JTEBU4BF0BK1013682011 TOYOTA FJ CruiserGSJ15L/GSJ10L
2011 TOYOTA FJ Cruiser was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 7 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 23 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2011 TOYOTA FJ Cruiser
2011 TOYOTA FJ Cruiser was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 7 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 23 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- 7 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — above average for this class
- Common owner-reported issues: rust/corrosion, steering issues
- Suspension/Wheels is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
23 owner complaints filed — top areas: Suspension/Wheels (35%), Steering (17%), Electrical (13%). Common issues: rust/corrosion, steering issues. 1 crash reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- TOYOTA
- Model
- FJ Cruiser
- Year
- 2011
- Trim / Series
- GSJ15L/GSJ10L
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 6-cyl 4.0L
- Doors
- 5
- Manufacturer
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
- Assembly
- HAMURA, JAPAN
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: HAMURA, JAPAN
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Suspension/Wheels
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
7 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 7 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 7 recalls is ~60%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
TOYOTA has an excellent recall completion rate (95%) — owners typically receive a remedy within 14 months.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~14 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SummaryToyota 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."Read full details...
~44% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
SummaryTOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.Read full details...
~40% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SummaryToyota 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."Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
SummaryGULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FJ CRUISER AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE TPMS ON SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY CALIBRATED AND AS A RESULT THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP MAY NOT ILLUMINATE SHOULD THE INFLATION PRESSURE IN ONE OR MORE OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRES FALL BELOW THE THRESHOLD FOR WHEN THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP SHOULD ILLUMINATE.Read full details...
~40% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SummaryToyota is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2013 FJ Cruiser passenger vehicles. The retractors for the front driver and passenger seat belts are mounted in the access door (rear door) panels of the vehicle. Due to insufficient strength of the access door panel, cracks may develop in the panel if the access door is repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period of time.Read full details...
~42% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
EQUIPMENT
SummaryToyota is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, P/N PTR09-35070, and TRD High-Performance brake kits, P/N PTR09-35100, installed by Toyota vehicle processing centers and sold by Toyota dealers as an optional accessory for model year 2007 through 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicles. The subject TRD brake kit is specifically designed for the front wheels of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles. Due to the shape of the outer brake tube of the brake kit, the clearance between the outer brake tube and a TRD 16 inch 6-spoke alloy wheel is minimal. If wheel balance weights are installed in an incorrect location, there is a possibility that the outer brake tube could be damaged due to interference with the balance weight, and brake fluid could leak from the damaged tube.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SummarySoutheast 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."Read full details...
~44% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
Recall Remedy Effectiveness — Complaints Continue After Fix
RECALL DIDN'T FIX ITOwner complaints filed AFTER recall remedies were issued for the same components
100% of complaints about "EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS" were filed AFTER recall campaign 14V475000 (2014-04-08) — the recall remedy may not have fully resolved the issue.
Continuing complaints after a recall may indicate an inadequate fix, a new failure mode, or that many vehicles never had the recall performed. Verify recall completion status directly with NHTSA.
Complaint Intelligence
23 complaints analyzed across 8 system categories
39% of complaints filed in Aug & Jul — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME23 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
Passenger front seat belt will not retract anymore and a passenger hit the windshield during a hard braking incident. I looked online and saw NHTSA 13V098000 about the seat belt retractor being recalled, but we were never notified.
My Toyota fj cruiser has frame rot issues. Will not pass an inspection because of the frame rot problem.my Toyota has less than 79000 miles on it and looks to be in excellent condition on the interior and exterior. Toyota knows about the problem and refuses to take responsibility for it .Is there anything I can do about it.. Got a verbal quote to replace ( it's gonna cost about 9500 to repair ) could be more after they start to replace and if they find more problems.
RUST TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR NOT CONSUMMATE WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, RUST TO THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK. POINTS THAT AFFIX THE BRAKE LINES TO THE VEHICLE FRAME HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY'RE NO LONGER AFFIXED TO THE FRAME. THE RATE AT WHICH RUST GESTATES ON THIS VEHICLE (AND I AM MUCH MORE ATTENTIVE THAN THE TYPICAL CONSUMER) IS UNSAFE AND WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE UNSAFE CONDITIONS AS THESE VEHICLES RAPIDLY DETERIORATE. THE RUST PREVENTION METHODS USED BY THE FACTORY ARE ENTIRELY INADEQUATE.
