What Toyota FJ Cruiser years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to the 2010 and 2012 model years as the ones to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80, the two highest among 2010-2015 FJ Cruisers.

What is the best year for the Toyota FJ Cruiser?

The 2011 FJ Cruiser is the best year, with a complaint index of just 20 and only 23 total complaints and 6 recalls.

What problems did the 2010 FJ Cruiser have?

Owners most often reported suspension, wheels and tire issues (18 complaints), brake problems (17 complaints, median mileage 5,900), and steering complaints (13 complaints, median mileage 4,300). NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 model.

How many recalls does the Toyota FJ Cruiser have overall?

Across the 2010-2015 model years covered, NHTSA lists 15 total recall campaigns and 182 total owner complaints.

Is the 2013 FJ Cruiser a safe choice?

The 2013 FJ Cruiser is listed as a Caution year, with a complaint index of 60 and 23 complaints, better than 2010 and 2012 but not as strong as 2011 or 2014.

Toyota FJ Cruiser Best and Worst Years (2010–2015)

The 2010 and 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80 versus a low of 20 for the 2011 model, the best year. 2010 logged 66 complaints and 10 recalls, the most of any year covered.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2012 Best 2011

Model years: 6; 2010–2015
NHTSA complaints: 182
Recall campaigns: 15
Crashes reported: 6
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Structure & Body

FJ Cruiser Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Toyota FJ Cruiser problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	66	3	1	10	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	18	—
2011	Best	20	23	1	0	6	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	19	—
2012	Avoid	80	40	0	1	4	Structure & Body	18	—
2013	Caution	60	23	1	0	4	Structure & Body	18	—
2014	Good	40	30	1	0	5	Structure & Body	18	—
2015	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	—	—

FJ Cruiser years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser Index 100 · 66 complaints · 10 recalls

The 2010 FJ Cruiser has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Owners most often reported suspension, wheels and tire problems (18 complaints, median mileage 10,800), followed by brake issues (17 complaints, median mileage just 5,900 miles) and steering complaints (13 complaints, median mileage 4,300). Structure and body complaints included a reported interior fire and a case of airbags failing to deploy properly in a crash. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year, more than any other FJ Cruiser model year, covering issues from seat heaters to accessory wheel and tire labeling.

2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2010 brakes problems →

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Index 80 · 40 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2012 FJ Cruiser ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 80. Structure and body complaints lead the year (13 complaints, 33% share), with a very low median mileage of 500 miles, including a reported engine-area fire. Steering complaints (9 complaints, median mileage 2,250) describe shimmy or shaking at highway speeds that owners said persisted after tire balancing and alignment work. Suspension, wheels and tire complaints (8 complaints) included a report of lug nut studs breaking during service. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this year, including one covering auxiliary driving lamp bulbs.

Most common Toyota FJ Cruiser problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Structure & Body52 (29%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires46 (25%)
Steering37 (20%)
Brakes25 (14%)
Other20 (11%)
Electrical System11 (6%)
Seat Belts11 (6%)
Engine10 (5%)
Airbags9 (5%)
Fuel System9 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

What Toyota FJ Cruiser years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to the 2010 and 2012 model years as the ones to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80, the two highest among 2010-2015 FJ Cruisers.
What is the best year for the Toyota FJ Cruiser?: The 2011 FJ Cruiser is the best year, with a complaint index of just 20 and only 23 total complaints and 6 recalls.
What problems did the 2010 FJ Cruiser have?: Owners most often reported suspension, wheels and tire issues (18 complaints), brake problems (17 complaints, median mileage 5,900), and steering complaints (13 complaints, median mileage 4,300). NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 model.
How many recalls does the Toyota FJ Cruiser have overall?: Across the 2010-2015 model years covered, NHTSA lists 15 total recall campaigns and 182 total owner complaints.
Is the 2013 FJ Cruiser a safe choice?: The 2013 FJ Cruiser is listed as a Caution year, with a complaint index of 60 and 23 complaints, better than 2010 and 2012 but not as strong as 2011 or 2014.