2012 Toyota FJ CRUISER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
40 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
6,850 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 40 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 11 | 27.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Structure:Body: 10; Steering: 9; Unknown Or Other: 8; Seat Belts: 5; Suspension: 5; Wheels: 3; Seats: 2; Electrical System: 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 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 16 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 | 1 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 4; 2013: 7; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10470297 · 2012-08-12 (August 12, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 6,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10476992 · 2012-09-25 (September 25, 2012)
STEERING WHEEL SHIMMY BETWEEN 50-60MPH. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER WHICH HAVE BALANCED THE WHEELS AND TIRES BUT I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE FEEL VERY UNSAFE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING AT HIGHWAYS SPEEDS. OTHER FJ OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10476992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10499350 · 2013-02-19 (February 19, 2013)
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 - AL…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993507 · 2017-06-06 (June 6, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10993507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11372541 · 2020-11-01 (November 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 130 miles reported. Look up ODI 11372541 at NHTSA ↗