Toyota FJ Cruiser Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Toyota FJ Cruiser model year (2007–2014) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Years to Avoid
9 recalls · 591 complaints
9 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE
Problem score: 636
11 recalls · 122 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE
Problem score: 161
12 recalls · 64 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE
Problem score: 106
Best Toyota FJ Cruiser Years to Buy
4 recalls · 22 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE
Problem score: 40
12 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
Problem score: 42
7 recalls · 22 complaints
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 43
Found the right year? Verify that specific FJ Cruiser with a free VIN report.
Toyota FJ Cruiser — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 | 30 | 45 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 4 | 22 | 40 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 5 | 39 | 54 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 7 | 22 | 43 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 12 | 64 | 106 | Good |
| 2009 | 12 | 6 | 42 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 11 | 122 | 161 | Good |
| 2007 | 9 | 591 | 636 | Avoid |
Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Shopping Guide by Era
2013–2017
Best: 2013Mid-decade FJ Cruiser units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2013 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder FJ Cruiser models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report. Confirm all historical recalls have been completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year FJ Cruiser should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser if possible. It has 9 recalls, 591 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is STRUCTURE. The overall problem score is 636 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year FJ Cruiser to buy?+
The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 40. It has only 4 recalls and 22 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which FJ Cruiser has the fewest problems?+
The 2013, 2009, 2011 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Toyota FJ Cruiser Research
Check a Specific Toyota FJ Cruiser VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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