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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-TOYOTA-FJ-CRUISERNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Toyota
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 39 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 39 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 9 complaints, typically surfacing around 7,420 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 FJ Cruiser?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 7,420 mi · ~$700 to fix
body — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 90,000 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
seatbelts — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,250 mi · ~$500 to fix
suspension — 3 owner reports
· ~$900 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
body (~$1,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 FJ Cruiser· steering
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). *kb
I had to replace the drive shaft at 105k miles. It was wore out internally and making a huge jolt. There is no reason a drive shaft should wear out at this mileage. I have not been happy with this vehicle and have owned manytoyotas. They usually hold up better than this. When…
My problem my Toyota fj cruiser burned 12 am midnight october 18 2020 was parking at front at my house it burned completely in the engine area I want to know what happened. If this electrical problems. I want to know if others vans experiences problems.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the passenger’s side seat belt was inoperable. The seat belt was not able to stretch or lock into place. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle…
Had a problem with your 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, P/N PTR09-35070, and TRD High-Performance brake kits, P/N PTR09-35100, installed by Toyota vehicle processing centers and sold by Toyota dealers as an optional accessory for model year 2007 through 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicles
If a brake tube becomes damaged and leaks fluid, it may result in increased stopping distances, and in some cases, loss of vehicle front braking performance, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: All known owners of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles will be notified by first class mail. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, the brake caliper outer brake tube will be replaced with a newly designed one at no charge. During this service, if necessary, the dealer will make wheel balance adjustments. This remedy will be performed even if the vehicle has original equipment 16 inch or 17 inch wheels or TRD 16 inch Beadlock ring type wheels, which are not affected by the condition, to assure sufficient clearance in the event wheels are changed at a later time. Notification to owners began on December 17, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 9 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 7,420 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 39 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 7,420 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 9 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 7,420 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 7,420 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota FJ Cruiser has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 39 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Toyota/FJ Cruiser.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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