Is the 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER reliable?

The 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER has 91 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER?

Top problems: BRAKES (17 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (13 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (13 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER?

Yes, there are 12 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER?

The 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER has 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.4x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is brakes problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: brakes didn't seem to work (the auto kept going when the brakes were applied) until i let off the pedal and pushed them again. i passed over a manhole cover as the failure occurred. i have only had one instance of this happening so far, but it scared the '!@#$%out of me. as there was a car stopped. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

17 complaints

19%

• BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK (THE AUTO KEPT GOING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) UNTIL I LET OFF THE PEDAL AND PUSHED THEM AGAIN. I PASSED OVER A MANHOLE COVER AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING SO FAR, BUT IT SCARED THE '!@#$%OUT OF ME. AS THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED
• ABS BRAKES RELEASE IF ONE WHEEL LOCKS. WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT BRAKES 2X. *TR
• JUST BOUGHT THE NEW FJ CRUISER 2010 AND GOT ABS BRAKE PROBLEM. EVERYTIME I HIT A BUMP THE ABS GET ACTIVE AND THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SLOW DOWN . I GET VERY CLOSE TO HIT SOMEONE AT THE BACK BECAUSE OF THAT. NOW I AM GETTING NERVOUS EVERYTIME I SEE A BUMP, CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT I WILL DO ON SLIPPERY SURFACE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK (THE AUTO KEPT GOING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) UNTIL I LET OFF THE PEDAL AND PUSHED THEM AGAIN. I PASSED OVER A MANHOLE COVER AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING SO FAR, BUT IT SCARED THE '!@#$%OUT OF ME. AS THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER

Based on 75 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 26K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 52K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 1K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (12)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER19/11/2014

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Toyota FJ CRUISER

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota FJ CRUISER Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2010 FJ CRUISER, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 91 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK (THE AUTO KEPT GOING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED) UNTIL I LET OFF THE PEDAL AND PUSHED THEM AGAIN. I PASSED OVER A MANHOLE COVER AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING SO FAR, BUT IT SCARED THE '!@#$%OUT OF ME. AS THERE WAS A CAR STOPPED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I AM WRITING TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AN ISSUE THAT I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA DUE TO THE SIMPLE NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES FOUND IN SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET DATING BACK TO 2007. VEHICLE: 2010 TOYOTA MODEL: FJ CRUISER WINDSHIELD: UNREASONABLE/PREMATURE CRAC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: 2010 FJ CRUISER STEERING WHEEL SHAKE/VIBRATION. ONLY OCCURS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 55 MPH AND 65 MPH. DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON IDENTICAL ROAD CONDITIONS BELOW 55 MPH OR ABOVE 65 MPH DOES NOT CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE/VIBRATE. STEERING WHEEL SHAKE/VIBRATION OCCURS DURING THE ABOV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: WHEEL STUD BROKE OFF WHEN CHANGING TO WINTER TIRES. A TORQUE WRENCH WAS USED TO PREVENT OVERTORQUEING. THE CAR HAS 3247 MILES. NO ONE HAD TOUCHED THE WHEELS UNTIL TODAY. ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM SEEN WITH 2010 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER AND 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER MODELS. NHTSA SHOULD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)