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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Toyota FJ CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Most complaints involve structure (12) and steering (9). The EPA rates it 16–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–19mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Aug 2014
Owner complaints
41
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

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

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

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Apr 9, 2013NHTSA 13V123000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2011 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure12
  2. Steering9
  3. Seat belts5
  4. Suspension5
  5. Wheels3
  6. Seats2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Electrical system1
  9. Engine1

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
2007594
2008124
20097
201067
201123
201241
201324
201431
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

12 reports1 fire
“The vehicle within less than 15 years had structural creams rust that had compromised the safety of my vehicle and it is rotting out with holes, the fuel tank is rusted and lose, and may fall, repairs are expensive and it is my only car. They’re all also rust holes right through the body and floor in multiple locations.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Structure, Unknown or other, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11769545

Steering

9 reports
“SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CONSTANTLY SHAKE. IT SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT ISSUE REGARDLESS OF THE TYPES OF TIRES AND BALANCING THAT IS USED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2018Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11103415

Seat belts

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side seat belt was inoperable. The seat belt was not able to stretch or lock into place. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2023Seat beltsODI 11551078
All 2012 FJ Cruiser problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 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 · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Nov 10, 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
172019$3,300468
FJ Cruiser 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172018$3,450494
FJ Cruiser 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
151816$3,900555
  • FJ Cruiser 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    17 city · 20 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • FJ Cruiser 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    17 city · 20 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • FJ Cruiser 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 6571Vehicle 6284
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

2012 FJ Cruiser questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 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 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (12), steering (9), seat belts (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser at 16–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026