Most common 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems
Share of the 23 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota FJ Cruiser complaints by model year
Best FJ Cruiser years: 2009, 2013, 2011. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008, 2010. Compare all years →
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser recalls (6)
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard.
Exterior lighting
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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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.
Remedy: The safety recall began on June 6, 2013. Toyota will mail an interim letter to owners late in April 2013. Remedy notifications to the owners for the repair will begin in late May 2013.
Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 fj cruiser and model year 2009-2011 tundra vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the tire pressure monitoring system in accordance with the regulation free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during June 2011.
Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
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.
Remedy: For the Land cruiser, sequoia, tacoma and tundra vehicles, the dealer will re-calibrate the tire pressure monitoring system on affected vehicles and install an updated tire and loading information label at no charge.
What 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser owners say
Steering
At 55,000 miles (6 years old) my front gravel shield had completely rusted off and was found in my driveway. I took my car to my Toyota service center and they notified me that both control arms and both front struts were very badly rusted and needed to be replaced. I called Toyota corporate and after much debate, I was told there was no recall for this matter and therefore they would only reimburse me 50% of all costs to replace said parts. I found Toyota has recalls for rust issues on other models and would like this matter looked into. Due to the limited production of this vehicle type it is possible it is being overlooked. I am terrified at the thought that I could've been driving and my control arms could've rusted off like my gravel shield did. A six year old vehicle with only 55,000 should not have this type of rust or parts falling off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser. While driving unknown speeds and making turns, the steering hesitated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (carbone Toyota of bennington, located at 751 n bennington rd bennington, vt 05201) where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 144,900.
Wheels & tires
The day I bought my new Toyota FJ I took it to a tire shop for larger off-road tires. I watched the tech as he changed tires and remounted the wheels. He carefully tightened the lug nuts with a torque wrench, but on one, it was obvious to him and me both that the tightening effort suddenly got easier. He made another easy 1/4 turn and the stud came off. The manager looked at the stud and said it had to have been overtightened previously by the factory or was defective. They fixed it. About 4 months later I was putting on my wheels after installing a suspension lift. I used a torque wrench set at 80lbs and before it ever got to a normal tight the stud twisted off. …
My issue started around June, I get the wheel shake/ shimmy at speeds of 55-65. Toyota sees the shake is there and then balances the tires and says its fixed . Toyota inspected the truck saying nothing is broken bent or anything saying they don't think anything is wrong. You can still see the shake is there and they keep blaming that the road is causing the shake. Saying its a crowing. In the road. I've went to a Toyota dealer to get it inspected they say nothing is wrong and then 2 more times I went there and then they admit it and try fixing it. I am very upset with Toyota and corporate . I feel scared to drive it above 50 because there is a bad shake. And feels unsafe its causing the car to be all over the road.
Suspension
At 55,000 miles (6 years old) my front gravel shield had completely rusted off and was found in my driveway. I took my car to my Toyota service center and they notified me that both control arms and both front struts were very badly rusted and needed to be replaced. I called Toyota corporate and after much debate, I was told there was no recall for this matter and therefore they would only reimburse me 50% of all costs to replace said parts. I found Toyota has recalls for rust issues on other models and would like this matter looked into. Due to the limited production of this vehicle type it is possible it is being overlooked. I am terrified at the thought that I could've been driving and my control arms could've rusted off like my gravel shield did. A six year old vehicle with only 55,000 should not have this type of rust or parts falling off.
My issue started around June, I get the wheel shake/ shimmy at speeds of 55-65. Toyota sees the shake is there and then balances the tires and says its fixed . Toyota inspected the truck saying nothing is broken bent or anything saying they don't think anything is wrong. You can still see the shake is there and they keep blaming that the road is causing the shake. Saying its a crowing. In the road. I've went to a Toyota dealer to get it inspected they say nothing is wrong and then 2 more times I went there and then they admit it and try fixing it. I am very upset with Toyota and corporate . I feel scared to drive it above 50 because there is a bad shake. And feels unsafe its causing the car to be all over the road.
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 21 / 19 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD | 16 / 20 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser a good car?
Based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 FJ Cruiser rates average: 27% fewer complaints than a typical year of the FJ Cruiser at the same age. It is one of the best FJ Cruiser years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
The steering — 8 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the wheels & tires (7) and suspension (6).
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser, the most recent from August 4, 2014 (labels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota FJ Cruiser?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2013 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007, 2008 and 2010. See the full Toyota FJ Cruiser years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 15,000 miles; 77% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.