NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 41 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser owner complaints

Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser, describing incidents dated November 5, 2011 to July 18, 2026.

Most-cited components

Structure 12 complaints
Steering 9 complaints
Unknown or Other 9 complaints
Seat Belts 5 complaints
Suspension 5 complaints
Wheels 3 complaints

Of the 41 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11769545 · Filed October 7, 2026
The vehicle within less than 15 years had structural creams rust that had compromised the safety of my vehicle and it is rotting out with holes, the fuel tank is rusted and lose, and may fall, repairs are expensive and it is my only car. They’re all also rust holes right through the body and floor…
ODI #11755567 · Filed August 7, 2026
My frame is corroding at a rapid rate and needs to be addressed by Toyota! I truly believe that this was cheap way of selling cars without the proper undercoating affecting these trucks later on most Toyota trucks had the frames replaced buy the dealers with the same problems that these fj cruisers…
ODI #11697771 · Filed November 5, 2025
Rust damage to frame

Read all 41 complaints

Incorrect Tire Placard Information/FMVSS 110

NHTSA #14V475000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported August 4, 2014 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 20,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.65% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified October 2, 2014 · Vehicles built July 11, 2007 – July 21, 2014 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota 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."

Safety consequence

If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Lamps Exceed Maximum Brightness/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #13V163000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 25, 2013 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 208,000 vehicles

Owners notified June 6, 2013 · Vehicles built January 25, 2006 – February 23, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota 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."

Safety consequence

Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inaccurate Load Carrying Capacity Labels

NHTSA #13V123000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported April 9, 2013 · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,525 vehicles

Owners notified May 28, 2013

Defect description

Southeast 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."

Safety consequence

An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Manufacturer remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Access Door Cracks/Seat Belt Anchor Detachment

NHTSA #13V098000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice

Reported March 15, 2013 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 209,000 vehicles

Owners notified June 6, 2013 · Vehicles built January 25, 2006 – February 23, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota 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.

Safety consequence

If cracks occur in the panel around the lower retractor anchor, the seat belt retractor could become detached, which could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

The safety recall began on June 6, 2013. Toyota will mail an interim letter to owners late in April 2013. Remedy notifications to the owners for the repair will begin in late May 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

TRD Brake Kit Brake Tube

NHTSA #12E046000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported October 17, 2012 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 200,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 0.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 17, 2012

Defect description

Toyota 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.

Safety consequence

If a brake tube becomes damaged and leaks fluid, it may result in increased stopping distances, and in some cases, loss of vehicle front braking performance, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

All known owners of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles will be notified by first class mail. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, the brake caliper outer brake tube will be replaced with a newly designed one at no charge. During this service, if necessary, the dealer will make wheel balance adjustments. This remedy will be performed even if the vehicle has original equipment 16 inch or 17 inch wheels or TRD 16 inch Beadlock ring type wheels, which are not affected by the condition, to assure sufficient clearance in the event wheels are changed at a later time. Notification to owners began on December 17, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 2WD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

26% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 4WD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

27% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

41 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Structure; Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11769545

Incident: November 5, 2025 · Filed: October 7, 2026

The vehicle within less than 15 years had structural creams rust that had compromised the safety of my vehicle and it is rotting out with holes, the fuel tank is rusted and lose, and may fall, repairs are expensive and it is my only car. They’re all also rust holes right through the body and floor in multiple locations.

Structure

ODI #11755567

Incident: July 18, 2026 · Filed: August 7, 2026

My frame is corroding at a rapid rate and needs to be addressed by Toyota! I truly believe that this was cheap way of selling cars without the proper undercoating affecting these trucks later on most Toyota trucks had the frames replaced buy the dealers with the same problems that these fj cruisers have, this needs to be addressed asap.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11697771

Incident: October 4, 2025 · Filed: November 5, 2025

Rust damage to frame

Unknown or Other

ODI #11587784

Incident: May 9, 2024 · Filed: May 9, 2024

Frame rust through.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11573718

Incident: February 23, 2024 · Filed: February 23, 2024

No dealer is willing to fix recalls.

Seat Belts

ODI #11551078

Incident: June 30, 2023 · Filed: October 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side seat belt was inoperable. The seat belt was not able to stretch or lock into place. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. The VIN was not available.

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11535465

Incident: July 26, 2023 · Filed: July 31, 2023

Took vehicle to a machine shop to have frame undercoated. The machinist found that the frame had holes in it due to rust. He found that the tab gusset bracelet was cracked ( the part of the frame that holds the A-Arm in place). He said that the vehicle was not safe to drive and needs a new frame. The vehicle has 109,000 miles on it. Toyota should have a recall on all Toyota FJ.I contacted Toyota and was denied any help in this matter.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11494424

Incident: November 21, 2022 · Filed: November 21, 2022

Vehicle's frame was excessively rusted creating structure issues. Among the issues is that I can no longer tow anything with this vehicle because the rear structure is unsafe. Multiple other structural issues have been identified by a service center.

Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #11465821

Incident: January 1, 2017 · Filed: May 23, 2022

Frame and undercarriage compromised by excessive rust on 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Substandard materials/process used in manufacturing by Toyota on the FJ cruiser undercarriage and frame, causing excessive rust damage. Widespread problem in the United States with excessive rust compromising the stability and safety of the vehicles. Toyota authorized Dealerships are no help. Expect consumers to pay out of pocket to repair frame.

Structure

ODI #11460087

Incident: April 4, 2022 · Filed: April 7, 2022

Noticed rust on suv/frame confirmed by Faulkner Toyota Dealership, mechanic informed too address this problem soon.

Other Toyota FJ Cruiser model years

Check your 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser VIN

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