2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser: whining or grinding noise

Filed Nov 2, 2015 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · MA

After 76,000 miles the rear axle started making a whining noise. Took to dealership and they said the rear axle needed to be replaced at a cost of $3700. If this rear axle would have broken at highway speeds, I would have lost control of my vehicle which could have caused a major accident. Toyota knew that the rear ring and pinion gear were defective due to over treating at the factory, but failed to notify any owners of fj cruisers and to issue a recall for that particular problem. This vehicle had never done any off roading of any sort. Toyota has caused a situation for anyone that owns one of these vehicles to put themselves and their passengers at grave risk of causing a major accident if the rear axle gears should fail at highway speeds and or in the process of off roading, which toyota claims this vehicle is designed to do.

Filed Aug 25, 2015 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · CA

Rear differential failure. Gear whine/ grind noise getting louder on rear differential. Gear backlash increase. Apparently toyota is aware of substandard ring and pinion gears in early fj cruisers and changed the design in later models. Vehicle has never been subjected to off road conditions. Fear gear is going to break and leave me stranded somewhere, so need to replace assembly. Toyota should recall these early differentials as the problem is well documented on all the fj forum sites.

Filed Feb 16, 2015 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · FL

Noise from rear of vehicle progressively worsened over 3-4 weeks. Extreme whine/hum with wheel rotation with corresponding decreased gas mileage. Took to dealership and was told that the rear bearings were "shot" and the rear differentials needed to be replaced. I have completed all regularly scheduled maintenance the entire almost 9 years that I've owned the vehicle and have never had any issues. Estimated cost for dealership to repair is ~$2000. Car has 115,000 miles. Wouldn't expect an expense of this magnitude when all maintenance has been completed by dealership.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Transmission · 121,364 miles · TX

Vehicle has loud humming or whining noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. Noise starts around 25 MPH and continues to get louder the faster the vehicle goes. Problem didn't begin until around 120500. Notified dealership and they stated that there wasn't anything that could be done other than replace the rear differential and bearings.

Filed Jan 18, 2013 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · MD

Rear differential failure. This is a common problem in the early year models of this vehicle. Starts with loud whining from rear of car followed by complete failure of gears inside rear differential.

Filed Oct 24, 2012 · Suspension · 135,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota fj cruiser. The contact stated that when driving 40 MPH and above, he would hear a loud whining noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that the pinion gears and driver's side rear wheel bearing assembly failed. The vehicle was not repaired. Approximately two months prior to the recent failure, the vehicle was repaired for the rear passenger's side wheel bearing assembly. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. The current mileage is approximately 140,000. ..updated 12/06/12