Toyota · Known Issues
2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Problems & Issues
2007-2014 model years · 5,630+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2007-2014 model years · 5,630+ owner reports · Updated October 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 5,630+ owner reports, the 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 22 documented known issues, with 9 rated critical. The most serious are Frame Rust and Corrosion ($200-$5,000 repair), Passenger Occupant Sensing System Out of Calibration After Distributor Seat Accessories (Recall 13V014) ($0-$0 repair), Southeast Toyota Accessory Seat Heater Element Shorting and Burning (Recalls 14V743, 16V396) ($0-$0 repair), Trail Teams Ultimate Edition Front Ball Joint and Lower Arm Bolts Under-Torqued and Falling Out (Recall 14V539) ($0-$0 repair), TRD Big Brake Kit Outer Brake Tube Damaged by Wheel Weights - Front Brake Fluid Leak (Recall 12E046) ($0-$0 repair), Driver Dead Pedal (Foot Rest) Detaches and Can Jam Brake Pedal ($30-$150 repair), Rear Access Door Panel Cracking Lets Front Seat Belt Retractor Detach (Recall 13V098) ($0-$0 repair), Intermediate Steering Shaft Inadequate Weld Can Separate - Loss of Steering (Recall 15V081) ($0-$0 repair) and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Pump Stops - Stall While Driving (Recall 20V012) ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Windshield Cracking Due to Flat Design with 2,400 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $30 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EQUIPMENT
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
STEERING
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured August 7, 2013, to August 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft which connects the steering wheel and the steering gear box may have an inadequate weld.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles equipped with an optional "Trail Teams Ultimate Edition" package, in which the front shock absorbers and springs were replaced at vehicle processing centers. In some of these vehicles the bolts which secure the front lower ball joint to the steering knuckle and/or the front suspension lower arm to the front cross member assemblies might have been tightened with insufficient torque when the front shock absorbers and springs were replaced during the installation process.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
+ 12 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 5,630+ owner reports, the 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 22 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Frame Rust and Corrosion, Passenger Occupant Sensing System Out of Calibration After Distributor Seat Accessories (Recall 13V014), Southeast Toyota Accessory Seat Heater Element Shorting and Burning (Recalls 14V743, 16V396). Of these, 9 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 22 known issues documented across 5,630+ owner reports. 9 issues are rated critical: Frame Rust and Corrosion and Passenger Occupant Sensing System Out of Calibration After Distributor Seat Accessories (Recall 13V014) and Southeast Toyota Accessory Seat Heater Element Shorting and Burning (Recalls 14V743, 16V396) and Trail Teams Ultimate Edition Front Ball Joint and Lower Arm Bolts Under-Torqued and Falling Out (Recall 14V539) and TRD Big Brake Kit Outer Brake Tube Damaged by Wheel Weights - Front Brake Fluid Leak (Recall 12E046) and Driver Dead Pedal (Foot Rest) Detaches and Can Jam Brake Pedal and Rear Access Door Panel Cracking Lets Front Seat Belt Retractor Detach (Recall 13V098) and Intermediate Steering Shaft Inadequate Weld Can Separate - Loss of Steering (Recall 15V081) and Denso Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Impeller Swells and Pump Stops - Stall While Driving (Recall 20V012). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Toyota FJ Cruiser issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Frame Rust and Corrosion, typically costs $200-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser with 22 documented issues documented across 5,630+ owner reports.
FJ Cruisers develop significant frame rust in salt-belt states, especially at the rear crossmember, trailing arm mounts, and spare tire carrier. The frame design has areas where water and debris collect, accelerating corrosion. Rising FJ Cruiser values make frame preservation cri… Repairs typically run $200-$5,000. Severity: high.
