The Lemon Index
201020121st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,541 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Jeep Wrangler 842011 Toyota 4Runner 432011 Nissan Xterra
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V475000 (equipment), 13V163000 (lights) and 13V123000 (equipment) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Toyota sent dealers 206 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may encounter bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: difficulty pairing the…”?
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 12 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 1K to 15K miles (2K to 24K km) on the car (10 of all 12 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
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.
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser owner · NHTSA complaint 10469353
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 2011 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 206 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may encounter bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: difficulty pairing the…
- Some customers may encounter Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: * Difficulty to pair the…
- Some customers may encounter Bluetooth connectivity concerns such as: *Difficulty to pair the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Equipment · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard.
- 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 …
- Equipment · recall issued 2013
These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight ad.
Show all 7 recalls
- 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
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 MON…
- 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…
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,550 (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. 2011 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-fj-cruiser/?y=2011" 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/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,541 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (50%), wheels (42%) and suspension (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
7 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota FJ Cruiser year is better than the 2011?
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