DecodedCars2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 2dr SUV 4WD /Offroad/Urban/Trail T
- Engines
- 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 17 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 177.2 in
- Curb weight
- 4,328 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints17 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 139 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 22% below the 2013 small SUV average of 23 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser is a small SUV offered with a 4.0L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive, part-time 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 177 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,328 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (17 city / 20 highway), 22% worse than the 2013 small SUV average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.
What changed for 2013
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 FJ Cruiser — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 FJ Cruiser →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Hamura, Japan
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2013 FJ Cruiser configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr SUV 4WD /Offroad/Urban/Trail T | 177.2 in | 75.2 in | 72 in | 105.9 in | 62.2 / 61.8 in | 4,328 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FJ Cruiser 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | -22% | $3,700 | 499 |
| FJ Cruiser 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | -16% | $3,700 | 495 |
| FJ Cruiser 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | -25% | $4,200 | 534 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Similar 2013 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2013 Toyota RAV4 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2013 Honda CR-V | 26 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2013 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2013 Subaru Forester | 23 MPG | Not rated | 12 |
| 2013 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (4)
Equipment › Other › Labels · Aug 4, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V475000 · 20,000 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 9, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
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.
Not every 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Structure › Body — 8 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Suspension — 5 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Air Bags — 3 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 80,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other FJ Cruiser years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 FJ Cruiser | 18 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 5 | 26 |
| 2012 FJ Cruiser | 19 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 26 |
| 2011 FJ Cruiser | 19 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 11 |
| 2010 FJ Cruiser | 19 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 10 | 30 |
| 2009 FJ Cruiser | 18 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 9 | 4 |
| 2008 FJ Cruiser | 18 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 8 | 53 |
| 2007 FJ Cruiser | 18 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 279 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →