Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser with NHTSA between 2009 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 5
Against the median year of the Toyota FJ Cruiser. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 46
27% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Toyota FJ Cruiser
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
320.0%
Median failure at 67,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
213.3%
Median failure at 91,719 miles
Seat Belts
213.3%
Suspension
213.3%
Median failure at 95,219 miles
Body & Structure
213.3%
Median failure at 95,219 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.7%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.7%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Brakes
16.7%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Airbags
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
327.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
218.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
327.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
327.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2009peak 3Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201308416,058 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, due to insufficient strength of the access door (rear door) panels, cracks may develop if the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period of time. As the driver and front passenger seat belt retractors are mounted in the access door panels, if cracks occur in the panel around the lower retractor anchor, the seat belt retractors could become detached. This could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the rear door panels for cracks or separation. Depending on the results of the inspection, the dealer will repair as necessary.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Rosenberg, TX
SEAT BELTS
Driver side seat belt is too loose non functional Airbag sign is on I m scared to drive vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11755006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosenberg, TX
AIR BAGS
Driver side seat belt is too loose non functional Airbag sign is on I m scared to drive vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11755006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesArlington, VA
POWER TRAIN
THERE IS RUST ON THE VEHICLE FRAME THAT IS FAR WORSE THAN REASONABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES FROM THIS TIME AND IS KNOWN TO BE CAUSED BY COMPROMISES THAT TOYOTA MADE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
NHTSA complaint #11330423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesArlington, VA
SUSPENSION
THERE IS RUST ON THE VEHICLE FRAME THAT IS FAR WORSE THAN REASONABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES FROM THIS TIME AND IS KNOWN TO BE CAUSED BY COMPROMISES THAT TOYOTA MADE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
NHTSA complaint #11330423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesArlington, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
THERE IS RUST ON THE VEHICLE FRAME THAT IS FAR WORSE THAN REASONABLE FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES FROM THIS TIME AND IS KNOWN TO BE CAUSED BY COMPROMISES THAT TOYOTA MADE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
NHTSA complaint #11330423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSuquamish, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PURCHASED THIS LOW MILEAGE TOYOTA FJ CRUISER IN MARCH OF 2020 FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE BODY AND INTERIOR ARE IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION, HOWEVER UPON POST PURCHASE INSPECTION, THERE IS EXTENSIVE FRAME CORROSION INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WELDED JOINTS, FRAME CROSS MEMBERS, AND ATTACHMENT POINTS FOR THE FRONT DOUBLE WISHBONE SUSPENSION. THE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE, IT CAN BE PICKED OFF OF THE FRAME IN LARGE CHUNKS USING A FINGER. THIS LEVEL OF CORROSION IS ABNORMAL, LEADING ME TO BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IN ADDITION, I BELIEVE THIS CORROSION COMPROMISES THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #11324253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,438 milesChicago, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HORRIBLE FRAME RUST. RUSTY CROSS MEMBERS THAT SUPPORT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. RUSTY BODY AND SUSPENSION MOUNTS THAT ATTACH TO FRAME. ALL THE WELD BEADS ON THE FRAME ARE RUSTED INSIDE AND OUT.
NHTSA complaint #11301623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,438 milesChicago, IL
SUSPENSION
HORRIBLE FRAME RUST. RUSTY CROSS MEMBERS THAT SUPPORT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. RUSTY BODY AND SUSPENSION MOUNTS THAT ATTACH TO FRAME. ALL THE WELD BEADS ON THE FRAME ARE RUSTED INSIDE AND OUT.
NHTSA complaint #11301623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,438 milesChicago, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY
HORRIBLE FRAME RUST. RUSTY CROSS MEMBERS THAT SUPPORT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. RUSTY BODY AND SUSPENSION MOUNTS THAT ATTACH TO FRAME. ALL THE WELD BEADS ON THE FRAME ARE RUSTED INSIDE AND OUT.