LOWER CONTROL ARMS RUSTED. NEED REPLACED COULDN'T ADJUST THEM FOR ALIGNMENT. FRAME RUSTING FRONT AND REAR DIFF RUSTING. STOCK SKID PLATE REPLACED RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY. I THOROUGHLY WASH SALT OFF MY VEHICLE, YET IT STILL HAS RUSTED JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL FRAME RECALL TOYOTA HASN'T GOTTEN IT RIGHT. NEED ANOTHER RECALL. I'VE LIVED WITH MINE, BUT OTHERS HAVE IT MUCH WORSE.
THE VEHICLE HAS HEAVY RUST ALL ALONG THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND FRAME. I HAVE FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND TO REMOVE AS MUCH OF THIS RUST AS POSSIBLE TOYOTA WILL CHARGE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $800 AND $1,000.
HELLO, I WAS SOLD A USED VEHICLE BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (CA) THAT HAS A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. THEY STATE THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY FOR A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS AND CHIPS IN IT STREWN ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD. IT CAUSES SERIOUS VISUAL DISTURBANCE, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT SINCE THE CHIPPED GLASS DISTORTS LIGHTS AND VEHICLES, ALMOST BLURS THE VIEW. INITIALLY, I BELIEVED IT WAS TRACES OF TREE SAP, I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE THIS 'TREE SAP' SPOTS, ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THEY WOULDN'T GO AWAY BECAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY BROKEN GLASS.
CRUSE CONTROLL QUIT WORKING IN MOTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (CARBONE TOYOTA OF BENNINGTON, LOCATED AT 751 N BENNINGTON RD BENNINGTON, VT 05201) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,900.
AT 55,000 MILES (6 YEARS OLD) MY FRONT GRAVEL SHIELD HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND WAS FOUND IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT BOTH CONTROL ARMS AND BOTH FRONT STRUTS WERE VERY BADLY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND AFTER MUCH DEBATE, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS MATTER AND THEREFORE THEY WOULD ONLY REIMBURSE ME 50% OF ALL COSTS TO REPLACE SAID PARTS. I FOUND TOYOTA HAS RECALLS FOR RUST ISSUES ON OTHER MODELS AND WOULD LIKE THIS MATTER LOOKED INTO. DUE TO THE LIMITED PRODUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE TYPE IT IS POSSIBLE IT IS BEING OVERLOOKED. I AM TERRIFIED AT THE THOUGHT THAT I COULD'VE BEEN DRIVING AND MY CONTROL ARMS COULD'VE RUSTED OFF LIKE MY GRAVEL SHIELD DID. A SIX YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH ONLY 55,000 SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF RUST OR PARTS FALLING OFF.
JUNE 19, 2016 MY WIFE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT THE TOP OF OUR DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT DECLINE TO THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE. SHE LEFT IT RUNNING, PUT IT IN PARK, PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WALKED BACK DOWN TO THE HOUSE AND BACK UP, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, RUNNING INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK FROM THE HOUSE ABOUT 10-12 FEET. IT WAS STILL RUNNING, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL ON, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS NOW IN REVERSE. MY WIFE THEN TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, WHERE THE VEHICLE SAT FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE WALL INTO THE HOUSE HAD TO BE REBUILT. $10,000 REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE, $16,000 TO THE HOUSE. TOYOTA SENT AN ENGINEER TO REVIEW THE DAMAGE AND PULL EDR READINGS. HE STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORKING PROPERLY, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS WORKING PROPERLY, AND THAT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE (EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE COULD NOT RUN AT THAT TIME). HE ALSO STATED THAT HE COULD NOT PULL ANY READINGS FROM THE EDR. TOYOTA WAS NOT EASY TO WORK WITH, AND THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH ME LEFT A LOT TO BE DESIRED.
