RoadVitals

2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Aug 7, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
28%
of 40 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structure
Filed Aug 7, 2026

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 ID
11755567
Incident
Jul 18, 2026
Body & structure
Filed May 23, 2022

Frame and undercarriage compromised by excessive rust on 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Substandard materials/process used in manufacturing by Toyota on the FJ cruiser undercarriage and frame, causing excessive rust damage. Widespread problem in the United States with excessive rust compromising the stability and safety of the vehicles. Toyota authorized Dealerships are no help. Expect consumers to pay out of pocket to repair frame.

NHTSA ID
11465821
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Body & structure
Filed Apr 7, 2022

Noticed rust on suv/frame confirmed by Faulkner Toyota Dealership, mechanic informed too address this problem soon.

NHTSA ID
11460087
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Jan 19, 2022

Excessive underbody and frame rust.

NHTSA ID
11447983
Incident
Jan 18, 2022
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 12, 2021

Too much frame rust on vehicle. Rust seems to be most prevalent around welds where cross members meet the frame. This frame is the same frame used for a number of other Toyota vehicles. In some places the rust is nearly bad enough for crucial body members to separate which would cause a severe accident. The frame on the Toyota FJ Cruiser is the same frame used in the vehicles outlined in the successful class action lawsuit, "Brian Warner et al. v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc." in the UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA Case No. 2:15-cv-02171-FMO-FFM. That lawsuit only specified Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia vehicles though the frames are the exact same. My Frame is still under warranty.

NHTSA ID
11420678
Incident
Jun 12, 2021
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 1, 2020
Fire reported

MY PROBLEM MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER BURNED 12 AM MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 18 2020 WAS PARKING AT FRONT AT MY HOUSE IT BURNED COMPLETELY IN THE ENGINE AREA I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS VANS EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
11372541
Incident
Oct 18, 2020
Mileage
130 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 29, 2020

GENERAL PERSONAL USE. FRAME IS RUSTING AT AN ALARMING RATE. I FEEL IT IS CRUCIAL FOR ME TO GET THE EXISTING RUST REMOVED AND THE FRAME PROTECTED IF I WANT THIS VEHICLE TO LAST ME A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF YEARS WITHOUT ANY STRUCTURAL FAILURES. IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
11351925
Incident
Aug 28, 2020
Body & structure
Filed Jan 24, 2020

I AM ONE OF THE MANY WHO ARE EXPERIENCING RUST PROBLEMS WITH MY FJ. RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE ALL CALIPERS REPLACED DUE TO RUST. OIL PAN COVER AND COMPONENTS AROUND IT ARE STARTING TO SHOW SIGNIFICANT RUST. RUST IS IN THE EARLY STAGES IN SEVERAL AREAS OF THE FRAME BUT VERY EARLY STAGES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE RUST WILL BEGIN TO AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11301602
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 9, 2019

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF CAR - ALL OVER THE FRAME AND AXELS

NHTSA ID
11287895
Incident
Nov 20, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Aug 13, 2014

THE DESIGN OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE FJ CRUISER (AND OTHER TOYOTAS) ALLOWS EASY ACCESS FOR DISEASE-CARRYING RODENTS TO ENTER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CABIN. IN THE SOUTHWEST DEER MICE ARE CARRIERS OF ANTIVIRUS, A SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISEASE SPREAD VIA THE FECES AND URINE OF THESE MICE. (NEARLY 30% OF THE DEER MICE IN NEW MEXICO ARE INFECTED AND EVERY YEAR PEOPLE CONTRACT THE VIRUS USUALLY VIA SWEEPING MOUSE DROPPINGS WHILE CLEANING ENCLOSED AREAS. CHECK THE CDC WEBSITE.) BECAUSE THE MICE CAN EASILY ACCESS THE CABIN FILTER AND BLOWER THEY COULD SPREAD THIS VIRUS TO OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS AND DIRECTLY BY INFESTING THE INTERIOR. MY LOCAL DEALER HAS DEALT WITH MANY RODENT NESTS INFESTING TOYOTAS--SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL BE INFECTED WITH THIS DEADLY VIRUS. THECENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL DOCUMENTS THE SERIOUS THREAT OF ANTIVIRUS. I PARK A HONDA ACCORD AND A CIVIC NEXT TO MY FJ AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS INFESTATION PROBLEM. THE AIR VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD COWL AND ALL OPEN VENTS NEED TO BE SCREENED TO KEEP RODENTS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UNDER WARRANTY TOYOTA SHOULD RETROFIT WITH SCREENING ALL ACCESS POINTS THAT ALLOW RODENTS TO ENTER THE CABIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622116
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
12,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WHEEL CHAIR LIFT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN IT WAS BEING UTILIZED, THE REAR BUMPER WOULD SINK TWO INCHES. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD RISE BY TWO INCHES. THE TOTAL WEIGHT FOR THE WHEEL CHAIR LIFT AND THE WHEEL CHAIR WAS 300 POUNDS. THE WEIGHT CAPACITY FOR THE VEHICLE WAS LABELED AS 500 POUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.

NHTSA ID
10513034
Incident
Apr 27, 2013
Mileage
41 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .