TOYOTA FJ CRUISER · model year

2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER

31 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013TOYOTAFJ CRUISER carries 31 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 FJ CRUISER is structure:body with 8 filings, followed by suspension (5) and steering (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2013 FJ CRUISER, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

31
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

31 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY8
SUSPENSION5
STEERING3
AIR BAGS3
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
POWER TRAIN2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
WHEELS1
SERVICE BRAKES1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS1

Recalls (4)

13V16300025/04/2013

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

13V09800015/03/2013

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

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

13V12300009/04/2013

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-20

14V47500004/08/2014

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold

Recent Complaints

20260211STEERING

I purchased my beloved 2013 FJ Cruiser from Wellesley Toyota 6.5 years ago and have really enjoyed it. I have had it serviced religiously at McGee Toyota of Hanover since my purchase and expected to continue to enjoy it for many years to come and was just informed by McGee Toyota that the frame is severly rusted out throughout. My truck only has 158K miles on it and I expected this to last at least twice as long. This appears to be the same issue Toyota experienced with the Tundra and Tacoma with premature rusting on their vehicles due to a manufacturing issue. There are numerous complaints online about this issue and even a current class action lawsuit. I have alerted Toyota Corporate of this and they are not standing behind their product.

20260211SUSPENSION

I purchased my beloved 2013 FJ Cruiser from Wellesley Toyota 6.5 years ago and have really enjoyed it. I have had it serviced religiously at McGee Toyota of Hanover since my purchase and expected to continue to enjoy it for many years to come and was just informed by McGee Toyota that the frame is severly rusted out throughout. My truck only has 158K miles on it and I expected this to last at least twice as long. This appears to be the same issue Toyota experienced with the Tundra and Tacoma with premature rusting on their vehicles due to a manufacturing issue. There are numerous complaints online about this issue and even a current class action lawsuit. I have alerted Toyota Corporate of this and they are not standing behind their product.

20260211POWER TRAIN

I purchased my beloved 2013 FJ Cruiser from Wellesley Toyota 6.5 years ago and have really enjoyed it. I have had it serviced religiously at McGee Toyota of Hanover since my purchase and expected to continue to enjoy it for many years to come and was just informed by McGee Toyota that the frame is severly rusted out throughout. My truck only has 158K miles on it and I expected this to last at least twice as long. This appears to be the same issue Toyota experienced with the Tundra and Tacoma with premature rusting on their vehicles due to a manufacturing issue. There are numerous complaints online about this issue and even a current class action lawsuit. I have alerted Toyota Corporate of this and they are not standing behind their product.

20250314CrashAIR BAGS

I had a car accident on Feb 10, 2025 and my air bag did not deploy

20240805STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Upon having the vehicle inspected by a State Inspector, the contact was informed that there was significant corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the corrosion failure was a result of normal wear and tear. The contact was referred to an independent mechanic who specialized in vehicle undercoating to prevent further corrosion damage to the vehicle. Despite the vehicle being treated for the corrosion damage, the contact was recently informed that the corrosion damage had worsened, and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20220523SUSPENSION

I went down the road & hit a bump my car rocked a little so I stopped to check the lug nuts & see if anything was wrong. I did not see anything. So, I continued to go pick my friend up as I was driving down the freeway anytime I hit a bump the car rocked more the faster I went. So I slowed down & watched traffic around me. Picked my friend up, went on the ramp and hit another bump and bam, my vehicle went so high up in the air my friend thought we were going to roll over. I immediately got off the freeway & there was a dealership right there. I asked if they could look at it & they wouldn't, they were too busy. I managed to baby it all the way back to my dealership. They said the control bar came away from the frame that was rotted. I called my insurance co. they said nothing they could do because of wear & tear. They did not view anything but pictures. I called claims & they said my VIN has no recalls that they won't do anything. They did not look at anything. I asked that they call m

20211214SUSPENSION

Frame rust. Gas tank strap rust. Undercarriage rusted.

20211214STRUCTURE:BODY

Frame rust. Gas tank strap rust. Undercarriage rusted.

20211010STRUCTURE:BODY

Severely rusted & rotting frame. Diagnosed by Mike’s Automotive, Sturgeon Bay, Wi.

