2011 Toyota FJ CRUISER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 23 complaints (34.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 26.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 8 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Steering: 8; Suspension: 6; Structure:Body: 5; Wheels: 5; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 4; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10428997 · 2011-10-06 (October 6, 2011)
VEHICLE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE INDICATIVE OF WHEELS BEING OFF BALANCE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RE-BALANCE 6 TIMES AT 4 DIFFERENT SHOPS THE SYMPTOM PERSISTS INTERMITTENTLY. OTHER FJ OWNERS OF 2010 MODEL YEAR AND NEWER FJ CRUISERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THEIR VEHICLES HAVE EXHIBITED THE SAME BEHAVIOR. THE PROBLEM (BASED ON FEED BACK FROM OTHER OWNERS ON INTERNET FORUMS) IS SPREAD ACROSS DIFFERENT MODELS, WHEEL AND TIRE COMBINATIONS. MANY OF THEM HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLES BACK TO TOYOTA WHO CLAIMS THE SHAKING IS NORMAL. HOWEVER TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10428997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10429035 · 2011-10-07 (October 7, 2011)
VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 55 AND 70 MPH. SEVERAL OTHER FJ OWNERS SEEM TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. DEALER CAN NOT FIX EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE TIRED MULTIPLE WHEEL BALANCES AND TIRE ROTATIONS. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE THIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10429035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897936 · 2016-08-23 (August 23, 2016)
JUNE 19, 2016 MY WIFE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT THE TOP OF OUR DRIVEWAY, WHICH HAS A SLIGHT DECLINE TO THE FRONT OF OUR HOUSE. SHE LEFT IT RUNNING, PUT IT IN PARK, PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. SHE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WALKED BACK DOWN TO THE HOUSE AND BACK UP, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, RUNNING INTO THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK FROM THE HOUSE ABOUT 10-12 FEET. IT WAS STILL RUNNING, WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STILL ON, BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS NOW IN REVERSE. MY WIFE THEN TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, WHERE THE VEHICLE SAT FOR ABOUT …
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403897 · 2021-03-19 (March 19, 2021)
RUST TO THE FRAME OF THE CAR NOT CONSUMMATE WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, RUST TO THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK. POINTS THAT AFFIX THE BRAKE LINES TO THE VEHICLE FRAME HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT THEY'RE NO LONGER AFFIXED TO THE FRAME. THE RATE AT WHICH RUST GESTATES ON THIS VEHICLE (AND I AM MUCH MORE ATTENTIVE THAN THE TYPICAL CONSUMER) IS UNSAFE AND WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE UNSAFE CONDITIONS AS THESE VEHICLES RAPIDLY DETERIORATE. THE RUST PREVENTION METHODS USED BY THE FACTORY ARE ENTIRELY INADEQUATE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11403897 at NHTSA ↗