Toyota FJ Cruiser Complaints (2008)

124 consumer complaints on file.

#11763615September 11, 2026
STEERING
While operating my vehicle at normal legal speeds on a public road, the aftermarket Rough Country lifted steering knuckle suffered a sudden, catastrophic structural breakage at the tie-rod mounting point after hitting a standard pothole. The complete fracturing of the steering knuckle resulted in an immediate, unpreventable loss of steering control on the driver's side wheel. This sudden structural failure forced the front wheel assembly out of alignment, completely disabling the vehicle's steering mechanics and bending the lower drop crossmember brackets. This is a severe life-safety hazard. Had this casting failure occurred at highway speeds or in heavy traffic, it easily could have resulted in a rollover, a head-on collision, or a fatal accident. Heavy-duty cast suspension components should never experience catastrophic metal breakage from everyday public road imperfections. The manufacturer, Rough Country, is refusing to recognize this as a structural defect and is denying liability. This failure needs to be investigated immediately to see if there is an underlying casting, metallurgical, or design defect in Rough Country's lifted steering knuckles before it causes a fatal crash on public roads.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735229May 1, 2026
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
Chassis frame rotted
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703439December 6, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have 47k miles on my car. I took it in for an oil change (Fox Toyota, Rochester Hills, MI) and was told that it was dangerous to drive. I needed a new rear axle and much more. No details were provided. I could not open the email link they sent to my phone. I left the car at the service dept. 10/21/25 -prior to this visit I brought my car in to Fox for an oil change august 2024 and was told I would probably need new struts soon. I had appx 44,000 miles on my car at that time. - I park in my garage every night and have had an undercarriage wash each month at a car wash. - I live on a dirt road but my husband's 2017 Chevy Silverado has 180,000+ miles. -People online have asked me if I parked in the ocean -I contact Toyota Brand Engagement immediately. They paid a small amount ($3900) toward fixing the $17,000 bill. My car was in limbo at service for 30 days. I had not care. So I had to accept.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619187October 10, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased steering wheel rotation before the vehicle started to maneuver in either direction. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 197,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597026June 26, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Premature frame rust
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558061December 2, 2023
WHEELS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The frame of the vehicle is rotted out. Holes in it. Front to back , side to side ROTTED. TOYOTA DEALER looked at it at my request when it was in for service and said it was very bad. I’m [XXX] on Social Security, I cannot afford a frame or a new car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11545010September 17, 2023
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt just started to not work. retractor is not working and I am concern for my safety due to relocating to Florida and seat belt is not working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503872January 26, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION, STEERING
the brakes are constantly binding up due to rust and need replaced, recently ABS brake lines rusted off causing me to miss a stop sign, very dangerous, Upper rear control arm mount rusted and cracked completely off causing steering and braking problems and had to be replaced to even use this vehicle, , The front rack has been replaced due to excessive rust of lines and fittings, same with transmission cooler lines-rotted off...brake backing plates rotted off.. Even though I have had this undercoated and rust treated, the frame is rusting inside-out...frame braces, everything on the frame is rusted much more than one would expect, even in a salt state like Ohio....my safety was put at risk by faulty brakes, the frame is not safe under hard braking and may cause an accident, the dealer has seen this vehicle, a local independent says "get rid of it"...no warning lamps, just wild things happen with brakes, pulls left, pulls right, front, then back and this past time ...NONE!...only 111,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11502784January 20, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
On the home my wife went to apply the brakes and she had no brake pressure. The pedal went all the way to the floor. Then several lights and a buzzer sound started, and she could not stop the car. She was able to pull up on the e-brake just before she drove completely into the intersection, where several cars were driving in both directions. The front end of car ended partially in the north bound lane of US MD-5. There was also a home at the end of the road that she could have also driven into. I researched on several forums where other owners have had the same issue and the dealership has been unable to diagnose the issue. No TSB or recall has been made, but the number of people that have had this issue, something should have been done. My 4-year-old daughter was in the car, and I could have lost both of them. People need to aware of this. I had no idea that a total brake failure was possible with these vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11496672December 8, 2022
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
