Toyota FJ Cruiser
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
8 model years analyzed (2007–2014). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Toyota FJ Cruiser? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ 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.
AI Interpretation
High ConfidenceAverageNHTSA complaint data for the Toyota FJ Cruiser (2007–2014) shows a high concentration of reports for the 2007 model year, with STRUCTURE being the most frequently cited component. SERVICE BRAKES and SUSPENSION also appear as notable areas of concern. The total of 899 complaints spans 8 model years, with 26 crash-related incidents reported.
- STRUCTURE accounts for the highest number of complaints at 329.
- The 2007 model year has 592 complaints, far exceeding other years.
- SERVICE BRAKES and SUSPENSION are the next most reported components with 139 and 121 complaints respectively.
- STRUCTURE: 329 complaints
- SERVICE BRAKES: 139 complaints
- SUSPENSION: 121 complaints
The 2007 model year has 592 complaints, driven largely by STRUCTURE, SERVICE BRAKES, and SUSPENSION issues. 2008 also shows elevated complaints (123).
The 2009 model year shows only 6 complaints, and 2011–2013 each have fewer than 25, suggesting these years may have fewer reported issues.
- Inspect the vehicle's structure, including body panels and frame, for rust or damage.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake and suspension repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering and powertrain components before purchase.
🔔 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.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2007–2014. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 899 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
899 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.
Intermediate Steering Shaft Weld Failure: Recall concern. My car was built 7/25/2014. Recalls were initiated for FJ’s 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRESTMONT TOYOTA (730 NJ-23, POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444) DUE TO AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR OF FUEL. TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN (645 11TH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10036) AND CRESTMONT TOYOTA (730 NJ-23, POMPTON PLAINS, NJ 07444) AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE MAY OF 2020. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V012000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I BOUGHT MY 2014 FJ CRUISER BRAND NEW WITH 5 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS INTO OWNING IT THE DRIVER DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING. THE DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE PASSENGER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AND THEY REPLACED THOSE UNDER WARRANTY. ABOUT 1-1/2 YEARS LATER THE DRIVER LOCK (THAT WAS ALREADY REPLACED) STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I HAD 34,000 MILES ON IT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT'S NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM THAT THE LOCK THEY REPLACED WENT OUT BUT THE DEALER SAID THE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY IS ONLY GOOD FOR 1 YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR! SHORTLY AFTER THE PASSENGER LOCK WENT OUT AGAIN AS WELL. AND NOW THE BACK DOOR WONT EVEN UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB OR EVEN MANUALLY WITH THE KEY. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON THE CARS ARE TERRIBLE! I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY WERE HAVING A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE TOYOTA LOCKS AND FOR ME TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR A RECALL! IT'S BEEN 3 YEARS NOW THAT I'VE BEEN WITHOUT LOCKS AND NO RECALL! DEALER QUOTED ME $900 TO FIX ONE DOOR! $360 FOR THE PART AND THE REST LABOR. RIDICULOUS ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THESE PARTS IN THE PAST UNDER WARRANTY!! WHAT GOOD IS IT TO PAY FOR THE SAME PART THEY ALREADY 'REPLACED' JUST FOR THEM TO GO OUT SO SOON!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND PULLING INTO A DRIVE THRU, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V120000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
FRAME IS RUSTING REALLY BAD. TOYOTA ALREADY REPLACE THE TRD COIL SPRINGS ON EACH SIDE DUE TO RUST
HAD VEHICLE IN SHOP, NEW TIRES AND BALANCE. ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REBALANCE. HAD BRAKES DONE,( ROTORS AND PADS AND ALL FOUR TIRES REBALANCE). ONE MONTH LATER STEERING STARTED ACTING UP. STIFFING UP. NOW DEALERSHIP SAIDS NO RECALL. DIFFERENT SITES SAYING STEERING SHIFT NEEDS A WELT. DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE TO FIX IT.(600.00).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FAILED. WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRAND BLANC TOYOTA MOTORCARS, LTD (9000 HOLLY ROAD, GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN, (810) 695-4400) SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND RECALIBRATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR, WIRING HARNESS, AND SEAT CAGE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WANTED TO REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Showing 20 of 899 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Toyota FJ Cruiser
This page shows fleet averages across all 8 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
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 — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota FJ Cruiser has 899 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 899 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) 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. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with 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 — 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 — 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 — 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.