2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Water inside All years One source so far

  What to check: Feel for wet or moldy carpet, and look for silt behind the low door seals and stains low on the carpet.

  A blocked air-conditioning drain can cause it. A truck that has been in deep water is one to walk away from.

  Sources ¹¹

• Frame rust or cracks All years One source so far

  What to check: Look at the frame for rust and cracks, above all under the engine.

  Sources ¹¹

• Sagging seats All years One source so far

  What to check: Notice on the test drive whether the seat sinks toward the floor.

  Sources ¹¹

• Faulty off-road electronics All years One source so far

  What to check: Try A-TRAC and the rear locker. A blinking light on the dash means a fault.

  Sources ¹¹

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

• Good find Trail Teams Special Edition Package

  Limited runs, 3,200 in the first year¹

  Why it is a good find: AutoGuide names the TRD and Trail Teams Special Edition models the most desirable FJ Cruisers.¹²

• Good find Radiant Red Color

  A Trail Teams Special Edition color^1,7

  Why it is a good find: It marks a Trail Teams Special Edition, which AutoGuide names, with the TRD models, the most desirable FJ Cruisers.¹²

Recalls

• 09V223000 2007–2009

  The load capacity label was missing. A new label is supplied.^13,14,15

• 11V148000 2008–2011

  The tire pressure warning was not recalibrated, so it may not warn of a low tire.^14,15,16,17

• 12E046000 2007–2012

  Wheel weights in the wrong place can damage a brake tube and cause a fluid leak. The tube is replaced.^{13,14,15,16,17,18}

• 13V098000 2007–2013

  The rear access door panel that holds the front seat belt retractors can crack, and a retractor could come loose in a crash.^{13,14,15,16,17,18,19}

• 13V163000 2007–2013

  The lamps are too bright with their 55-watt bulbs, which are replaced.^{13,14,15,16,17,18,19}

• 14V475000 2008–2014

  The tire placard may give the wrong spare tire size and pressures.^{14,15,16,17,18,19,20}

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: 2009 and later trucks 2009–2014 One source so far

  Autotrader.ca's used review recommends a 2009 or later, after the cracking around the fenders and door openings was addressed.¹¹

• Avoid: Modified or hard-used trucks Non-factory wheels, tires or suspension Less sought after One source so far

  The same review says to avoid trucks with non-factory wheels, tires or suspension, and any that have been used hard off-road.¹¹

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.