The 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 5 recalls, the most serious involving aftermarket heated seats that can short circuit and start a fire inside the vehicle.
The second most pressing issue affects the front seatbelts. On this vehicle, the seatbelt retractors are mounted inside the rear access door panels rather than in the typical B-pillar location. Repeated, forceful closing of those doors over time can crack the panels around the lower retractor anchor points, and if a crack progresses far enough, the retractor can pull free entirely, leaving the seatbelt unable to restrain an occupant in a crash.
On the tire and wheel side, two recalls address safety information and monitoring. The tire pressure monitoring system on certain vehicles does not properly warn the driver when a tire loses pressure, which can allow a tire to fail without warning. Separately, vehicles fitted with accessory wheels and tires installed before the first sale may carry a tire placard listing the wrong spare tire size or the wrong inflation pressure, so a driver following the placard could put an underinflated spare on the road and risk a blowout.
Rounding out the list, vehicles equipped with Toyota auxiliary driving lamps mounted to the front bumper may project light above the legal maximum intensity, creating excessive glare for oncoming drivers.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical wiring in aftermarket seat heaters with copper strand heating elements can be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed, potentially causing electrical issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will disconnect the seat heaters at no charge and refund the purchase price of the accessory.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire placard lists incorrect spare tire size or cold tire inflation pressure because aftermarket wheels and tires were installed before the vehicle's first sale.
What the fix does
Toyota will mail overlay stickers to owners or provide them to dealers to place over the incorrect tire placard information.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The auxiliary driving lamps on the front bumper use 55-watt bulbs. Combined with the upper beam headlamps, they produce light output that exceeds federal safety limits for upper beam brightness.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the 55-watt bulbs with 35-watt bulbs at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt retractors are mounted in the rear access door panels. Repeated forceful closing of the access door can cause cracks to develop in the panel over time.
What the fix does
Toyota will repair or replace the access door panel to restore its strength and proper seat belt retractor function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure monitoring system was not properly calibrated when factory wheels were replaced with Toyota accessory wheels and light-truck tires before the vehicle was sold. The low tire pressure warning light may not illuminate when tire pressure drops to the required minimum level.
What the fix does
For most models, the dealer will recalibrate the tire pressure monitoring system and install an updated tire information label. For FJ Cruiser, the monitoring system's electronic control unit will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
