CarBrief

NHTSA has 124 owner complaints on file for the 2008 FJ Cruiser[1], and the model year has 9 recalls[2]. Front body structure, brakes, frame rust and seat belt retractors are themes in the complaints we read[3][4][5][6].

124owner complaints[1]
9recalls[2]
16–18MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Five mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 3 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Structure[3] 42 33,000
Brakes[4] 29 27,000
Suspension[5] 14 56,000
Seat belts[6] 13 83,500
Service brakes, electric[8] 8 16,750
Power train[9] 6 74,000

These counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold. The themes below come from a small sample of complaint texts we read for each group.

Structure. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 11 describe the inner fender panels in the engine bay bulging, buckling or tearing[3]. Some owners also describe door or hood alignment changes and worry about crash protection[3].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 9 describe braking that gets weak or is briefly lost when the vehicle goes over a bump or pothole[4]. Owners describe the pedal sinking or the ABS pulsing[4].

Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints, 7 describe rust on the frame and suspension parts[5]. Three describe front end or steering wheel shaking[5].

Seat belts. In a sample of 11 seat belt complaints, 10 describe a retractor that will not pull the belt back in[6]. Some of those owners say it happened after the recall repair[6].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year, newest first[2]. A recall that covers many models can still apply here, because NHTSA lists it for this model year.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions, all with a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine that takes premium fuel[7][19][20].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD, Automatic 5-spd[7] 16 / 20 / 18 $4,550
4WD, Automatic 5-spd[19] 16 / 20 / 17 $4,850
4WD, Manual 6-spd[20] 15 / 18 / 16 $5,150

EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

The only NHTSA 5-Star rating on file for the 4 DR RWD/AWD listing is rollover: 3 stars, with a rollover risk of 26.7%[21].

Engine and size

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada for the FJ CRUISER 2DR SUV 4WD, and they can differ slightly from US models[22].

Measure Value
Length[22] 177 in
Width[22] 75 in
Height[22] 72 in
Wheelbase[22] 106 in
Curb weight[22] 4,295 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

2007: 593 complaints, 8 recalls20072008: 124 complaints, 9 recalls12420082009: 7 complaints, 10 recalls20092010: 66 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 23 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 41 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 23 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 30 complaints, 5 recalls2014
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each FJ Cruiser model year. The 2008 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20075938
20081249
2009710
20106610
2011236
2012414
2013234
2014305

Here are the complaints and recalls NHTSA has for each FJ Cruiser model year[2].

Model year Complaints Recalls
2007[2] 593 8
2008[2] 124 9
2009[2] 7 10
2010[2] 66 10
2011[2] 23 6
2012[2] 41 4
2013[2] 23 4
2014[2] 30 5

The 2008 year has the second most complaints, behind 2007. It has the third most recalls, behind 2009 and 2010. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales.

Should you buy a used 2008 FJ Cruiser?

The complaint count is second highest among the model years listed[2], and owners describe front inner fender damage, frame rust, bump-related braking trouble and seat belt retractors that stop retracting in the sample we read[3][4][5][6]. Ask whether the recall repairs were done, especially the seat belt retractor one[14], and whether the tire pressure monitor fix was completed[15]. Have a mechanic look at the frame and the engine bay fenders. Fuel economy is 17 to 18 combined MPG for the automatics[7][19]. None of this rules the car out, but it is a reason to inspect before you pay.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
NHTSA has 124 complaints[1]. Structure leads with 42, then brakes with 29[1][3][4]. In the samples we read, owners describe inner fender damage, braking trouble over bumps, frame rust and seat belt retractors that stop working[3][4][5][6].
Does the 2008 FJ Cruiser have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the model year[2]. They cover seat heater accessories, tire placards, auxiliary lamps, front seat belt retractors, the tire pressure monitor and load labels[10][11][12][13][14][15][17][16][18].
What is the gas mileage of a 2008 FJ Cruiser?
EPA rates the 2WD automatic at 18 MPG combined[7] and the 4WD automatic at 17[19]. The 4WD manual gets 16[20].
Is 2008 a good year for the FJ Cruiser?
It has the second most complaints (124) of the 2007 to 2014 model years, after 2007 with 593[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat that as a rough guide only.
What are the dimensions of the 2008 FJ Cruiser?
Canadian-market specifications list 177 in long, 75 in wide, 72 in tall, with a 106 in wheelbase and 4,295 lb curb weight[22].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 124 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota FJ Cruiser model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 42 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 29 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 14 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 13 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 8 complaints name the service brakes, electric component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 14V743, filed November 19, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 14V475, filed August 4, 2014: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 13V163, filed April 25, 2013: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 13V098, filed March 15, 2013: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 11V148, filed March 4, 2011: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 10V035, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 09V223, filed June 15, 2009: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 26.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FJ CRUISER 2DR SUV 4WD: length 177 in, width 75 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,295 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.