PURCHASED A 2007 FJ CRUISER USED AND DISCOVERED THE FRAME IS RUSTING AND DETERIORATING AT AN ALARMING PACE. THE DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE AND HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN ONGOING FOR QUITE SOMETIME.
2007 Toyota Fj Cruiser
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Fj Cruiser years
Owner complaints for the 2007 Toyota Fj Cruiser are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Fj Cruiser years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
442 reports with mileage · 151 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 238 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
238 reportsFRAME IS RUSTED UNDERNEATH. CAR LOOKS AND DRIVES PERFECTLY. I CRAWLED UNDER AND THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED. I PURCHASED FROM A DEALER TWO WEEKS AGO. IT HAD 2 OWNERS AND LESS THAN 100000 MILES.
HAD A VIRINA SAFETY INSPECTION PERFORMED ON 6-25-2020 AND IT WAS FOUND THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO SAFETY REASONS. 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER WITH 101000 MILES. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY BUT VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE DUE TO STRUCTURAL FAILURE COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2007 TOYOTA FJ BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER, A YEAR LATER I BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST SURFACE RUST NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. MY VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND DRIVEN VERY LITTLE ON A YEARLY BASIS DUE TO THE FACT THA…
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I BOUGHT MY 2007 TOYOTA FJ BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALER, A YEAR LATER I BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF RUST. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST SURFACE RUST NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. MY VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND DRIVEN VERY LITTLE ON A YEARLY BASIS DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES TO DRIVE. I DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION THROUGHOUT THE YEARS UNTIL I HAD TO GO UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATING RATTLING NOISES, WHEN I WENT UNDERNEATH THE SITE WAS DISGUSTING RUST WAS EVERYWHERE SERIOUS RUST. I WENT TO TOYOTA THIS WINTER THEY PUT IT ON A LIFT AND TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS THAT WERE TO BE SENT IN TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS FOR ANALYSIS THEY PRETTY MUCH TOLD ME AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WAS ON MY OWN. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES BECAUSE OF CHASSIS OR BODY RUST ISSUES NOTHING ON MY FJ CRUISER, I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER FJ CRUISER OWNERS IN SOME BUT NOT ALL ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS WOULD YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SEVERE NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF TOYOTA THANK YOU. *TR
QUOTING TOYOTA EXACTLY, ' TECH INSPECTED FOUND FRAME ROTTING AWAY WERE LEFT REAR BODY MOUNT MEETS FRAME, CUSTOMER WAS ADVISED TO SPEAK TO TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE.' *TR
THE RUST ON THE FRAME IS MIND BLOWING. RUST HOLES IN FRAME AND GAS TANK STRAPS, AND SUSPENSION PARTS. THIS IS DANGERS AND SOMEONE CAN BE INJURED OR DEAD. *TR
I REAR ENDED SOMEONE AND I WAS GOING 30MPH APPROX AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR ENGINE AREA AND BATTERY CAUGHT ON FIRE
I AM EXPERIENCING SEVER RUST, ESPECIALLY ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE EXHAUST MOUNTS TO BREAK, THE LOSS OF THE SKID PLATE WHICH DETERIORATED AS PARTS OF IT WERE TRYING TO HANG ON AND EVEN MY GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE! THE EXHAUST BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN FOR WORK BUT I WAS ABLE TO …
