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BrakesPart report

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser Brakes Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
28%of 124 total for the year
Median mileage
25,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 28% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“I purchased new a 2008 Toyota Fj Cruiser 2 wheel drive with automatic transmission. Since ownership from march 2009 to date, I have been experiencing a lurching forward of the vehicle while the brakes are applied and at a full stop. This lurching forward occurs when the air conditioner is on and at the time that the air conditioner clutch engages. …”

NHTSA complaint #10313429, filed 2010-02, 150 miles

“Brake issue: unresponsive at first... The pedal stutters a bit and doesn't seem to engage the brake. Then I release and re-apply and then it become over-responsive. This issue has happened to me approximately 3 times since I purchased in 12/2008. All incidents occurred as I was coming to a stop at an intersection.”

NHTSA complaint #10314471, filed 2010-02, 10,000 miles

“While driving on dry pavement I made a lane change while approaching a stop light when it turned yellow. I applied the brakes slightly harder than normal at which point the car took over and applied 100% braking force. The car slammed to a stop and both the passenger and I were whipped forward and were luck to have not been rear ended. I am very concerned with all the similar problems with the ABS controllers.”

NHTSA complaint #10367321, filed 2010-11, 28,800 miles

“Momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. This has been going on for the past 2 years. Complained to dealer last september. They looked at vehicle and said there was nothing wrong. I can duplicate the issue on our road which is uneven and has bumps. Happened this morning as I came to work. Suv speeds up while pressing brake over bumps then brakes catch and it if were not for a seat belt I would go through the windshield!”

NHTSA complaint #10308677, filed 2010-02, 31,500 miles

“On more than one occasion I have had the brakes go to 100% force when applying minimal force to the pedal. This behavior has occurred at street speeds of 35-40 and when coming off of a freeway. The force is strong enough that everyone in the car is launched forward to the point that the seatbelt lock engages. I have tried removing my foot from the pedal and reapplying pressure but the brakes immediately engage at 100%. Only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop do the brakes begin to work normally again.”

NHTSA complaint #10418030, filed 2011-08, 25,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2014310%
201329%
201212%
201129%
20101726%
2009114%
20083528%
20077513%

Other parts of the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Body and structure
42 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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