VehicleVerdict

2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser sits mid-pack among FJ Cruiser years: 34 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 37, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (29% of the total).

34

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other FJ Cruiser years?

FJ Cruiser NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 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, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all FJ Cruiser years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1029%
Suspension618%
Airbags39%
Steering39%
Brakes26%
Visibility & Wipers26%
Electrical System26%
Other26%
Transmission26%
Fuel System13%
Tires & Wheels13%

Does the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser have recalls?

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

14V475000OtherAugust 4, 2014 · 20,000 units

Defect

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.

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.

13V123000OtherApril 9, 2013 · 7,525 units

Defect

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 7, 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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 1, 2016

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 1, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE OVERWEIGHT PASSENGER TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 14, 2016

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 5, 2021

2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser — common questions

Is the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?

It is close to typical for the FJ Cruiser: 34 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2013 FJ Cruiser problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (10 complaints), suspension (6 complaints), airbags (3 complaints).

Does the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 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.