Toyota FJ Cruiser Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls â NHTSA data
Comparing used Toyota FJ Cruiser options? We analyzed 8 model years (2007â2014) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns â they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Toyota FJ Cruiser has 905 owner complaints and 65 safety recalls across model years 2007â2014. The most reported issue area is STRUCTURE. 2007 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- FJ Cruiser
- Model years analyzed
- 2007â2014 (8 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 905
- Safety recall campaigns
- 65
- Crash-related complaints
- 26
- Fire-related complaints
- 8
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2007 (593 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2009 (7 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STRUCTURE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Toyota FJ Cruiser: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used â lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record â lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe TOYOTA FJ CRUISER has 905 NHTSA complaints and 65 recalls on record. 26 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 905 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 65 federal recall campaigns
- 26 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
65 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
STEERING
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007â2014. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 905 NHTSA complaints â these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
905 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Driver side seat belt is too loose non functional Airbag sign is on I m scared to drive vehicle
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. *TR
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. IN ADDITION, I BELIEVE THIS CORROSION COMPROMISES THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC, HE HEARD A BREAKING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FRACTURED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE SYMPTOMS OF THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER. THE SECOND DEALER STATED THAT A COMPONENT HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHO THEN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT NO COST. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
1-CRUISE CONTROL OVER-SPEEDING. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM EXCEED THE SET VEHICLE SPEED IN THESE THREE CONDITIONS 1A.ONE THE CRUISE CONTROL RESUMES SPEED AFTER DECELERATION. 1B.WHILST THE VEHICLE NEGOTIATE UPHILL DRIVING CONDITION 1C. IF THERE IS A STRONG HEAD WIND. THIS WILL KEEP THE DRIVER DISTRACTED TO JUST MONITOR HIS/HER SPEED SO THAT HE/SHE WILL NOT GET FLASHED FOR SPEEDING ! 2-SPEEDOMETER READING DEVIATION COMPARE WITH GPS SPEED READING WHEN THE ODOMETER READING IS 87.5 MPH YOU ARE ACTUALLY DOING 81.88 MPH. 3-ABS ABNORMAL OPERATION WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED ON UNPAVED PEBBLES LADEN ROAD. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT YOU LOSE BREAKING POWER OR THE CAR APPLIES THE BREAK SO STRONG IN A WAY IT PANIC THE DRIVER WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO A CRASH, THIS BEHAVIOR OF THE BREAKS IS IRRELEVANT TO THE DEPRESSING PRESSURE ON THE BREAK PEDAL BY THE DRIVER. 4-A/C AIRFLOW FOOT MODE AIR FLOWING AT WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT IF THE (FOOT ONLY) MODE IS SELECTED THE AIR WILL GET OUT OF THE FOOT EXIST AS WELL AS THE UPPER WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER AND IF USED WITH THE A/C SWITCHED ON IT WILL LEAD TO CONDENSATION OF THE FOG ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (AS COLD AIR WILL COOL DOWN THE WINDSHIELD) WHICH WILL BLOCK THE VISIBILITY! 5-REAR CAMERA MONITOR EXHIBITS DARK PATCH ON BOTH UPPER AND LOWER CORNERS OF THE SCREEN (IF FITTED) ! 6-REMOTE START FUNCTION EXHIBIT STARTER MOTOR OVER-RUN CONDITION AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED (IF THE CAR HAS A REMOTE STARTUP-FACILITY) I HAVE TAKEN THE ISSUES WITH THE LOCAL AGENCY OF MY CAR IN MY COUNTRY AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME WITH REGARDS TO THE US VERSION OF THE FJ CRUISER 2009. IT WILL BE GREAT IF YOU INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINS AS THE FACTORY IS DENYING THAT THERE IS ANY MANUFACTURER DEFECTS ! WHICH I TOTALLY DISAGREE AS I AM SURE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECTS WHICH THE FACTORY IS TRYING TO HIDE IN ORDER TO AVOID A RECALL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION QUERY PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
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. *TR
Intermediate Steering Shaft Weld Failure: Recall concern. My car was built 7/25/2014. Recalls were initiated for FJâs within the following date ranges 8/7/2013 - 8/20/2013 for this issue. My FJ has the same issue confirmed by three Toyota Dealership Service Departments. Revisiting the Recall Status is needed. Thank you for your attention.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while cleaning underneath the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer made aware of the failure and advised them contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Mice or rats consume the soy-based wires. They consumed one of the fuel injection wires on my 2014 FJ. The Toyota dealership charged me $896 for the new connector that was located under the intake manifold.
