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2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x2 5-Speed Auto

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x2 5-Speed Auto is a 260-hp 4.0-liter V6 with a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $25,990 MSRP.

It makes 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 271 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

The FJ Cruiser measures 183.9 inches long on a 105.9-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,079 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$25,990 ($36,789 *)
MSRP with Destination$26,800 ($37,936 *)
Destination Charge$810
Engine
Engine Type4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with Dual Independent VVT-i
Displacement4 L
Horsepower260 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque271 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Differential TypeAutomatic limited-slip differential (LSD), rear
Transmission
Transmission5-speed electronically controlled automatic overdrive (ECT)
1st Gear3.52
2nd Gear2.04
3rd Gear1.4
4th Gear1
5th Gear0.72
Reverse3.22
Final Drive3.72
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway20 MPG
Tank Capacity19 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionHigh-mounted, double-wishbone suspension and stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension4-link suspension with lateral rod, coil springs and stabilizer bar
Turning Diameter40.7 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Calipers4-piston (ventilated disc)
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17-in.
Wheels Rear17-in.
Tires FrontP265/70R17
Tires RearP265/70R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length183.9 in
Width75 in
Height71.3 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Front Track63.2 in
Rear Track63.6 in
Ground Clearance8.7 in
Approach Angle32°
Departure Angle30°
Cargo Volume66.8 ft³
Curb Weight4,079 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front41.3 in
Headroom Rear40.3 in
Legroom Front41.9 in
Legroom Rear31.3 in
Shoulder Room Front58.4 in
Shoulder Room Rear53.9 in
Hip Room Front55.4 in
Hip Room Rear51 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (26.7 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 4WD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV 2WD: overall not rated

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota FJ CRUISER. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 4, 2014 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 14V475000

Apr 25, 2013 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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."

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

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V163000

Apr 9, 2013 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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."

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V123000

Mar 15, 2013 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V098000

Oct 17, 2012 · EQUIPMENT

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 12E046000

41 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota FJ CRUISER

Owner Complaints

41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota FJ CRUISER (1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure12
Steering9
Unknown Or Other9
Seat Belts5
Suspension5
Wheels3
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 7, 2026 · Structure, Unknown Or Other, Fuel/Propulsion System
“The vehicle within less than 15 years had structural creams rust that had compromised the safety of my vehicle and it is rotting out with holes, the fuel tank is rusted and lose, and may fall, repairs…”
Aug 7, 2026 · Structure
“My frame is corroding at a rapid rate and needs to be addressed by Toyota! I truly believe that this was cheap way of selling cars without the proper undercoating affecting these trucks later on most…”
Nov 5, 2025 · Unknown Or Other
“Rust damage to frame”
May 9, 2024 · Unknown Or Other
“Frame rust through.”
Feb 23, 2024 · Unknown Or Other
“No dealer is willing to fix recalls.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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