2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser Owner Complaints

VEHICLE SHIMMY BETWEEN 60MPH AND 70MPH. TIRE BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT WERE PERFORMED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE NEW (4 MILES). *KB

11/28/2011

STEERING WHEEL BEGINS SHAKES AT SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH. HAVE BALANCED, ROAD BALANCED TIRES AND STILL THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, AT THIS SPEED I AM CONCERNED THERE IS SOMETHING WITH THE SUSPENSION/TIRES THAT MAY CAUSE A CRASH IN THE FUTURE. *TR

8/12/2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A WHEEL CHAIR LIFT INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE AND WHEN IT WAS BEING UTILIZED, THE REAR BUMPER WOULD SINK TWO INCHES. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD RISE BY TWO INCHES. THE TOTAL WEIGHT FOR THE WHEEL CHAIR LIFT AND THE WHEEL CHAIR WAS 300 POUNDS. THE WEIGHT CAPACITY FOR THE VEHICLE WAS LABELED AS 500 POUNDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.

5/21/2013

EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE UNDERSIDE OF CAR - ALL OVER THE FRAME AND AXELS

12/9/2019

The windshield makes a very loud defining noise while driving. This happens most often when it is windy. It often sounds like the windshield will be ripped off. The noise has gotten progressively worse over the years.

7/15/2021

Frame rusted

8/18/2021

VEHICLE SHIMMY BETWEEN 60MPH AND 70MPH. TIRE BALANCE AND ALIGNMENT WERE PERFORMED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE NEW (4 MILES). *KB

11/28/2011

AS THE VEHICLE GOES BETWEEN THE SPEED 61 AND 68 THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES.I WENT TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS AND THEY BLAME THE TIRES .I BROUGHT FOUR NEW TIRES WITH NO SUCCESS.PLEASE HELP... *TR

5/20/2013

SET BELT BROKEN

2/19/2018

THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE WAS A RECALL OF 209,000 OF MY EXACT MAKE AND MODEL (YEARS 2007-2013) WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA CLAIMS MY VIN IS NOT ON THEIR LIST FOR RECALLS AND WANTS $416.18 TO FIX THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR. IT SEEMS ABSURD THAT THEY WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

3/19/2019

STEERING WHEEL BEGINS SHAKES AT SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH. HAVE BALANCED, ROAD BALANCED TIRES AND STILL THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, AT THIS SPEED I AM CONCERNED THERE IS SOMETHING WITH THE SUSPENSION/TIRES THAT MAY CAUSE A CRASH IN THE FUTURE. *TR

8/12/2012

I HAVE PURCHASED AN FJ CRUISER FROM CITY TOYOTA IN DALY CITY, CA ON 7/12/2012. DURING MY 15,000 MI MAINTENANCE CHECK UP, THE SERVICE MANAGER DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUT STUDS ON THE WHEELS BROKE WHEN HE WAS TORQUING. HE ADMITTED THAT THEY WERE MADE IN CHINA AND THAT HE HAS FORWARDED THIS ISSUE TO TOYOTA CORP BECAUSE HE SAID IT'S FACTORY-RELATED AND HAVE ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR ISSUES. I AM VERY CONCERNED WHETHER THE NEW REPLACEMENT STUDS THEY WILL PUT IN MY TRUCK WOULD BE SAFE OR AS DANGEROUS AS THE PREVIOUS. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS FACTORY STUDS THAT ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY I DON'T HAVE THE VEHICLE NOW AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RENTAL CAR THEY PAID FOR. I CANT GO TO WORK OUT OF STATE SINCE THEY RESTRICTED ME FROM USING THE RENTAL CAR OUTSIDE CA. *TR

10/14/2012

THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY FJ CRUISER SINKS AND FALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE SEAT FALLS DOWNWARD AND TILTS BACK AND AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOOT CONTROLS CREATING A SERIOUS TRAFFIC HAZARD TO THE DRIVER, OCCUPANTS AND OTHER PERSONS. I HAVE WORKED WITH TWO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS INCLUDING SERVICE MANAGERS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGERS, EACH OF WHICH HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO FJ CRUISERS FROM THE INITIAL 2007 YEAR THROUGH THE CURRENT MODEL. I HAVE ALSO WORKED WITH THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE WHO REAFFIRMED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE FROM 2007 THROUGH THE CURRENT MODEL, BUT THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT HAVE A REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA DEVELOPED AN INITIAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2008, BUT THE NOTED REPAIR FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND THE BULLETIN WAS RECALLED. TOYOTA HAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM IS AN "ANNOYANCE" AND CAN BE RESOLVED BY RE-ADJUSTING THE SEAT AS NECESSARY WHEN IT DROPS, NECESSITATING THE RELEASE OF THE SEAT BELT WHICH TIGHTENS AS THE SEAT DROPS. TO DATE, TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND I AM FOLLOWING THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW FOR ADJUDICATION OF THE MATTER. I HAVE ADVISED TOYOTA THAT IF I AM IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT MALFUNCTION, THAT I WILL ADVISE ALL PARTIES AND INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PROVIDE ALL MY VEHICLE DOCUMENTATION. *TR