NHTSA complaint #11301623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesWoodstock, IL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC, HE HEARD A BREAKING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FRACTURED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE SYMPTOMS OF THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER. THE SECOND DEALER STATED THAT A COMPONENT HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHO THEN REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT NO COST. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10480173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesUMM AL Quwain, 00
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1-CRUISE CONTROL OVER-SPEEDING. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM EXCEED THE SET VEHICLE SPEED IN THESE THREE CONDITIONS 1A.ONE THE CRUISE CONTROL RESUMES SPEED AFTER DECELERATION. 1B.WHILST THE VEHICLE NEGOTIATE UPHILL DRIVING CONDITION 1C. IF THERE IS A STRONG HEAD WIND. THIS WILL KEEP THE DRIVER DISTRACTED TO JUST MONITOR HIS/HER SPEED SO THAT HE/SHE WILL NOT GET FLASHED FOR SPEEDING ! 2-SPEEDOMETER READING DEVIATION COMPARE WITH GPS SPEED READING WHEN THE ODOMETER READING IS 87.5 MPH YOU ARE ACTUALLY DOING 81.88 MPH. 3-ABS ABNORMAL OPERATION WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED ON UNPAVED PEBBLES LADEN ROAD. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT YOU LOSE BREAKING POWER OR THE CAR APPLIES THE BREAK SO STRONG IN A WAY IT PANIC THE DRIVER WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO A CRASH, THIS BEHAVIOR OF THE BREAKS IS IRRELEVANT TO THE DEPRESSING PRESSURE ON THE BREAK PEDAL BY THE DRIVER. 4-A/C AIRFLOW FOOT MODE AIR FLOWING AT WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT IF THE (FOOT ONLY) MODE IS SELECTED THE AIR WILL GET OUT OF THE FOOT EXIST AS WELL AS THE UPPER WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER AND IF USED WITH THE A/C SWITCHED ON IT WILL LEAD TO CONDENSATION OF THE FOG ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (AS COLD AIR WILL COOL DOWN THE WINDSHIELD) WHICH WILL BLOCK THE VISIBILITY! 5-REAR CAMERA MONITOR EXHIBITS DARK PATCH ON BOTH UPPER AND LOWER CORNERS OF THE SCREEN (IF FITTED) ! 6-REMOTE START FUNCTION EXHIBIT STARTER MOTOR OVER-RUN CONDITION AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED (IF THE CAR HAS A REMOTE STARTUP-FACILITY) I HAVE TAKEN THE ISSUES WITH THE LOCAL AGENCY OF MY CAR IN MY COUNTRY AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME WITH REGARDS TO THE US VERSION OF THE FJ CRUISER 2009. IT WILL BE GREAT IF YOU INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINS AS THE FACTORY IS DENYING THAT THERE IS ANY MANUFACTURER DEFECTS ! WHICH I TOTALLY DISAGREE AS I AM SURE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECTS WHICH THE FACTORY IS TRYING TO HIDE IN ORDER TO AVOID A RECALL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION QUERY PLEASE CONTACT ME.
NHTSA complaint #10368010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesUMM AL Quwain, 00
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1-CRUISE CONTROL OVER-SPEEDING. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM EXCEED THE SET VEHICLE SPEED IN THESE THREE CONDITIONS 1A.ONE THE CRUISE CONTROL RESUMES SPEED AFTER DECELERATION. 1B.WHILST THE VEHICLE NEGOTIATE UPHILL DRIVING CONDITION 1C. IF THERE IS A STRONG HEAD WIND. THIS WILL KEEP THE DRIVER DISTRACTED TO JUST MONITOR HIS/HER SPEED SO THAT HE/SHE WILL NOT GET FLASHED FOR SPEEDING ! 2-SPEEDOMETER READING DEVIATION COMPARE WITH GPS SPEED READING WHEN THE ODOMETER READING IS 87.5 MPH YOU ARE ACTUALLY DOING 81.88 MPH. 3-ABS ABNORMAL OPERATION WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED ON UNPAVED PEBBLES LADEN ROAD. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT YOU LOSE BREAKING POWER OR THE CAR APPLIES THE BREAK SO STRONG IN A WAY IT PANIC THE DRIVER WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO A CRASH, THIS BEHAVIOR OF THE BREAKS IS IRRELEVANT TO THE DEPRESSING PRESSURE ON THE BREAK PEDAL BY THE DRIVER. 4-A/C AIRFLOW FOOT MODE AIR FLOWING AT WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT IF THE (FOOT ONLY) MODE IS SELECTED THE AIR WILL GET OUT OF THE FOOT EXIST AS WELL AS THE UPPER WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER AND IF USED WITH THE A/C SWITCHED ON IT WILL LEAD TO CONDENSATION OF THE FOG ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (AS COLD AIR WILL COOL DOWN THE WINDSHIELD) WHICH WILL BLOCK THE VISIBILITY! 5-REAR CAMERA MONITOR EXHIBITS DARK PATCH ON BOTH UPPER AND LOWER CORNERS OF THE SCREEN (IF FITTED) ! 6-REMOTE START FUNCTION EXHIBIT STARTER MOTOR OVER-RUN CONDITION AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED (IF THE CAR HAS A REMOTE STARTUP-FACILITY) I HAVE TAKEN THE ISSUES WITH THE LOCAL AGENCY OF MY CAR IN MY COUNTRY AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME WITH REGARDS TO THE US VERSION OF THE FJ CRUISER 2009. IT WILL BE GREAT IF YOU INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINS AS THE FACTORY IS DENYING THAT THERE IS ANY MANUFACTURER DEFECTS ! WHICH I TOTALLY DISAGREE AS I AM SURE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECTS WHICH THE FACTORY IS TRYING TO HIDE IN ORDER TO AVOID A RECALL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION QUERY PLEASE CONTACT ME.
