Common Toyota FJ Cruiser Failures: Reliability, Problems And Solutions
Great fuel economy and unassailable resale value are just a few of the reasons the Toyota FJ Cruiser remains a popular choice among midsize SUVs. According to Forbes.com, this pickup-based SUV may retain its original value by 91.5% after three years. Stick around and read this list of common Toyota FJ Cruiser failures.
But like other vehicles, you can develop problems due to faulty or worn parts as you rack up the mileage. Let’s take a look at several of the most common problems found in each of its model years to understand what repairs this Toyota may need over time.
How good is the FJ Cruiser?
The FJ Cruiser has earned a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranking 12th out of 26 midsize SUVs. The annual repair and maintenance cost for the model is generally around $506. This is less compared to the average of $573 for midsize SUVs. Owners of this model typically take their SUVs in for unscheduled repairs 0.5 times a year with a 14% chance of needing a major repair.
Common faults of the Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Toyota FJ Cruiser may be one of the most reliable midsize SUVs around, but that doesn’t mean it won’t develop problems as the mileage racks up. These are some of the common failures of the Toyota FJ Cruiser of the model through different years according to its users:
1- Transmission problems
Powertrain vibration has been one of the common Toyota FJ Cruiser failures found in some units of the 2014 redesign. Some owners have also reported that their SUVs produced excessive road noise despite having less than 10,000 miles on them. odometer.
Others tried to balance their tires twice which significantly improved the ride quality of their FJ Cruiser. Unfortunately, that did not resolve the vibration in the powertrain.
There are several factors that can cause your Toyota’s transmission to vibrate excessively . Some of them are worn u-joints, slipped splines, out of phase forks and misaligned angles. If you experience the same problem, have your vehicle checked by a licensed mechanic as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis and avoid damaging other transmission components.
2- Shaky steering wheel
Some 2013 FJ Cruiser owners have reported that they felt their steering wheel shake back and forth. The movement became more pronounced as they drove around a curve. There were also cases where the steering wheel would shake up to two inches when driving within the 60-70 mph range. Many drivers tried to balance the tires to solve the problem, but the problem persisted.
Misaligned or unbalanced tires, warped brake rotors, bad wheel bearings, and worn brake pads are the most common causes of a wobbly steering wheel. In some cases, cuts or frays in the vehicle’s suspension system can also cause the steering wheel to shake excessively when driving at low speeds.
3- Loose footrest pedal
It has been reported that some 2007-2012 FJ Cruisers have a loose left footrest pedal. Many drivers have complained that the pedal clips have broken off and become lodged under the brake pedal . This can become a security hazard if not fixed. Foot peg replacements typically cost $30-$40.
4- Faults in the transmission shaft
A broken driveshaft has been one of the common Toyota FJ Cruiser failures found in some 2010 models. Owners of affected cars have reported hearing a knocking noise under hard braking conditions.
Upon closer inspection, they found a broken driveshaft that was damaging other parts such as the ball joint and rocker arm. Some owners believed the faulty driveshaft was a manufacturer’s defect, but Toyota did not reimburse any of the repair costs.
The most common problems that can cause a driveshaft to break are broken U-joints , worn splines, inadequate lubrication, and damaged driveshaft tubes. Once it breaks, you risk losing power to your drive wheels, preventing you from making any movement with your vehicle.
A damaged or broken driveshaft could also make your Toyota difficult to control, so be sure to troubleshoot your vehicle’s driveshaft before using it.
5- Engine failures
The 2007 FJ Cruiser has had many reported cases of engine shaking. Drivers of affected models have complained that the shaking occurred when driving less than 20-40 mph. There was also a rattling noise in the underbody of the vehicle.
Some of the owners who were able to resolve the issue said that an imbalance in the transfer case housing that engages at certain RPMs caused the problem. Unfortunately, replacing the damaged part can be difficult, as Toyota discontinued the model in 2014 . Some drivers found replacement parts online for old FJ Cruisers that have been disassembled.
Be aware that a rattling engine can also be caused by worn spark plugs, loose or disconnected hoses, broken engine mounts, fuel system issues, or a faulty timing belt. If your FJ Cruiser shows the telltale signs of engine vibration, see a licensed mechanic immediately to find out what is causing the problem.
6- Illuminated check engine light
An illuminated check engine light, which can indicate a thousand problems, has been a common failure of the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Many owners of this model have reported having to take their SUVs in for routine service with less than 80,000 on his odometer because the engine oil had turned black.
Some had to pay nearly $7,000 for the engine to be replaced, while others were told several sensors were faulty, costing about $400 to replace. It has also been reported that the engine was misfiring . In some cases, the problem persisted even after changing the spark plugs and fuel pump and cleaning the air filter.
In summary
Being aware of the most common problems associated with your FJ Cruiser is crucial to extending its life. By doing so, you will be able to prevent minor problems from escalating since you already have an idea of what is causing problems with your SUV. You should also be on top of your vehicle’s maintenance to make sure it’s running the way it should.
