This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving normally and less than 10 miles per hour, thankfully on a regular, paved, local road with little traffic, the driver side rear suspension spring seat and stabilizer bar attachment point on rear axle suddenly, unexpectedly, and without warning just tore apart and off of the axle housing to which it was mounted and the resulting sharp and heavy metal edged parts completely sheared off a brake line releasing all hydraulic brake fluid and causing the immediate loss of all normal braking ability. Thankfully nobody was injured, but the car can't be driven at all now, because it has no brakes at all, other than the mechanical emergency brake, and by using transmission "braking." Lots of rust under car since we bought it used from dealer in morristown NJ, apparently due to low quality steel used in initial construction and apparent lack of adequate factory anti-rust treatment of frame and other undercarriage parts. Interior and painted top body parts show no rust issues. However, the underside, is full of lots of rust. This is apparently a well-known, very common problem with Toyota fj models. It is very dangerous, and it should be addressed by Toyota immediately! I'm making plans to have the car towed to a local Toyota dealership for inspection and possible repairs. Finally, as far as I am aware, this car has never done any significant or taxing "off-roading."
Frame is rusting & cracked in various places. Gas tank strap rusted / corroded completely off leaving gas tank sagging in the rear. This has all happened over time.
Vehicle is showing excessive rust on the frame and under-body. I have an older vehicle that almost has no rust. Rust on the 2007 Fj cruiser is mainly on the frame joints and the rear axle. Car was daily commuter for about 5 years and then became a leisure vehicle driven mainly on weekends and outings.
Took the vehicle in for oil change and check a transmission fluid leak. Dealer found large amounts of rust on frame and suspension and noted, "not recommended to drive."
2007 Toyota Fj cruiser, 125K miles. Mid-atlantic area of the us. Frame has excessive rust and degradation. A Toyota dealership during a normal service visit and 2 independent mechanics confirm it is unsafe to drive or to especially tow trailers. Both independent mechanics also added they have seen this issue before on Tundra, Fj cruisers, and 4runners from the same era. Weldments in the frame are corroded and riddled with cracks. Large sections of frame members are also very corroded with thin walls/holes. Biggest concern is loss of structural integrity which could lead to a major mechanical failure/accident. Little to no rust on the body, have driven other Toyota and Ford trucks in same environment with no rust issues at 200K miles. Filed a complaint with Toyota.
Excessive rust of the frame. Have found multiple holes in structural areas such as the transmission cross member welds meeting the frame. Failure of the frame coating all over. Frame rot from the inside causing holes from the inside out. Also rusting from areas such as control arms, rear end links, and differential mounts. Will provide more pictures when I have the availability to do so.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration needs to open an investigation into reports of frame rust and corrosion problems for the 2007 ' 2014 Toyota Fj cruiser. This is the same ongoing safety problem as the several past recalls on other full framed Toyota vehicles. Excessive frame corrosion 'rot' starting in jointed metals within the frame structures is rusting from the outside and the inside out. In recent observations non-jointed rust metal is also suffering rust through in other parts of these frames. My personal vehicle exhibits all the signs of excessive rusting including one rust through hole at the rear cross member location underneath the rear bumper. This location is neither accessible nor visible without the bumper removed. The opposite side of the cross member exhibits large sever flaking rust present both outside and inside the frame. The main frame, location behind the front wheel, exhibits severs large flaking rust inside the frame. The outside within this area also contains a half size dollar rust area through the first frame layer that initially appeared as surface rust. In conclusion what appeared as normal surface rust can indeed be structural integrity concerns. The frame is rusting inside out at an alarming fast rate, much faster than the 60's FJ40 frames I have restoration experience with. I was informed per my dealership the rust would be documented but not considered abnormal and no recall was in place.
Frame has completely disintegrated where the rear upper control arm links meet the crossmember, making the vehicle unsafe and fail the nh state inspection. The links broke free while driving on a rural road. Upon further inspection we found rust perforation on frame rails with thin and fatigued metal in the same general area.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Fj cruiser. The contact stated that the muffler and entire frame were corroded and deteriorated when touched. The contact called dch freehold Toyota (located at 4268 us 9 S, freehold, NJ 07728, (732) 810-1048) and was informed that they could not assist. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The contact called the manufacturer and was provided case number: 1905240531. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.
While driving, my exhaust broke from hitting a pothole. When I took to the shop for repair, we noticed so much rust on the frame. I made an appointment at my local dealership to have it inspected, we found that the frame is extremely rusted with holes in the back piece by the bumper. The local dealership opened a case. They also said for me to contact corporate Toyota and open a case. The local dealership said they take this extremely serious because of the Tacoma rusted frame recall. The dealership said they can not make a decision and that it must be made by corporate. The dealership supplied the pictures so corporate could see the frame rotting. I stayed in constant contact with a dealership representative the entire time. Every conversation that I had with Toyota corporate ends with them saying 'sorry, there is not a recall right now'. the dealership representative became frustrated and even said she would not put her kids in the Fj cruiser because its unsafe. Everyone agrees that a 2007 Fj cruiser frame should not be rusting out like this. Finally, the dealership was who told me I should contact NHTSA and start this process. I have been reading on fj criuiser specific forums recently about others having the same issue. It seems really wide spread.
The frame on my 2007 Fj cruiser is so badly rusted that the brackets connecting the rear control arms to the frame deteriorated and they are no longer attached. This was noticed when the straps from the gas tank also rusted away and the gas tank dropped. The frame damage is so severe that no body shop wants to touch it for liability reasons.
Received word from Toyota service department that the frame on my 2007 fj is rotted, not repairable, and unsafe to drive. This seems to be a manufacturing defect, not owner caused. Looking to Toyota to address the problem. This seems similar to the Tacoma frame recall.
Frame rust - frame is rusted so bad mechanic and local deal said vehicle is not road worthy. If I had not taken my vehicle to a mechanic before service and general maintenance repairs, I would have driven on a 2400 mile vacation across country without knowing the danger of a failing frame. My initial complaint is I was unaware of any frame issues with Toyota trucks, there should have been a general recall/inspection of all Toyota frame vehicles for safety inspections. Second complaint is there is no resolution at this time, mechanic said it could take months to get an answer from Toyota and even then not sure they will fix it. Now I am without a vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Branchburg, NJ, USA