2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser has a Caution verdict, capped due to 10 recall campaigns despite a complaint index of 22, one of the lowest among FJ Cruiser years. NHTSA lists 7 complaints, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 43% share.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 22/100
- #8 of 10 FJ Cruiser years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 7
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 16 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (43%)
- Other2 (29%)
- Seat Belts2 (29%)
- Structure & Body2 (29%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (29%)
- Airbags1 (14%)
- Brakes1 (14%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (14%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission fracturing into several pieces while entering traffic, sometimes with a breaking noise and the vehicle stalling without warning.
- Frame rust is described as worse than expected for the vehicle's age, affecting cross members that support the engine and transmission.
- Rust is reported on frame weld beads, body mounts, and suspension mounts that attach to the frame.
- Seat belt retractors are described as mounted in a location that owners consider hazardous in side-impact scenarios.
- One owner reported a driver-side seat belt that felt loose and non-functional, with the airbag warning light on.
2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
- NHTSA 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Structure & Body3,233 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
- NHTSA 14V475000Aug 4, 2014Other20,000 vehicles
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."
Risk: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other FJ Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints for the 2009 FJ Cruiser and a complaint index of 22, which is low compared to other FJ Cruiser years. However, the verdict is Caution because the model year is tied to 10 recall campaigns.
- What is the top problem area for the 2009 FJ Cruiser?
- Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area, accounting for 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,500.
- How does 2009 compare to other FJ Cruiser years?
- The 2009 FJ Cruiser ranks 8th worst out of 10 model years with data, meaning most other years have higher complaint counts. Years like 2007, 2008, and 2010 are rated Avoid, while 2011 and 2014 are rated Good.
- Does the 2009 FJ Cruiser have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns tied to the 2009 FJ Cruiser, covering areas like seat belts, structure and body, suspension, and electrical systems.
- What fuel economy does the 2009 FJ Cruiser get?
- EPA rates the 2009 FJ Cruiser at 17 mpg combined (16 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,700.