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Toyota

FJ Cruiser

XJ10· 2011-2016 suv-4wd Value

Top issues

10 known problems · 2 high

high

Seat belt retractor recall (2007-2013 build)

Any · ~$0 (recall - free fix)

high

Head gasket (uncommon, cooling-dependent)

Any (if cooling neglected) · ~$2500-5000

medium

Poor rearward visibility / blind spots

Any · ~$0-500

All 10 problems ↓ Inspection checklist →

Recalls

4 on record

REC-003487 2013-03-27

Defect: Cracks may develop in the lower inner panel of the rear doors where the front seat belt retractor is anchored.

Hazard: The seat belt retractor could become detached in a collision.

Remedy: Contact your nearest Toyota dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.

Affected: 5,584 units

Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29

REC-003368 2011-06-30

Defect: Incorrect side airbag sensor polarity in the SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system.

Hazard: The G-force threshold used to detect a side impact could be incorrectly assessed.

Remedy: Contact your authorised Toyota dealership for inspection and rectification.

Affected: 454 units

Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29

REC-001320 2020-04-06

Defect: The fuel pump may stop operating.

Hazard: Warning lights may display and the engine may stall while driving.

Remedy: Toyota will contact affected owners to arrange free inspection and repair at a dealer.

Affected: Toyota Camry, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, Kluger, Hilux, Prado and LandCruiser 200, 2013-2019 model years (75,905 units across all affected models)

Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-29

REC-003617 2015-02-09

Defect: Due to incorrectly maintained welding equipment on a particular production day, the steering intermediate shaft may be insufficiently welded.

Hazard: Potential loss of steering control.

Remedy: Contact your nearest Toyota dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.

Affected: 129 units

Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30

Check a specific car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

At this odometer

See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.

Before and after

Before: None (retro-styled tribute to the FJ40 LandCruiser)

After: None (discontinued in Australia 2016; replaced in showrooms by Prado/LandCruiser)

Price (AUD)

$30k-$55k

Body styles

5-door wagon (with rear-hinged 'suicide' half doors)

Drivetrain

Part-time 4WD (dual-range, rear diff lock)

Origin

Japan

Built in

Japan (built by Hino at Hamura, Japan)

Overview

Retro-styled tribute to the original 1960s-70s FJ40 LandCruiser, the FJ Cruiser was sold in Australia from 2011 to 2016 in a single, generously-equipped specification. Underneath the funky bodywork it is essentially a Prado 150 - same ladder-frame chassis, same proven 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 petrol, part-time dual-range 4WD with a rear diff lock, Active Traction Control and a Crawl Control system on later cars. Australia got the petrol V6 ONLY - there was never a factory diesel here, which is the single biggest practical drawback given the real-world thirst. Mechanically it is among the most reliable used 4WDs you can buy: the chain-timed 1GR-FE V6 routinely passes 300,000km, there is no DPF, no turbo and no dual-clutch to worry about. The catch is the packaging - terrible rearward visibility from the thick pillars and small rear glass, awkward rear-hinged half doors, a cramped back seat and high fuel use. Buy it for its toughness, off-road ability, cult appeal and strong resale, not for family practicality.

Engines & variants

4.0L 1GR-FE V6 petrol

Engine

4.0L DOHC 24v dual VVT-i V6 (naturally aspirated)

Engine code

1GR-FE

Config

V6 NA

Displacement

3956cc

Power

200kW @ 5600rpm

Torque

380Nm @ 4400rpm

Drivetrain

Part-time 4WD (dual-range, rear diff lock)

Economy

11.4 L/100km official combined; 13-16 L/100km real world

Tow (braked)

2250kg

Tow (unbraked)

750kg

Transmission

5AT

Timing chain / belt / gear

Chain-driven (no belt - no scheduled replacement interval)

Pros

Bulletproof chain-driven Toyota V6 - no DPF, no turbo, no belt
Shares its proven driveline with the Prado 150
Genuinely capable off-road with rear locker and Crawl Control (later cars)
300,000km+ longevity with basic care and strong resale/cult demand

Cons

Petrol only in Australia - thirsty, especially loaded or towing
Only 2250kg braked tow vs 3000kg+ in diesel rivals
Single 5-speed auto - no manual offered here
VVT-i oil line and valve-cover/timing-cover seeps at higher km

Known problems

medium

VVT-i oil supply line leak

The same Toyota 1GR-FE V6 issue seen on Prado/Hilux - the oil feed line and banjo connections (notably the lower passenger-side VVT-i pipe and its crush washer) can weep, leaving oily residue down the side of the block.

Fix: Replace the line/seals; the upgraded braided steel line is a common preventive fix.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-800

low

Valve cover / timing cover oil seeps

Valve-cover gaskets and the front timing-cover joint (where the head, block and cover meet on bank 1) can seep oil with age and heat.

Fix: Replace valve-cover gaskets; reseal the timing cover if leaking. Not urgent unless oil loss is significant.

From 150k+ km · ~$400-1200

high

Head gasket (uncommon, cooling-dependent)

Blown head gaskets have been reported on the 1GR-FE but are NOT common - typically tied to neglected coolant or overheating events. Maintain the correct coolant and cooling system.

Fix: Pressure-test cooling and check for combustion gases pre-purchase; keep coolant fresh on the correct change interval.

Any (if cooling neglected) · ~$2500-5000

low

Fuel thirst (petrol only)

Not a fault, but real-world 13-16 L/100km (worse loaded/towing/off-road) is the reality of a 2-tonne-plus petrol V6 4WD with no diesel option in Australia.

Fix: Accept the fuel bill; a long-range tank helps touring range. Some owners fit LPG.

Any · Running cost

Common problems (all variants)

high

Seat belt retractor recall (2007-2013 build)

Toyota recalled FJ Cruisers globally over front seat-belt retractors that could be damaged over time, affecting Australian-delivered cars from the 2011 launch. A safety issue if not rectified.

Fix: Verify the seat-belt recall has been completed by a Toyota dealer (free); check VIN against Toyota's recall records pre-purchase.

Any · ~$0 (recall - free fix)

medium

Poor rearward visibility / blind spots

Thick A and C pillars, a near-vertical windscreen, small rear glass and the spare-on-tailgate make rearward and over-shoulder vision genuinely poor - a real safety/parking concern rather than a mechanical fault.

Fix: Use the reversing camera (where fitted); blind-spot mirrors and parking sensors help. Drive one before buying to be sure you can live with it.

Any · ~$0-500

medium

B-pillar / body cracking and rear half-door hinge sag

Cracks can form at the base of the B-pillar and the rear-hinged 'suicide' half doors can develop sagging or rattling hinges, especially on hard-worked off-road examples.

Fix: Inspect the B-pillar base and rear door alignment/hinges pre-purchase; reinforce/repair as needed.

Hard off-road / high km · ~$300-1500

low

Cracked / damaged windscreen (vertical glass)

The upright, near-vertical windscreen takes stone hits face-on and chips/cracks more readily than a raked screen, and replacements are pricier than common models.

Fix: Repair chips early; budget for a screen replacement and confirm fitment quality.

Any · ~$400-900

low

Coastal / underbody rust

Beach and coastal examples can develop underbody, chassis and tailgate-area rust, as with any used Australian 4WD.

Fix: Inspect the chassis and underbody; favour dry-climate cars and wash down after beach use.

Any · Varies

low

Interior trim / dash heat and UV wear

The hard-wearing cabin is generally tough, but the dash top and plastics can fade or crack with sustained Australian heat and UV.

Fix: Dash mat / cap; sun protection. Cosmetic, not structural.

Any · ~$200-1000

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