2008 Toyota Fj Cruiser Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Fj Cruiser, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure4228.4%
- Brakes3523.6%
- Suspension149.5%
- Seat belts138.8%
- Other / unspecified85.4%
- Visibility53.4%
- Driver assistance53.4%
- Fuel system53.4%
- Electrical42.7%
- Powertrain (other)42.7%
- Steering42.7%
- Transmission21.4%
- Airbags21.4%
- Engine21.4%
- Tires & wheels21.4%
- Interior & seats10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Chassis frame rotted
Premature frame rust
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
the brakes are constantly binding up due to rust and need replaced, recently ABS brake lines rusted off causing me to miss a stop sign, very dangerous, Upper rear control arm mount rusted and cracked completely off causing steering and braking problems and had to be replaced to even use this vehicle, , The front rack has been replaced due to excessive rust of lines and fittings, same with transmission cooler lines-rotted off...brake backing plates rotted off.. Even though I have had this undercoated and rust treated, the frame is rusting inside-out...frame braces, everything on the frame is rusted much more than one would expect, even in a salt state like Ohio....my safety was put at risk by faulty brakes, the frame is not safe under hard braking and may cause an accident, the dealer has seen this vehicle, a local independent says "get rid of it"...no warning lamps, just wild things happen with brakes, pulls left, pulls right, front, then back and this past time ...NONE!...only 111,000 miles.
On the home my wife went to apply the brakes and she had no brake pressure. The pedal went all the way to the floor. Then several lights and a buzzer sound started, and she could not stop the car. She was able to pull up on the e-brake just before she drove completely into the intersection, where several cars were driving in both directions. The front end of car ended partially in the north bound lane of US MD-5. There was also a home at the end of the road that she could have also driven into. I researched on several forums where other owners have had the same issue and the dealership has been unable to diagnose the issue. No TSB or recall has been made, but the number of people that have had this issue, something should have been done. My 4-year-old daughter was in the car, and I could have lost both of them. People need to aware of this. I had no idea that a total brake failure was possible with these vehicles.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Chassis frame rotted
the brakes are constantly binding up due to rust and need replaced, recently ABS brake lines rusted off causing me to miss a stop sign, very dangerous, Upper rear control arm mount rusted and cracked completely off causing steering and braking problems and had to be replaced to even use this vehicle, , The front rack has been replaced due to excessive rust of lines and fittings, same with transmission cooler lines-rotted off...brake backing plates rotted off.. Even though I have had this undercoated and rust treated, the frame is rusting inside-out...frame braces, everything on the frame is rusted much more than one would expect, even in a salt state like Ohio....my safety was put at risk by faulty brakes, the frame is not safe under hard braking and may cause an accident, the dealer has seen this vehicle, a local independent says "get rid of it"...no warning lamps, just wild things happen with brakes, pulls left, pulls right, front, then back and this past time ...NONE!...only 111,000 miles.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Seat belt just started to not work. retractor is not working and I am concern for my safety due to relocating to Florida and seat belt is not working.
The driver seat belt will not contract back.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
The frame of the vehicle is rotted out. Holes in it. Front to back , side to side ROTTED. TOYOTA DEALER looked at it at my request when it was in for service and said it was very bad. I’m [XXX] on Social Security, I cannot afford a frame or a new car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was given this car seat as a gift 12/18/2021. The metal buckle is inserted backwards on the left side. This results in a twist of the seat belt that can’t be corrected. I cannot remove the metal piece to fix this because the strap is sewn together. I thought it was just twisting because that’s what car seats sometimes do. But when I remove the padding to clean it today I realized it was a manufacturer error.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN THREE VEHICLES BEHIND THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BACK PART IS TOO HIGH AND IT AFFECTS VISIBILITY TO LOWER CARS. THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY REVERSE CAMERA OR SENSOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO MARKINGS OF WHERE THE OBJECT STRUCK. A CRACK BEGAN TO FORM IN THE WINDSHIELD SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT APPLIED CONTINUOUS ABRUPT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE.
