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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
51about this part
Share
9%of 593 total for the year
Median mileage
80,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 9% of the 593 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“When I cruise on a highway around 70mph, my car suddenly lost power. I was very scared but tried to move the car to curb, then the car died. One minute later I tried to restart the car but failed. I called the road assistance service. When they came and poured in one gallon gas in the car, then the car was started. The problem is that before the car died, the fuel indicator pointer pointed at the a quarter position. The fuel empty warning light was not on.”

NHTSA complaint #11316513, filed 2020-03, 140,000 miles

“Read differential has failed. Years affected are 2007-2009. In 2010 Toyota issued an updated stronger version of the differential. When differential fails it can lock up both wheels at high speeds thus losing control. There are over 2000 complaints online and over 10000 complaints with Toyota alone. It is not only costly it is very dangerous. Mine broke at 40 MPH and I ended up in a ditch. What if I had been doing 60 or 70”

NHTSA complaint #11023558, filed 2017-09, 12,000 miles

“I bought this car when the mileage was 36000. I still own this truck, the problem I have with this vehicle is too much noise coming from the rear side. I took it to Toyota dealer and was told the bearing is bad on one side of the wheel. I got both rear bearing replaced but the noise remain the same.I talk to Toyota but no fix at all. Still driving it with ear plug.”

NHTSA complaint #10521601, filed 2013-06, 69,000 miles

“I was driving on a surface street and felt a strange but and then a distinct thump, thump,thump, sound began emitting from the rear of the vehicle, I contacted my local Toyota deal but they failed to provide me with any helpful information regarding any recalls regarding the rear differential. Since I had the vehicle at a shop already and it was out of warranty, I allowed an outside shop to do the work. …”

NHTSA complaint #10618025, filed 2014-07, 41,000 miles

“Replaced rear differential $2,500, was advised when picking up the car the frame has rotted out. Mechanic advises life of vehicle approximately 2 years. We would have never repaired the vehicle had we known. I have been advised this is a known Toyota problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10788153, filed 2015-11, 148,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201413%
201329%
201212%
201012%
2009343%
200865%
2007519%

Other parts of the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Body and structure
238 complaintsOther or unknown
84 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
80 complaintsSuspension
78 complaintsBrakes
75 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsSeat belts
24 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology