Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems

Owners filed 24 complaints about the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is structure (11).

Complaints
24
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
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. Structure11
  2. Suspension7
  3. Service brakes3
  4. Steering3
  5. Air bags3
  6. Power train2
  7. Electrical system2
  8. Visibility/wiper2
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1
  10. Wheels1
  11. Other / unknown2

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
20121
20133
20142
20150
20161
20170
20180
20193
20202
20216
20221
20230
20241
20251
20263

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

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

Steering

3 reports
“I purchased my beloved 2013 FJ Cruiser from Wellesley Toyota 6.5 years ago and have really enjoyed it. I have had it serviced religiously at McGee Toyota of Hanover since my purchase and expected to continue to enjoy it for many years to come and was just informed by McGee Toyota that the frame is severly rusted out throughout. My truck only has 158K miles on it and I expected this to last at least twice as long. This appears to be the same issue Toyota experienced with the Tundra and Tacoma with premature rusting on their vehicles due to a manufacturing issue. There are numerous complaints online about this issue and even a current class action lawsuit. I have alerted Toyota Corporate of this and they are not standing behind their product.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2026Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11717366

Air bags

3 reports1 crash
“I had a car accident on Feb 10, 2025 and my air bag did not deploy”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11648412

Power train

2 reports
“FROM ACCELERATION; BETWEEN 30MPH AND 45MPH MY VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND SHAKES. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND OR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2021Power trainODI 11395818
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.