2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser's ladder frame is susceptible to severe rust and corrosion, particularly in northern states and regions where road salt is used. The frame rails, crossmembers, and rear trailing arm mounts can develop structural rust that compromises vehicle safety. This is a carryover issue from the shared Tacoma/4Runner platform.

Inspect the frame annually for corrosion. Toyota offered a frame rust warranty extension and replacement program for some affected vehicles under a Customer Support Program. Apply a professional rust-preventive undercoating (such as Fluid Film or Krown) annually. Severely rusted frames may require professional repair or plate welding by a certified shop.

The air conditioning compressor on the 4.0L 1GR-FE engine is prone to premature failure, resulting in warm air from the vents. Owners may hear a grinding or squealing noise from the compressor pulley before complete failure. When the compressor seizes, it can shed metal debris throughout the A/C system, contaminating the condenser and expansion valve.

Replace the A/C compressor, receiver-dryer, and expansion valve. If the compressor shed debris, a full system flush of the condenser and lines is required before installing the new compressor. Use only the correct ND-OIL 8 compressor oil and the specified refrigerant charge of R-134a.

The brake booster on the FJ Cruiser can develop an internal diaphragm leak, causing a hard brake pedal that requires excessive force to stop the vehicle. Owners may also hear a hissing sound from behind the dashboard when pressing the brake pedal. The check engine light may illuminate with lean condition codes due to the vacuum leak.

Replace the brake booster assembly. There is no TSB for this specific issue, but it is a well-documented failure on the 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser platform. The master cylinder should be inspected for damage during replacement. Brake booster replacement requires removal of the master cylinder and extensive dashboard disassembly.

The rear differential pinion seal and axle shaft seals are common leak points on the FJ Cruiser, especially on vehicles used for off-roading or towing. Owners notice gear oil drips under the rear axle and may detect a strong gear oil smell. If left unaddressed, fluid loss can lead to differential bearing damage and eventual failure.

Replace the leaking pinion seal or axle shaft seals. Drain and refill the differential with Toyota 75W-90 gear oil. If the pinion flange surface is grooved or worn, a speedi-sleeve repair or flange replacement may be needed to ensure a proper seal. Inspect the differential fluid for metal particles indicating bearing wear.

The evaporative emissions (EVAP) charcoal canister mounted under the vehicle can crack or become damaged from off-road debris impacts, causing a persistent check engine light with EVAP codes P0441 or P0446. A fuel smell near the rear of the vehicle may also be present when the canister is compromised.

Replace the charcoal canister assembly and inspect all EVAP hoses and connections for damage. Relocating the canister with an aftermarket skid plate is recommended for owners who frequently off-road. Toyota does not offer a TSB for this issue, but canister replacement resolves the codes and fuel odor.

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. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

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. 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. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.

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.

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 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

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. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

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. 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 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. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Toyota is recalling certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, P/N PTR09-35070, and TRD High-Performance brake kits, P/N PTR09-35100, installed by Toyota vehicle processing centers and sold by Toyota dealers as an optional accessory for model year 2007 through 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser vehicles. 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 wheel balance weights are installed in an incorrect location, there is a possibility that the outer brake tube could be damaged due to interference with the balance weight, and brake fluid could leak from the damaged tube.

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.

All known owners of 2007-2012 model year FJ Cruiser vehicles will be notified by first class mail. If the vehicle is equipped with one of the TRD brake kits, the brake caliper outer brake tube will be replaced with a newly designed one at no charge. During this service, if necessary, the dealer will make wheel balance adjustments. This remedy will be performed even if the vehicle has original equipment 16 inch or 17 inch wheels or TRD 16 inch Beadlock ring type wheels, which are not affected by the condition, to assure sufficient clearance in the event wheels are changed at a later time. Notification to owners began on December 17, 2012. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.