Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 593 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 163 | 27% |
| Visibility | 74 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 38 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 38 | 6% |
| Power train | 32 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 21 | 4% |
| Suspension | 20 | 3% |
| Suspension | 17 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 3% |
| Structure | 16 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Took FJ in for an inspection and was informed the frame was rusted to the point it could not pass inspection.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that while her son was attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for t
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I was driving the vehicle to work and was unable to stop. I had to use the emergency brake system.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Frame and undercarriage have excessive wear for age of vehicle despite normal maintenance and care. Rust and corrosion has made the vehicle unsafe to drive.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I am the owner of a Toyota FJ Cruiser (Year:2007), VIN: [XXX] ]) equipped with the TRD High-Performance Brake Kit, which is under recall campaign C0R / NHTSA 12E046. I recently experienced a serious safety issue involv
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt failed to retract. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V098000 (Seat Belts). The dealer was not
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. The contact stated that after it had rained, the front driver's side seat belt was wet, even though the windows were rolled up and the doors were closed securely. The vehicle wa
NHTSA complaint: Structure
-Toyota recalled the vehicles using the same/similar frame has the same rusty issues, like Tacoma. This recalled made me pay attention on this issue and I found the my FJ cruiser is no longer 100% safe while driving. -
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affec
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Priu
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact
Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to the front bumper. These lamp assemblies include 55 watt bulbs and due to this wat
Risk: Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2013 FJ Cruiser passenger vehicles. 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 pa
Risk: 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.
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. Owners may c
| Reliability raw | 57 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 75 | good |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 30 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 593 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 163 of them (27%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 57/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.