The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,656 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Jeep Wrangler 2972012 Toyota 4Runner 262012 Nissan Xterra
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Rust / frame corrosion13 complaints
Specific parts named in the 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 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
Only 15 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 5 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 203 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 16 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 0K to 7K miles (0K to 11K km) on the car (15 of all 16 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
Vehicle shimmy between 60mph and 70mph. Tire balance and alignment were performed but this did not correct the problem. Vehicle has been doing this since new (4 miles).
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser owner · NHTSA complaint 10437470
More owner reports
As the vehicle goes between the speed 61 and 68 the steering wheel would vibrate and shake about 2 to 3 inches.I went to two Toyota dealers and they blame the tires .I brought four new tires with no success.please help...
NHTSA complaint 10512901
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 2012 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 203 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 5
- 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 5 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.
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 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,750 (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. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-fj-cruiser/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,656 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (50%), suspension (12%) and wheels (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
5 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 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?
16 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota FJ Cruiser year is better than the 2012?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2008 drew the fewest (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