I was given this car seat as a gift 12/18/2021. The metal buckle is inserted backwards on the left side. This results in a twist of the seat belt that can’t be corrected. I cannot remove the metal piece to fix this because the strap is sewn together. I thought it was just twisting because that’s what car seats sometimes do. But when I remove the padding to clean it today I realized it was a manufacturer error.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469936June 18, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Rear fuel tank strap rusted and broke, leaving my tank hanging several inches lower to the ground.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465065May 17, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
After buying my vehicle I have began to notice a growing rust problem that is not due to salt water or other environmental conditions, but clearly a defect in manufacturing. After joining a few Facebook groups with other FJ owners I’ve found countless other people have had the same problem and that without massive trust removal my vehicle is expected to have failures in the frame and suspension at some point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11457301March 18, 2022
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My Toyota FJ Cruiser 2008 "FUEL PUMP" failed to indicate the amount of gasoline I had in the tank, the car completely stop working on the freeway while I was driving approximately at 70 MPH right in the fast lane, the car/motor just ugly shook and suddenly it stall/shut down... luckily the cars behind me were able to maneuver their cars and avoided a possible crash. I tried to start the car again and gave me some forward jumps until i got it off of the road. the gas panel indicator was still reading 1/2 filled tank but not gas inside tank...I called freeway service patrol (511) and they Offered me a gallon of gas, as i run out (they saved my day). i thought this was just one hit wonder problem but not the car has been getting me in trouble ever since now my wife drives it too, she or me assume there is still gas in the car and out of the blue i wind out carrying gas in a red gallon... i asked mechanics if they can replace but they said no easy - access to replace the pump is not well designed to extract the fuel pump and the floor mats on the car and the rear seat must be removed and some how the car will have some cosmetic damage... best is to lower the full gas tank from underneath but there is also a problem as the wire connector length are extremely short and they must be cut out and add extensions after replacing pump and may affect sensor lights... and repair for that is quite expensive. The car pump goes up when full tank but as gas is used needle stops at 1/2 mark and there is no way to tell if i have gas- I had experienced 8 time stalls, luckily no accidents - I found this online and called Toyota but they are unaware of this recall: "if stall pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371" is it true?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11439979November 10, 2021
SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
The driver seat belt will not contract back.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11431265August 31, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame of my Truck has started to rust out as to many FJ Cruisers. It's been a known issue that these frame have this problem along with the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra. Which Toyota have a recall on those two models but they've yet to recognize the Toyota FJ Cruiser for the same issue. If this issue isn't resolved, it can result in weak points in the chassis making those area fail and cause an accident underload. I have had my shop look at it and said they can only treat the affected areas so much but the issue will keep coming back over time as rust does not go away unless its cut out. For the safety for myself, any FJ Owners as well as the roads we share with the public I hope that we get this issue corrected through the Manufacturer. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423769July 7, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear fuel tank strap broke due to corrosion and it was retained. The Fuel tank was spotted hanging lower than normal after driving on a long trip on a vacation. I removed the tank shield and have removed the vehicle from service until new tank straps arrive. No police or insurance have been contacted. There was no warning of this failure or evidence this failure was imminent.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11423777July 7, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
While inspecting a broken rear fuel tank strap, several holes were noticed in the frame of the vehicle. Excessive corrosion was present all along the welds on the frame and its crossmembers. There were spots where I could poke my finger through the frame. There was no warning that this corrosion was happening. I am the third owner of this FJ and it was inspected before I purchased it. The vehicle has not yet been taken to a dealership, police or an insurance company.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11415809May 10, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES
UPON HARD BRAKING, IF VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, POTHOLE, UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, ETC, THE ABS KICKS IN MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP UNLESS I COMPLETELY RELEASE THE BRAKES THUS REQUIRING ME TO SLAM ON IT HARD TO PREVENT REAR ENDING ANOTHER OBJECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11406282April 3, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
GAS TANK SUPPORT STRAPS FAILED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER INSTALLED TEMPORARY NYLON RATCHET STRAPS UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11403423March 17, 2021
STEERING
MY STEERING HAD BECOME STIFF, NO STEERING FLUID LEAKS OR ISSUES WITH THE RACK, DEALER DROVE VEHICLE SAID NOTHING IT WRONG. I GOT HOME AND TOOK A BETTER LOOK, THE U JOINTS ON THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ARE RUSTED AND ROTTED. THE STEERING IN NOTICEABLY TIGHT AND HAS TROUBLE RETURNING TO CENTER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Toyota FJ Cruiser