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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Toyota FJ CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 124 owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Most complaints involve structure (42) and service brakes, hydraulic (17). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
124
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 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

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

EquipmentReported Aug 4, 2014NHTSA 14V475000
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

124 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2007 – Sep 2026
  1. Structure42
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  3. Suspension14
  4. Seat belts13
  5. Service brakes12
  6. Service brakes, electric8
  7. Power train6
  8. Steering5
  9. Vehicle speed control5

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
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
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

42 reports1 crash
“After buying my vehicle I have began to notice a growing rust problem that is not due to salt water or other environmental conditions, but clearly a defect in manufacturing. After joining a few Facebook groups with other FJ owners I’ve found countless other people have had the same problem and that without massive trust removal my vehicle is expected to have failures in the frame and suspension at some point.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2022Suspension, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11465065

Service brakes, hydraulic

17 reports
“WHILE COMING TO A STOP, IF MY 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER HITS A BUMP THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES KICKING BACK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN, THE BRAKES GRAB AS IF THEY ARE GOING TO LOCK UP AND SKID. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE BRAKE SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO DO THIS IS TO RELEASE THE PEDAL COMPLETELY THEN, REAPPLY THE BRAKES. OBVIOUSLY THIS ISN'T WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN ORDER TO STOP. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES LIKE THIS DOCUMENTED ON THIS WEBSITE. HOW MUCH MORE DOCUMENTATION DOES TOYOTA NEED BEFORE THEY TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10453736

Suspension

14 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2023Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11503872
All 2008 FJ Cruiser problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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
162018$4,400494
FJ Cruiser 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162017$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
    16 city · 20 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • FJ Cruiser 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 20 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.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 2499
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

2008 FJ Cruiser questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?

11 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 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (42), service brakes, hydraulic (17), suspension (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026