2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
14,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 55 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 66 complaints (19.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 31.8% |
| Steering behavior | 13 | 19.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.0% |
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 | 13 |
| Wheels | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Steering: 13; Wheels: 11; Structure:Body: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 8; Suspension: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 11; 2011: 9; 2012: 10; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 9; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10308151 · 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)
BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK (THE AUTO KEPT GOING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) UNTIL I LET OFF THE PEDAL AND PUSHED THEM AGAIN. I PASSED OVER A MANHOLE COVER AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING SO FAR, BUT IT SCARED THE '!@#$%OUT OF ME. AS THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 555 miles reported. Look up ODI 10308151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10308687 · 2010-02-11 (February 11, 2010)
ABS BRAKES RELEASE IF ONE WHEEL LOCKS. WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT BRAKES 2X. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10308687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10310925 · 2010-02-16 (February 16, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ALREADY IN MOTION THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY BEGIN TO HESITATE AND THE ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO MAKE A LOUD SURGING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED PRIOR THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING THE GAS MILEAGE AS STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1373.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,373 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310925 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10315872 · 2010-03-02 (March 2, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 20 MPH AND UP, THE VEHICLE THROTTLE WOULD STICK INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND WOULD HESITATE TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10315872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10333998 · 2010-06-01 (June 1, 2010)
JUST BOUGHT THE NEW FJ CRUISER 2010 AND GOT ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP THE ABS GET ACTIVE AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SLOW DOWN . I GET VERY CLOSE TO HIT SOMEONE AT THE BACK BECAUSE OF THAT. NOW I AM GETTING NERVOUS EVERYTIME I SEE A BUMP, CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT I WILL DO ON SLIPPERY SURFACE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 580 miles reported. Look up ODI 10333998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341419 · 2010-07-05 (July 5, 2010)
MY CAR IS A 2010 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER WHICH I PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2009. THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE CAR AS EXPECTED IN TWO OCCASIONS, AT ABOUT 7000 MILES THE FIRST TIME, AND THEN A MONTH LATER AGAIN. IN THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 25 MPH ON WET ASPHALT COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I PUSHED THE BRAKES TO STOP BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL AND I WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 40MPH, AGAIN ON WET ASPHALT. I DROVE OVER A GRATE ON A BRIDGE AND PUSHED THE BRAKES, AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING, I…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10350143 · 2010-08-17 (August 17, 2010)
I PURCHASED 2010 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER 4X4 AUTOMATIC. IT HAS PART TIME 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM INCLUDING 4H AND 4L. I SET INTO 4H (HIGH SPEED 4WHEEL DRIVE) AND TRIED TO PARK AT THE OPEN PARKING LOT. I FOUND OUT CAR GOES SLOW AND STOP BEFORE FITTING INTO THE SPOT. WHEN STEERING IS NOT STRAIGHT, CAR SLOWLY STOPS WITHOUT BRAKING UNDER NO ACCEL. AFTER THAT I TRIED TO MAKE A CIRCLE WITH MY CAR, IT DID NOT WORK. I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL TO MAKE A CIRCLE. IN 2WD, I DON'T NEED TO MAKE CIRCLE WITH GAS PEDAL ON "D" DRIVE. ON 4WD, TO MAKE A CIRCLE, I HAVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362692 · 2010-10-27 (October 27, 2010)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM WRITING TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AN ISSUE THAT I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA DUE TO THE SIMPLE NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES FOUND IN SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET DATING BACK TO 2007. VEHICLE: 2010 TOYOTA MODEL: FJ CRUISER WINDSHIELD: UNREASONABLE/PREMATURE CRACKING VIN #: [XXX] THE ANGLE AT WHICH THE WINDSHIELD IS MOUNTED IS OF GRAVE CONCERN TO ME, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF MY RECENT EXPERIENCE 2 DAYS AGO. WHILE DRIVING TO THE GYM I RECEIVED 2 MERE PEBBLES HITTING MY WINDSHIELD, AND IMMEDIATELY 2 CRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362692 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
10 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V035000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V036000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V148000 · Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Reported: 2011-03-04 (March 4, 2011)
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.
Consequence: FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V014000 · Seats | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V098000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 2013-03-15 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V123000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2013-04-09 (April 9, 2013)
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V163000 · Exterior Lighting
Reported: 2013-04-25 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V475000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2014-08-04 (August 4, 2014)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V743000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V396000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