7/23/2013

THE DRIVERS SEAT SINKS/FALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BASED UPON DRIVERS WEIGHT, VEHICLE SPEED AND LOAD, DRIVING CONDITIONS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. AS THE SEAT FALLS, THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENS. THE SEAT FALLS AT AN ANGLE DOWN AND AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FOOT CONTROLS MAKING DRIVING UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HAMER TOYOTA IN NORTH HILLS, CALIFORNIA, AND TO FRONTIER TOYOTA IN VALENCIA, CALIFORNIA. I HAVE MET WITH SERVICE MANAGERS AND CUSTOMERS RELATIONS MANAGER. AT BOTH LOCATIONS, THE SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON TO TOYOTA FJ CRUISERS FROM 2007 TO CURRENT, BUT THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT DEVELOPED A REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. ON THE FJ CRUISER FORUMS/BLOGS, FJ CRUISER OWNERS REFER TO IT AS THE "SINKING SEAT SYNDROME." I MET WITH TOYOTA MANAGEMENT STAFF, KAYLA SULLIVAN, WHO SAID TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE SEAT MALFUNCTION PROBLEM WITH FJ CRUISERS BUT THAT THERE WAS NO REPAIR FOR THE PROBLEM. [XXX] ADMITTED THAT TOYOTA HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. SHE SAID TOYOTA HAD REPLACED ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLIES IN THE PAST BUT THAT THE PROBLEM RECURRED, SO THAT SHE WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THE SEAT IN MY VEHICLE TO BE REPLACED WITH AN EXACT PART THAT IS KNOWN TO MALFUNCTION. I WAS KISSED OFF. I ENTERED INTO THE PROCESS WITH CALIFORNIA DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM WHO DENIED MY REQUEST TO HAVE TOYOTA TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK UNDER THE LEMON LAW. CDSP STATED THAT THE SEAT MALFUNCTION COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND EXAMINED AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THUS COULD NOT BE EVALUATED. I WAS KISSED OFF. MY VEHICLE WAS PAID OFF, WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND TOYOTA MOTORS BOTH ADMITTED KNOWLEDGE THAT THE SEAT MALFUNCTION WAS COMMON TO TOYOTA FJ CRUISERS FROM 2007 TO PRESENT. THE MALFUNCTION IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

3/23/2014

A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. APPLICATION OF BRAKES LED TO RIGHT FRONT TIRE LOCK UP AND SKID, WITH STRONG VEER TO LEFT. NO ANTILOCK BRAKE ACTIVITY OCCURRED. WITHIN A WEEK OF THE PANIC STOP ABOVE, THE BRAKES NOW ACTING ODDLY; SMALL BUMPS IN PAVEMENT (FREEWAY EXPANSION JOINTS) WILL CAUSE ABS TO ENGAGE. BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES NON-RESPONSIVE. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID THIS WAS NORMAL BRAKE BEHAVIOR. I PLAN ON SCHEDULING A SERVICE CALL TO DOCUMENT THE ISSUE. I'VE OWNED MANY CARS AND SUV'S - ALL PURCHASED NEW WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES. THIS IS PLAIN SCARY BEHAVIOR; I NO LONGER TRUST THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES AND FULLY EXPECT BRAKE FAILURE AND CRASH IS IMMINENT. *TR

2/19/2013

THE DESIGN OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE FJ CRUISER (AND OTHER TOYOTAS) ALLOWS EASY ACCESS FOR DISEASE-CARRYING RODENTS TO ENTER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CABIN. IN THE SOUTHWEST DEER MICE ARE CARRIERS OF ANTIVIRUS, A SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISEASE SPREAD VIA THE FECES AND URINE OF THESE MICE. (NEARLY 30% OF THE DEER MICE IN NEW MEXICO ARE INFECTED AND EVERY YEAR PEOPLE CONTRACT THE VIRUS USUALLY VIA SWEEPING MOUSE DROPPINGS WHILE CLEANING ENCLOSED AREAS. CHECK THE CDC WEBSITE.) BECAUSE THE MICE CAN EASILY ACCESS THE CABIN FILTER AND BLOWER THEY COULD SPREAD THIS VIRUS TO OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS AND DIRECTLY BY INFESTING THE INTERIOR. MY LOCAL DEALER HAS DEALT WITH MANY RODENT NESTS INFESTING TOYOTAS--SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL BE INFECTED WITH THIS DEADLY VIRUS. THECENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL DOCUMENTS THE SERIOUS THREAT OF ANTIVIRUS. I PARK A HONDA ACCORD AND A CIVIC NEXT TO MY FJ AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS INFESTATION PROBLEM. THE AIR VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD COWL AND ALL OPEN VENTS NEED TO BE SCREENED TO KEEP RODENTS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UNDER WARRANTY TOYOTA SHOULD RETROFIT WITH SCREENING ALL ACCESS POINTS THAT ALLOW RODENTS TO ENTER THE CABIN. *TR