20210814UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Severe frame, structural and fuel tank strap rust.

20210629STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame on my vehicle is incredibly rusty. Upon further research, I've found that this is a chronic problem FJ Cruisers. Many frames have rusted to the point where there is structural damage thereby rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. I know that Toyota issued a recall for Tacoma trucks for this very issue, and I would like to have a recall issued for the FJ as I'm incredibly concerned for my safety.

20210531UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I purchased a used Toyota FJ Cruiser in June 2019 with 25,441 miles on it from Luv Toyota in Lakewood, NY. The car was purchased sight unseen with cash from a Toyota dealership and shipped to me in Sugar Land, TX. When the vehicle arrived it was covered in frame and total underbody rust. The vehicle is completely unsafe to drive and I have driven it less than 1000 miles since it was purchased 2 years ago. After numerous attempts to receive a refund from Luv Toyota and Toyota Motors Corp I have given up. A 5 year old vehicle with less than 30,000 miles should not be completely rusted out. This is a complete fraudulent transaction. Toyota Corp does not stand by their vehicles or their franchise dealerships.

20210211POWER TRAIN

FROM ACCELERATION; BETWEEN 30MPH AND 45MPH MY VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND SHAKES. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND OR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 144,000

20201221AIR BAGS

BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALER LAST MONTH FOR NEW HORN AS IT WAS A WEAK VOLUME AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS. WAS REPLACED. WORKED FOR A WEEK OR TWO THEN CEASED TO COMPLETELY FUNCTION. BROUGHT BACK IN TODAY AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER CLOCK SPRING/SPIRAL CABLE WAS CORRODING. REMINDED OF OLD RECALL ON VARIOUS PAST TOYOTAS.

Mileage: 83,280

20201221ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALER LAST MONTH FOR NEW HORN AS IT WAS A WEAK VOLUME AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS. WAS REPLACED. WORKED FOR A WEEK OR TWO THEN CEASED TO COMPLETELY FUNCTION. BROUGHT BACK IN TODAY AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER CLOCK SPRING/SPIRAL CABLE WAS CORRODING. REMINDED OF OLD RECALL ON VARIOUS PAST TOYOTAS.

Mileage: 83,280

20201010STRUCTURE:BODY

EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRAME, CHASSIS, TIE ROD ENDS AND ALL OTHER METAL PARTS, ALTHOUGH CAR IS MAINTENED PROPERLY, ONLY 40K MILES, GARAGE PARKING, NO OFF-ROAD USAGE AND NO SALT EXPOSED.

20191107STRUCTURE:BODY

THE FRAME AND GAS TANK STRAPS AND REAR BUMPER ARE RUSTING TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION. VEHICLE IS 2013 WITH ONLY 66000MILES. I AM SPENDING COUNTLESS DOLLARS YEARLY TO PREVENT THE RUST AND IT ISN'T GETTING ANY BETTER. OTHER VEHICLES THAT SHARE THE SAME FRAME HAVE HAD RECALLS ON THE FRAME AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED

20190903STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERE RUST UNDER CARRIAGE INCLUDING FUEL TANK STRAPS AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. NUMBER IS RUSTED AND SKID PLATES. RUST BASICALLY COVERING UNDER VEHICLE. CONCERNED ABOUT INTEGRITY DURING A CRASH

20190903FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SEVERE RUST UNDER CARRIAGE INCLUDING FUEL TANK STRAPS AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. NUMBER IS RUSTED AND SKID PLATES. RUST BASICALLY COVERING UNDER VEHICLE. CONCERNED ABOUT INTEGRITY DURING A CRASH

20190903SUSPENSION

SEVERE RUST UNDER CARRIAGE INCLUDING FUEL TANK STRAPS AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. NUMBER IS RUSTED AND SKID PLATES. RUST BASICALLY COVERING UNDER VEHICLE. CONCERNED ABOUT INTEGRITY DURING A CRASH

Compare 2013TOYOTAFJ CRUISER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER have?
The 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER has 31 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER?
The 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER?
Yes, the 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER?
The most-complained component for the 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER is STRUCTURE:BODY with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and STEERING.
Is the 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.