2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE THE CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REGARDING PREMATURE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TA TOYOTA CLAIMED THERE WERE SIGNS OF WATER IN THE ENGINE INTAKE AIR SYSTEM AND THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURING OR DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SON DID DRIVE THROUGH A FIELD WITH WATER AND MUD. HOWEVER, IT WAS AFTER THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, SO THE PRESENCE OF WATER HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEPLOYMENT. *JB
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA TO HAVE THE AUXILIARY LIGHT KIT REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING A HAZARD. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE TOYOTA DEALER 4 TIMES OVER A 6 MONTH PERIOD TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT DONE, AND YET IT HAS STILL NOT BEEN PERFORMED. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SINCE IT IS LIKELY ONLY A HAZARD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC MORE SO THAN TO OURSELVES, BUT WE ARE UPSET THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS NOT YET COMPLETED THE REPLACED THE HAZARDOUS LIGHTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL NOTICE. NOTE, THE DATE OF FIRST INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATE. DEALER INFO: BIG TWO TOYOTA OF CHANDLER, 480-302-4651. THEY ARE LOCATED IN CHANDLER ARIZONA. *TR
MY ISSUE STARTED AROUND JUNE, I GET THE WHEEL SHAKE/ SHIMMY AT SPEEDS OF 55-65. TOYOTA SEES THE SHAKE IS THERE AND THEN BALANCES THE TIRES AND SAYS ITS FIXED . TOYOTA INSPECTED THE TRUCK SAYING NOTHING IS BROKEN BENT OR ANYTHING SAYING THEY DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS WRONG. YOU CAN STILL SEE THE SHAKE IS THERE AND THEY KEEP BLAMING THAT THE ROAD IS CAUSING THE SHAKE. SAYING ITS A CROWING. IN THE ROAD. I'VE WENT TO A TOYOTA DEALER TO GET IT INSPECTED THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG AND THEN 2 MORE TIMES I WENT THERE AND THEN THEY ADMIT IT AND TRY FIXING IT. I AM VERY UPSET WITH TOYOTA AND CORPORATE . I FEEL SCARED TO DRIVE IT ABOVE 50 BECAUSE THERE IS A BAD SHAKE. AND FEELS UNSAFE ITS CAUSING THE CAR TO BE ALL OVER THE ROAD. *TR
THE ISSUE STARTED ON 8/23/2012 WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN SC, MY 2011 FJ CRUISER TRAIL TEAMS EDITION TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE VERY NEXT DAY, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN WEST COLUMBIA, SC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AS THE LIGHT HAD TURNED OFF THAT NIGHT. HOWEVER, THEY DID DISCOVER AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF ERROR CODE MESSAGES FROM THE CPU SYSTEM AND THOUGHT THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED THE LIGHT TO INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON/OFF. THE DEALERSHIP RESET ALL ERROR MESSAGES AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME. AS IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, I THOUGHT THERE WAS NO REASON TO WORRY ABOUT IT. A WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON I-95 IN NC, THE SAME INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED BACK ON, THIS TIME FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY TRIP HOME TO MD. AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA OF BOWIE TO INSPECT THE ISSUE, THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME. SOON THEREAFTER, THE SAME INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED BACK ON UNTIL MID-JANUARY 2013 WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO GA, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED OFF. I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT I-95 TOYOTA (NEAR BRUNSWICK, GA) AND THEY INDICATED NO ISSUES WERE FOUND WITH THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH I ADVISED THEM OF THE INCIDENTS. THEY CONCLUDED THAT WHEN I RETURN HOME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT THEN. WHILE RETURNING HOME TO MD, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED BACK ON AND HAS STAYED ON EVER SINCE. CONSIDERING I HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE FROM TOYOTA FOR THE SAFETY RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE, I DISCOVERED THEM THROUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS MORNING TO HAVE A FEW CURRENT RECALLS THAT THE DEALERSHIP KNOWS ABOUT TO BE FIXED AND WILL ADVISE TOYOTA OF ANNAPOLIS (KOON'S) (WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE) OF THE INDICATOR LIGHT ISSUE AND CONCERN. IF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME. *TR
