Toyota FJ Cruiser: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Toyota FJ Cruiser: 4 model years scored from 93 NHTSA owner complaints and 17 recall campaigns. Worst year 2012, best year 2011.
Year-by-year data table
Best year in our data: 2011 (score 85). Worst: 2012 (score 80, BUY).
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 81 | BUY | $5,518 | 30 | 5 |
| 2013 | — | DATA PENDING | $5,610 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 80 | BUY | $5,654 | 40 | 5 |
| 2011 | 85 | BUY | $5,768 | 23 | 7 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the FJ Cruiser, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Toyota FJ Cruiser
Across every FJ Cruiser model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Structure26 complaints across all FJ Cruiser years · typical job: Body, subframe or corrosion repair$1,070–$2,920
- Steering21 complaints across all FJ Cruiser years · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement$1,020–$2,500
- Suspension14 complaints across all FJ Cruiser years · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle$780–$1,580
- Unknown Or Other10 complaints across all FJ Cruiser years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Wheels8 complaints across all FJ Cruiser years · typical job: Wheel bearing or hub replacement$460–$920
- Seat Belts5 complaints across all FJ Cruiser years · typical job: Pretensioner or retractor replacement$360–$800
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What is the best year for the Toyota FJ Cruiser?
On our data the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser scores 85/100 — the highest of the 4 model years we hold, with 23 NHTSA complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record.
Which Toyota FJ Cruiser years should I avoid?
The 2012 is the weakest year we score, at 80/100 (BUY), on 40 complaints and 5 recalls. Check the year-by-year table above before committing to any particular car.
What is the most common Toyota FJ Cruiser problem?
26 of the complaints filed against the FJ Cruiser across all its model years sit in the Structure group — more than any other component.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04