2011 Toyota FJ CRUISER: complaints, problems and recalls

ON APRIL 30TH, 2011 I PURCHASED A NEW, 2011 FJ CRUISER VIN# [XXX] FROM JERRY DURANT TOYOTA. EIGHT WEEKS PRIOR, ON MARCH 4TH, 2011 TOYOTA SUBMITTED A REPORT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 11V148000) - INDICATING ITS INTENT TO CONDUCT A RECALL OF CERTAIN TOYOTA VEHICLES WITH "ACCESSORY" (TRD) WHEELS. MY FJ CRUISER WAS A "TRD" MODEL VEHICLE. MY VIN CAN BE SEARCHED AT TOYOTA AT HTTP://TOYOTA-B0B.IMAGESPM.INFO/ I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AT THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, NOR WAS THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED BEFORE DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE TO M…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10408727 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. DURING COLD WEATHER, THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW CAMERA FOGGED AND FROZE, MAKING THE VISIBILITY BLURRY AND DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. ..UPDATED 04/26/12 *BF UPDATED 06/15/2012 *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454963 at NHTSA ↗

THE DAY I BOUGHT MY NEW TOYOTA FJ I TOOK IT TO A TIRE SHOP FOR LARGER OFF-ROAD TIRES. I WATCHED THE TECH AS HE CHANGED TIRES AND REMOUNTED THE WHEELS. HE CAREFULLY TIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS WITH A TORQUE WRENCH, BUT ON ONE, IT WAS OBVIOUS TO HIM AND ME BOTH THAT THE TIGHTENING EFFORT SUDDENLY GOT EASIER. HE MADE ANOTHER EASY 1/4 TURN AND THE STUD CAME OFF. THE MANAGER LOOKED AT THE STUD AND SAID IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN OVERTIGHTENED PREVIOUSLY BY THE FACTORY OR WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY FIXED IT. ABOUT 4 MONTHS LATER I WAS PUTTING ON MY WHEELS AFTER I…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465618 at NHTSA ↗

SINCE NEW MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A SHAKING STEERING WHEEL WHEN REACHING SPEEDS OVER 55MPH. AFTER TRYING SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRES, WHEELS AND BALANCING MY DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. TOYOTA WILL NOT HELP AND THE STEERING IS SHAKING SO BAD IT FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 15,125 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469052 at NHTSA ↗

STEERING COLUMN SHAKES BETWEEN SPEEDS 55-65 MPH, HAVE HAD THE WHEELS AND TIRES REBALANCED WITH A ROAD FORCE MACHINE WITHOUT ANY RESOLVE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10469353 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE SHIMMY BETWEEN 55 AND 65 MPH AFTER BEING AT DEALER FOR ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION. TIRES WERE REPLACED, REBALANCED & ALIGNMENT DONE MULTIPLE TIMES AND VEHICLE BROUGHT TO 4 DIFF LOCATIONS FOR INSPECTION AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. HAS BEEN TO TOYOTA DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL MOST LIKELY CAUSE OTHER PARTS IN FRONT END/VEHICLE TO FAIL. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470831 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Reported: 2011-03-16 (March 16, 2011)

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FJ CRUISER AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE TPMS ON SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY CALIBRATED AND AS A RESULT THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP MAY NOT ILLUMINATE SHOULD THE INFLATION PRESSURE IN ONE OR MORE OF THE VEHICLE'S TIRES FALL BELOW THE THRESHOLD FOR WHEN THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP SHOULD ILLUMINATE.

Consequence: DRIVERS WILL NOT RECEIVE A WARNING FROM THE TIRE PRESSURING MONITOR THAT ONE OR MORE TIRES ARE UNDERINFLATED INCREASING THE RISK THAT A VEHICLE WILL BE DRIVEN WITH ONE OR MORE UNDERINFLATED TIRES AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A TIRE FAILURE THAT MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER TOLL FREE AT 1-800-444-1074 MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, 8:30 AM TO 5:00 PM, OR FRIDAY 8:30 AM TO 4:00 PM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME.

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.

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.

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.

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.