This page covers 3 recalls, 39 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser.
16–18 mpg combined
13.1–14.7 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Frame rust is the dominant theme in what 2012 FJ Cruiser owners report. Multiple owners describe discovering significant corrosion on the frame and undercarriage, with some finding cracked structural brackets, compromised tow points, and frames described as unsafe to drive on. The problem tends to surface during routine inspections or undercoating work rather than through any warning light or obvious symptom. Steering complaints make up the second-largest named group, though the reports in that category are fewer and less consistent in describing a single failure mode. Seat belt issues come up across several reports as well, with owners describing belts that won't retract, extend, or latch properly, typically on the passenger side, with no warning light to signal the problem.
39
Total Complaints
1
Fire-Related
By System
The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the front seatbelt retractors, which are mounted in the rear access door panels and can detach if those panels crack over time, leaving occupants without proper restraint in a crash.
The remaining two recalls are lower in severity. On vehicles fitted with Toyota auxiliary driving lamps on the front bumper, the lights can exceed the maximum allowable intensity and create excessive glare for oncoming drivers. There is also a labeling concern on vehicles that came with accessory wheels and tires installed before first sale: the tire placard may show incorrect spare tire size or inflation pressure, and inflating the spare to the wrong pressure can lead to tire failure while driving.
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.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
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.
