2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern structure.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The frame on my vehicle is incredibly rusty. Upon further research, I've found that this is a chronic problem FJ Cruisers. Many frames have rusted to the point where there is structural damage thereby rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. I know that Toyota issued a recall for Tacoma trucks for this very issue, and I would like to have a recall issued for the FJ as I'm incredibly concerned for my safety.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2021
“From acceleration; between 30mph and 45mph my vehicle shudders and shakes. I believe the issue is coming from the transmission and or differential of my vehicle.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2021
“Brought car into dealer last month for new horn as it was a weak volume and would not pass inspection in massachusetts. Was replaced. Worked for a week or two then ceased to completely function. Brought back in today and was told by dealer clock spring/spiral cable was corroding. Reminded of old recall on various past toyotas.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Excessive rust on frame, chassis, tie rod ends and all other metal parts, although car is maintened properly, only 40k miles, garage parking, no off-road usage and no salt exposed.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2020
“The frame and gas tank straps and rear bumper are rusting to an unsafe condition. Vehicle is 2013 with only 66000miles. I am spending countless dollars yearly to prevent the rust and it isn't getting any better. Other vehicles that share the same frame have had recalls on the frame and this vehicle should also be included”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota fj cruiser. While a passenger was seated in the front passenger seat, the air bag warning indicator failed to illuminate. The overweight passenger triggered the air bag sensor and caused it to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Severe rust under carriage including fuel tank straps and suspension components. Number is rusted and skid plates. Rust basically covering under vehicle. Concerned about integrity during a crash”Owner report · Suspension · May 2016
“In the 60-70 mph range the steering wheel shimmied back and forth as much as 1-2 inches. The vehicle feels unstable in this range. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2014
“When driving in snow conditions the windshield wipers build up amazing amounts of ice. I spoke with dealership and they claim it does that because of the angle of the windshield. I was having to pull over and stop to break the ice off my wipers because they stopped clearing the windshield and I would loose visibility. Also, the underside of the fj cruiser builds up and collects ice like nothing I have ever seen. I am a over the road truck driver and have driven in all types and levels of bad weather, I have never seen ice build up like it does on the fj cruiser.. The first time I thought it might have just been a fluke but it repeated the ice build up yesterday when it snowed again. *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Apr 2013
“Vehicle has a shimmy or shaking as felt in the steering wheel at speeds of 45 mph or higher. This seems much more pronounced when driving on a curve than on a straight highway. Have had the front tires balanced by the toyota dealer 3 times so far, and the balancing is spot on (I watched them balance them), but shaking in the steering wheel still continues. The tires did not take excessive weights either. I have stock trd wheels with bf goodrich 265-75/16 tires - which came with the 2013 team trails edition. I don't believe this is a tire balancing problem, but something loose in the steering or suspension. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact FJ Cruiser by VIN
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Is the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The most complained-about area is structure.
Does the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.