The Lemon Index
20131st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,718 in the U.S. in 2014 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2014 Jeep Wrangler 1072014 Toyota 4Runner 252014 Nissan Xterra
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
- Rust / frame corrosion10 complaints
Specific parts named in the 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 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 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V012000 (fuel system, gasoline), 15V081000 (steering) and 14V828000 (equipment) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Toyota sent dealers 197 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 10 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 30K miles (12K to 48K km) on the car (8 of all 10 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
New 2014 fj Cruiser trails teams edition with bfgoodrich t/a ko tires cause vibration and steering wheel shimmy.
2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser owner · NHTSA complaint 10616526
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 2014 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 197 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
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500,…
- Steering · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft which connects the steering wheel and the steering gear box may have an inadequate weld.
- Equipment · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed.
Show all 5 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2014
In some of these vehicles the bolts which secure the front lower ball joint to the steering knuckle and/or the front suspension lower arm to the front cross member assemblies might have been tightened with insufficient t…
- Equipment · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard.
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 FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$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. 2014 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 2014 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-fj-cruiser/?y=2014" 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/2014/">Lemon Index</a> (2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,718 were sold in the U.S. in 2014 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (30%), wheels (20%) and steering (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
5 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota FJ Cruiser year is better than the 2014?
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