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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Toyota FJ CruiserRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints for the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Most complaints involve structure (10) and suspension (4). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
31
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Fuel system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 13, 2020NHTSA 20V012000

Steering

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured August 7, 2013, to August 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft which connects the steering wheel and the steering gear box may have an inadequate weld.

SteeringReported Feb 10, 2015NHTSA 15V081000

Equipment

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.

EquipmentReported Dec 30, 2014NHTSA 14V828000
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

31 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure10
  2. Suspension4
  3. Service brakes4
  4. Steering4
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Fuel system, gasoline3
  7. Engine2
  8. Wheels2
  9. Seat belts1

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
1
Fires reported
0
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

10 reports
“The contact owns a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while cleaning underneath the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer made aware of the failure and advised them contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2025StructureODI 11700517

Suspension

4 reports
“URGENT VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT — SEVERE FRAME CORROSION AND REPORTED UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION Submitted by: [XXX] Address: [XXX] Telephone: [XXX] Date: XXX Vehicle: 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser VIN: [XXX] Purchased: XXX Selling dealership: Shaker Autoplex, Inc., [XXX] Mileage at purchase: 51,995 Reported mileage at inspection: 55,583 To the Office of Defects Investigation: I am reporting a major structural-safety concern involving my 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. An independent repair shop has identified severe frame corrosion and a substantial hole in the passenger-side frame, described the vehicle as unsafe to drive, and indicated that a full frame replacement would be necessary to make it roadworthy. I request prompt review of this condition and guidance on the steps necessary to prevent this vehicle from returning to road use without a qualified structural assessment and appropriate corrective action. Discovery of the structural damage I purchased this vehicle from Shaker Autoplex on XXX, for $27,450. Its clean appearance and relatively low recorded mileage were important factors in my decision. Before purchasing, I specifically asked the salesperson, who identified…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2026Suspension, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11774821

Service brakes

4 reports
“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN THE PLASTIC FOOT REST I HAD MY FOOT ON BROKE OFF. I WAS ADJUSTING MY BODY IN THE SEAT AND WHEN IT BROKE OFF IT WENT UNDER MY BRAKE PEDAL AND I COULD NOT COMPRESS MY BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM AND EVEN WHEN IT HAD 30K MILES ON IT, THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WASN'T A CONCERN. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR WORSE, KILLED SOMEONE ELSE BY NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2016Service brakesODI 10917676
All 2014 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
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.
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 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 8150Vehicle 8149
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

2014 FJ Cruiser questions

How many recalls does the 2014 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 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

Owners filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (10), suspension (4), service brakes (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026