NHTSA complaint #10368010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesUMM AL Quwain, 00
VISIBILITY
1-CRUISE CONTROL OVER-SPEEDING. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM EXCEED THE SET VEHICLE SPEED IN THESE THREE CONDITIONS 1A.ONE THE CRUISE CONTROL RESUMES SPEED AFTER DECELERATION. 1B.WHILST THE VEHICLE NEGOTIATE UPHILL DRIVING CONDITION 1C. IF THERE IS A STRONG HEAD WIND. THIS WILL KEEP THE DRIVER DISTRACTED TO JUST MONITOR HIS/HER SPEED SO THAT HE/SHE WILL NOT GET FLASHED FOR SPEEDING ! 2-SPEEDOMETER READING DEVIATION COMPARE WITH GPS SPEED READING WHEN THE ODOMETER READING IS 87.5 MPH YOU ARE ACTUALLY DOING 81.88 MPH. 3-ABS ABNORMAL OPERATION WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED ON UNPAVED PEBBLES LADEN ROAD. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT YOU LOSE BREAKING POWER OR THE CAR APPLIES THE BREAK SO STRONG IN A WAY IT PANIC THE DRIVER WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO A CRASH, THIS BEHAVIOR OF THE BREAKS IS IRRELEVANT TO THE DEPRESSING PRESSURE ON THE BREAK PEDAL BY THE DRIVER. 4-A/C AIRFLOW FOOT MODE AIR FLOWING AT WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT IF THE (FOOT ONLY) MODE IS SELECTED THE AIR WILL GET OUT OF THE FOOT EXIST AS WELL AS THE UPPER WINDSHIELD DEFOGGER AND IF USED WITH THE A/C SWITCHED ON IT WILL LEAD TO CONDENSATION OF THE FOG ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (AS COLD AIR WILL COOL DOWN THE WINDSHIELD) WHICH WILL BLOCK THE VISIBILITY! 5-REAR CAMERA MONITOR EXHIBITS DARK PATCH ON BOTH UPPER AND LOWER CORNERS OF THE SCREEN (IF FITTED) ! 6-REMOTE START FUNCTION EXHIBIT STARTER MOTOR OVER-RUN CONDITION AFTER ENGINE HAS STARTED (IF THE CAR HAS A REMOTE STARTUP-FACILITY) I HAVE TAKEN THE ISSUES WITH THE LOCAL AGENCY OF MY CAR IN MY COUNTRY AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME WITH REGARDS TO THE US VERSION OF THE FJ CRUISER 2009. IT WILL BE GREAT IF YOU INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINS AS THE FACTORY IS DENYING THAT THERE IS ANY MANUFACTURER DEFECTS ! WHICH I TOTALLY DISAGREE AS I AM SURE THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECTS WHICH THE FACTORY IS TRYING TO HIDE IN ORDER TO AVOID A RECALL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION QUERY PLEASE CONTACT ME.
NHTSA complaint #10368010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jesup, GA
SEAT BELTS
THE TOYOTA FJ CRUISER'S SEAT BELT IS ENGINEERED HAZARD BASED ON IN SEAM DESIGN OF THE CHASIS. IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION OR THE SEVERANCE OF THE DOOR FROM THE BODY OR SHELL OF THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER CAN BE EXTREMELY INJURED BY THE DESIGN OF SEAT BELT, OR CATAPULTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE INNER SEAM OR FLOOR WOULD BE A BETTER POSITION FOR THE HARNESSING OF THE SEAT BELT APPARATUS. IN ADDITION, THE POWER TRAIN TENDS TO BE A LITTLE STICKY POSSIBLY DUE TO THE OARING OF THE METAL, VISCOSITY ENHANCEMENT CAN BE MADE OR RESEARCH AND DESIGN FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE OF GEARING.
NHTSA complaint #10285520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jesup, GA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TOYOTA FJ CRUISER'S SEAT BELT IS ENGINEERED HAZARD BASED ON IN SEAM DESIGN OF THE CHASIS. IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION OR THE SEVERANCE OF THE DOOR FROM THE BODY OR SHELL OF THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER CAN BE EXTREMELY INJURED BY THE DESIGN OF SEAT BELT, OR CATAPULTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE INNER SEAM OR FLOOR WOULD BE A BETTER POSITION FOR THE HARNESSING OF THE SEAT BELT APPARATUS. IN ADDITION, THE POWER TRAIN TENDS TO BE A LITTLE STICKY POSSIBLY DUE TO THE OARING OF THE METAL, VISCOSITY ENHANCEMENT CAN BE MADE OR RESEARCH AND DESIGN FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE OF GEARING.
NHTSA complaint #10285520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.