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2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 66 owner complaints and 10 recalls on file with NHTSA[1]. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe brakes that briefly stop responding, frame rust and steering wheel shake[2][3][4]. The recalls mostly involve labels, accessories and one seat belt anchor issue[5][6][7][8][9][10].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints on file for the 2010 FJ Cruiser[11]. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 3 injuries, and 0 deaths are reported[11]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part, so the groups below add up to more than the total.
Complaints by component group:
- Brakes: 15 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 7,413[2].
- Structure: 13 complaints, median mileage 52,000[3].
- Steering: 13 complaints, median mileage 4,300[4].
- Wheels: 11 complaints, median mileage 5,000[13].
- Suspension: 7 complaints, median mileage 91,365[14].
- Unknown or other: 6 complaints[15].
- Speed control: 5 complaints, median mileage 1,373[16].
- Air bags: 4 complaints, with 2 crashes and 3 injuries[17].
We also read a small sample of the complaint texts for the largest groups. The counts below describe that sample only, not all owners.
Brakes. In the sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 9 describe the vehicle briefly not slowing as expected, often right after a bump, pothole, grate or slick surface[2]. Owners say pressing the pedal again after letting off brought the braking back[2]. 5 of the 12 name the ABS, though one of those is about animal-chewed wiring[2].
Structure. In the sample of 12 structure complaints, 8 describe rust or corrosion on the frame, and 4 of those also mention corroded fuel tank straps[3]. Windshield cracking shows up in 2 of the 12[3].
Steering. In the sample of 12 steering complaints, 9 describe the steering wheel shaking at highway speeds, in a band somewhere between about 40 and 70 mph[4]. These owners say balancing, alignment or new tires did not fix it, and some say the dealer found nothing wrong[4]. 3 of the 12 describe a vehicle that drifts and needs constant correction to go straight[4].
Wheels. In the sample of 11 wheel complaints, 4 describe wheel studs breaking during a tire change or rotation[13]. Another 4 describe the same highway shimmy seen in the steering texts, so the two samples overlap[13].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2010 FJ Cruiser[1]. Several apply only to vehicles with certain accessories or dealer modifications, and several cover many Toyota models, not just this one. Newest first:
- Seat heaters (16V396). Filed June 2, 2016, covering 7,749 vehicles across many Toyota models[18]. Aftermarket accessory seat heaters with copper strand elements can have their wiring damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, and a short circuit raises the risk of fire[18]. Dealers disconnect the heaters and refund the purchase price, free of charge[18]. The recall began July 14, 2016[18].
- Seat heaters (14V743). Filed November 19, 2014, covering 3,233 vehicles[19]. Compression of the seat cushion can damage seat heater wiring, which could short and burn the seat and injure the occupant[19]. Dealers disconnect heaters with copper strand elements and refund the price[19]. The remedy was expected to begin in January 2015[19].
- Tire placard (14V475). Filed August 4, 2014, covering 20,000 vehicles with accessory wheels and tires installed before first sale[5]. The tire placard may show the wrong spare tire size or cold inflation pressure, and a spare inflated to the wrong pressure could fail and raise the risk of a crash[5]. Correction stickers are mailed to owners or placed by dealers[5]. The recall was expected to begin in September 2014[5].
- Auxiliary driving lamps (13V163). Filed April 25, 2013, covering 208,000 vehicles with Toyota auxiliary lamp kits on the front bumper[6]. With the high beams on, the 55 watt lamp bulbs make the light brighter than the legal limit, which can glare at oncoming drivers and raise the risk of a crash[6]. Dealers replace them with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge, and the recall began June 6, 2013[6].
- Tire label accuracy (13V123). Filed April 9, 2013, covering 7,525 vehicles across many models[7]. The labels showing added weight were not accurate enough, which could lead owners to overload their tires[7]. Owners get a corrected label with instructions[7]. A small group of vehicles needs additional remedies that were still being developed, so for that group we cannot say a fix is available[7]. The recall began May 28, 2013[7].
- Seat belt anchor (13V098). Filed March 15, 2013, covering 209,000 vehicles[8]. The front seat belt retractors are mounted in the rear access door panels, and repeated forceful slamming can crack the panel[8]. If it cracks near the lower anchor, the retractor could come loose and raise the risk of injury in a crash[8]. The recall began June 6, 2013, and Toyota planned to send owners repair notices starting in late May 2013[8].
- Passenger occupant sensor (13V014). Filed January 16, 2013, covering 3,235 vehicles across many models[20]. Vehicles that got dealer accessories such as seat covers or heaters may not have had the passenger seat sensor calibration tested, so the front passenger air bag might not deploy or might deploy wrongly for the passenger's size[20]. Dealers test the sensor and recalibrate it as needed[20]. The recall began March 21, 2013[20].
