who are experiencing rust problems with my fj. Recently had to have all calipers replaced due to rust. Oil pan cover and components around it are starting to show significant rust. Rust is in the early stages in several areas of the frame but very early stages. I am concerned that the rust will begin to affect the safety of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11301602, filed 2020-01, 80,000 miles2007: “I have been having nothing, but problems with keeping my fj alive. It won't even keep a hold longer than a few hours. I have also had problems with the fuel tank as I can never go lower than 1/4 of a tank because it will die. I have read that other fjs have had their fuel pumps replaced under recall and I would like mine done as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11363755, filed 2020-10, 169,300 miles2008: “My steering had become stiff, no steering fluid leaks or issues with the rack, dealer drove vehicle said nothing it wrong. I got home and took a better look, the u joints on the lower intermediate steering shaft are rusted and rotted. The steering in noticeably tight and has trouble returning to center.”
NHTSA complaint #11403423, filed 2021-03, 137,000 milesOther Toyota models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology