Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems
Owners filed 66 complaints about the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser with NHTSA between Feb 2010 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is structure (13).
Complaints
66
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure13
- Steering13
- Wheels11
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Suspension7
- Service brakes6
- Vehicle speed control5
- Air bags4
- Seat belts4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Tires2
- Electrical system2
- Service brakes, electric2
- Engine1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
11
9
10
2
4
4
0
2
2
9
3
3
2
1
1
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
13 reports1 crash
“The frame has rusted so badly it no longer is road safe and the frame needs to be replaced. Large hole in frame on front passenger side, and bad rusting all over. Mechanics said this is a known issue with FJ and Tacoma frames , and in my case the only solution is to replace the frame, which will cost (with associated work) $22K.”
Steering
13 reports
“I have a dangerous steering issue. I tried to get my Toyota dealer to fix it, or adjust it but they said nothing was wrong. I feel they didn't want to even try. This issue has almost led to head-on collisions many times. I have replaced the tires, no help there. I had it aligned, (at dealer I purchased it from) with no improvements at all. What it does is, to stay in the center of the road I can not turn my head away from constantly adding steering input. This is an issue a big one, my car Drifts left or right but rarely goes straight when steered straight, I must constantly make adjustments to its direction. Before I replace the tires again, (the car has only 53,000 miles on it) and align it again I feel this problem must be fixed or properly adjusted to work without constant steering input to stay in my lane. I replaced tires with better than it came with, costing around $750 these are now showing bad wear after less than 20,000 miles and purchase information said I should not need to replace them for 60,000 miles. Additional information is the last 300 feet to my house is a dirt road, but it's not that bumpy and shouldn't be the reason that I can't steer it straight on asphalt.”
Wheels
11 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIBRATION MADE THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 8566 SUDLEY RD, MANASSAS, VA 20110, (703) 369-3040) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A BENT WHEEL; HOWEVER, REPLACING IT WOULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
9 reports
“WHILE APPROACHING A STOPLIGHT WITH LIGHT BRAKING, FOR APPROXIMATELY A HALF BLOCK, THE ABS STARTED TO PULSATE THE FRONT BRAKES THUS CAUSING THEM TO LOSE EFFECTIVENESS. I TRIED TO PUSH HARDER BUT HAD NO EFFECT ON THE CONDITION. I THEN LET CLEAR OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO "RESET" IF YOU WILL, THEN I WAS ABLE STOP PRIOR TO RUNNING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. HAD THERE BEEN A VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN IN FRONT OF ME THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN A GOOD ONE. I BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR”
Suspension
7 reports
“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.”
Service brakes
6 reports
“WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION TO TURN OR STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, AND VEHICLE ENCOUNTERS A POT HOLE OR BROKEN PAVEMENT, BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE LOSES BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. OTHER DRIVERS OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE HAVE ENCOUNTERED SAME ISSUE ACROSS MULTIPLE YEAR MODELS.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.