Toyota’s 2014 FJ Cruiser boasts fantastic reliability, with just five recalls and 20 complaints registered with the NHTSA. Diving deeper, the most series problems concern the steering and suspension systems.
Key Points
- The 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser has five recalls, just 20 complaints, and zero investigations filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Complaints are over issues like frame rust, a tailgate that won’t unlock, and steering wheel vibrations and stiffness.
- Of the five FJs’ five recalls, most are minor. The most serious recall concerns a small number of units that may have poorly welded steering components that can separate while driving.
- Equipment-related issues in the 2014 FJ Cruiser resulted in two recalls due to safety concerns.
- The 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser holds a “Good” crashworthiness rating from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety and boasts excellent consumer reviews.
Structural Components and Steering Problems Make Up Most 2014 FJ Cruiser Complaints
With only five recalls and 20 complaints on file with the NHTSA, there aren’t many real concerns being reported by 2014 FJ Cruiser owners. Looking through registered owner complaints, the SUVs structure seems to be the most problematic category.
Here you’ll find mentions of frame rust and corrosion as early as 50,000 miles, as well as a faulty tailgate that can’t be unlocked with a key if the engine is running.
Steering problems come in second, with three registered complaints on file. Two of these come from FJ Cruiser owners experiencing steering wheel shimmy and stiffness problems. In both cases, the vehicle started showing problems just weeks after having the tires balanced.
The third steering-related complaint involves one driver reporting the steering wheel shaking and vibrating violently, making the vehicle unstable.
2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser Recalled Five Times, Ranging from Faulty Fuel Pumps to Aftermarket Accessories Falling Off While Driving
The first recall issued for the 2014 FJ Cruiser concerns an incorrect tire label showing the wrong PSI figures. Should owners over/underinflate the tires, handling will be compromised, upping the odds of an accident occurring.
A few months later, Toyota issued another recall, this time over lower ball joints that may detach from the vehicle’s frame. The issue only pertains to FJs with the optional “Trail Teams Ultimate Edition” package. Another recall was sent out over aftermarket accessories not being properly fastened to the SUV and falling off.
One of the most serious recalls involves a poor weld between the steering wheel and steering gearbox. Should the weld fail while the vehicle is in motion, the driver may have difficulty steering it off the road. Thankfully, just 116 FJs were included in this problem.
The most recent recall issued for the 2014 FJ Cruiser involves engine stalls. The culprit was found to be a faulty fuel pump, which would starve the engine of fuel and allow it to stall.
Toyota’s 2014 FJ Cruiser is One of the Most Trouble-free Used SUVs Available
The 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser’s list of significant issues is short. Very few problems affect this SUV’s reliability record. The 2014 FJ boasts a “Great” reliability and quality consumer rating from J.D. Power with a score of 85 out of 100.
The most serious problems concern steering, fuel system, and suspension issues. Thankfully, these have all been recalled, making it a good idea to ensure the repairs have been performed before buying.
Ultimately, with the SUV’s ridiculously low number of owner complaints, the 2014 FJ Cruiser is a gem in its class. Cared for and maintained, there’s no reason the average FJ shouldn’t hit 300,000 miles without issues.
Photos: Toyota
