Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Toyota FJ CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Most complaints involve structure (11) and suspension (7). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Aug 2014
Owner complaints
24
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2012 – Nov 2026
  1. Structure11
  2. Suspension7
  3. Service brakes3
  4. Steering3
  5. Air bags3
  6. Power train2
  7. Electrical system2
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1

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
2007593
2008124
20097
201066
201123
201241
201324
201430
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
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

11 reports
“1. The frame is defective. It's been rusting no matter how its cleaned or treated. It currently has at least 4 holes. This rust has spread to many suspension components as well as the underside of the floor. The vehicle eas NOT properly treated when built. I purchased this new in 2013. It currently has 69k miles. This rust that has consumed my vehicle has caused issues that make my vehicle unsafe to drive. 2. The problem has reproduced on its own mo matter the treatment attempted. 3. My car can NOT be safely driven to have these issues looked at. In the front the drivers side strut rotted off. Both front lower control arms are splitting apart from the rust. I recently had maintenance done including the serpentine belt. 4. These issues started slowly after purchase. Again, no matter how often the vehicle was cleaned or protected; the rust would come back. The floor panels on both sides near the edge are showing significant rust/rot. My car, if there where none of these defective issues woukd have an approximate value of 25k/29k. Right now with all the problems it has little to none. My car was never in an accident. Toyota has never had a recall on the fj…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2026Suspension, Structure, Service brakesODI 11775949

Suspension

7 reports
“Please consider opening or expanding an investigation into frame, underbody, brake-line, and suspension-mount corrosion affecting Toyota FJ Cruisers. I own a 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4WD. A professional inspection found multiple fluid leaks, heavy rust, rusted exhaust, leaking rear shocks, and brake line/hose concerns. After reviewing the condition, the mechanic essentially declined to repair it and recommended scrapping the vehicle. The attached photos show conditions that appear safety-relevant: rust perforation through underbody structural metal near a bracket/crossmember area; severe corrosion around brake lines and fittings; widespread scaling near suspension and frame components; a leaking rear shock; and badly deteriorated exhaust connections. This is not just appearance rust. Also note the contrast between the observable condition of the vehicle versus the problems hidden beneath. This rust is clearly outpacing normal wear and tear. The safety risk is straightforward. At interstate speeds, a corroded brake line could fail during emergency braking. A weakened shock mount, suspension bracket, or crossmember could fail when the vehicle hits a pothole, uneven…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2026Suspension, Structure, Service brakesODI 11736593

Service brakes

3 reports
“DECEMBER 17, 2014 I WAS ENROUTE TO WORK BETWEEN 9:00-9:30 AM. AND AS I AM DRIVING ALONG HUGHEY ROAD APPROACHING ROBINSON STREET A CROSS ROAD THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW, SO I APPLIED MY BRAKES WHILE GOING OVER THE RAIL ROAD TRACKS AND I LOSS MY BRAKES ENDING UP IN THE INTERSECTION AND MY FRONT END IN THE PEDESTRIAN WALK WAY NEARLY RUNNING OVER TWO PEDESTIRANS, THEY WERE SO CLOSE THEY COULD TOUCH MY TRUCK. IT WAS A THREE LANE ROAD AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE THE TWO OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO STOP BUT I WASN'T AND KEPT GOING WITH MY FOOT PLANTED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. I COULD FEEL THE GRINDING OF MY BRAKE PEDAL LIKE IT WAS A COMPUTER THINKING. I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTER CARE CENTER AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE #[XXX]. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2014Service brakesODI 10667244
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
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small 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 · All-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
162018$3,450499
FJ Cruiser 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172018$3,450495
FJ Cruiser 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
151816$3,900534
  • FJ Cruiser 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 20 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    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.
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 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7166Vehicle 7165
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

2013 FJ Cruiser questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?

4 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 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (11), suspension (7), service brakes (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026