Problems · by component

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser structure problems

42 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser cite structure, 34% of all 124 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
42
34% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The frame of my Truck has started to rust out as to many FJ Cruisers. It's been a known issue that these frame have this problem along with the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra. Which Toyota have a recall on those two models but they've yet to recognize the Toyota FJ Cruiser for the same issue. If this issue isn't resolved, it can result in weak points in the chassis making those area fail and cause an accident underload. I have had my shop look at it and said they can only treat the affected areas so much but the issue will keep coming back over time as rust does not go away unless its cut out. For the safety for myself, any FJ Owners as well as the roads we share with the public I hope that we get this issue corrected through the Manufacturer. Thank you”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2021StructureODI 11431265
“While inspecting a broken rear fuel tank strap, several holes were noticed in the frame of the vehicle. Excessive corrosion was present all along the welds on the frame and its crossmembers. There were spots where I could poke my finger through the frame. There was no warning that this corrosion was happening. I am the third owner of this FJ and it was inspected before I purchased it. The vehicle has not yet been taken to a dealership, police or an insurance company.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2021StructureODI 11423777
“THIS VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOPE RUST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2008 AND IS SCARY RUSTY ON THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS. AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF RUST COMPARED TO OTHER 2008 ERA VEHICLES. EVENTUALLY ONE OF THESE FAULTY FRAMES ARE GOING TO BREAK IN A HIGH SPEED SCENARIO AND SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH WILL OCCUR. MY OTHERWISE PERFECT FJ CRUISER ONLY HAS 35000 MILES ON IT AND SAT IN STORAGE FOR THE WINTER OF 2016 AND 2017.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2020Suspension, StructureODI 11361371
“2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER FRAME ROTTING FROM INSIDE AND OUT. ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE PARTS FAILING BECAUSE OF CORROSION THAT BLED OVER FROM THE FRAME TO INCLUDE BOTH FRONT STEERING KNUCKLES, TWO PARTS THAT ONLY EVER GET REPLACED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. SEVERAL FRAME SUPPORTS HAVE CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND ARE FLAKING OFF. BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT RUN ALONG THE FRAME HAVE CORRODED FROM THE FRAME TO THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THEM TO THE LINES THEMSELVES. CAUSE A SLOW BRAKE LEAK OVER TIME THAT EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN A DANGEROUS NEAR ACCIDENT SITUATION THAT WAS CAUSED BY COMPLETE IMMEDIATE LACK OF BRAKE PRESSURE. EVASIVE DRIVING AND A SOUND MIND AVOIDED A LEGITIMATE ACCIDENT, HAD TO TOW THE TRUCK TO A SHOP. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FRAME WILL NOT HOLD UP IN AN ACCIDENT. 12 YEAR OLD FRAME SHOULD NOT BE ANYWHERE NEAR THIS CONDITION. DUE TO OVERSIGHTS AT THE MANUFACTURER THIS FRAME IS NOW CORRODING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2020Suspension, Structure, Service brakesODI 11341612
“SEVERE RUST ON ALL PARTS OF THE FRAME 'UNDERCARRIAGE', BRAKE LINES, GAS TANK STRAPS. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED BY FJ OWNERS AND NOTHING DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER. TRUCK WAS NEVER DRIVEN THROUGH SALT WATER NOR IS IT STORED BY THE WATER FRONT. I AM FRIGHTENED THAT IN AN ACCIDENT THE WHOLE BODY OF THE TRUCK WILL JUST COME OFF THE FRAME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 27, 2020StructureODI 11341709

Showing 6 of 42 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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