2012 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
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...
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lam...
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toy...
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2013 FJ Cruiser passenger vehicles. The retractors for the front driver and passenger seat belts are mounted in the access door (rear door) panels ...
Toyota is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, P/N PTR09-35070, and TRD High-Performance brake kits, P/N PTR09-35100, installed by Toyota vehicle processing centers and sold b...
Rust damage to frame
Frame rust through.
No dealer is willing to fix recalls.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side seat belt was inoperable. The seat belt was not able to stretch or lock into place. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnos...
Mileage: 45,000
Took vehicle to a machine shop to have frame undercoated. The machinist found that the frame had holes in it due to rust. He found that the tab gusset bracelet was cracked ( the part of the frame that holds the A-Arm in place). He said that the vehicle was not safe to drive and needs a new frame. T...
Took vehicle to a machine shop to have frame undercoated. The machinist found that the frame had holes in it due to rust. He found that the tab gusset bracelet was cracked ( the part of the frame that holds the A-Arm in place). He said that the vehicle was not safe to drive and needs a new frame. T...
Vehicle's frame was excessively rusted creating structure issues. Among the issues is that I can no longer tow anything with this vehicle because the rear structure is unsafe. Multiple other structural issues have been identified by a service center.
Frame and undercarriage compromised by excessive rust on 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Substandard materials/process used in manufacturing by Toyota on the FJ cruiser undercarriage and frame, causing excessive rust damage. Widespread problem in the United States with excessive rust compromising the stab...
Frame and undercarriage compromised by excessive rust on 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Substandard materials/process used in manufacturing by Toyota on the FJ cruiser undercarriage and frame, causing excessive rust damage. Widespread problem in the United States with excessive rust compromising the stab...
Noticed rust on suv/frame confirmed by Faulkner Toyota Dealership, mechanic informed too address this problem soon.
Excessive underbody and frame rust.
Frame rusted
The windshield makes a very loud defining noise while driving. This happens most often when it is windy. It often sounds like the windshield will be ripped off. The noise has gotten progressively worse over the years.
Too much frame rust on vehicle. Rust seems to be most prevalent around welds where cross members meet the frame. This frame is the same frame used for a number of other Toyota vehicles. In some places the rust is nearly bad enough for crucial body members to separate which would cause a severe accid...
Too much frame rust on vehicle. Rust seems to be most prevalent around welds where cross members meet the frame. This frame is the same frame used for a number of other Toyota vehicles. In some places the rust is nearly bad enough for crucial body members to separate which would cause a severe accid...
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND LEAVES PASSENGER IN DANGER IN CASE OF COLLISION OR IMMEDIATE BRAKING. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER LIABILITY. SEAT BELT HANGS LOOSELY AND DOES NOT LOCK WHEN BRAKES ARE USED.
Mileage: 40,000
PASSENGER SEATBELT RECOLL DOES NOT WORK.
Mileage: 135,000
MY PROBLEM MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER BURNED 12 AM MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 18 2020 WAS PARKING AT FRONT AT MY HOUSE IT BURNED COMPLETELY IN THE ENGINE AREA I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS VANS EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS.
Mileage: 130
MY PROBLEM MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER BURNED 12 AM MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 18 2020 WAS PARKING AT FRONT AT MY HOUSE IT BURNED COMPLETELY IN THE ENGINE AREA I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS VANS EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS.
Mileage: 130
MY PROBLEM MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER BURNED 12 AM MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 18 2020 WAS PARKING AT FRONT AT MY HOUSE IT BURNED COMPLETELY IN THE ENGINE AREA I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS VANS EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS.
Mileage: 130
GENERAL PERSONAL USE. FRAME IS RUSTING AT AN ALARMING RATE. I FEEL IT IS CRUCIAL FOR ME TO GET THE EXISTING RUST REMOVED AND THE FRAME PROTECTED IF I WANT THIS VEHICLE TO LAST ME A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF YEARS WITHOUT ANY STRUCTURAL FAILURES. IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES ON IT.
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 CONCERNE...
Mileage: 80,000
EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF CAR - ALL OVER THE FRAME AND AXELS
Mileage: 100,000
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...
Mileage: 69,000
SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONSTANTLY SHAKE. IT SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT ISSUE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPES OF TIRES AND BALANCING THAT IS USED.
Mileage: 19,000
SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONSTANTLY SHAKE. IT SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT ISSUE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPES OF TIRES AND BALANCING THAT IS USED.
Mileage: 19,000
SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONSTANTLY SHAKE. IT SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT ISSUE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPES OF TIRES AND BALANCING THAT IS USED.
Mileage: 19,000
SET BELT BROKEN
I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT AT 105K MILES. IT WAS WORE OUT INTERNALLY AND MAKING A HUGE JOLT. THERE IS NO REASON A DRIVE SHAFT SHOULD WEAR OUT AT THIS MILEAGE. I HAVE NOT BEEN HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE OWNED MANYTOYOTAS. THEY USUALLY HOLD UP BETTER THAN THIS. WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING THE ...
Mileage: 105,000
I DROVE ON I-10 LA GRANGE WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR VIBRATED AND TILTED TO THE RIGHT. THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF AND THE TIRE BLEW. WE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BRIDGESTONE WITH CASE NUMBER 748575. THE COMPANY SENT ME A LETTER AND SAID IT WAS PRESSURE PROBLEM. BUT JUST BEFORE...
THE WINDSHIELD OF THE FJ CRUISER SEEMS TO BE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO PITTING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN THE SUN OR ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE WINDSHIELD IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY APPEARS TO BE DIRTY AND TRANSLUCENT. REFERENCE VEHICLE...
