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, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 421 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 443
8 recalls · 66 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 100
9 recalls · 44 complaints
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 71
Best Toyota FJ Cruiser Years to Buy
1 recall · 14 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 17
4 recalls · 15 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 27
3 recalls · 24 complaints
Main area: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 33
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 | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 14 | — | — | 17 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 3 | 19 | 3 | — | 34 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 3 | 24 | — | — | 33 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 4 | 15 | — | — | 27 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 9 | 44 | — | — | 71 | Good |
| 2009 | 9 | 8 | — | — | 35 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 8 | 66 | 5 | — | 100 | Good |
| 2007 | 6 | 421 | 2 | — | 443 | Avoid |
All 8 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Toyota FJ Cruiser Shopping Guide by Era
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade FJ Cruiser units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year FJ Cruiser should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser if possible. It has 6 recalls, 421 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 443 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year FJ Cruiser to buy?+
The 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 17. It has only 1 recall and 14 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which FJ Cruiser has the fewest problems?+
The 2014, 2011, 2012 model years have the fewest documented problems. 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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