The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: body structure
51 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Jeep Wrangler 6842008 Toyota 4Runner 612008 Nissan Xterra 75
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Rust / frame corrosion25 complaintsmostly at 45,000–143,000 miles (72,000–230,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,400 and 25,000 miles (12,000–40,000 km) (the middle half of the 49 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V396000 (seats), 14V743000 (seats) and 14V475000 (equipment) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Toyota sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ?”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 51 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 25K miles (12K to 40K km) on the car (49 of all 51 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Firmly applying brakes to slow for traffic, abs stopped vehicle very quickly, then acted as if abs was working but with minimal braking power. Incident happened on smooth, dry pavement. Vehicle moving in a straight line.
2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser owner · NHTSA complaint 10439093
More owner reports
Drivers side inner fender crumple zone has bulges protruding into the engine compartment.
NHTSA complaint 10277319
2008 Toyota fj Cruiser has cracks on the inner fender wells. I am a member of an online community and it is well documented that in many fjs cracks develop on the inner fender wells.
NHTSA complaint 10419331
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 14.8M views · 2007–2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Most-watched topics
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x499K views
How to Engage the Rear Locking Differential on a 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser by Loving Toyota ScionLoving Toyota · 99K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical69K views
How To Program A Toyota FJ Cruiser Remote Key Fob 2007 - 2008 DIY TutorialPYR Automotive · 41K views · 2 videos - Brakes & ABS20K views
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Troubleshooting a Brake IssueS & A Auto Repair · 8K views · 5 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition18K views
(2009 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER) No Start Problem...Dead....Not Cranking...DIY Troubleshooting...Solved...Peter L · 10K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Transmission & shifter10K views
2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Transmission Cooler Kit Install GuideMishimoto Automotive · 10K views - Cooling system9K views
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Coolant Leak.JoMammaSmurf · 9K views - Spark plugs & ignition coils3K views
How to Replace Spark Plugs 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4.0L V6TRQ · 3K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a TOYOTA FJ CRUISER? (Test Drive & Review 2012 4.0 V6)High Peak Autos · 185K views
How Reliable is a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser 200,000 Miles POV Test DrivePOV Nelson · 31K views
Regular Car Reviews: 2012 Toyota FJ CruiserRegular Car Reviews · 852K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ?
- Condition in which a musty
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Seats · recall issued 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- Seats · recall issued 2014
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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard.
Show all 11 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 2013
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 …
- Seat belts · recall issued 2013
The retractors for the front driver and passenger seat belts are mounted in the access door (rear door) panels of the vehicle.
- Equipment · recall issued 2012
The subject TRD brake kit is specifically designed for the front wheels of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles.
- Tires · recall issued 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 P…
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 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 BETW…
- Equipment · recall issued 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 S…
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Toyota FJ Cruiser recall, all years · All Toyota recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,200–$4,700 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Toyota FJ Cruiser year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 2 Toyota FJ Cruiser years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-fj-cruiser/?y=2008" title="Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-fj-cruiser/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 179; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (31%), brakes (29%) and brakes (electric) (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
11 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 7,400 and 25,000 miles (12,000–40,000 km) (the middle half of the 49 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 to $4,700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Toyota FJ Cruiser year than the 2008?
Not nearby: the 2008 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Toyota FJ Cruiser years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works