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Toyota FJ CruiserModel year report

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Problems

Compared with other Toyota FJ Cruiser years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

25/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
41filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
6,850miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 4.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The part named most often is body and structure, with 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown (9) and steering (9). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 79% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 6,850 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 203 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 35 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 Toyota FJ Cruiser model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 25 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Fuel system (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Body and structure: “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 miles

Other or unknown: “The vehicle within less than 15 years had structural creams rust that had compromised the safety of my vehicle and it is rotting out with holes, the fuel tank is rusted and lose, and may fall, repairs are expensive and it is my only car. They’re all also rust holes right through the body and floor in multiple locations.”

NHTSA complaint #11769545, filed 2026-10

Steering: “During speeds of 55-65 the steering wheel starts to shimmy. We took vehicle into our local service dealer (not Toyota) and was told it was a rear control arm bushing. We then traveled 2 hours to the nearest Toyota dealership (the one where we bought the vehicle) and were told it needed a road force balancing and it would not be covered under warranty because they were not stock tires. …”

NHTSA complaint #10478002, filed 2012-09, 7,000 miles

Seat belts: “The passenger side seat belt retractor is malfunctioning. There was a recall of 209,000 of my exact make and model (years 2007-2013) with the exact same problem. Toyota claims my VIN is not on their list for recalls and wants $416.18 to fix the seatbelt retractor. It seems absurd that they won't take responsibility for this safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11189960, filed 2019-03, 69,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

79% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 500 and 45,000 miles.

54%0–1013%10–2513%25–504%50–754%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 6,850 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’11’137’15’18’20’22’24’26
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 2012 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 · SUV 2WDnot rated———3 · 25.6% risk
FJ Cruiser · SUV 4WDnot rated———3 · 26.7% risk

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 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 automatic172019$3,550
FJ Cruiser 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172018$3,700
FJ Cruiser 4WD4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual151816$4,200

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

Recall details for the 2012 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. 203 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 203 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 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 9.

Has the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser (FJ Cruiser 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 6,850 miles and the middle half falls between 500 and 45,000 miles; 79% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.