2009-2010 FJ Cruisers fitted by Southeast Toyota with accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems may not have had the front passenger occupant classification system calibration tested after the modification. If the sensor is out of calibration,… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
FJ Cruisers sold through Southeast Toyota Distributors (SET) with its accessory seat heaters can have the heater element or wiring damaged as the seat cushion is compressed in normal use. The damaged copper-strand element can short circuit, overheat and burn a hole in the seat co… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
2014 FJ Cruisers with the optional Trail Teams Ultimate Edition package had their front shocks and springs replaced at vehicle processing centers during installation of the package. The bolts securing the front lower ball joint to the steering knuckle, and/or the front suspension… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
TRD brake kits (P/N PTR09-35070) and TRD High-Performance brake kits (P/N PTR09-35100), installed at Toyota processing centers or sold by dealers as accessories on 2007-2012 FJ Cruisers, route the outer caliper brake tube with minimal clearance to the TRD 16-inch 6-spoke alloy wh… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The plastic driver footrest / dead pedal breaks away from its mounting clips and becomes a loose object in the driver footwell. In documented complaints the detached footrest slid under the pedals; in at least one NHTSA-reported case it lodged under the brake pedal and prevented… Repairs typically run $30-$150. Severity: high.
On the FJ Cruiser the front seat belt retractors are mounted inside the rear-hinged access (suicide) doors, not the B-pillar. Toyota found the access door inner panel had insufficient strength: when the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully slammed over time, cracks develop… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
A small population of 2014 FJ Cruisers built August 7-20, 2013 may have an intermediate steering shaft (the shaft linking the steering column to the steering gear) with an inadequate weld. If the weld fails, the steering wheel is disconnected from the gear and the driver loses st… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Certain U.S.-market 2014 FJ Cruisers have a Denso in-tank pump with a low-density impeller that also had low surface strength or prolonged production-solvent drying. Surface cracking can allow excessive fuel absorption and deformation until the impeller interferes with the housin… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The FJ Cruiser's A/C system is prone to compressor clutch failure and evaporator core leaks. The evaporator is located behind the dashboard, making replacement extremely labor-intensive. The A/C system struggles in hot climates, especially when off-roading at low speeds. Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The rear differential breather on the FJ Cruiser is located low on the axle housing and is prone to clogging with mud and debris. When clogged, pressure builds during heating cycles and forces gear oil past the pinion seal. During water crossings, the breather can suck water into… Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: medium.
FJ Cruiser owners report rear axle shaft oil seals leaking gear oil into the brake backing plate area, coating the inside of the dust shield, the rotor/drum-in-hat parking brake shoes and sometimes pads. A clogged differential breather pressurizes the housing and accelerates seal… Severity: medium.
FJ Cruisers that had factory wheels and tires swapped for Toyota-authorized accessory wheels and LT tires before first sale did not have the tire pressure monitoring system recalibrated correctly, so the low-tire warning lamp does not light at the FMVSS 138 activation pressure. T… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
The A750F 5-speed automatic behind the 4.0L V6 develops a distinct shudder/judder felt as a vibration typically between roughly 35-50 mph under light throttle when the torque converter clutch engages during 'Flex Lockup.' It is caused by aged/degraded Toyota WS fluid losing its f… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
A common age/mileage failure on the 1GR-FE Denso starter: the high-current contacts inside the starter solenoid erode or corrode, so turning the key produces a single click with no crank, often intermittently and worse when hot or after moisture/salt exposure. Repeated key cyclin… Repairs typically run $100-$650. Severity: medium.
Southeast Toyota Distributors installed accessories such as running boards on some 2014 FJ Cruisers with attaching fasteners not tightened to proper torque. The accessory can loosen and detach from the vehicle, creating a road hazard or crash risk. Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
The 1GR-FE's secondary air injection system, used to reduce cold-start emissions, is prone to failure. Water/condensation intrusion corrodes the air pump and air switching valves, or a broken plastic impeller sheds debris into the system, triggering the check engine light and oft… Repairs typically run $200-$2,200. Severity: medium.
The FJ Cruiser's nearly flat windshield design makes it highly susceptible to cracking from small impacts that would be deflected by more curved windshields. Owners report going through multiple windshields over the life of the vehicle. The flat angle also causes more direct ston… Repairs typically run $50-$600. Severity: low.
Recall 13V163 / D0G concerns 2007–2013 FJ Cruisers fitted with the Genuine Toyota Auxiliary Light Kit on the front bumper. Its original 55-watt lamps, used with the high beams, exceed an allowable lighting threshold and can cause glare. Toyota identified approximately 11,500 acce… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: low.
The thin sheet-steel inner fender aprons in the engine bay develop bulges that eventually crack and tear, typically a 3-4 inch tear in the upper inner fender roughly 6-8 inches from the firewall on both sides. It is attributed to metal fatigue from frame/body flex combined with a… Repairs typically run $100-$900. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.