8/13/2014

THE DESIGN OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IN THE FJ CRUISER (AND OTHER TOYOTAS) ALLOWS EASY ACCESS FOR DISEASE-CARRYING RODENTS TO ENTER THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE CABIN. IN THE SOUTHWEST DEER MICE ARE CARRIERS OF ANTIVIRUS, A SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISEASE SPREAD VIA THE FECES AND URINE OF THESE MICE. (NEARLY 30% OF THE DEER MICE IN NEW MEXICO ARE INFECTED AND EVERY YEAR PEOPLE CONTRACT THE VIRUS USUALLY VIA SWEEPING MOUSE DROPPINGS WHILE CLEANING ENCLOSED AREAS. CHECK THE CDC WEBSITE.) BECAUSE THE MICE CAN EASILY ACCESS THE CABIN FILTER AND BLOWER THEY COULD SPREAD THIS VIRUS TO OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS AND DIRECTLY BY INFESTING THE INTERIOR. MY LOCAL DEALER HAS DEALT WITH MANY RODENT NESTS INFESTING TOYOTAS--SOONER OR LATER SOMEONE WILL BE INFECTED WITH THIS DEADLY VIRUS. THECENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL DOCUMENTS THE SERIOUS THREAT OF ANTIVIRUS. I PARK A HONDA ACCORD AND A CIVIC NEXT TO MY FJ AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS INFESTATION PROBLEM. THE AIR VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD COWL AND ALL OPEN VENTS NEED TO BE SCREENED TO KEEP RODENTS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UNDER WARRANTY TOYOTA SHOULD RETROFIT WITH SCREENING ALL ACCESS POINTS THAT ALLOW RODENTS TO ENTER THE CABIN. *TR

8/13/2014

THE WINDSHIELD OF THE FJ CRUISER SEEMS TO BE UNUSUALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO PITTING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN THE SUN OR ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS SHINE ON THE WINDSHIELD IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY APPEARS TO BE DIRTY AND TRANSLUCENT. REFERENCE VEHICLE IS A TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE. IN OVERCAST CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD IS FINE AND APPEARS FINE FROM A DISTANCE. HOWEVER, CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS MASSIVE PITTING THAT APPEARS AT FIRST LIKE DIRT. INSPECTION OF THE HOOD PAINT, ROOF, WIPER ARMS, PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES AND TRIM REVEAL NO SIMILAR DAMAGE. ONLINE FORUMS SEEM TO CONFIRM THIS AND OWNERS PREVIOUSLY DRIVING THE SAME ROUTES AND USING VEHICLES WITH VERY FLAT WINDSHIELDS SUCH AS JEEPS SEEM TO BE REPORTING THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NEW TO THEM AFTER PURCHASING THE FJ CRUISER. MANY REPORT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD NUMEROUS TIMES FOR PITTING. I HAVE VEHICLES WITH OVER 200K MILES ON THEM WITH NO SUCH APPARENT PITTING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WEAKNESS WITH THE GLASS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN LIGHT HITS IT AND THE ROAD AHEAD IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. HERE IS ONE ONLINE THREAD: HTTP://WWW.FJCRUISERFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/GENERAL-DISCUSSION/38932-WINDSHIELD-PITTED.HTML. *TR

2/4/2015

I DROVE ON I-10 LA GRANGE WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR VIBRATED AND TILTED TO THE RIGHT. THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF AND THE TIRE BLEW. WE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BRIDGESTONE WITH CASE NUMBER 748575. THE COMPANY SENT ME A LETTER AND SAID IT WAS PRESSURE PROBLEM. BUT JUST BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW, THE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SO I BELIEVE THE QUALITY AND SAFETY IS AT ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IT AND RECALL THE PRODUCT, DUELER H/T 684 II P265/70R17. I BOUGHT THE FOUR TIRES ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

6/6/2017

I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVE SHAFT AT 105K MILES. IT WAS WORE OUT INTERNALLY AND MAKING A HUGE JOLT. THERE IS NO REASON A DRIVE SHAFT SHOULD WEAR OUT AT THIS MILEAGE. I HAVE NOT BEEN HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE OWNED MANYTOYOTAS. THEY USUALLY HOLD UP BETTER THAN THIS. WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING THE GAS AFTER BEING STOPPED IT WAS A JOLT LIKE YOU HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT A LOT OF DIS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED

11/3/2017

MY PROBLEM MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER BURNED 12 AM MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 18 2020 WAS PARKING AT FRONT AT MY HOUSE IT BURNED COMPLETELY IN THE ENGINE AREA I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS VANS EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS.

11/1/2020

MY PROBLEM MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER BURNED 12 AM MIDNIGHT OCTOBER 18 2020 WAS PARKING AT FRONT AT MY HOUSE IT BURNED COMPLETELY IN THE ENGINE AREA I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. IF THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW IF OTHERS VANS EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS.

11/1/2020