Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Toyota FJ CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 593 owner complaints for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Most complaints involve structure (238) and suspension (78). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
593
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to the front bumper. These lamp assemblies include 55 watt bulbs and due to this wattage and mounting angle, the combination of the upper beam headlamps plus the auxiliary lamps are too bright and exceed the maximum light output allowed for an upper beam headlamp. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Exterior lightingReported Apr 25, 2013NHTSA 13V163000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

593 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2006 – Jun 2026
  1. Structure238
  2. Suspension78
  3. Visibility77
  4. Power train51
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic46
  6. Fuel/propulsion system30
  7. Service brakes26
  8. Seat belts24
  9. Vehicle speed control24

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each FJ Cruiser model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007593
2008124
20097
201066
201123
201241
201324
201430
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

238 reports4 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the undercarriage and subframe were severely corroded. The contact was informed that the vehicle should not be driven because the wheels might detach from the vehicle. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2025StructureODI 11689262

Suspension

78 reports1 crash
“My fj cruiser has terrible rust on the frame. It literally looks like it was stored in the ocean for 50 years. This vehicle is from 2007 and should not have this much rust.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2024Suspension, StructureODI 11581956

Visibility

77 reports1 crash
“I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 30 MILES PER HOUR, IN A RESIDENTIAL STREET, WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A NOISE AND NOTED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEVELOPED A FIVE INCH CRACK, STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM CENTER GOING UP. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CRACK MOVED SIGNIFICANTLY, TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF THE WINDSHIELD MOVING TO COVER THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD, THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF ROAD. THE CRACK SEEMS TO HAVE DEVELOPED DUE TO PRESSURE STRESS- A DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURING. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE WITH SIMILAR REPORTS, OFTEN TIMES, EVEN AFTER HAVING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND MANUFACTURING ERROR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2015Visibility, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 10693479
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
FJ Cruiser 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172118$4,400494
FJ Cruiser 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$4,700523
FJ Cruiser 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151816$5,000555
  • FJ Cruiser 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    17 city · 21 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • FJ Cruiser 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • FJ Cruiser 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1904
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 FJ Cruiser questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

Owners filed 593 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (238), suspension (78), visibility (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026