The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,941 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Jeep Wrangler 2772009 Toyota 4Runner2009 Nissan Xterra
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V396000 (seats), 14V743000 (seats) and 14V475000 (equipment) done? It has 12 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Toyota sent dealers 172 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information on installing manual transmission shift lever or park neutral position switch”?
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 3 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 →
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 2009 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 172 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on installing manual transmission shift lever or park neutral position switch
- The breather plug should be replaced during any differential/transfer case repairs to prevent…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide information regarding transmission and/or park neutral
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- 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 12 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2013
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…
- 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. 2009 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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-fj-cruiser/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,941 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (67%), seat belts (33%) and brakes (electric) (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
12 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 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 67% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 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 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota FJ Cruiser year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about twice the average car's complaints).
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