Mileage: 47,000
THE DESIGN OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE FJ CRUISER (AND OTHER TOYOTAS) ALLOWS EASY ACCESS FOR DISEASE-CARRYING RODENTS TO ENTER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CABIN. IN THE SOUTHWEST DEER MICE ARE CARRIERS OF ANTIVIRUS, A SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISEASE SPREAD VIA THE FECES AND URINE OF THESE MICE. ...
Mileage: 12,000
THE DESIGN OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE FJ CRUISER (AND OTHER TOYOTAS) ALLOWS EASY ACCESS FOR DISEASE-CARRYING RODENTS TO ENTER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CABIN. IN THE SOUTHWEST DEER MICE ARE CARRIERS OF ANTIVIRUS, A SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISEASE SPREAD VIA THE FECES AND URINE OF THESE MICE. ...
Mileage: 12,000
AS TOYOTA AND MANY, MANY FJ CRUISER OWNERS ARE WELL-AWARE, THERE IS A STEERING VIBRATION ISSUE THAT OCCURS SOMEWHERE IN THE 55-65 MPH RANGE THAT CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH PRETTY VIOLENTLY. AS ONE OF THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS STATED, THERE IS A VERY ACTIVE COMMUNITY OF FJ CRUISE...
Mileage: 1,000
THE DRIVERS SEAT SINKS/FALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BASED UPON DRIVERS WEIGHT, VEHICLE SPEED AND LOAD, DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. AS THE SEAT FALLS, THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENS. THE SEAT FALLS AT AN ANGLE DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FOOT CON...
Mileage: 100
THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY FJ CRUISER SINKS AND FALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE SEAT FALLS DOWNWARD AND TILTS BACK AND AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOOT CONTROLS CREATING A SERIOUS TRAFFIC HAZARD TO THE DRIVER, OCCUPANTS AND OTHER PERSONS. I HAVE WORKED WITH TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS INCLUDING SERVICE MANA...
Mileage: 500
MY TRUCK'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH WHEN OUTFITTED WITH OFF ROAD LT CATEGORY TIRES. THE SHAKE IS OFTENTIMES VIOLENT AND ENERGETIC, AND CAN MAKE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE TRUCK IS A DEDICATED OFF ROAD CAPABLE SUV AND SHOULD EASILY TOLERATE SUCH TIRES. T...
Mileage: 3,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WHEEL CHAIR LIFT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN IT WAS BEING UTILIZED, THE REAR BUMPER WOULD SINK TWO INCHES. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD RISE BY TWO INCHES. THE TOTAL WEIGHT FOR THE WHEEL CHAIR LIFT AND TH...
Mileage: 41
AS THE VEHICLE GOES BETWEEN THE SPEED 61 AND 68 THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES.I WENT TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS AND THEY BLAME THE TIRES .I BROUGHT FOUR NEW TIRES WITH NO SUCCESS.PLEASE HELP... *TR
Mileage: 500
A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. APPLICATION OF BRAKES LED TO RIGHT FRONT TIRE LOCK UP AND SKID, WITH STRONG VEER TO LEFT. NO ANTILOCK BRAKE ACTIVITY OCCURRED. WITHIN A WEEK OF THE PANIC STOP ABOVE, THE BRAKES NOW ACTING ODDLY; SMALL BUMPS IN PAVEMENT ...
Mileage: 6,700
VEHICLE AFFECTED SINCE NEW. STEERING SHIMMY OCCURS AS VEHICLE APPROACHED 63 AND 68 MPH ON A VARIETY OF ROADWAYS. AT PEAK VIBRATION OR SHIMMY, THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES ROTATIONALLY ONE TO TWO INCHES. ATTEMPTS TO "HOLD" THE WHEEL STEADY ARE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ENERGY INPUT TO THE STEERING SYSTEM IS BEYO...
Mileage: 300
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR TH...
Mileage: 10
I HAVE PURCHASED AN FJ CRUISER FROM CITY TOYOTA IN DALY CITY, CA ON 7/12/2012. DURING MY 15,000 MI MAINTENANCE CHECK UP, THE SERVICE MANAGER DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUT STUDS ON THE WHEELS BROKE WHEN HE WAS TORQUING. HE ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE MADE IN CHINA AND THAT HE HAS FORWARDED THIS ISSUE TO TO...
Mileage: 10,600
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 FORC...
Mileage: 7,000
STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY BETWEEN 50-60MPH. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER WHICH HAVE BALANCED THE WHEELS AND TIRES BUT I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. OTHER FJ OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 300
STEERING WHEEL BEGINS SHAKES AT SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH. HAVE BALANCED, ROAD BALANCED TIRES AND STILL THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, AT THIS SPEED I AM CONCERNED THERE IS SOMETHING WITH THE SUSPENSION/TIRES THAT MAY CAUSE A CRASH IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Mileage: 6,600
STEERING WHEEL BEGINS SHAKES AT SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH. HAVE BALANCED, ROAD BALANCED TIRES AND STILL THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, AT THIS SPEED I AM CONCERNED THERE IS SOMETHING WITH THE SUSPENSION/TIRES THAT MAY CAUSE A CRASH IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Mileage: 6,600
VEHICLE SHIMMY BETWEEN 60MPH AND 70MPH. TIRE BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT WERE PERFORMED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE NEW (4 MILES). *KB
VEHICLE SHIMMY BETWEEN 60MPH AND 70MPH. TIRE BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT WERE PERFORMED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE NEW (4 MILES). *KB