2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser: 4 recalls, 41 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #13V098000 · 2013 · 209,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The retractors for the front driver and passenger seat belts are mounted in the access door (rear door) panels of the vehicle. Due to insufficient strength of the access door panel, cracks May develop in the panel if the access door is repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period of time.
Why it matters: If cracks occur in the panel around the lower retractor anchor, the seat belt retractor could become detached, which could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
The fix: The safety recall began on June 6, 2013. Toyota will mail an interim letter to owners late in April 2013. Remedy notifications to the owners for the repair will begin in late May 2013.
Equipment Vehicle recall #13V123000 · 2013 · 7,525 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
Why it matters: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which May result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
The fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V163000 · 2013 · 208,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 an upper beam headlamp. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2013.
Equipment Vehicle recall #14V475000 · 2014 · 20,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles May list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims for passenger cars."
Why it matters: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure May occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Equipment Equipment recall #12E046000 · 2012 · 200,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The subject trd brake kit is specifically designed for the front wheels of 2007-2012 model year fj cruiser vehicles. Due to the shape of the outer brake tube of the brake kit, the clearance between the outer brake tube and a trd 16 inch 6-spoke alloy wheel is minimal. If wheel balance weights are installed in an incorrect location, there is a possibility that the outer brake tube could be damaged due to interference…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (12): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (9).
- Steering (9): the most common themes are steering problems (8), noise or vibration (4).
- Other / unknown (9): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (7).
- Suspension (5): the most common themes are steering problems (2), rust / corrosion (2).
The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 41 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 10 FJ Cruiser model years for complaints (well below the 91 average). Complaints peaked in 2013 (7 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 6,850 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (23 complaints, 6 recalls), 2013 (23 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 19 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (12), steering (9), other / unknown (9).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (4.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.