Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

66 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
5

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 2sudden stalling 1unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: The rear fuel tank mounting strap rusted in half. After filling vehicle with fuel and driving 10 miles home, I noticed the skid plate hanging down that covers the fuel tank. The plastic skid plate…
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The rear fuel tank mounting strap rusted in half. After filling vehicle with fuel and driving 10 miles home, I noticed the skid plate hanging down that covers the fuel tank. The plastic skid plate started to crack from the weight of the tank. The design of the skid plate to the tank allows moisture and contaminants to reside between the two, rotting the straps. Thankfully I noticed this as if I had kept driving I fear the tank would have completely fallen out of the vehicle. I ordered new straps and hardware, but during the parts search I found many owners of the Toyota FJ, all years, are having the same problem. Apparently the straps are just mild steel and were not treated with any corrosion preventative from the factory. I feel they should have been at least stainless steel. Part numbers for the straps are 77602-35050 and 77601-35110. I'll have photos once the parts come in and I take the vehicle apart. Currently I have a floor jack holding up the tank. Also to clarify, the skid plate is mounted to the fuel tank straps. Once both straps let go, the fuel tank is coming out with the skid plate. The fuel tank is located in front of the rear axle, the vehicle would run over it's own fuel tank, at least until the engine shuts off.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11700752 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
1

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 1
A recent report: THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. SQUIRRELS CHEWED THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSING LOSS OF ABS BRAKING, STABILITY CONTROL AND LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS (DURING A RAIN). I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA USES FOOD…
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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY. SQUIRRELS CHEWED THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSING LOSS OF ABS BRAKING, STABILITY CONTROL AND LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS (DURING A RAIN). I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA USES FOOD BASED INSULATION IN THE 2010 FJ CRUISER. A NICE SOURCE OF SQUIRREL FOOD. FROM THE BARE WIRES AND SQUIRREL NESTING, IT IS A WONDER MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE. I BELIEVE THE SQUIRREL NEST BUILDING WAS DUE TO THE CLOSE FOOD SOURCE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11010821 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
13

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 10unintended acceleration 1premature wear 1
A recent report: UNDERCARRIAGE OF 2010 FJ CRUISER RUSTED. FRONT BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT AND I LOST FLUID. COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED. THANK GOD ONLY GOING 25 MPH NEAR HOME

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11281681 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
17

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 7loss of braking 1
A recent report: Tires were purchased April 2026. Vehicle was then driven in June 2026 for off-road use, minimal usage prior to June due to mechanical issues). A structural failure occurred on 3 new truck tires…
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Tires were purchased April 2026. Vehicle was then driven in June 2026 for off-road use, minimal usage prior to June due to mechanical issues). A structural failure occurred on 3 new truck tires (Size: 275/60R20, DOT: 0225) within 24 hours while driving under 10 MPH on a basic off-road trail. Day 1: Rear driver tire suddenly deflated with a loud thwapping sound. The tire separated from the bead and suffered a 3-4" sidewall tear. Vehicle was at 15 PSI (standard trail pressure). 10 companion trucks ran identical terrain without issue, isolating the failure to this tire batch. Swapped to spare. Day 2: Remaining tires aired up to 20 PSI to mitigate risk. Despite higher pressure and slow speeds, the exact same failure mode recurred on the replacement tire in the same rear driver location, causing another 3-4" sidewall tear. Trail patches failed. Borrowed a spare from another vehicle. 15 minutes later, a 3rd identical failure occurred on the rear passenger tire, causing a blowout and tearing on the inside sidewall. Vehicle was stranded, requiring a 2nd borrowed spare to exit. Tires had only 300 miles of total use. Failed components include the tire sidewalls and internal casing structures. All 3 failed tires are preserved and available for material inspection. Rapid, consecutive loss of multiple tires severely compromised vehicle stability, leaving me repeatedly stranded. Had these structural failures occurred at highway speeds rather than 10 MPH, a catastrophic loss of control or rollover could have occurred. The selling dealer has explicitly refused to file a warranty claim or inspect the failed casings. No prior warning lamps, pressure alerts, or symptoms occurred before the sudden, catastrophic failures.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11745754 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

premature wear 1airbags not deploying 1
A recent report: PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS WARPED AND IS GETTING WORSE. POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG IS POSSIBLE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE SRS PASSENGER…
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PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS WARPED AND IS GETTING WORSE. POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG IS POSSIBLE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE SRS PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER. COMPLAINTS ARE HIGH IN NUMBER AS SEEN ON 'FJ FORUMS' WEBSITE AS WELL. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11337260 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve corrosion. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

corrosion 11premature wear 1
A recent report: The truck's frame was found to be cracked / rusted through in spots. It was discovered during another attempted repair 8/17/26. Because of the split / crack in the frame, the vehicle is now not…
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The truck's frame was found to be cracked / rusted through in spots. It was discovered during another attempted repair 8/17/26. Because of the split / crack in the frame, the vehicle is now not drivable as it is deemed not road worthy. This problem is known to Toyota as well as the NHTSA. The Tacomas of the same years, on which this vehicle is built (same frame, same faulty rust-proofing operation from the manufacturer), was identified and Toyota was required to address it. Why this vehicle was NOT included in the fix is a complete mystery as this problem is well-known and well-documented, far and wide (see YouTube, FJ Cruiser forums, etc., etc.). NHTSA and Toyota have really let FJ Cruiser owners down on this one.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11757740 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
8

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over speed bumps, the vehicle would shake abnormally and was not stable while driving. The contact stated…
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The contact owns a 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over speed bumps, the vehicle would shake abnormally and was not stable while driving. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the rear axle needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,731.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11420477 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 66 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 4 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.