2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER, BUILD DATE:10/07. HAVE HAD UNNERVING EXPERIENCES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY FJ.(1) WHEN BRAKING OVER A NON SMOOTH ROAD THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES FOR A LONG PERIOD AND DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. (2) HAD TO PANIC STOP AND HIT THE BRAKES HARD, THEY LOCKED UP, THERE WAS NO BRAKING JUST THE ABS TOOK OVER AND LOCKED UP THE BRAKES HARD TO THE POINT THAT I WAS GLAD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT, BECAUSE I WOULD'VE BEEN LYING IN THE STREET.(3) THE PEDAL WILL BE HARD ONE TIME AND MUSHY THE NEXT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN THE PEDAL IS MUSHY THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK APPROPRIATELY, NEARLY REAR ENDING PEOPLE OR LOCKING UP THE BRAKES TO STOP. (4) WHEN AT A STOP THE PEDAL WAS MUSHY AND I TRIED TO "PUMP"UP THE PEDAL BY PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (RELATED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM) THE DASH AND AN ANNOYING ALARM SOUNDED, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. (5) WHEN THE PEDAL IS MUSHY I CAN PUSH IT DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE STOPPING POINT/FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HAD ANY "ISSUES". *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear fuel tank strap rusted and broke, leaving my tank hanging several inches lower to the ground.
My Toyota FJ Cruiser 2008 "FUEL PUMP" failed to indicate the amount of gasoline I had in the tank, the car completely stop working on the freeway while I was driving approximately at 70 MPH right in the fast lane, the car/motor just ugly shook and suddenly it stall/shut down... luckily the cars behind me were able to maneuver their cars and avoided a possible crash. I tried to start the car again and gave me some forward jumps until i got it off of the road. the gas panel indicator was still reading 1/2 filled tank but not gas inside tank...I called freeway service patrol (511) and they Offered me a gallon of gas, as i run out (they saved my day). i thought this was just one hit wonder problem but not the car has been getting me in trouble ever since now my wife drives it too, she or me assume there is still gas in the car and out of the blue i wind out carrying gas in a red gallon... i asked mechanics if they can replace but they said no easy - access to replace the pump is not well designed to extract the fuel pump and the floor mats on the car and the rear seat must be removed and some how the car will have some cosmetic damage... best is to lower the full gas tank from underneath but there is also a problem as the wire connector length are extremely short and they must be cut out and add extensions after replacing pump and may affect sensor lights... and repair for that is quite expensive. The car pump goes up when full tank but as gas is used needle stops at 1/2 mark and there is no way to tell if i have gas- I had experienced 8 time stalls, luckily no accidents - I found this online and called Toyota but they are unaware of this recall: "if stall pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371" is it true?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE APPEARS TO BE A SHORT IN SOME WIRING. MY TURN SIGNAL/HAZARDS FUSE BLOWS EVER TIME I TRY TO TURN THEM ON.
DRIVER DOOR ACTUATOR WORKS INCONSISTENTLY . SPOKE WITH DEALER AND TOLD NEED REPLACEMENT. WENT ON LINE AND SEE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION PIECES ON MY FJ HAVE RUSTED DUE TO POOR COATINGS AND MATERIALS USED BY TOYOTA. *TR
THE FRAME ON MY FJ CRUISER IT LITERATELY ROTTING TO NOTHING. AS ARE MOST PRODUCED FROM 2007 - 2012 I HAVE BEGGED TOYOTA FOR HELP AND A RESOLUTION LIKE WITH THE TUNDRA AND TACOMA FRAME ROTTING ISSUES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR KILLED. MY CONTROL ARE IN ROTTING AWAY FROM THE FRAME. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURE THE THIS IS BAD BAD. FJ CRUISER WAS STATIONARY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased steering wheel rotation before the vehicle started to maneuver in either direction. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 197,000.
