Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 124

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 27, 201786,000 milesCA

SEAT BELT RE TRACTOR FOR DRIVERS SIDE INOPERABLE AND WILL NOT RETRACT. I CONTACTED LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS TOYOTA MGR WHOM STATED THERE AS NO RECALL NOR WHERE THEY AWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN DEFECT OCCURRED. THE BELT NOW HANGS LOOSE AND CANNOT BE USED

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 2, 201682,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V098000 (SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Visibility/WiperCrash
Filed Jan 28, 201525 milesPR

I HAVE IMPACTED MORE THAN THREE VEHICLES BEHIND THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BACK PART IS TOO HIGH AND IT AFFECTS VISIBILITY TO LOWER CARS. THIS CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY REVERSE CAMERA OR SENSOR. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 3, 201468,000 milesTX

A VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY ON A RURAL INTERSTATE AS MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER APPROACHED IN THE SAME LANE. THE DRIVER OF THE FJ CRUISER BRAKED QUICKLY TO AVOID HITTING THE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AN 18-WHEELER BEHIND IT COULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH. IT REAR-ENDED MY FJ CRUISER SENDING THE FRONT-END COLLIDING DIRECTLY INTO THE BACK OF THE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE. AS THE 18-WHEELER CONTINUED FORWARD, MY FJ CRUISER WAS SQUEEZED OUT FROM BETWEEN THE TWO VEHICLES AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER LANE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF MY FJ CRUISER WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME DURING THE COLLISION WITH THE SLOW MOVING VEHICLE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT AND REAR OF MY VEHICLE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 16, 2014CO

THE DEALER DID REPLACE MY MASTER CYLINDER AND THE PRESSURE PUMP AFTER THE EXPERIENCE WITH THE ABS ISSUES AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, THIS WAS WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT SEEMED TO FIX THE ABS PROBLEM WITH THE LONG PULSING AND BASICALLY THE COMPUTER TAKING OVER THE BRAKING. I AM STILL EXPERIENCING A MUSHY PEDAL AND LACK OF BRAKING WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME OR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. HOWEVER AFTER A LOT OF RESEARCH AND PAYING ATTENTION TO THE SYMPTOMS, I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A PRESSURE AND HEAT PROBLEM. I DON'T KNOW WHY ON A 5700 LB VEHICLE THAT THEY ARE USING CERAMIC PADS, DOT 3 FLUID AND THIS PRESSURE SYSTEM, IT JUST CAN'T HANDLE IT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 17, 201475,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AS ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 21, 201345,477 milesPR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V098000 (SEAT BELTS). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND AFTERWARD, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SPIRAL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,477. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 6, 201337,317 milesCA

THERE IS BUCKLING OF THE BODY, RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE, UNDER HOOD APPROXIMATELY WHERE THE HOOD HINGES ATTACH TO BODY. THE MECHANIC HAS ADVISED IT IS A WEAK POINT IN THE BODY WHICH ON SOME VEHICLES THE BODY ACTUALLY CRACKS AND TRANSFERS OVER TO THE FENDER OVER TIME. IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS DUE TO VIBRATION FROM THE BODY FRONT END TO THE REAR FIREWALL. THE ESTIMATED COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FROM A TOYOTA CERTIFIED BODY SHOP IS $11,837.02. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE, AND IT IS PENDING. TOYOTA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Filed Jun 26, 2013GA

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL TWO MONTHS AGO AND STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT RETURN HER CALLS TO SCHEDULE A APPOINTMENT UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Seat Belts
Filed May 22, 201380,000 milesWA

TOYOTA IS RISKING LIVES WITH THE FJ CRUISER - OWNERS ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING WITH A RISK OF NON-FUNCTIONAL SEAT BELTS. AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL ON MONDAY, 5/20, I CHECKED THE TOYOTA WEBSITE AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON THE LOGGED-IN OWNER SITE: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO PERFORM AN INSPECTION AND INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS ON BOTH DOORS ACCESS AT NO CHARGE TO YOU. BASED UPON THE INSPECTION, IN LIMITED CASES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR(S) AND/OR ACCESS DOOR(S) MAY BE REPLACED. I IMMEDIATELY MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT SAME AFTERNOON. I HAD TO ARGUE WITH THE DEALER THAT THE BRACKETS WERE REQUIRED (THEY WANTED ONLY TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION AND STOP THERE IF NO CRACKS WERE PRESENT). AFTER FINALLY AGREEING THAT YES, THE BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED (THEY HAD 'MISREAD' THE PROCESS FLOW CHART! THEY DON'T APPEAR TO HAVE HAD ANY TRAINING ON WHAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS), THEY SAID THEY HAD NONE IN STOCK AND WOULD ORDER THEM TODAY. THIS MORNING THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT TOYOTA HAS "BLOCKED ORDERING OF THOSE PARTS" - AND SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE THE SOLUTION DOESN'T WORK. CURRENTLY WE ARE DRIVING VEHICLES THAT DO NOT MEET MINIMAL GOVERNMENT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS - BOTH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER ARE IN DANGER OF HAVING SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTION DURING AN ACCIDENT. THEY SHOULD BE PROVIDING SOME TYPE OF RELIEF (E.G.