Excessive frame rust causing safety issue with suspension and crash danger. Yes my vehicle is available for inspection. My safety as well as other drivers safety are put at risk if the suspension fails causing my vehicle to veer into on-coming traffic. The problem is on going and can be confirmed by a dealer or independent service. My vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, but is available for inspection upon request. No warnings lamps. This is an undercarriage issue that is hidden by the tires and the body that sits on the frame.
Extensive rust in frame
FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTING. WE TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER TO GET A LOOSE SKID PLATE ATTACHED, AND MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE IT BECAUSE "THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH TO AS THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY. THE FRAME, ATTACHMENT POINTS, SUPPORTS, AXLES AND SUSPENSION PIECES ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY. WE WERE ADVISED BY MECHANIC TO DISPOSE OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD SOON BE UNDRIVEABLE. 98000 MILE, 9 YEAR OLD, BABIED, DEALER MAINTAINED CAR.
Rear Body Mount rotted, frame very rusted and thin, could pose issue with structure. All the times bringing to dealer, nothing was mentioned regarding how bad the frame was.
Frame corrosion and complete frame failure. The area compromised affected the steering of the vehicle. Luckily, the failure was discovered before failure at Highway speeds . No warning of any kind prior to failure. The vehicle is currently at a Toyota dealership awaiting a complete frame replacement . Should the failure have occurred at Highway speed, this would have been a catastrophic event as the front end/ steering would have been dramatically affected
Notable frame rust and corrosion. Available for inspection upon request. Safety risk if any parts of frame are rusted through and vehicle has no structural support. Confirmed by independent service center. Inspected during each Toyota service, including one done in March 2021 prior to purchasing vehicle. Documentation does not mention frame/structural rust anywhere. Initial photographs of frame rust done prior to first oil change in July 2021. Was told it was just surface rust and could be "sanded down" and it would be good as new. No warning messages.
CONDITION IS CONTINUOUS: WHEN VEH. IS IN MOTION OR PARKED WITH MOTOR RUNNING OR MOTOR IS NOT RUNNING.. BACK DOOR OF VEHICLE CANOT BE UNLOCKED WITH A KEY AS SUGGESTED ON PAGE 40 OF OWNERS MANUAL.. OR WHEN USING WIRELESS REMOTE, OR DOOR SWITCH.THIS CONDITION WAS FIRST NOTICED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND MOTOR NOT RUNNING.. DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS DO WORK PROPERLY WITH THE KEY. BOTH SIDE DOORS WORK PROPERLY USING A KEY AS DESCIBED ON PAGE 35 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL., THE GLASS HATCH CANNOT BE OPEND WITH A KET AS SUGGESTED ON PAGE 45 OF THE OWNERS MANUAL, I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION.,THESE CONDITIONS ARE A SAFETY HAZZARD.
THE VEHICLES FRAME IS CONSIDERABLY RUSTED WHEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE AGE AND USE OF THE VEHICLE, IT HAS LESS THAN 50K AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, THE REAR TAILGATE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED THE DESERT TOYOTA OF TUCSON LOCATED AT 7150 E 22ND ST, TUCSON, AZ 85710, (520) 296-8535, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Showing 20 of 905 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Toyota FJ Cruiser
These pages show model-year patterns across 8 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations â hereâs what each number actually tells you about a used Toyota FJ Cruiser, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is â but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota FJ Cruiser has 905 complaints on record across 8 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota FJ Cruiser has 65 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 26 of the Toyota FJ Cruiser's 905 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions â a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable â simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicles on the road â not any specific car. Two Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage â NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota FJ Cruiser has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Check a Toyota FJ Cruiser by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Toyota FJ Cruiser.
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Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability â frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
Poor. The Toyota FJ Cruiser has 905 NHTSA owner complaints and 65 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STRUCTURE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Toyota FJ Cruiser years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2007 (593 complaints), 2008 (123 complaints), 2010 (66 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?
Top reported issues: STRUCTURE (331 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (139 complaints); SUSPENSION (121 complaints).
Does the Toyota FJ Cruiser have recalls?
Yes â 65 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.