2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 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
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints26 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 284 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 18 MPG combined, 22% below the 2014 small SUV average of 23.1 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2014 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 2014 small SUV average of 23.1 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 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.
What changed for 2014
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2013 FJ Cruiser — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 FJ Cruiser →
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 | -17% | $3,700 | 495 |
| FJ Cruiser 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 18 / 16 | -27% | $4,200 | 534 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Similar 2014 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2014 Toyota RAV4 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2014 Honda CR-V | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2014 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2014 Subaru Forester | 27 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2014 Mazda CX-5 | 29 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (5)
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jan 13, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V012000 · 1,830,752 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
Steering · Feb 10, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V081000 · 116 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured August 7, 2013, to August 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft which connects the steering wheel and the steering gear box may have an inadequate weld.
- Risk
- If the intermediate steering shaft weld fails, there would be a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment · Dec 30, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V828000 · 3,958 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
- Risk
- Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Sep 8, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V539000 · 2,501 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles equipped with an optional "Trail Teams Ultimate Edition" package, in which the front shock absorbers and springs were replaced at vehicle processing centers. In some of these vehicles the bolts which secure the front lower ball joint to the steering knuckle and/or the front suspension lower arm to the front cross member assemblies might have been tightened with insufficient torque when the front shock absorbers and springs were replaced during the installation process.
- Risk
- In this condition, one or both bolts could become loose during driving and fall out. If both bolts fall out from the front lower ball joint or the front suspension lower arm, these components could detach from the steering knuckle or the front cross members, causing a loss of steering control, which could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners of vehicles with the optional package installed, and dealers will inspect the torque of the bolts. If the bolts are found to be loose, dealers will retighten them to the proper torque. For any missing bolts, dealers will install new ones. The recall began on November 7, 2014. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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.
Not every 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 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.
- Steering — 3 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Suspension — 3 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 35,000 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 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other FJ Cruiser years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 FJ Cruiser | 18 | 177.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 17 |
| 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 →