CarBrief

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints for the 2014 FJ Cruiser, and frame rust shows up in the structure complaints we read[1][2]. Five recalls are on file, so check that each one was done before you buy[3].

30owner complaints[1]
5recalls[3]
16–18MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 30 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, and none mention a fire, injury or death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Here is how the complaints split by component group.

Component group Complaints
Structure[2] 10
Steering[5] 4
Brakes[6] 3
Suspension[7] 3
Electrical system[8] 3
Fuel system, gasoline[9] 3
Wheels[10] 2
Engine[11] 2

Structure. In the structure complaints we read, owners describe frame rust and corrosion. Some say the rust was serious on a vehicle with modest mileage. A smaller group describe a rear door or hatch that would not open or unlock[2]. Some of the suspension complaints we read also point to frame rust[7].

Steering. Owners describe a shaking steering wheel at highway speed. One owner wrote that their car was built outside the steering shaft recall dates but has the same fault, and asked for the recall to be revisited[5]. See the recalls below.

Fuel system. The fuel system complaints we read are about the fuel pump recall repair. Those owners said parts were not yet available when they asked their dealer[9].

This is a small sample of texts. It shows what owners wrote about, not how often a problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year, newest first.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions, all with a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine on regular fuel[4][17][18].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, Automatic 5-spd[4] 16 / 20 / 18 $3,700
4WD, Automatic 5-spd[17] 17 / 20 / 18 $3,700
4WD, Manual 6-spd[18] 15 / 18 / 16 $4,200

EPA bases annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the SUV AWD configuration 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 26.7%[19]. The SUV FWD configuration also gets 3 stars, with a risk of 25.6%[20].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 4.0L 6-cylinder engine at 260 hp[21].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for one 4WD variant and 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] 4,328 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2007: 593 complaints, 8 recalls20072008: 124 complaints, 9 recalls20082009: 7 complaints, 10 recalls20092010: 66 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 23 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 41 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 23 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 30 complaints, 5 recalls302014
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each FJ Cruiser model year. The 2014 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20075938
20081249
2009710
20106610
2011236
2012414
2013234
2014305

NHTSA data for each FJ Cruiser model year shows 30 complaints and 5 recalls for 2014[3]. Three years have fewer complaints: 2009 with 7, and 2011 and 2013 with 23 each[3]. Four years have more: 2007 with 593, 2008 with 124, 2010 with 66 and 2012 with 41[3]. For recalls, 2012 and 2013 have 4 each, 2011 has 6, 2007 has 8 and 2008 has 9[3]. Both 2009 and 2010 have 10[3].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold. Still, 2014 sits in the middle of the range for these years.

Should you buy a used 2014 FJ Cruiser?

The complaint count sits in the middle of the range for this model's years[3]. Some of the structure complaints we read describe frame rust, so have the frame and underbody inspected before you buy[2]. Ask whether each of the five recalls was completed, especially the fuel pump and steering shaft ones[12][13]. Fuel economy is 16 to 18 combined MPG depending on the version[4][17][18].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Structure has the most NHTSA complaints at 10, followed by steering at 4[2][5]. In the structure complaints we read, owners describe frame rust.
Does the 2014 FJ Cruiser have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists five: 20V012, 15V081, 14V828, 14V539 and 14V475[12][13][14][15][16].
What gas mileage does the 2014 FJ Cruiser get?
EPA rates it at 18 combined MPG for the automatic 2WD and 4WD, and 16 for the manual 4WD[4][17][18].
Is the 2014 FJ Cruiser better than other model years?
It has 30 complaints, fewer than 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012, and more than 2009, 2011 and 2013[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 10 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota FJ Cruiser model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 4 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 3 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 3 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 2 complaints name the wheels component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 2 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 20V012, filed January 13, 2020: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 15V081, filed February 10, 2015: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V828, filed December 30, 2014: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 14V539, filed September 8, 2014: Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 14V475, filed August 4, 2014: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for FJ Cruiser 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 26.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 25.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 260 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FJ CRUISER 2DR SUV 4WD /OFFROAD/URBAN/TRAIL T: 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

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.