Power Train
Filed Feb 24, 201394,000 milesLA

THE REAR END OF THE POWER TRAIN (REAR AXEL) STARTED MAKING A GRINDING OR WINING NOISE. *TR

Structure
Filed Dec 15, 201259,000 milesWA

THE FOOT REST BROKE FREE OF ITS ATTACHMENTS AND SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Nov 23, 201240,000 milesNC

LOSS OF BRAKES, TRIED TO STOP. BOTH FEET APPLIED TO BRAKES AND NOTHING. THIS WAS A T STOP WITH A 20' DROP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD . THIS WAS ON A ROAD DRIVEN CONSTANTLY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. TURNED THE CAR TO THE RIGHT WENT OVER THE CURB THROUGH A YARD HIT A FIRE HYDRANT TOOK IT ACROSS THE STREET JUMPED THE OTHER CURB AND STOPPED IN BRUSH. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS IN THE GRASS OR ROAD WHERE THE BREAKS HAD BEEN APPLIED. DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG RIPPED OR SHREDDED AT BOTTOM DID NOT INFLATE FULLY, PASSENGERS DID INFLATE CORRECTLY. NO ONE WAS HURT SERIOUSLY OR TAKEN BY EMS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Oct 16, 201226,500 milesFL

DRIVER DOOR ACTUATOR WORKS INCONSISTENTLY . SPOKE WITH DEALER AND TOLD NEED REPLACEMENT. WENT ON LINE AND SEE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 201215,000 milesTX

BRAKES IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. HAPPENED TWICE WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. ONCE WHEN THE STREETS WERE WET, SHE PUT ON THE BRAKES AND WENT SLIDING ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. ABS DID NOT WORK. THE NEXT TIME COMING OUT OF THE PARKING GARAGE, SHE WENT OVER SOME LOOSE GRAVEL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. SHE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS NOT A JERK. SHE SAID BOTH TIMES THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE. SEE THIS THREAD FOR MORE INFORMATION OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS: HTTP://WWW.FJCRUISERFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/PROBLEMS-DEALER-SERVICE/102642-BRAKE-ISSUES-REPORT-YOUR-DATE-MANUFACTURE-VIN.HTML SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET HURT IF IT HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 201272,500 milesOK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH ON SMOOTH ASPHALT THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME STARTED BRAKING. I APPLIED MY BRAKES LIGHTLY AND NOTHING HAPPENED, PUSHED BRAKE PEDAL HARDER STILL NOTHING AND STARTED TO PANIC THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES ENGAGED HARD ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND THE CAR BEHIND ALMOST HIT ME. I PURCHASE THE FJ CRUISER USED WITH ABOUT 52,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. I DO NOT FEEL THE VEHICLE IS SAFE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. I SEE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 15, 201232,735 milesNV

EVERY TIME I DRIVE BETWEEN 60 TO 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH. ALSO THE FRONT END SHAKES. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT TIMES. HAD TIRES RE-BALANCED AND THE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECKED. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED. EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT SEEMS COMMON IN A LARGE POPULATION OF FJ'S ON THE ROAD. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 1, 201216,000 milesCO

WHILE COMING TO A STOP, IF MY 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER HITS A BUMP THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATES KICKING BACK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN, THE BRAKES GRAB AS IF THEY ARE GOING TO LOCK UP AND SKID. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE BRAKE SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO DO THIS IS TO RELEASE THE PEDAL COMPLETELY THEN, REAPPLY THE BRAKES. OBVIOUSLY THIS ISN'T WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN ORDER TO STOP. THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES LIKE THIS DOCUMENTED ON THIS WEBSITE. HOW MUCH MORE DOCUMENTATION DOES TOYOTA NEED BEFORE THEY TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY? *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 28, 201269,001 milesFL

THE FOOT REST ASSEMBLY WHICH IS PLASTIC AND FASTENED TO THE FLOOR BOARD WITH PROTRUDING SCREWS, SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE DANGEROUS ASPECT OF IT, WAS THAT IT SLID TOWARDS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAUSED ME TO SKILLFULLY PULL OVER THE VEHICLE WHILE SLIDING THE PART FROM UNDER PEDAL WITH LEFT FOOT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 10, 201288,500 milesCA

THE BRAKES JUST FAILED AND WAS SUDDENLY UNRESPONSIVE AT LOW SPEED WHEN I WAS DRIVING OVER SLIGHTLY BUMPY ROAD ON I-10 LOS ANGELES, THE ROAD WAS NOT ICY NEITHER HAD ANY DIRT OR SAND, IT FELT LIKE THAT I HAD NO BRAKES, AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME, LUCKILY IT CAME TO A STOP WHEN I STEPPED THE BRAKES SO HARD THAT IT FEELS LIKE USELESS. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY MECHANICS,THEY INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FINE. THE BRAKE PADS WERE VERY NEW. I REPLACED NEW BRAKE FLUIDS, BUT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN ! I WENT TO FJ CRUISER FORUM,AND LOTS OF PEOPLE HAS ENCOUNTER THIS SAME SITUATION WHEN DRIVING OVER POT HOLES TO CAUSE THE FAILURE IN THE ABS COMPUTER. AND TOYOTA CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT!! *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Jan 15, 2012TX

I ATTEMPTED TO SUBMIT MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TOYOTA OF LONGVIEW, IN LONGVIEW, TEXAS, IN RESPONSE TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TITLED "CERTAIN 2008 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR FJ CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRD ACCESSORY WHEELS AND TOYOTA-RECOMMENDED LIGHT TRUCK TIRES." I REQUESTED THE TPMS ECU BE REPLACED, THE COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE BE REVISED AND A NEW TIRE/LOADING LABEL INSTALLED. TOYOTA OF LONGVIEW REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECOMMENDED WORK UNLESS I PAID A $99.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THESE COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I BELIEVE THESE COMPONENTS MUST BE REPLACED NOTWITHSTANDING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MECHANIC'S OPINION. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 2012TX

I ATTEMPTED TO SUBMIT MY VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TOYOTA OF LONGVIEW, IN LONGVIEW, TEXAS, IN RESPONSE TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TITLED "CERTAIN 2008 THROUGH 2011 MODEL YEAR FJ CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRD ACCESSORY WHEELS AND TOYOTA-RECOMMENDED LIGHT TRUCK TIRES." I REQUESTED THE TPMS ECU BE REPLACED, THE COLD TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE BE REVISED AND A NEW TIRE/LOADING LABEL INSTALLED. TOYOTA OF LONGVIEW REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECOMMENDED WORK UNLESS I PAID A $99.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THESE COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I BELIEVE THESE COMPONENTS MUST BE REPLACED NOTWITHSTANDING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MECHANIC'S OPINION. PLEASE ADVISE ON HOW TO PROCEED.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 12, 201246,000 milesCA

THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A BULGE ON THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE BAY FENDER APRON. I HAVE SEEN MANY ONLINE AND MET OTHERS IN PERSON WHO SHARE THIS PROBLEM ON THE FJ CRUISERS. THIS CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE IS NOW COMPROMISED AND DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL AFFECT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 8, 201158,800 milesMO

FIRMLY APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW FOR TRAFFIC, ABS STOPPED VEHICLE VERY QUICKLY, THEN ACTED AS IF ABS WAS WORKING BUT WITH MINIMAL BRAKING POWER. INCIDENT HAPPENED ON SMOOTH, DRY PAVEMENT. VEHICLE MOVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. *TR

Wheels
Filed Oct 6, 201140,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY OCCUR WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DEFLATED THE TIRES AND THE MALFUNCTION CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 11/10/11 *BF

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 13, 201118,000 milesFL

2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER HAS CRACKS ON THE INNER FENDER WELLS. I AM A MEMBER OF AN ONLINE COMMUNITY AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED THAT IN MANY FJS CRACKS DEVELOP ON THE INNER FENDER WELLS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 8, 201125,000 milesCA

ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES GO TO 100% FORCE WHEN APPLYING MINIMAL FORCE TO THE PEDAL. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS OCCURRED AT STREET SPEEDS OF 35-40 AND WHEN COMING OFF OF A FREEWAY. THE FORCE IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT EVERYONE IN THE CAR IS LAUNCHED FORWARD TO THE POINT THAT THE SEATBELT LOCK ENGAGES. I HAVE TRIED REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND REAPPLYING PRESSURE BUT THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE AT 100%. ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS COME TO A COMPLETE STOP DO THE BRAKES BEGIN TO WORK NORMALLY AGAIN. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 8, 201125,000 milesCA

I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE MORE THAN ONCE WHERE WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES IF I HIT A BUMP THE ABS WILL TAKE OVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSES AND I WILL LOSE THE ABILITY TO STOP ON MY ORIGINAL MARK. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS BARELY ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP AT ALL. I HAVE TRIED TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO SUCCESS. I HAVE ALSO TRIED REMOVING PRESSURE FROM THE PEDAL AND REAPPLYING PRESSURE BUT THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO STOP THE VEHICLE ANY FASTER. I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM WHEN CRUISING BETWEEN 35 AND 45 MPH. *TR

Equipment
Filed Feb 26, 201116,000 milesNV

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE FOOT REST ON THE DRIVER SIDE CAME LOOSE AND GOT STUCK UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT PREVENTED ME FROM BEING ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO REACH DOWN AND CLEAR THE BRAKE SO I COULD STOP. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 23, 201028,800 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT I MADE A LANE CHANGE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT TURNED YELLOW. I APPLIED THE BRAKES SLIGHTLY HARDER THAN NORMAL AT WHICH POINT THE CAR TOOK OVER AND APPLIED 100% BRAKING FORCE. THE CAR SLAMMED TO A STOP AND BOTH THE PASSENGER AND I WERE WHIPPED FORWARD AND WERE LUCK TO HAVE NOT BEEN REAR ENDED. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH ALL THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS CONTROLLERS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 10, 201023,000 milesCO

2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHEN COMING TO STOP GOING DOWN A HILL, WENT OVER A POT HOLE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND STARTED TO JERK FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR HAD TO RELEASE FOOT SO THAT THE PEDAL WILL COME UP VEHICLE ALMOST WENT THROUGH INTERSECTION. NO BRAKES POWER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. DEALER STATES THAT NOTHING IS WRONG, TYPICAL BEHAVIOR FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 201042,000 milesCT

THROWOUT BEARING FAILING, THREATENS TO LEAVE VEHICLE STRANDED OR CAUSE TRANSMISSION TO LOCK UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 23, 2010CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT APPLIED CONTINUOUS ABRUPT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER YET THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE.

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jul 27, 201027,000 milesCO

2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER, BUILD DATE:10/07. HAVE HAD UNNERVING EXPERIENCES WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY FJ.(1) WHEN BRAKING OVER A NON SMOOTH ROAD THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATES FOR A LONG PERIOD AND DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. (2) HAD TO PANIC STOP AND HIT THE BRAKES HARD, THEY LOCKED UP, THERE WAS NO BRAKING JUST THE ABS TOOK OVER AND LOCKED UP THE BRAKES HARD TO THE POINT THAT I WAS GLAD I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT, BECAUSE I WOULD'VE BEEN LYING IN THE STREET.(3) THE PEDAL WILL BE HARD ONE TIME AND MUSHY THE NEXT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN THE PEDAL IS MUSHY THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK APPROPRIATELY, NEARLY REAR ENDING PEOPLE OR LOCKING UP THE BRAKES TO STOP. (4) WHEN AT A STOP THE PEDAL WAS MUSHY AND I TRIED TO "PUMP"UP THE PEDAL BY PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON (RELATED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM) THE DASH AND AN ANNOYING ALARM SOUNDED, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. (5) WHEN THE PEDAL IS MUSHY I CAN PUSH IT DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE STOPPING POINT/FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HAD ANY "ISSUES". *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jul 11, 201015,000 milesOH

WHEN BRAKING SUDDENLY OVER UNEVEN ROAD THE TOYOTA FJ FAILS TO STOP IN A SAFE AND CONSTANT MANNER. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jun 23, 201011,500 milesIL

I OWN A 2008 FJ CRUISER AND HAVE HAD BRAKE ISSUES. AS I APPROACH A STOP LIGHT AND TRY TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES SOFT AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I PUMP THE BRAKES 3-4 TIMES BEFORE THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGE AND STOP ABRUPTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER 2009 AND MY DEALER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THIS SCARES THE [XXX] OUT OF ME AND I ALMOST ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT OF A BENZ THIS LAST TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jun 18, 201022,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STRUCK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO MARKINGS OF WHERE THE OBJECT STRUCK. A CRACK BEGAN TO FORM IN THE WINDSHIELD SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WAS EXTREMELY BRITTLE AND THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 15, 201024,000 milesGA

