2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser.

20072009
Complaints
164
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Injuries
5
Fatalities
Recalls
8

Worst 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#135 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:107,188 mi
Crash-related:1
#217 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:24,503 mi
#313 complaints

Seat Belt Issues

Avg mileage:100,315 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Body Structure
35
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
107,188
Hydraulic Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
24,503
Seat Belt Issues
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
100,315
Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
74,750
Suspension Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
98,605
Service Brakes, Electric
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,300
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,622
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
9,016
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~894,817 vehicles.

16V396000Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
~7,749 affected

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

14V743000Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
~3,233 affected

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

14V475000Equipment:other:labels
~20,000 affected

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 tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

13V163000Exterior Lighting
~208,000 affected

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 wattage and mounting angle, the combination of the upper beam headlamps plus the auxiliary lamps are too bright and exceed the maximum light output allowed for an upper beam headlamp. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

13V098000Seat Belts:front:anchorage
~209,000 affected

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 panel if the access door is repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period of time.

11V148000Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
~22,000 affected

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.

10V035000Equipment:other:labels
~271,417 affected

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

10V036000Equipment:other:labels
~153,418 affected

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Other Toyota FJ Cruiser Years

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 164 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 35 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (35 complaints, avg 107,188 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (17 complaints, avg 24,503 mi); Seat Belt Issues (13 complaints, avg 100,315 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 73,692 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser include 7 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 894,817 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota FJ Cruiser reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

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