VehicleVerdict

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 786 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 21.0 times the median FJ Cruiser year — the 2007 model ranks #1 of 10 FJ Cruiser years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 246 reports (31% of the total).

786

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other FJ Cruiser years?

FJ Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted786 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 786 complaints2008: 166 complaints2009: 13 complaints2010: 91 complaints2011: 38 complaints2012: 49 complaints2013: 34 complaints2014: 37 complaints2015: 0 complaints
FJ Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FJ Cruiser years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure24631%
Other8210%
Visibility & Wipers8110%
Suspension7810%
Brakes7610%
Transmission537%
Fuel System365%
Seat Belts243%
Speed Control243%
Steering213%
Electrical System203%
Tires & Wheels182%
Engine122%
Airbags101%
Seats41%
Lighting10%

Does the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V396000SeatsJune 2, 2016 · 7,749 units

Defect

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.

14V743000SeatsNovember 19, 2014 · 3,233 units

Defect

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.

13V163000LightingApril 25, 2013 · 208,000 units

Defect

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.

13V098000Seat BeltsMarch 15, 2013 · 209,000 units

Defect

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.

12E046000OtherOctober 17, 2012 · 200,000 units

Defect

Toyota is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, P/N PTR09-35070, and TRD High-Performance brake kits, P/N PTR09-35100, installed by Toyota vehicle processing centers and sold by Toyota dealers as an optional accessory for model year 2007 through 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicles. The subject TRD brake kit is specifically designed for the front wheels of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles. Due to the shape of the outer brake tube of the brake kit, the clearance between the outer brake tube and a TRD 16 inch 6-spoke alloy wheel is minimal. If wheel balance weights are installed in an incorrect location, there is a possibility that the outer brake tube could be damaged due to interference with the balance weight, and brake fluid could leak from the damaged tube.

Consequence

If a brake tube becomes damaged and leaks fluid, it may result in increased stopping distances, and in some cases, loss of vehicle front braking performance, which could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

All known owners of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles will be notified by first class mail. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, the brake caliper outer brake tube will be replaced with a newly designed one at no charge. During this service, if necessary, the dealer will make wheel balance adjustments. This remedy will be performed even if the vehicle has original equipment 16 inch or 17 inch wheels or TRD 16 inch Beadlock ring type wheels, which are not affected by the condition, to assure sufficient clearance in the event wheels are changed at a later time. Notification to owners began on December 17, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

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.

10V035000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 271,417 units

Defect

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.

09V223000OtherJune 15, 2009 · 27,080 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

06V235000Tires & WheelsJune 26, 2006 · 9,434 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EITHER BRIDGESTONE DUELER OR DUNLOP GRANDTREK TIRES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE INNER BEAD OF THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. IF THE BEAD IS DAMAGED, A BULGE MAY DEVELOP ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE AND AIR MAY LEAK FROM THE AREA OF THE DAMAGED BEAD.

Consequence

IF THE TIRE LOSES AIR PRESSURE IT MAY LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FIVE TIRES, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE, TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE WITHIN THE AFFECTED TIRE-TO-WHEEL ASSEMBLY RANGE AND REPLACE ALL INVOLVED TIRES WITH NEW TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE DOT SERIAL NUMBER SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS, A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WERE NOT INSPECTED CORRECTLY. TOYOTA RELAUNCHED THIS CAMPAIGN IN MID-AUGUST 2006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING PRIOR, AND I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. I GOT IT TO BE ABOUT 40 MPH BEFORE I HIT THE CEMENT RAILING ON THE BRIDGE. PLEASE CALL [XXX] AT [XXX] CLAIM NUMBER PA[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 15, 2013 · crash

THE ENTIRE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE. THE CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY WASHED AND WELL MAINTAINED. ALL OTHER COMPONENTS ARE IN GREAT WORKING ORDER, BUT THE CAR NOW NEED EXTENSIVE FRAME REPAIRS TO REMAIN ROAD WORTHY. IN ADDITION, THE STRAPS HOLDING THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE RUSTED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 6, 2020

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DEC OF 06 AND ONE MONTH INTO HAVING THIS CAR AND DRIVING ON MY NORMAL ROUTES THAT I REALIZE THAT THIS CAR HAS ZERO VISIBILITY. NO WINDOWS IN THE BACK THAT ALLOW YOU TO SWITCH LANES SAFELY OR EVEN BACK UP FROM A PARKING LOT OR AREA SAFELY. I JUST RECENTLY HAD AN ACCIDENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 30, 2007 · crash

THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING PRIOR, AND I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP. I GOT IT TO BE ABOUT 40 MPH BEFORE I HIT THE CEMENT RAILING ON THE BRIDGE. PLEASE CALL [XXX] AT [XXX] CLAIM NUMBER PA[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 15, 2013 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING AND GAUGES BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE ERRATICALLY AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 24, 2012 · fire

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser — common questions

Is the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 786 complaints put the 2007 model at #1 of 10 FJ Cruiser years. It is one of the FJ Cruiser years to avoid.

What are the most common 2007 FJ Cruiser problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (246 complaints), other (82 complaints), visibility & wipers (81 complaints).

Does the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota FJ Cruiser years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the FJ Cruiser years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2010. The cleanest record among FJ Cruiser years belongs to 2015.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.