NHTSA (USA)Low Risk
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
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 can detach from the rear access door panels and fail to restrain occupants in a crash.
The FJ Cruiser mounts its front seatbelt retractors inside the rear access door panels rather than in more conventional locations. Repeated forceful closing of those doors over time can crack the panel material around the lower anchor point, and if the crack spreads far enough, the retractor pulls free entirely, leaving the belt without a secure anchor. There are two other recalls worth noting. On vehicles fitted with accessory wheels and tires installed before the original sale, the tire placard on the door jamb may list the wrong spare tire size or the wrong cold inflation pressure, and a spare inflated to the incorrect pressure can fail while being driven on. Separately, FJ Cruisers equipped with Toyota auxiliary driving lamps mounted to the front bumper may have lights that exceed the legal brightness limit, producing glare intense enough to affect oncoming drivers.
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
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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 →
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.