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Toyota FJ CruiserModel year report

2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
68,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
10campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and seat belts (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,000 miles. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 172 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 17 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “There is rust on the vehicle frame that is far worse than reasonable for a vehicle of this age. This is a known problem with these vehicles from this time and is known to be caused by compromises that Toyota made in the manufacturing process.”

NHTSA complaint #11330423, filed 2020-06, 75,000 miles

Other or unknown: “I purchased this low mileage Toyota Fj Cruiser in march of 2020 from a used car dealership in washington state. The body and interior are in exceptional condition, however upon post purchase inspection, there is extensive frame corrosion including but not limited to welded joints, frame cross members, and attachment points for the front double wishbone suspension. The corrosion is so severe, it can be picked off of the frame in large chunks using a finger. This level of corrosion is abnormal, leading me to believe it is a manufacturing defect. …”

NHTSA complaint #11324253, filed 2020-05, 68,000 miles

Seat belts: “The Toyota Fj Cruiser's seat belt is engineered hazard based on in seam design of the chasis. In the event of a side impact collision or the severance of the door from the body or shell of the vehicle the passenger can be extremely injured by the design of seat belt, or catapulted from the vehicle. The inner seam or floor would be a better position for the harnessing of the seat belt apparatus. In addition, the power train tends to be a little sticky possibly due to the oaring of the metal, viscosity enhancement can be made or research and design for better performance of gearing.”

NHTSA complaint #10285520, filed 2009-09

Body and structure: “Horrible frame rust. Rusty cross members that support engine and transmission. Rusty body and suspension mounts that attach to frame. All the weld beads on the frame are rusted inside and out.”

NHTSA complaint #11301623, filed 2020-01, 115,438 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 75,000 miles.

20%0–100%10–250%25–5040%50–7520%75–10020%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 68,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200920102012202032026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
FJ Cruiser · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated5 / 4——3 · 26.7% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
FJ Cruiser 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172118$4,550
FJ Cruiser 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162017$4,850
FJ Cruiser 4WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual141916$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 10 recalls for the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 172 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 172 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota FJ Cruiser

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20143031,1105—181 · FewerFalling
20132320,5004—18—Falling
2012416,8504—1925 · FewerFalling
20112315,0006—19—Stable
20106614,50010—1966 · MoreFalling
2009768,00010—18—Not enough data
200812430,3009—1872 · MoreFalling
200759353,0008—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Toyota FJ Cruiser model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.

Has the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser been recalled?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser (FJ Cruiser 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 17 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 75,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.