2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Body, Brakes · MA

1. The frame is defective. It's been rusting no matter how its cleaned or treated. It currently has at least 4 holes. This rust has spread to many suspension components as well as the underside of the floor. The vehicle eas NOT properly treated when built. I purchased this new in 2013. It currently has 69k miles. This rust that has consumed my vehicle has caused issues that make my vehicle unsafe to drive. 2. The problem has reproduced on its own mo matter the treatment attempted. 3. My car can NOT be safely driven to have these issues looked at. In the front the drivers side strut rotted off. Both front lower control arms are splitting apart from the rust. I recently had maintenance done including the serpentine belt. 4. These issues started slowly after purchase. Again, no matter how often the vehicle was cleaned or protected; the rust would come back. The floor panels on both sides near the edge are showing significant rust/rot. My car, if there where none of these defective issues woukd have an approximate value of 25k/29k. Right now with all the problems it has little to none. My car was never in an accident. Toyota has never had a recall on the fj cruisers frame as they had with the Tacoma. Had there been a recall and my frame was replaced; I woyld have a proper and SAFE vehicle now. Ive had a few estimates for fixing all the damage caused by the rusting defects. It ranges from 13k-17k. I have no safe or usable car because of Toyota never recalling the fj cruisers frame. Now that frame issue has spread across my car@

Filed May 8, 2026 · Body, Brakes · MD

Please consider opening or expanding an investigation into frame, underbody, brake-line, and suspension-mount corrosion affecting Toyota FJ Cruisers. I own a 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4WD. A professional inspection found multiple fluid leaks, heavy rust, rusted exhaust, leaking rear shocks, and brake line/hose concerns. After reviewing the condition, the mechanic essentially declined to repair it and recommended scrapping the vehicle. The attached photos show conditions that appear safety-relevant: rust perforation through underbody structural metal near a bracket/crossmember area; severe corrosion around brake lines and fittings; widespread scaling near suspension and frame components; a leaking rear shock; and badly deteriorated exhaust connections. This is not just appearance rust. Also note the contrast between the observable condition of the vehicle versus the problems hidden beneath. This rust is clearly outpacing normal wear and tear. The safety risk is straightforward. At interstate speeds, a corroded brake line could fail during emergency braking. A weakened shock mount, suspension bracket, or crossmember could fail when the vehicle hits a pothole, uneven bridge plate, or highway debris. In dense, aggressive traffic, especially where vehicles travel 70+ mph, any sudden loss of braking, stability, or rear-end structural integrity could cause a spinout, rollover, or multi-vehicle crash. I understand Toyota has previously addressed severe corrosion on other truck platforms. I urge the federal safety agency to review whether the FJ Cruiser has a similar pattern of premature or excessive structural corrosion. Owners may not know the vehicle is unsafe until a mechanic refuses repair or a component fails. Please review consumer complaints, inspection photos, and corrosion-related failures before this becomes a fatal incident.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · MA

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.

Filed Mar 14, 2025 · Airbags · AZ · crash · 3 injuries

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

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Body · 80,000 miles · VA

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 federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed May 23, 2022 · Suspension · OH

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 my dealership to have them tell them how serious this could have been. They said my warranty was up in July of 2021. I had no letters to tell me this. I have only had it serviced at the dealership when it was due for service, nowhere else. I found out claims previously have been paid through a lawsuit on frames. Frames should last longer than this even in inclement weather. I also had it fluid filmed. Nobody will do anything & it's scary. Sad they want an accident before they look at things. I hope you can address this some way. Thank You.

Filed Dec 14, 2021 · Body, Suspension · NJ

Frame rust. Gas tank strap rust. Undercarriage rusted.

Filed Oct 10, 2021 · Body · WI

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

Filed Aug 14, 2021 · WV

Severe frame, structural and fuel tank strap rust.

Filed Jun 29, 2021 · Body · IL

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.