340 of the
1,219 complaints filed about the Toyota FJ Cruiser
are about the body and structure —
28% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
My frame is corroding at a rapid rate and needs to be addressed by Toyota! I truly believe that this was cheap way of selling cars without the proper undercoating affecting these trucks later on most Toyota trucks had the frames replaced buy the dealers with the same problems that these fj cruisers have, this needs to be addressed asap.
NHTSA complaint #11755567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Please consider opening or expanding an investigation into frame, underbody, brake-line, and suspension-mount corrosion affecting Toyota FJ Cruisers. I own a 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4WD. A professional inspection found multiple fluid leaks, heavy rust, rusted exhaust, leaking rear shocks, and brake line/hose concerns. After reviewing the condition, the mechanic essentially declined to repair it and recommended scrapping the vehicle. The attached photos show conditions that appear safety-relevant: rust perforation through underbody structural metal near a bracket/crossmember area; severe corrosion around brake lines and fittings; widespread scaling near suspension and frame components; a leaking rear shock; and badly deteriorated exhaust connections. This is not just appearance rust. Also note the contrast between the observable condition of the vehicle versus the problems hidden beneath. This rust is clearly outpacing normal wear and tear. The safety risk is straightforward. At interstate speeds, a corroded brake line could fail during emergency braking. A weakened shock mount, suspension bracket, or crossmember could fail when the vehicle hits a pothole, uneven bridge plate, or highway debris. In dense, aggressive traffic, especially where vehicles travel 70+ mph, any sudden loss of braking, stability, or rear-end structural integrity could cause a spinout, rollover, or multi-vehicle crash. I understand Toyota has previously addressed severe corrosion on other truck platforms. I urge NHTSA to review whether the FJ Cruiser has a similar pattern of premature or excessive structural corrosion. Owners may not know the vehicle is unsafe until a mechanic refuses repair or a component fails. Please review consumer complaints, inspection photos, and corrosion-related failures before this becomes a fatal incident.
NHTSA complaint #11736593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while cleaning underneath the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer made aware of the failure and advised them contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11700517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the undercarriage and subframe were severely corroded. The contact was informed that the vehicle should not be driven because the wheels might detach from the vehicle. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
NHTSA complaint #11689262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frame and undercarriage have excessive wear for age of vehicle despite normal maintenance and care. Rust and corrosion has made the vehicle unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11671174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that after it had rained, the front driver's side seat belt was wet, even though the windows were rolled up and the doors were closed securely. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 00707 (Structure); however, the vehicle was not included in the TSB. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #11642157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
-Toyota recalled the vehicles using the same/similar frame has the same rusty issues, like Tacoma. This recalled made me pay attention on this issue and I found the my FJ cruiser is no longer 100% safe while driving. -The frame of the body is very rusty after years which is not normal. I believe most owners of this model having the same issue. There are rust everywhere under the body, when change some parts, it was really hard to do so, need the fire gun to burn all the screws. And the exhaust system all rusty and leaked as well, cost me a lot of money to fix. -The frame may broken anytime while driving which is risky to me and my passengers. -No dealers would like to fix that frame for me unless to pay a huge amount of Labour costs, which is higher than the value of the car. -it has been inspected by more than 5 car specialists and body shop workers, saying that frame is dying and won’t last for long, maybe will completely broken in a few years. -There is no issues on mechanics, just the under body rust. It happened a lot of years maybe 5-7 years before. -I’m from Canada.
NHTSA complaint #11612569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Upon having the vehicle inspected by a State Inspector, the contact was informed that there was significant corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the corrosion failure was a result of normal wear and tear. The contact was referred to an independent mechanic who specialized in vehicle undercoating to prevent further corrosion damage to the vehicle. Despite the vehicle being treated for the corrosion damage, the contact was recently informed that the corrosion damage had worsened, and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11606446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My fj cruiser has terrible rust on the frame. It literally looks like it was stored in the ocean for 50 years. This vehicle is from 2007 and should not have this much rust.
NHTSA complaint #11581956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Excessive frame rust causing safety issue with suspension and crash danger. Yes my vehicle is available for inspection. My safety as well as other drivers safety are put at risk if the suspension fails causing my vehicle to veer into on-coming traffic. The problem is on going and can be confirmed by a dealer or independent service. My vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, but is available for inspection upon request. No warnings lamps. This is an undercarriage issue that is hidden by the tires and the body that sits on the frame.
NHTSA complaint #11564248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2007 FJ Cruiser with very low mileage (below 80,000). It has a terrible carriage rust problem. I thought I'd had it remediated, finally, after endlessly searching for someone to address it. Dry ice treatment and undercoating were applied recently. I replaced the wheels and tires, as well. All seemed well and it passed inspection. But, then the power steering started stiffening. So I had that attended to. The mechanic then told me the rack and pinion and a plethora of other issues were happening due to rust and corrosion - at an additional $$$$$$ cost. So far, this summer, I have spent close to $5,000 to resurrect this vehicle. I can't afford to invest anymore or justify doing so. I am looking to sell. But first I am investigating the FJ class-action against Toyota. I understand this class-action was denied in part last year in California. I plan to check any legal status that might still exist. My hope is that Toyota will acknowledge the problem with the FJs, recall and FIX the problem or at least reimburse me all my repair/remediation expenses. I know they won't do anything unless there is a lot of pressure and outcry to do so. Although, my FJ spent the first 16 years of its life in NJ (which many claim is the cause and of course is plausible - I don't disagree but not to this degree), it was not driven that much, garaged and well cared for. I did not really notice the rust issue until January 2021 when I took it to the local Toyota dealership. I think I was taking it there for an oil change. They were surprised that I'd driven it there because the brakes were so bad. I had it towed home and spent the next many months searching for someone to fix it. No one wanted to touch it until this summer 2023. The gentleman who dry iced and coated informed me about the lawsuit. I never received any kind of notice (thus far) from Toyota about any recall. So now I am garnering information and investigating the best I can. My FJ looks brand new except for frame corro
NHTSA complaint #11546647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRAME IS SEVERELY RUSTING. WE TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALER TO GET A LOOSE SKID PLATE ATTACHED, AND MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THEY HAD TO REMOVE IT BECAUSE "THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH TO AS THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY. THE FRAME, ATTACHMENT POINTS, SUPPORTS, AXLES AND SUSPENSION PIECES ARE EXTREMELY RUSTY. WE WERE ADVISED BY MECHANIC TO DISPOSE OF THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD SOON BE UNDRIVEABLE. 98000 MILE, 9 YEAR OLD, BABIED, DEALER MAINTAINED CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11534641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frame rust prematurely affecting integrity of the rear lower control arm mounts. Back half of frame almost completely rusted through requiring a full frame replacement.
NHTSA complaint #11531473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The frame has rusted so badly it no longer is road safe and the frame needs to be replaced. Large hole in frame on front passenger side, and bad rusting all over. Mechanics said this is a known issue with FJ and Tacoma frames , and in my case the only solution is to replace the frame, which will cost (with associated work) $22K.
NHTSA complaint #11512618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear Body Mount rotted, frame very rusted and thin, could pose issue with structure. All the times bringing to dealer, nothing was mentioned regarding how bad the frame was.
NHTSA complaint #11499924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
took the vehicle to a toyota dealership which stated the frame is dangerous and rusted very badly. they told me to file a complaint since the delaer was not covered under the lemon law
NHTSA complaint #11496354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.