This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have had two brake lines burst in the past year due to rust. Both times I was lucky to not have been on the interstate and was traveling at a low speed. Both have been the back brake lines. This rust situation with the fj's is unacceptable and dangerous! Toyota should be held accountable and the situation needs to be addressed before a person is killed or seriously injured.
A major hazardous issue was the fuel tank strap broke due to rust and had to be replaced. Fortunately for me a mechanic spotted this serious problem before a potential disaster happened out on the highway. The entire frame of this vehicle is rusting at outstanding speed and presents a safety issue for myself and others on the road. Toyota has presented a record of using inferior frames in the past and unfortunately the fj vehicles were given those inferior, unsafe frames as well.
On Dec 30, 2019 I took my 2007 Fj cruiser in for regular maintenance and shortly after I dropped it off, I was contacted by the dealership and asked to come back. They wanted to show me the bottom of the vehicle because they said it was no longer safe to drive. I went back to the dealership and the mechanic showed me that the frame of my fj was completely rusted through with multiple holes in right side of the frame - some holes measuring over 5 inches in length. It crumbled when touched. I was told that the rest of the vehicle was in perfect condition but it was no longer safe to drive because of the condition of the frame. I have found out since, that this is a known issue with the 2007 Fj cruiser models but Toyota has yet to recall the frames. I've also found out that they have recalled other models due to prematurely rusted out frames, but the fj's have not been included in those recalls. I was stuck in toronto unable to drive back to NY, so my family incurred massive unexpected costs to get home, and work & school were missed because of this situation. I've been told it will cost me approx $15 - 20K to get my truck repaired, but I believe that cost is Toyota's responsibility. In the meantime it's unsafe to drive so I'm without a vehicle making my life and the life of my family more difficult seeing as it's our only vehicle... and it's stuck across the border in toronto, Canada. I hope Toyota recalls the 2007 Fj cruiser model frames asap - I've learned that there are many other fj owners across North America who are dealing with this issue and are very unhappy with how Toyota is dealing with it (or I should say seemingly not dealing with it). I don't feel my otherwise perfect vehicle should become an oversized paper weight when Toyota has dealt with similar issues in other models - the solution is pretty clear.
I am reporting the issue of frame rust and corrosion of the fuel tank straps. The amount of corrosion and frame flaking is alarming and poses a huge safety issue for my family, other drivers and myself. Since purchasing the vehicle I have done everything I can to maintain and fix this issue including complaining to Toyota themselves with little to no success. The amount of rust compared to my other vehicle is completely out of proportion. Body mounts are flaking and crumbling and the frame is corroded and falling apart from the inside out.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
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Excessive amount of rust for mileage of car 156K as of writing frame is flaking/scaling even after application of por-15 to try and salvage the frame to make it last a while longer. Replacement of tank straps at 120K due to failure from rust. Car will become unsafe to drive in a short period this seems to be a very common issue with this frame/year area as Toyota already has replaced the Tacoma frames that were rusting/rotting the same way.
My gas tank straps completely rusted off leaving the gas tank hanging down below the frame and in extreme compromised unsafe position. Multiple areas of frame rust completely through not supported by either end
Bought my fj new in 2007.when I did I asked if they had rusty jones or undercoating and was told with the new alloys I didnt need it. 3 weeks ago I was having my mechanic check the brakes and he called me down to show me a break in the frame connecting to the body.thankfully he found it because I was supposed to go to boston the next day. The truck only has 139,000 miles on it and the frame is completely rusted out so its not safe to drive.I brought it to the dealer I purchased it from and 2 reps came down from nh to look at who basically told me I had a good ride with it and they would do nothing.I then called Toyota cec and was told the same. I brought to a welder who specializes in this type of work and was told 5000+ in labor alone and thats without seeing under the gas tank so he said it wouldnt be worth it as he banged of the rust in other spots and there was no metal to weld to left.brake and fuel lines are swelled from the rusty metal tubing.I consider myself lucky as I often take my grandkids in the fj. So now im left with my other fj that I bought new in 2008 which is ok underneath.the issue is with all the 2007 fj frames like their Tundra and Tacoma. I have opened a case with Toyota but there are so many there should be a recall as these are unsafe to drive.the body is ready to collapse on the frame. I was told privately that Toyota chooses to ignore the issue as they no longer make the fjs but still sell Tacoma and Tundra. ## VIN passed ## 2007 Toyota Fj cruiser ##
During 2019-2020 state inspection of 2007 Fj cruiser with 78000 miles by dealer was told that frame is so rusted that it probably would not pass the next inspection. Explanation given was that Toyota does not make their frames as thick as other makes. This vehicle was used as a daily driver, not much off-road and no serious off-roading. I work from home, so most years less than 5000 miles driven. Also have had to replace front brake calipers for the past 3 years.
Frame is rusting out- truck only has 142K on it. Told today it will probably fail inspection next year as it barely passed today. This is a huge safety concern and affects the structural integrity of the vehicle Toyota has settled with Tacoma, Tundra owners but ignores issue with
The vehicle has been taken good care of but, the frame is prematurely rusting at connecting points to the body causing the vehicle to unsafe to drive. The vehicle looks and runs well but might be a safety risk in sudden stops of accidents causing vehicle body to dislodge from frame.
My vehicle is prematurely getting eaten by a rapid and uncontrollably growing rust issue. This is very unsafe as the gas tank almost fell off while driving due to the straps being corroded and the frame is getting weaker to the point I can feel the body flexing in situations it does not need to be flexing.
The gas tank straps rusted through completely. The both straps had rusted out completely. The front strap was dangling down and so I used a ratchet strap to get me home. When I secured the front, the back strap broke. The problem was noted by a mechanic when I was getting a tire rotation or alignment. I had to buy replacement straps.
Frame completely rusted away from body of car. Engine and exterior body are in perfect condition due to the rusted out frame Toyota claims the car is unsafe to drive and they will not touch it. See attached. The frame looks like a pastry would as it flakes away in layers until there is nothing left.
A Toyota dealer inspection of the undercarriage frame of my Toyota Fj cruiser, reflects that the vehicle is no longer safe to drive. The vehicle has always been maintained by the dealership and is otherwise in good condition. The rust is severe in the frame pillars, joints and attached components. In the event of an accident, the vehicle would not protect passengers because the frame would quickly disintegrate. The Toyota dealer stated that unless Toyota issues a recall the cost to replace the frame is at least $15,000.
While driving normally and less than 10 miles per hour, thankfully on a regular, paved, local road with little traffic, the driver side rear suspension spring seat and stabilizer bar attachment point on rear axle suddenly, unexpectedly, and without warning just tore apart and off of the axle housing to which it was mounted and the resulting sharp and heavy metal edged parts completely sheared off a brake line releasing all hydraulic brake fluid and causing the immediate loss of all normal braking ability. Thankfully nobody was injured, but the car can't be driven at all now, because it has no brakes at all, other than the mechanical emergency brake, and by using transmission "braking." Lots of rust under car since we bought it used from dealer in morristown NJ, apparently due to low quality steel used in initial construction and apparent lack of adequate factory anti-rust treatment of frame and other undercarriage parts. Interior and painted top body parts show no rust issues. However, the underside, is full of lots of rust. This is apparently a well-known, very common problem with Toyota fj models. It is very dangerous, and it should be addressed by Toyota immediately! I'm making plans to have the car towed to a local Toyota dealership for inspection and possible repairs. Finally, as far as I am aware, this car has never done any significant or taxing "off-roading."
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pembroke, GA, USA