Is the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser a bad year?
592 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other FJ Cruiser years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser are in line with other FJ Cruiser years. Body structure, brakes and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2007 FJ Cruiser owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 70,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 238 (40%) | 20k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 75 (13%) | 35k–80k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 78 (13%) | 81k–151k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 51 (9%) | 45k–114k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Seat belts | 24 (4%) | 65k–147k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 36 (6%) | 71k–149k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 80 (14%) | 1k–12k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 24 (4%) | 13k–54k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 21 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 70,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 592 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 6 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Heard noise coming from back of car. Sounded like it could be the brakes. Took it to Toyota, was told it was the rear differential.
Vehicle was traveling in the snow in 4 wheel drive mode when it started shaking and vibrating as if it had a flat tire.
Noise from rear of vehicle progressively worsened over 3-4 weeks. Extreme whine/hum with wheel rotation with corresponding decreased gas mileage.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 70,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser: 9
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring. Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
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. Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
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. If cracks occur in the panel around the lower retractor anchor, the seat belt retractor could become detached, which could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a crash.
The subject TRD brake kit is specifically designed for the front wheels of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles. Due to the shape of the outer brake tube of the brake kit, the clearance between the outer brake tube and a TRD 16 inch 6-spoke alloy wheel is minimal. If a brake tube becomes damaged and leaks fluid, it may result in increased stopping distances, and in some cases, loss of vehicle front braking performance, which could increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with either bridgestone dueler or dunlop grandtrek tires, there is a possibility that the inner bead of the tire may have been damaged. If the bead is damaged, a bulge may develop on the sidewall of the tire and air may leak from the area of the damaged bead. If the tire loses air pressure it may lead to a loss of vehicle control and increase the possibility of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 86
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
Some vehicles may exhibit a cyclical grinding or groaning noise coming from the front differential in 2WD that goes away when operated in 4WD
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
Neighbouring years
2008 FJ Cruiser: 123 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota FJ Cruiser year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · All FJ Cruiser years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser a bad year?
592 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other FJ Cruiser years. At 70,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: body structure (238), brakes (75), suspension (78), transmission and drivetrain (51), seat belts (24).
How many recalls does the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Seats (NHTSA 16V-396), Seats (NHTSA 14V-743), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 13V-163), Seat belts (NHTSA 13V-098) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.