2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2007 models.

Toyota FJ Cruiser
Pictured: 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser (GSJ15R) wagon (2011-11-08) 01. Photo: OSX, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
2dr SUV 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 17 city / 21 hwy
Length
177.2 in
Curb weight
4,295 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints279 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 83 for similar models — most often about the structure:body.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2007 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a SUV - offered with a 4.0L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 177 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,295 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (17 city / 21 highway), 3% worse than the 2007 SUV - average of 18.6 MPG, for an estimated $4,550 a year in fuel.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 279 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr SUV 4WD177.2 in75.2 in72 in105.9 in62.2 / 61.8 in4,295 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
FJ Cruiser 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 18-3%$4,550494
FJ Cruiser 4WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17-2%$4,850523
FJ Cruiser 4WD4.0L 6-cylManual 6-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16-8%$5,150555
Spend $10,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.6 MPG2007 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2007 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2007 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (this car)18 MPGNot rated6
2007 Toyota Land Cruiser13 MPGNot rated1
2007 Toyota RAV423 MPGNot rated13
2007 Honda CR-V23 MPGNot rated12
2007 Hyundai Tucson22 MPGNot rated1
2007 Subaru Forester22 MPGNot rated1
2007 Toyota Highlander26 MPGNot rated6

Recalls (6)

Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Jun 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 7,749 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Nov 19, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 3,233 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Risk
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.
Fix
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Exterior Lighting · Apr 25, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V163000 · 208,000 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
Light intensities above the maximum allowable limit could cause increased glare for oncoming traffic and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage · Mar 15, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V098000 · 209,000 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles

Problem
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles

Problem
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

279Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
122,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Structure › Body130
Unknown Or Other77
Suspension72
Fuel/Propulsion System29
Power Train25
Service Brakes21
Seat Belts16
Steering10
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/06: 122/07: 322/08: 122/09: 322/10: 422/12: 423/01: 223/02: 123/04: 123/07: 123/08: 123/09: 123/10: 124/01: 124/03: 324/04: 124/07: 124/09: 125/02: 225/06: 125/07: 225/09: 226/05: 126/06: 122/0622/0923/0123/0723/1024/0425/0225/09max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Structure › Body — 130 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  3. Suspension — 72 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 29 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 122,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other FJ Cruiser years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2014 FJ Cruiser18177.2 inNot rated526
2013 FJ Cruiser18177.2 inNot rated417
2012 FJ Cruiser19177.2 inNot rated426
2011 FJ Cruiser19177.2 inNot rated611
2010 FJ Cruiser19177.2 inNot rated1030
2009 FJ Cruiser18177.2 inNot rated94
2008 FJ Cruiser18177.2 inNot rated853

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →