Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems

Owners filed 41 complaints about the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (12).

Complaints
41
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure12
  2. Steering9
  3. Seat belts5
  4. Suspension5
  5. Wheels3
  6. Seats2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Electrical system1
  9. Engine1
  10. Power train1
  11. Tires1
  12. Visibility/wiper1
  13. Engine and engine cooling1
  14. Service brakes1

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 Nov 10, 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
20111
20124
20137
20143
20151
20160
20172
20182
20192
20204
20214
20224
20232
20242
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

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 reports1 related recall
“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

Suspension

5 reports
“Took vehicle to a machine shop to have frame undercoated. The machinist found that the frame had holes in it due to rust. He found that the tab gusset bracelet was cracked ( the part of the frame that holds the A-Arm in place). He said that the vehicle was not safe to drive and needs a new frame. The vehicle has 109,000 miles on it. Toyota should have a recall on all Toyota FJ.I contacted Toyota and was denied any help in this matter.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2023Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11535465

Wheels

3 reports
“I HAVE PURCHASED AN FJ CRUISER FROM CITY TOYOTA IN DALY CITY, CA ON 7/12/2012. DURING MY 15,000 MI MAINTENANCE CHECK UP, THE SERVICE MANAGER DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUT STUDS ON THE WHEELS BROKE WHEN HE WAS TORQUING. HE ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE MADE IN CHINA AND THAT HE HAS FORWARDED THIS ISSUE TO TOYOTA CORP BECAUSE HE SAID IT'S FACTORY-RELATED AND HAVE ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR ISSUES. I AM VERY CONCERNED WHETHER THE NEW REPLACEMENT STUDS THEY WILL PUT IN MY TRUCK WOULD BE SAFE OR AS DANGEROUS AS THE PREVIOUS. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS FACTORY STUDS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY I DON'T HAVE THE VEHICLE NOW AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL CAR THEY PAID FOR. I CANT GO TO WORK OUT OF STATE SINCE THEY RESTRICTED ME FROM USING THE RENTAL CAR OUTSIDE CA. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2012WheelsODI 10480039

Seats

2 reports
“THE DRIVERS SEAT SINKS/FALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BASED UPON DRIVERS WEIGHT, VEHICLE SPEED AND LOAD, DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. AS THE SEAT FALLS, THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENS. THE SEAT FALLS AT AN ANGLE DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FOOT CONTROLS MAKING DRIVING UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HAMER TOYOTA IN NORTH HILLS, CALIFORNIA, AND TO FRONTIER TOYOTA IN VALENCIA, CALIFORNIA. I HAVE MET WITH SERVICE MANAGERS AND CUSTOMERS RELATIONS MANAGER. AT BOTH LOCATIONS, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON TO TOYOTA FJ CRUISERS FROM 2007 TO CURRENT, BUT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT DEVELOPED A REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. ON THE FJ CRUISER FORUMS/BLOGS, FJ CRUISER OWNERS REFER TO IT AS THE "SINKING SEAT SYNDROME." I MET WITH TOYOTA MANAGEMENT STAFF, KAYLA SULLIVAN, WHO SAID TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE SEAT MALFUNCTION PROBLEM WITH FJ CRUISERS BUT THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. [XXX] ADMITTED THAT TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. SHE SAID TOYOTA HAD REPLACED ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLIES IN THE PAST BUT THAT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE SEAT…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2014SeatsODI 10574293
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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