Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
recently purchased used from dealership. Excessive rust on lower frame and other components (transmission and power steering lines) as well as suspension. This is not a flood vehicle. Initially took it to Toyota for repairs of the lines and trans. The quote was too high, so I took it to local shops for repair. The local shops were surprised by the amount of rust. Trans was fixed but the shops refused to fix other components that attached to the frame because they fear they will cause more damage. Visited several FJ Cruiser forums and frame rust issues are incredibly common with the FJ, to the point where there are class action lawsuits. Toyota needs to step up and fix this issue for FJ owners!
The fj cruiser is a common issue for rot/ rust on the frame of the vehicle, I have clean the frame often during the winter months and my frame is continuously rusting and rotting the frame of the vehicle I have decided to not drive the vehicle till the frame is either replaced or repaired due to the safety concern of driving it on the road, numerous others have same incidents of the holes in the frame due to rust the manufacturer did not put any kind of corrosion treatment on the frame to stop this from happening the frame flexes when accelerating and is not safe for anyone to including my passengers or other people on the road
Read differential has failed. Years affected are 2007-2009. In 2010 Toyota issued an updated stronger version of the differential. When differential fails it can lock up both wheels at high speeds thus losing control. There are over 2000 complaints online and over 10000 complaints with Toyota alone. It is not only costly it is very dangerous. Mine broke at 40 MPH and I ended up in a ditch. What if I had been doing 60 or 70
Vehicle was traveling in the snow in 4 wheel drive mode when it started shaking and vibrating as if it had a flat tire. Because of the road conditions vehicle was traveling under the speed limit. Failure was catastrophic and did not allowed the vehicle to coast too long as the vehicle jammed, as if the transmission had broken several gears and binded. Vehicle came to a stop engulfed in smoke and flames were coming from the undercarriage. Upon a quick inspection it was noted that the front shaft had broken off from the transfer case, oil was pouring out of the case and heat from the exhaust pipe, immediately next to it, had ignited the oil into flames. Mud and snow was used to put out the flames. Under further investigation it was noticed that one of the tires had a blow out, the rear driver tire. …
Purchased FJ Cruiser in 2010 with approximately 30,000 miles on it. Shortly thereafter, upon acceleration at low speed, the entire vehicle started vibrating; however, the vibration stopped as I accelerated to a higher speed. I noticed that this only occurred when I started with the transmission in d(rive) but never occurred if I started with gear shift in d2. Complained to dealership(Toyota south in morrow, ga) while still within the 60,000 mile power train warranty. The dealership never acknowledged a problem with the transmission. They even suggested that I replace my u-bolt. In 2013, after starting my FJ, I heard a loud knocking sound, so I immediately turned it off and had it towed to the dealership. I was told that I needed a new engine due to oil starvation. I parked the vehicle in my garage until this year(2016). I had it towed to the same dealership for another diagnosis. …
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.
My 2007 FJ Cruiser has about 125,000 miles on it. Last week I noticed that when I drive 45-50 MPH the truck makes a noise and shaking in the rear end and bounces slightly. The truck is automatic but when this happens it feels as if I'm driving an automatic vehicle and am in the wrong gear. (loose feeling power train) they checked the universals and they were fine and changed the fluid in the rear pumpkin but still no fix. Now they are telling me try replacing the fluids and filters in the transmission. (another $180.00 repair bill) this sound only happens when I'm coasting with accelerator at 45-50 MPH and not going up any hills or heavy acceleration. I have an appointment to do the transmission service and I hope it fixes the problem.
When stopping at a red light or stop sign, the automatic transmission has not down shifted to first gear. So while stopped, the car will suddenly lung forward as if hit from behind. This is extremely dangerous for pedestrian crossing in front of the car. There is a very real potential for the car to hit a person when it lunges forward. Since realizing this problem, I intentionally hold down the brake harder than I should have too. There are other issues with the transmission but I though that particular issue is very dangerous. The vehicle has approx 70,000 miles and although this problem was happening from time to time, it is becoming more frequent to where I have to assume it every time I come to a stop.
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.
2007 FJ Cruiser, at 34066 miles on October 22 2009 vehicle was taken Toyota dealership in alvin,tx for diagnostic test on the complaint of the manual transmission making a high pitched squeak. At that time the dealership replaced the entire transmission under warranty, but at that time there wasn't a fix for the problem. They replaced a broken transmission with one that was prone to fail again. As of today april06 2015 the vehicle is squeaking once again from transmission. Toyota knows of the condition. TSB 036510 is a fix for the issue but is only covered under 60K mi.
Transmission complaints in other FJ Cruiser years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 9% of the model year's 593 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.