Toyota FJ Cruiser Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Toyota FJ Cruiser options? We analyzed 8 model years (2007–2014) 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 — 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 2007–2014. The most reported issue area is STRUCTURE. 2007 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- FJ Cruiser
- Model years analyzed
- 2007–2014 (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 — 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 — 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: Sep 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
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
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.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 905 NHTSA complaints — 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
Passenger front seat belt will not retract anymore and a passenger hit the windshield during a hard braking incident. I looked online and saw NHTSA 13V098000 about the seat belt retractor being recalled, but we were never notified.
My Toyota fj cruiser has frame rot issues. Will not pass an inspection because of the frame rot problem.my Toyota has less than 79000 miles on it and looks to be in excellent condition on the interior and exterior. Toyota knows about the problem and refuses to take responsibility for it .Is there anything I can do about it.. Got a verbal quote to replace ( it's gonna cost about 9500 to repair ) could be more after they start to replace and if they find more problems.
RUST TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR NOT CONSUMMATE WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, RUST TO THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK. POINTS THAT AFFIX THE BRAKE LINES TO THE VEHICLE FRAME HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY'RE NO LONGER AFFIXED TO THE FRAME. THE RATE AT WHICH RUST GESTATES ON THIS VEHICLE (AND I AM MUCH MORE ATTENTIVE THAN THE TYPICAL CONSUMER) IS UNSAFE AND WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE UNSAFE CONDITIONS AS THESE VEHICLES RAPIDLY DETERIORATE. THE RUST PREVENTION METHODS USED BY THE FACTORY ARE ENTIRELY INADEQUATE.
LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTED. NEED REPLACED COULDN'T ADJUST THEM FOR ALIGNMENT. FRAME RUSTING FRONT AND REAR DIFF RUSTING. STOCK SKID PLATE REPLACED RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY. I THOROUGHLY WASH SALT OFF MY VEHICLE, YET IT STILL HAS RUSTED JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL FRAME RECALL TOYOTA HASN'T GOTTEN IT RIGHT. NEED ANOTHER RECALL. I'VE LIVED WITH MINE, BUT OTHERS HAVE IT MUCH WORSE.
THE VEHICLE HAS HEAVY RUST ALL ALONG THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME. I HAVE FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND TO REMOVE AS MUCH OF THIS RUST AS POSSIBLE TOYOTA WILL CHARGE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $800 AND $1,000.
HELLO, I WAS SOLD A USED VEHICLE BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (CA) THAT HAS A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. THEY STATE THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY FOR A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS AND CHIPS IN IT STREWN ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. IT CAUSES SERIOUS VISUAL DISTURBANCE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT SINCE THE CHIPPED GLASS DISTORTS LIGHTS AND VEHICLES, ALMOST BLURS THE VIEW. INITIALLY, I BELIEVED IT WAS TRACES OF TREE SAP, I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THIS 'TREE SAP' SPOTS, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THEY WOULDN'T GO AWAY BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY BROKEN GLASS.
CRUSE CONTROLL QUIT WORKING IN MOTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CARBONE TOYOTA OF BENNINGTON, LOCATED AT 751 N BENNINGTON RD BENNINGTON, VT 05201) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,900.
AT 55,000 MILES (6 YEARS OLD) MY FRONT GRAVEL SHIELD HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND WAS FOUND IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS AND BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE VERY BADLY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND AFTER MUCH DEBATE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS MATTER AND THEREFORE THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE ME 50% OF ALL COSTS TO REPLACE SAID PARTS. I FOUND TOYOTA HAS RECALLS FOR RUST ISSUES ON OTHER MODELS AND WOULD LIKE THIS MATTER LOOKED INTO. DUE TO THE LIMITED PRODUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE IT IS POSSIBLE IT IS BEING OVERLOOKED. I AM TERRIFIED AT THE THOUGHT THAT I COULD'VE BEEN DRIVING AND MY CONTROL ARMS COULD'VE RUSTED OFF LIKE MY GRAVEL SHIELD DID. A SIX YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 55,000 SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF RUST OR PARTS FALLING OFF.
JUNE 19, 2016 MY WIFE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT THE TOP OF OUR DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT DECLINE TO THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE. SHE LEFT IT RUNNING, PUT IT IN PARK, PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WALKED BACK DOWN TO THE HOUSE AND BACK UP, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, RUNNING INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK FROM THE HOUSE ABOUT 10-12 FEET. IT WAS STILL RUNNING, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL ON, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS NOW IN REVERSE. MY WIFE THEN TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, WHERE THE VEHICLE SAT FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE WALL INTO THE HOUSE HAD TO BE REBUILT. $10,000 REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE, $16,000 TO THE HOUSE. TOYOTA SENT AN ENGINEER TO REVIEW THE DAMAGE AND PULL EDR READINGS. HE STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING PROPERLY, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS WORKING PROPERLY, AND THAT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE (EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE COULD NOT RUN AT THAT TIME). HE ALSO STATED THAT HE COULD NOT PULL ANY READINGS FROM THE EDR. TOYOTA WAS NOT EASY TO WORK WITH, AND THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH ME LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED.
2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE THE CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REGARDING PREMATURE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TA TOYOTA CLAIMED THERE WERE SIGNS OF WATER IN THE ENGINE INTAKE AIR SYSTEM AND THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SON DID DRIVE THROUGH A FIELD WITH WATER AND MUD. HOWEVER, IT WAS AFTER THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, SO THE PRESENCE OF WATER HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEPLOYMENT. *JB
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA TO HAVE THE AUXILIARY LIGHT KIT REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING A HAZARD. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES OVER A 6 MONTH PERIOD TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT DONE, AND YET IT HAS STILL NOT BEEN PERFORMED. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT IS LIKELY ONLY A HAZARD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC MORE SO THAN TO OURSELVES, BUT WE ARE UPSET THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS NOT YET COMPLETED THE REPLACED THE HAZARDOUS LIGHTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL NOTICE. NOTE, THE DATE OF FIRST INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE. DEALER INFO: BIG TWO TOYOTA OF CHANDLER, 480-302-4651. THEY ARE LOCATED IN CHANDLER ARIZONA. *TR
MY ISSUE STARTED AROUND JUNE, I GET THE WHEEL SHAKE/ SHIMMY AT SPEEDS OF 55-65. TOYOTA SEES THE SHAKE IS THERE AND THEN BALANCES THE TIRES AND SAYS ITS FIXED . TOYOTA INSPECTED THE TRUCK SAYING NOTHING IS BROKEN BENT OR ANYTHING SAYING THEY DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS WRONG. YOU CAN STILL SEE THE SHAKE IS THERE AND THEY KEEP BLAMING THAT THE ROAD IS CAUSING THE SHAKE. SAYING ITS A CROWING. IN THE ROAD. I'VE WENT TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO GET IT INSPECTED THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG AND THEN 2 MORE TIMES I WENT THERE AND THEN THEY ADMIT IT AND TRY FIXING IT. I AM VERY UPSET WITH TOYOTA AND CORPORATE . I FEEL SCARED TO DRIVE IT ABOVE 50 BECAUSE THERE IS A BAD SHAKE. AND FEELS UNSAFE ITS CAUSING THE CAR TO BE ALL OVER THE ROAD. *TR
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 — here’s 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 — 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 — 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 — 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.
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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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Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability — 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 — 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.