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I AM EXPERIENCING SEVER RUST, ESPECIALLY ON THE UNDERSIDE OF MY 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THIS HAS CAUSED THE EXHAUST MOUNTS TO BREAK, THE LOSS OF THE SKID PLATE WHICH DETERIORATED AS PARTS OF IT WERE TRYING TO HANG ON AND EVEN MY GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE! THE EXHAUST BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN FOR WORK BUT I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER AND HAVE A COLLEAGUE TEMPORARILY REATTACH IT. THE SKID PLATE HAPPENED OVER TIME UNTIL IT WAS IN PIECES AND HAD TO BE REMOVED THE REST OF THE WAY AND THE GAS TANK STRAP HAPPENED ON A ROAD TRIP IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND WE WERE ABLE TO RATCHET STRAP IT BACK IN PLACE FOR THE REST OF THE TIME. *TR
FRAME RUST ON THIS VEHICLE IS OVERWHELMING. IT IS CORRODING EXTENSIVELY, EVEN HAVING TAKEN STEPS TO TREAT IT AND PREVENT FURTHER DISINTEGRATION. HAVING DESCALED THE FRAME AND MANY COMPONENTS AND TREATING EVERYTHING WITH A RUST CONVERSION PRODUCT AND SEALER, MUCH OF IT IS STILL COMING BACK THROUGH. THIS IS EVEN AFTER AVOIDING DRI…
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FRAME RUST ON THIS VEHICLE IS OVERWHELMING. IT IS CORRODING EXTENSIVELY, EVEN HAVING TAKEN STEPS TO TREAT IT AND PREVENT FURTHER DISINTEGRATION. HAVING DESCALED THE FRAME AND MANY COMPONENTS AND TREATING EVERYTHING WITH A RUST CONVERSION PRODUCT AND SEALER, MUCH OF IT IS STILL COMING BACK THROUGH. THIS IS EVEN AFTER AVOIDING DRIVING UNDER ANY NEGATIVE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THERE ARE MANY PLACES THAT THE RUST IS JUST EATING ITS WAY BACK THROUGH AGAIN. THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL PARTS THAT COULD BE BROKEN OFF BY HAND DUE TO THE RUST. ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE FAIRLY STABLE AT THE MOMENT, I AM UNSURE HOW LONG THE FRAME AND STRUCTURE MAY STAY INTACT BEFORE THERE IS A MAJOR MALFUNCTION. THIS INCLUDES THE GAS TANK STRAP THAT IS RUSTING THROUGH AS WELL. *TR
RUST HAS DECIMATED THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE RESULTING IN THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY IN TACT. THE PART THAT BROKE IS IRREPARABLE BECAUSE IT IS THE FRAME ITSELF. NO WELDING/BODY SHOP WILL TOUCH IT BECAUSE THEY DEEM IT UNSAFE EVEN IF WELDED BACK TO REST OF FRAME…
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RUST HAS DECIMATED THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE RESULTING IN THE CONTROL ARM MOUNT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY IN TACT. THE PART THAT BROKE IS IRREPARABLE BECAUSE IT IS THE FRAME ITSELF. NO WELDING/BODY SHOP WILL TOUCH IT BECAUSE THEY DEEM IT UNSAFE EVEN IF WELDED BACK TO REST OF FRAME. IT IS BEING RECOMMENDED NOT TO ATTEMPT A REPAIR AND TO INSTALL A NEW FRAME. FORTUNATELY, THIS BROKE IN A PARKING LOT INSTEAD OF ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED OR WORSE. FRAME RUST HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA TRUCKS AS I UNDERSTAND BUT TO HAVE A FRAME ACTUALLY BREAK IS ABSURD.
Official recalls
816V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
14V743000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
13V163000 · Exterior Lighting
Apr 25, 2013
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
13V098000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
Mar 15, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
06V235000 · Tires:bead
Jun 26, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EITHER BRIDGESTONE DUELER OR DUNLOP GRANDTREK TIRES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE INNER BEAD OF THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. IF THE BEAD IS DAMAGED, A BULGE MAY DEVELOP ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE AND AIR MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA OF THE DAMAGED BEAD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TIRE LOSES AIR PRESSURE IT MAY LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FIVE TIRES, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE, TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE WITHIN THE AFFECTED TIRE-TO-WHEEL ASSEMBLY RANGE AND REPLACE ALL INVOLVED TIRES WITH NEW TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE DOT SERIAL NUMBER SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS, A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WERE NOT INSPECTED CORRECTLY. TOYOTA RELAUNCHED THIS CAMPAIGN IN MID-AUGUST 2006.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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