RoadVitals

2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
40
+1 complaint in 30 days
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Nov 28, 2011

What this page shows

Our database holds 40 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 40 · page 1 of 2

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
Filed Nov 5, 2025

Rust damage to frame

NHTSA ID
11697771
Incident
Oct 4, 2025
Filed May 9, 2024

Frame rust through.

NHTSA ID
11587784
Incident
May 9, 2024
Filed Feb 23, 2024

No dealer is willing to fix recalls.

NHTSA ID
11573718
Incident
Feb 23, 2024
Seat belts
Filed Oct 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side seat belt was inoperable. The seat belt was not able to stretch or lock into place. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11551078
Incident
Jun 30, 2023
Mileage
45,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 31, 2023

Took vehicle to a machine shop to have frame undercoated. The machinist found that the frame had holes in it due to rust. He found that the tab gusset bracelet was cracked ( the part of the frame that holds the A-Arm in place). He said that the vehicle was not safe to drive and needs a new frame. The vehicle has 109,000 miles on it. Toyota should have a recall on all Toyota FJ.I contacted Toyota and was denied any help in this matter.

NHTSA ID
11535465
Incident
Jul 26, 2023
Filed Nov 21, 2022

Vehicle's frame was excessively rusted creating structure issues. Among the issues is that I can no longer tow anything with this vehicle because the rear structure is unsafe. Multiple other structural issues have been identified by a service center.

NHTSA ID
11494424
Incident
Nov 21, 2022
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
Filed Aug 18, 2021

Frame rusted

NHTSA ID
11429577
Incident
Aug 18, 2021
Filed Jul 15, 2021

The windshield makes a very loud defining noise while driving. This happens most often when it is windy. It often sounds like the windshield will be ripped off. The noise has gotten progressively worse over the years.

NHTSA ID
11424993
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
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
Seat belts
Filed Feb 28, 2021

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND LEAVES PASSENGER IN DANGER IN CASE OF COLLISION OR IMMEDIATE BRAKING. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER LIABILITY. SEAT BELT HANGS LOOSELY AND DOES NOT LOCK WHEN BRAKES ARE USED.

NHTSA ID
11398292
Incident
May 4, 2020
Mileage
40,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 23, 2020

PASSENGER SEATBELT RECOLL DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID
11375944
Incident
Feb 7, 2020
Mileage
135,000 mi
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
Seat belts
Filed Mar 19, 2019

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 209,000 OF MY EXACT MAKE AND MODEL (YEARS 2007-2013) WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA CLAIMS MY VIN IS NOT ON THEIR LIST FOR RECALLS AND WANTS $416.18 TO FIX THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR. IT SEEMS ABSURD THAT THEY WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11189960
Incident
Dec 24, 2018
Mileage
69,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 22, 2018

SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONSTANTLY SHAKE. IT SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT ISSUE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPES OF TIRES AND BALANCING THAT IS USED.

NHTSA ID
11103415
Incident
Jun 22, 2018
Mileage
19,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 19, 2018

SET BELT BROKEN

NHTSA ID
11073730
Incident
Feb 14, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2017

I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT AT 105K MILES. IT WAS WORE OUT INTERNALLY AND MAKING A HUGE JOLT. THERE IS NO REASON A DRIVE SHAFT SHOULD WEAR OUT AT THIS MILEAGE. I HAVE NOT BEEN HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE OWNED MANYTOYOTAS. THEY USUALLY HOLD UP BETTER THAN THIS. WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING THE GAS AFTER BEING STOPPED IT WAS A JOLT LIKE YOU HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT A LOT OF DIS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED

NHTSA ID
11042900
Incident
Oct 20, 2017
Mileage
105,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 6, 2017

I DROVE ON I-10 LA GRANGE WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR VIBRATED AND TILTED TO THE RIGHT. THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF AND THE TIRE BLEW. WE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BRIDGESTONE WITH CASE NUMBER 748575. THE COMPANY SENT ME A LETTER AND SAID IT WAS PRESSURE PROBLEM. BUT JUST BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW, THE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SO I BELIEVE THE QUALITY AND SAFETY IS AT ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IT AND RECALL THE PRODUCT, DUELER H/T 684 II P265/70R17. I BOUGHT THE FOUR TIRES ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

NHTSA ID
10993507
Incident
Apr 30, 2017
Visibility
Filed Feb 4, 2015

THE WINDSHIELD OF THE FJ CRUISER SEEMS TO BE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO PITTING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN THE SUN OR ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE WINDSHIELD IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY APPEARS TO BE DIRTY AND TRANSLUCENT. REFERENCE VEHICLE IS A TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. IN OVERCAST CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD IS FINE AND APPEARS FINE FROM A DISTANCE. HOWEVER, CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS MASSIVE PITTING THAT APPEARS AT FIRST LIKE DIRT. INSPECTION OF THE HOOD PAINT, ROOF, WIPER ARMS, PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES AND TRIM REVEAL NO SIMILAR DAMAGE. ONLINE FORUMS SEEM TO CONFIRM THIS AND OWNERS PREVIOUSLY DRIVING THE SAME ROUTES AND USING VEHICLES WITH VERY FLAT WINDSHIELDS SUCH AS JEEPS SEEM TO BE REPORTING THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NEW TO THEM AFTER PURCHASING THE FJ CRUISER. MANY REPORT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD NUMEROUS TIMES FOR PITTING. I HAVE VEHICLES WITH OVER 200K MILES ON THEM WITH NO SUCH APPARENT PITTING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WEAKNESS WITH THE GLASS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN LIGHT HITS IT AND THE ROAD AHEAD IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. HERE IS ONE ONLINE THREAD: HTTP://WWW.FJCRUISERFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/GENERAL-DISCUSSION/38932-WINDSHIELD-PITTED.HTML. *TR

NHTSA ID
10681337
Incident
Jan 25, 2015
Mileage
47,000 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.

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