2013 Toyota FJ CRUISER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
20,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 23 complaints (39.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 17.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
Structure:Body: 9; Suspension: 6; Air Bags: 3; Steering: 3; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Visibility/Wiper: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 6; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 11252836 · 2019-09-03 (September 3, 2019)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11252836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11278666 · 2019-11-07 (November 7, 2019)
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-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11278666 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10667244 · 2014-12-19 (December 19, 2014)
DECEMBER 17, 2014 I WAS ENROUTE TO WORK BETWEEN 9:00-9:30 AM. AND AS I AM DRIVING ALONG HUGHEY ROAD APPROACHING ROBINSON STREET A CROSS ROAD THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW, SO I APPLIED MY BRAKES WHILE GOING OVER THE RAIL ROAD TRACKS AND I LOSS MY BRAKES ENDING UP IN THE INTERSECTION AND MY FRONT END IN THE PEDESTRIAN WALK WAY NEARLY RUNNING OVER TWO PEDESTIRANS, THEY WERE SO CLOSE THEY COULD TOUCH MY TRUCK. IT WAS A THREE LANE ROAD AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE THE TWO OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO STOP BUT I WASN'T AND KEPT GOING WITH MY FOOT PLANTED FIRMLY ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,889 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11736593 · 2026-05-08 (May 8, 2026)
Please consider opening or expanding an investigation into frame, underbody, brake-line, and suspension-mount corrosion affecting Toyota FJ Cruisers. I own a 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4WD. A professional inspection found multiple fluid leaks, heavy rust, rusted exhaust, leaking rear shocks, and brake line/hose concerns. After reviewing the condition, the mechanic essentially declined to repair it and recommended scrapping the vehicle. The attached photos show conditions that appear safety-relevant: rust perforation through underbody structural me…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11736593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508791 · 2013-04-19 (April 19, 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 TIR…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10637842 · 2014-09-21 (September 21, 2014)
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-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10637842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395818 · 2021-02-11 (February 11, 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-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395818 at NHTSA ↗