- Tire pressure monitor (11V148). Filed March 4, 2011, covering 22,000 vehicles[21]. When factory wheels were swapped for Toyota accessory wheels and LT tires before first sale, the monitor was not recalibrated and does not warn at the required low pressure[21]. For the FJ Cruiser the monitor cannot be reset, so its control unit is to be replaced, and the record says Toyota was still developing that replacement unit[21]. The recall began March 31, 2011[21].
- Load labels (10V036). Filed February 3, 2010, covering 153,418 vehicles sold without the required load capacity labels[9]. A driver could overload the vehicle and raise the risk of a crash[9]. Dealers mail or install the corrected label, free of charge, and the recall began May 27, 2010[9].
- Load labels (10V035). Filed February 3, 2010, covering 271,417 vehicles sold without the required load capacity labels[10]. The label was missing and the vehicles did not meet the standard[10]. Dealers mail or install the label and correct the owner's manual, and the recall began May 27, 2010[10].
If you are shopping for one, ask a Toyota dealer which of these apply to that exact vehicle and whether the work was done.
Fuel economy
EPA lists three versions of the 2010 FJ Cruiser, all with a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine and regular fuel:
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2WD, Automatic 5-spd[12] | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 4WD, Automatic 5-spd[22] | 17 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 |
| 4WD, Manual 6-spd[23] | 15 / 19 / 17 | $3,950 |
EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 4 DR RWD/AWD version 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 26.7%[24].
Engine and size
EPA lists the 2010 FJ Cruiser with a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine rated at 260 hp[25].
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, listed for the 2DR SUV 4WD, and can differ slightly from US models[26].
How 2010 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 593 | 8 |
| 2008 | 124 | 9 |
| 2009 | 7 | 10 |
| 2010 | 66 | 10 |
| 2011 | 23 | 6 |
| 2012 | 41 | 4 |
| 2013 | 23 | 4 |
| 2014 | 30 | 5 |
NHTSA counts for each FJ Cruiser model year show 593 complaints for 2007, 124 for 2008, 7 for 2009, 66 for 2010, 23 for 2011, 41 for 2012, 23 for 2013 and 30 for 2014[1]. That puts 2010 third highest of the eight years for complaints, behind 2007 and 2008[1].
On recalls, 2010 and 2009 tie for the most with 10 each, ahead of 2008 with 9, 2007 with 8, 2011 with 6, 2014 with 5, and 2012 and 2013 with 4 each[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so they show where reports landed, not how likely a problem is.
Should you buy a used 2010 FJ Cruiser?
The 2010 FJ Cruiser has a long recall list, but several of those recalls are about labels, accessories or dealer-installed options and may not apply to a given vehicle[1]. The owner complaints we read point to three things worth checking on a used one: brake feel after bumps, highway steering shake, and frame rust, including the fuel tank straps[2][3][4]. The complaint texts are a small sample and unverified, so they show what some owners reported, not how likely any problem is. Ask for proof that recall work was done, especially the tire pressure monitor unit, where the record says the replacement part was still being developed[21]. Then have the frame and wheel studs looked at before you decide, since some owners in the samples we read described rust and broken studs[3][13].
Frequently asked questions
- What problems does the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
- NHTSA has 66 complaints for this model year, led by brakes with 15, structure with 13 and steering with 13[11][2][3][4]. In the samples of texts we read, owners describe brief brake loss after bumps, frame rust and highway steering shake[2][3][4].
- How many recalls does the 2010 FJ Cruiser have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2010 model year, tied with 2009 for the most of any FJ Cruiser year[1]. They cover seat heaters, tire labels and monitors, auxiliary lamps, a seat belt anchor and a passenger sensor[18][19][5][6][7][8][20][21].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2010 FJ Cruiser?
- EPA rates the 2WD automatic at 19 MPG combined, the 4WD automatic at 18 and the 4WD manual at 17[12][22][23].
- Is the 2010 FJ Cruiser the year with the most complaints?
- No. It has 66 complaints, which is third highest behind 2007 with 593 and 2008 with 124[1].
Facts and sources
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota FJ Cruiser model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 15 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,413). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V475, filed August 4, 2014: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V163, filed April 25, 2013: Exterior Lighting. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V123, filed April 9, 2013: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V098, filed March 15, 2013: Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V035, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- NHTSA has 66 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 11 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,365). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,373). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V743, filed November 19, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V014, filed January 16, 2013: Seats. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 11V148, filed March 4, 2011: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 26.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 260 hp. www.epa.gov
- 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 4,328 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov