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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual
15 serious complaints of 23, the most about steering (8) and suspension (6); per car on the road, 0.8× this model's usual year. 7 recalls.
What owners report
“Vehicle exhibits steering shimmy between 55-65 mph, vehicle can not maintain stable performance at highway speeds. Toyota have replace both wheel and tires and have the same result. Fj cruisers are having a problem, and toyota will not do anything on this saftey issue. Tr”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Feb 2013
“Lower control arms rusted. Need replaced couldn't adjust them for alignment. Frame rusting front and rear diff rusting. Stock skid plate replaced rusted through completely. I thoroughly wash salt off my vehicle, yet it still has rusted just like the original frame recall toyota hasn't gotten it right. Need another recall.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the suspension, Dec 2019
23 owner complaints · 7 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 17–19 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Every FJ Cruiser year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2011
- Starting prices: +$1,410 (1 trim; hover for each)
- Horsepower: 259 hp → 260 hp (all trims)
- Torque: 270 lb-ft → 271 lb-ft (all trims)
2011 FJ Cruiser trims
| Base | |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| Starting MSRP | from $25,090 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.0-liter V6 with Dual VVT-i |
| Horsepower | 260 hp |
| Torque | 271 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 4x2 5-Speed Automatic: ECT 4x4 6-Speed Manual: — |
| Gears | 4x2 5-Speed Automatic: 5 4x4 6-Speed Manual: 6 |
| Drivetrain | 4x2 5-Speed Automatic / 4x4 5-Speed Automatic / 4x4 6-Speed Manual |
| Size and capability | |
| Seats | 5 |
| Max towing | 5,000 lb |
| Cargo behind last row | 27.9 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 66.8 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 4x2 5-Speed Automatic: 8.7 in 4x4 5-Speed Automatic: 9.6 in 4x4 6-Speed Manual: 9.6 in |
| Length | 183.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4x2 5-Speed Automatic: 4,079 lb 4x4 5-Speed Automatic: 4,343 lb 4x4 6-Speed Manual: 4,332 lb |
| Tech | |
| Audio | Optional |
| Speakers | 6 + option |
| Driver assistance | |
| Parking sensors | Optional |
| Comfort | |
| Seats | Cloth |
| Second row | Split Bench |
| Exterior | |
| Power liftgate | Manual |
| Wheels | 17 in + option |
| Headlights | Halogen |
Packages and options (19)
| Base | |
|---|---|
| Convenience Package | Optional |
| Off-Road Package | Optional |
| Trail Teams Special Edition Package | Optional |
| TRD Package | Optional |
| Upgrade Package | Optional |
| Electronically Controlled Locking Rear Differential | Optional |
| Running Boards | Optional |
| Daytime Running Lights | Optional |
| 17-inch Alloy Wheels | Optional |
| 17-inch Black Steel Wheels | Standard |
| TRD 16-in. 6-spoke alloy wheel | Optional |
| TRD 16-in. 6-Spoke Special Edition Alloy Wheel | Optional |
| Army Green | Optional |
| Black | Optional |
| Brick | Optional |
| Cavalry Blue | Optional |
| Iceberg | Optional |
| Quicksand | Optional |
| Silver Fresco Metallic | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Oem press release, Nhtsa vin decode, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, powertrain, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 4.0L 6-cyl, 260 hp manual available | 4WD, AWD, RWD | 16–18 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 30 | Structure (10) | — |
| 2013 | 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, AWD, RWD | 16–18 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 23 | Structure (10) | — |
| 2012 | 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 16–19 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 40 | Structure (11) | — |
| 2011 | 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–19 mpg | Not rated | 7 | 23 | Steering (8) | — |
| 2010 | 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–19 mpg | Not rated | 12 | 66 | Structure (13) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 30 |
| 2014 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 30 |
| 2013 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 23 |
| 2013 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 2WD | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 23 |
| 2012 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 40 |
| 2012 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 2WD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 40 |
| 2011 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 7 | 23 |
| 2011 | Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 7 | 23 |
| 2010 | Toyota FJ Cruiser w/SAB 4-DR. | Not Rated | No | No | 12 | 66 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | FJ Cruiser 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 18 |
| 2014 | FJ Cruiser 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
16–18 |
| 2013 | FJ Cruiser 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 18 |
| 2013 | FJ Cruiser 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
16–18 |
| 2012 | FJ Cruiser 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 19 |
| 2012 | FJ Cruiser 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
16–18 |
| 2011 | FJ Cruiser 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 19 |
| 2011 | FJ Cruiser 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–19 |
| 2010 | FJ Cruiser 2WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 19 |
| 2010 | FJ Cruiser 4WD | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.