NO CRASHES. FAILURE EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. FRONT END VIBRATIONS ARE A SIGN OF FRONT END DESIGN PROBLEMS THAT COULD BE EARLY SIGNS OF FRONT END FATIGUE AND NOT SIMPLY TIRE/WHEEL BALANCE ISSUES. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed May 12, 201018,500 milesMN

I HAVE A 2008 FJ CRUISER MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME SINCE I'VE OWNED THE TRUCK. ON MAY 10TH, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70-80 MPH. THE TRUCK TO THE RIGHT OF ME SEEMED LIKE HE WANTED TO CHANGE LANES IN TO MY LANE. I HIT THE BREAKS TO LET HIM IN BUT THE BRAKING POWER BEING APPLIED TO THE ROTORS WAS A LOT HARDER THEN WHAT I NEEDED. IN OTHER WORDS, IT SEEMED LIKE THE COMPUTER THOUGHT MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHEN IN REALITY, I JUST NEEDED A QUICK BRAKE. ANYWAY, THE WHEELS LOCKED UP TO AND RELEASED. IT SCARED ME HOW HARD THE TRUCK STOPPED-- ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BEHIND ME. THE BRAKES THEN RELEASED AND I KEPT GOING, BUT COULD SMELL THE BURNT RUBBER FOR ANOTHER MILE. THIS WAS A CEMENT HIGHWAY ROAD THAT MAY HAVE HAD SOME CRACKS IN IT BUT I DON'T REMEMBER IF BEING PARTICULARLY UNEVEN. JUST SEEMED LIKE THE COMPUTER MISUNDERSTOOD HOW MUCH ACTUAL PRESSURE I APPLIED TO THE PEDAL AND OVER BRAKED. THE FIRST TIME THIS EVER HAPPENED WAS PROBABLY A YEAR AGO WHEN I WAS GOING AROUND 20MPH. AGAIN, DON'T REMEMBER THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD BEING OVERLY TERRIBLE. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingCrashFire1 injured
Filed Apr 26, 20108,600 milesAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND TRYING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO SOME HORSES, THE VEHICLE SLID OFF OF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. A ROD ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 19, 201010,000 milesMA

THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER IS FAULTY. WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS AND BRAKING THE PEDAL FEELS LIKE A MASTER CYL, FAILURE. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND BREAKING BECOMES NON EXISTENT. IT'S BEEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S UNDER WARRANTY THEY KEEP CHARGING ME LABOR. I'M A MECHANICAL PERSON AND I KNOW WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM. IN LIGHT OF TOYOTA'S RECENT PROBLEMS AND PROPENSITY TO EVADE, I WANT MY CONCERNS ON RECORD. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO LET A 3RD PARTY EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. HOPEFULLY SOMETHING WILL BE DONE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE DIE AT THE HANDS OF A FAULTY CAR. I'M LOOKING AT THE DATE BOX BELOW, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT I FIRST NOTICED IN THE WINTER OF 2008-2009. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 5, 201010,302 milesTX

MY TOYOTA FJ CRUISER HAS AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. IF I HIT A BUMP WHILE DECELERATING, THE ABS PULSES IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP SAFELY AT MY ORIGINAL PLANNED STOPPING POINT. IF, FOR EXAMPLE, I AM DECELERATING AND PLAN ON STOPPING WITHIN 100 YARDS AT A STOP SIGN, AND I HIT A POT HOLE, THE ABS WILL PULSE (ENGAGE BRAKES BRIEFLY, DISENGAGE THEM, THEN ENGAGE AGAIN REPEATEDLY) IN SUCH A FASHION THAT I WILL STOP SEVERAL YARDS BEYOND THE STOP SIGN. THE PULSE PATTERN OF THE ABS ON THE FJ CRUISER IS DANGEROUSLY LONG, AND HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR MISSES ON MY PART IN A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS (MISSING STOP SIGNS / LIGHTS, ALMOST REAR-ENDING SOMEONE DUE TO HITTING A BUMP/ENGAGING ABS WHILE STOPPING,ETC.) *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 10, 20104,563 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE RPMS WOULD RISE REGARDLESS IF HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE PEDAL WOULD OCCASIONALLY STICK TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING PROPERLY AND THAT THE HIGH ENGINE IDLE WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BURNING OFF IGNITION FUMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED AT THE TIIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4563, AND THE CURRNT MILEAGE IS 4867.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 2010400 milesAL

I PURCHASED A 2008 TOYOTA F.J. CRUISER AND SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH A DEFECT IN THE DRIVE TRAIN WHICH HAS NOW CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION HAVING STARTED TO SKIP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS PROMISED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS, BUT AS OF YET HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO. I CONTINUE TO GET THE SAME RUN AROUND FROM BIG BUSINESS. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SHED LIGHT ON THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE. NOTHING THEY HAVE DONE SO FAR HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. HELP ME!!!! *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 3, 20101,000 milesCA

I BOUGHT A NEW 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER AND WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE ACCELERATED. THIS HAPPENED TWO TIMES WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF ME BUYING THE CAR. SINCE THEN OVER A YEAR HAS PASSED AND THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Feb 26, 201010,000 milesIL

BRAKE ISSUE: UNRESPONSIVE AT FIRST... THE PEDAL STUTTERS A BIT AND DOESN'T SEEM TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE. THEN I RELEASE AND RE-APPLY AND THEN IT BECOME OVER-RESPONSIVE. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO ME APPROXIMATELY 3 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IN 12/2008. ALL INCIDENTS OCCURRED AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 23, 2010150 milesAL

I PURCHASED NEW A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER 2 WHEEL DRIVE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SINCE OWNERSHIP FROM MARCH 2009 TO DATE, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A LURCHING FORWARD OF THE VEHICLE WHILE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND AT A FULL STOP. THIS LURCHING FORWARD OCCURS WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON AND AT THE TIME THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH ENGAGES. MOST OF THE TIME, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH ENGAGES, THE ENGINE RPM ONLY INCREASES ABOUT 100 RPM, BUT FREQUENTLY, WHEN THE A/C CLUTCH ENGAGES THE ENGINE RPM INCREASES 300 TO 400 RPM WITH NORMAL BRAKE PRESSURE WHILE STOPPED, 100 RPM ENGINE INCREASES CAUSE NO PROBLEM, BUT WITH 300 TO 400 RPM ENGINE INCREASES, NORMAL BRAKE PRESSURES WHILE STOPPED ARE NOT ADEQUATE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BILL PENNY TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT (HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA) ON 02/23/2010 AND THE SERVICE REPORT STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE MY OWNERSHIP BEGAN. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Feb 17, 201035,700 milesMI

I DRIVE A 2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THIS EVENING WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A BUSY INTERSECTION, I HIT A SMALL BUT HARD BUMP IN THE ROAD AND COMPLETELY LOST MY BRAKES MOMENTARILY. ABOUT A SECOND LATER THE BRAKING WAS RESTORED, BUT NOT BEFORE I WENT THROUGH THE STOP AND ENTERED A BUSY FOUR LANE HIGHWAY NARROWLY ESCAPING A CRASH AS AN ON-COMING CAR SWERVED. THIS BRAKE PROBLEM SOUNDS EERILY SIMILAR TO THE ALREADY RECALLED PRIUS, AND SINCE TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN VERY PROACTIVE IN ITS RECALLS I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM ON YET ANOTHER VEHICLE MODEL. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Structure
Filed Feb 12, 201030,600 milesCA

2008 FJ CRUISER FOOTREST ON LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER FLOORBOARD BROKE LOOSE AND CAN INTERFERE WITH SAFE OPERATION OF OTHER DRIVER'S PEDALS. FAILURE OCCURRED AT 30,600 MILES. DANGER AVOIDED BY IMMEDIATELY PULLING OVER TO SAFE AREA AND REMOVING BROKEN FOOTREST FROM DRIVER'S AREA. DEALER CALLED IMMEDIATELY AND REPLACEMENT TO FOLLOW. PHOTOS OF THIS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 11, 201031,500 milesTN

MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, POTHOLE OR BUMP. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. COMPLAINED TO DEALER LAST SEPTEMBER. THEY LOOKED AT VEHICLE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. I CAN DUPLICATE THE ISSUE ON OUR ROAD WHICH IS UNEVEN AND HAS BUMPS. HAPPENED THIS MORNING AS I CAME TO WORK. SUV SPEEDS UP WHILE PRESSING BRAKE OVER BUMPS THEN BRAKES CATCH AND IT IF WERE NOT FOR A SEAT BELT I WOULD GO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD! *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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