the brakes are constantly binding up due to rust and need replaced, recently ABS brake lines rusted off causing me to miss a stop sign, very dangerous, Upper rear control arm mount rusted and cracked completely off causing steering and braking problems and had to be replaced to even use this vehicle, , The front rack has been replaced due to excessive rust of lines and fittings, same with transmission cooler lines-rotted off...brake backing plates rotted off.. Even though I have had this undercoated and rust treated, the frame is rusting inside-out...frame braces, everything on the frame is rusted much more than one would expect, even in a salt state like Ohio....my safety was put at risk by faulty brakes, the frame is not safe under hard braking and may cause an accident, the dealer has seen this vehicle, a local independent says "get rid of it"...no warning lamps, just wild things happen with brakes, pulls left, pulls right, front, then back and this past time ...NONE!...only 111,000 miles.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROWOUT BEARING FAILING, THREATENS TO LEAVE VEHICLE STRANDED OR CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2008 TOYOTA F.J. CRUISER AND SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH A DEFECT IN THE DRIVE TRAIN WHICH HAS NOW CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION HAVING STARTED TO SKIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS PROMISED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS, BUT AS OF YET HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO. I CONTINUE TO GET THE SAME RUN AROUND FROM BIG BUSINESS. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SHED LIGHT ON THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. NOTHING THEY HAVE DONE SO FAR HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. HELP ME!!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
A VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY ON A RURAL INTERSTATE AS MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER APPROACHED IN THE SAME LANE. THE DRIVER OF THE FJ CRUISER BRAKED QUICKLY TO AVOID HITTING THE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AN 18-WHEELER BEHIND IT COULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH. IT REAR-ENDED MY FJ CRUISER SENDING THE FRONT-END COLLIDING DIRECTLY INTO THE BACK OF THE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE. AS THE 18-WHEELER CONTINUED FORWARD, MY FJ CRUISER WAS SQUEEZED OUT FROM BETWEEN THE TWO VEHICLES AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER LANE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF MY FJ CRUISER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME DURING THE COLLISION WITH THE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
LOSS OF BRAKES, TRIED TO STOP. BOTH FEET APPLIED TO BRAKES AND NOTHING. THIS WAS A T STOP WITH A 20' DROP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD . THIS WAS ON A ROAD DRIVEN CONSTANTLY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT WENT OVER THE CURB THROUGH A YARD HIT A FIRE HYDRANT TOOK IT ACROSS THE STREET JUMPED THE OTHER CURB AND STOPPED IN BRUSH. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS IN THE GRASS OR ROAD WHERE THE BREAKS HAD BEEN APPLIED. DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG RIPPED OR SHREDDED AT BOTTOM DID NOT INFLATE FULLY, PASSENGERS DID INFLATE CORRECTLY. NO ONE WAS HURT SERIOUSLY OR TAKEN BY EMS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND TRYING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO SOME HORSES, THE VEHICLE SLID OFF OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. A ROD ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
I PURCHASED NEW A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER 2 WHEEL DRIVE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SINCE OWNERSHIP FROM MARCH 2009 TO DATE, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A LURCHING FORWARD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND AT A FULL STOP. THIS LURCHING FORWARD OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON AND AT THE TIME THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH ENGAGES. MOST OF THE TIME, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH ENGAGES, THE ENGINE RPM ONLY INCREASES ABOUT 100 RPM, BUT FREQUENTLY, WHEN THE A/C CLUTCH ENGAGES THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES 300 TO 400 RPM WITH NORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE STOPPED, 100 RPM ENGINE INCREASES CAUSE NO PROBLEM, BUT WITH 300 TO 400 RPM ENGINE INCREASES, NORMAL BRAKE PRESSURES WHILE STOPPED ARE NOT ADEQUATE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BILL PENNY TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT (HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA) ON 02/23/2010 AND THE SERVICE REPORT STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE MY OWNERSHIP BEGAN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I ATTEMPTED TO SUBMIT MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TOYOTA OF LONGVIEW, IN LONGVIEW, TEXAS, IN RESPONSE TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TITLED "CERTAIN 2008 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR FJ CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRD ACCESSORY WHEELS AND TOYOTA-RECOMMENDED LIGHT TRUCK TIRES." I REQUESTED THE TPMS ECU BE REPLACED, THE COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE BE REVISED AND A NEW TIRE/LOADING LABEL INSTALLED. TOYOTA OF LONGVIEW REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECOMMENDED WORK UNLESS I PAID A $99.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THESE COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I BELIEVE THESE COMPONENTS MUST BE REPLACED NOTWITHSTANDING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MECHANIC'S OPINION. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED.
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SIDE WALL BLOW OUT. VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW HAD 14,000 MILE ON IT. FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT REAR TIRE HAS "BUBBLE" IN SAME AREA. THE VEHICLE IS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER DOOR ACTUATOR WORKS INCONSISTENTLY . SPOKE WITH DEALER AND TOLD NEED REPLACEMENT. WENT ON LINE AND SEE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .