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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure13
  2. Steering13
  3. Wheels11
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  5. Suspension7
  6. Service brakes6
  7. Vehicle speed control5
  8. Air bags4
  9. Seat belts4
  10. Fuel/propulsion system3
  11. Tires2
  12. Electrical system2
  13. Service brakes, electric2
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201011
20119
201210
20132
20144
20154
20160
20172
20182
20199
20203
20213
20222
20231
20241
20251
20262

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2023StructureODI 11512618

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2022Steering, WheelsODI 11482639

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2017Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11013700

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10448502

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2021SuspensionODI 11420477

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2019Service brakesODI 11235209
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.