VEHICLE EXHIBITS STEERING SHIMMY BETWEEN 55-65 MPH, VEHICLE CAN NOT MAINTAIN STABLE PERFORMANCE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOYOTA HAVE REPLACE BOTH WHEEL AND TIRES AND HAVE THE SAME RESULT. FJ CRUISERS ARE HAVING A PROBLEM, AND TOYOTA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ON THIS SAFTEY ISSUE. *TR
VEHICLE SHIMMY BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH AFTER BEING AT DEALER FOR ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION. TIRES WERE REPLACED, REBALANCED & ALIGNMENT DONE MULTIPLE TIMES AND VEHICLE BROUGHT TO 4 DIFF LOCATIONS FOR INSPECTION AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HAS BEEN TO TOYOTA DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL MOST LIKELY CAUSE OTHER PARTS IN FRONT END/VEHICLE TO FAIL. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR
STEERING COLUMN SHAKES BETWEEN SPEEDS 55-65 MPH, HAVE HAD THE WHEELS AND TIRES REBALANCED WITH A ROAD FORCE MACHINE WITHOUT ANY RESOLVE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
SINCE NEW MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A SHAKING STEERING WHEEL WHEN REACHING SPEEDS OVER 55MPH. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRES, WHEELS AND BALANCING MY DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP AND THE STEERING IS SHAKING SO BAD IT FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
THE DAY I BOUGHT MY NEW TOYOTA FJ I TOOK IT TO A TIRE SHOP FOR LARGER OFF-ROAD TIRES. I WATCHED THE TECH AS HE CHANGED TIRES AND REMOUNTED THE WHEELS. HE CAREFULLY TIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS WITH A TORQUE WRENCH, BUT ON ONE, IT WAS OBVIOUS TO HIM AND ME BOTH THAT THE TIGHTENING EFFORT SUDDENLY GOT EASIER. HE MADE ANOTHER EASY 1/4 TURN AND THE STUD CAME OFF. THE MANAGER LOOKED AT THE STUD AND SAID IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN OVERTIGHTENED PREVIOUSLY BY THE FACTORY OR WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY FIXED IT. ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER I WAS PUTTING ON MY WHEELS AFTER INSTALLING A SUSPENSION LIFT. I USED A TORQUE WRENCH SET AT 80LBS AND BEFORE IT EVER GOT TO A NORMAL TIGHT THE STUD TWISTED OFF. PLEASE LOOK AT THIS FORUM THREAD: HTTP://WWW.FJCRUISERFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/PROBLEMS-DEALER-SERVICE/85927-BROKEN-WHEEL-STUDS.HTML THERE ARE LIKELY MORE THREADS ON THIS SUBJECT AND THERE IS ALSO MENTION OF SIMILAR THREADS ON A TOYOTA TACOMA SITE. I HAVE REMOVED/REPLACED MANY DOZENS OF WHEELS IN MY LIFETIME AND BEFORE BUYING THIS FJ HAD NEVER BROKEN A STUD EVEN THOUGH I PUT FAR MORE EFFORT INTO TIGHTENING STUDS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. DURING COLD WEATHER, THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW CAMERA FOGGED AND FROZE, MAKING THE VISIBILITY BLURRY AND DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. ..UPDATED 04/26/12 *BF UPDATED 06/15/2012 *JS
VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH. SEVERAL OTHER FJ OWNERS SEEM TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. DEALER CAN NOT FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE TIRED MULTIPLE WHEEL BALANCES AND TIRE ROTATIONS. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE THIS. *TR
VEHICLE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE INDICATIVE OF WHEELS BEING OFF BALANCE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RE-BALANCE 6 TIMES AT 4 DIFFERENT SHOPS THE SYMPTOM PERSISTS INTERMITTENTLY. OTHER FJ OWNERS OF 2010 MODEL YEAR AND NEWER FJ CRUISERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THEIR VEHICLES HAVE EXHIBITED THE SAME BEHAVIOR. THE PROBLEM (BASED ON FEED BACK FROM OTHER OWNERS ON INTERNET FORUMS) IS SPREAD ACROSS DIFFERENT MODELS, WHEEL AND TIRE COMBINATIONS. MANY OF THEM HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLES BACK TO TOYOTA WHO CLAIMS THE SHAKING IS NORMAL. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE SEEMS UNSTABLE AT SPEED RANGING FROM 45 TO 60MPH, MOST EVIDENT AT ABOUT 50MPH. *TR
ON APRIL 30TH, 2011 I PURCHASED A NEW, 2011 FJ CRUISER VIN# [XXX] FROM JERRY DURANT TOYOTA. EIGHT WEEKS PRIOR, ON MARCH 4TH, 2011 TOYOTA SUBMITTED A REPORT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 11V148000) - INDICATING ITS INTENT TO CONDUCT A RECALL OF CERTAIN TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH "ACCESSORY" (TRD) WHEELS. MY FJ CRUISER WAS A "TRD" MODEL VEHICLE. MY VIN CAN BE SEARCHED AT TOYOTA AT HTTP://TOYOTA-B0B.IMAGESPM.INFO/ I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AT THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, NOR WAS THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED BEFORE DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE TO ME BY THE DEALER, AS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW. ON MAY 10TH, 2011 I DELIVERED THE VEHICLE TO TEXAS TOYOTA OF GRAPEVINE FOR A WHEEL BALANCE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS THEN NOTIFIED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR OF AN ACTIVE RECALL ON MY NEW FJ. DURANT TOYOTA MAINTAINS THAT THE INTENT TO RECALL DOES NOT MARK THE START DATE OF THE RECALL AND THAT THE OFFICIAL RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 5TH, 2011. THERE IS NO PUBLIC INFORMATION TO SUPPORT THE MAY 5TH DATE, AND DURANT FAILED TO PROVIDE PROOF (AS REQUESTED) OF INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORTING THE MAY 5TH START DATE. DURANT AND TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION DENIED MY REQUEST TO CANCEL THE SALE AND RETURN THE VEHICLE BASED ON THE DEALER'S FAILURE TO DISCLOSE AND REPAIR THE RECALL PRIOR TO SALE. DURANT/TMC REQUESTED THAT I SEEK ARBITRATION WITH TOYOTA; HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS CASE IS VERY CLEAR AND DOES NOT WARRANT AN ARBITRATED/COMPROMISED SOLUTION BUT RATHER AND FULL RETURN/REFUND IN A STRAIGHFORWARD PROCESS. IN SUMMARY, DURANT KNEW OF THE RECALL INTENT AND KNEW THE RECALL TO BE SPECIFIC TO THE TRD EDITION TRUCKS AND SUVS, INCLUDING MY FJ CRUISER. DURANT CLAIMS TO HAVE RUN THE VEHICLE VIN PRIOR TO DELIVERY AND RECEIVED A CLEAR REPORT. CLAIMING THAT MY VIN WOULD NOT HAVE APPEARED UNDER SEARCHES UNTIL MAY 5TH. DURANT KNEW, BASED ON THE 4 MARCH FILING, THE RECALL WOULD EVENTUALLY INCLUDE TRD FJS, INCLUDING MY VIN. DEALER: JERRY DURANT TOYOTA 5100 U.S. 377 GRANBURY TX [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 23 total NHTSA complaints filed over 11 years, with the worst year being 2012 (5 complaints).
The amber reliability line shows an improving trend — scores have risen from the earlier years toward 96/100 more recently, suggesting the most serious issues are older and may have been addressed through repairs or recalls.
The recalls (red dashed lines) were issued in the same year or before complaints peaked, suggesting the manufacturer identified and acted on the defect relatively quickly.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2016, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $48,614 (~$810/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2011 TOYOTA FJ Cruiser — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
15% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
- ▸Multiple prior recalls — pattern of safety issues on this model
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JTEBU4BF0BK101368. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
TOYOTA has been fined $1217M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Criminal settlement — concealed unintended acceleration defects for years before recall.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JTEBU4BF0BK101368 |
| Model Year | 2011 |
| Make | TOYOTA |
| Model | FJ Cruiser |
| Trim | GSJ15L/GSJ10L |
| Series | Wagon Body Type |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 6 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.0 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | HAMURA |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JTE |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 0 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | B |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | K |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 101368 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 7 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 23 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/17/2026, 10:32:34 PM.