A class action lawsuit against Toyota has been filed over allegations of frame rust and corrosion in 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for the alleged defect, which they say causes the frame to rust and fail leading to serious safety concerns. Read on for more information about the Toyota FJ Cruiser frame rust lawsuit, and what it could mean for affected owners.
FJ Cruiser Frame Rust Problems
Plaintiffs allege that a manufacturing defect causes excessive rust and corrosion to the frames of 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles. The suit claims the defect weakens the structure of the vehicle, therefore posing a serious safety threat to vehicle occupants. In some cases, vehicles failed to pass safety inspection and are no longer safe to drive. As a result, owners find themselves stuck with a vehicle that is no longer legally allowed on the roads with a greatly diminished resale value.
Toyota Activity Marketed the FJ Cruiser with Special “Electrocoat Deposition” Rust Protection Coating
Despite Toyota’s marketing highlighting the “Electrocoat Deposition” protective coating, plaintiff’s claim FJ Cruiser frames prematurely rust and corrode at an accelerated rate. The suit states Toyota had been aware of the frame defect, but failed to disclose the defect to owners.
Testing and Analysis
Expert analysis has revealed that the FJ Cruiser frames were corroding under the epoxy. In fact, the analysis indicates the corrosion was a result of the zinc phosphate coating Toyota used being inadequate to protect against corrosion and rust. Analysis also documented the discontinuous nature of the zinc phosphorus layer (pretreatment) in all of the frames analyzed. As a result, the discontinuous coating allows sections of the frame to be unprotected and more likely to suffer rust damage.
In fact, plaintiffs’ extensive expert analysis confirmed that Toyota was aware of the frame defect. However, Toyota continued to market and sell the vehicles without resolving the corrosion defect.
Vehicles Affected
- 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Is It Safe To Drive a Car With a Rusted Frame?
It is not safe to drive a car with a rusted frame as rust is a form of corrosion that slowly eats the car frame. This corrosion turns the strong metal into flaky powder, eventually damaging it to a level where it’s structural integrity is compromised.
What is Electrocoat Deposition?
Electrocoat, also known as electrodeposition coating, is a method of painting that uses electrical current to deposit paint on a surface. This process involves the vehicle body to be immersed in a large E-coat bath. The coating is engineered to prevent rust from forming to both the outer surface and internal structures.
Status of the Toyota FJ Cruiser Frame Rust Class Action Lawsuit
This is an active class action lawsuit. This suit has been brought on behalf of the Plaintiffs and a class of current and former 2007-2014 FJ Cruiser vehicle owners.
Nazos et al. v. Toyota Motor Corporation et al. Case No. 2:22-cv-02214, was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
FJ Cruiser Owners’ Voices
“The chassis is so corroded and full of rust it has got to a point of loosing the strength and integrity of the whole body. This is very worrisome specially if the car is involved in an accident where the front part chassis cannot resist the impact.”
2007 FJ Cruiser Owner Complaint
“At 55,000 miles (6 years old) my front gravel shield had completely rusted off and was found in my driveway…I am terrified at the thought that I could’ve been driving and my control arms could’ve rusted off like my gravel shield did.”
2011 FJ Cruiser Owner Complaint
“Frame is rusting to the point it is about to break.”
2007 FJ Cruiser Owner Complaint
“I took my car in for an inspection at my Toyota dealership today. I was told if I’m going to sell it or trade it in that now would be the time to do it…The tech said there are some very weak areas on the frame and that it could fracture with impact or maybe will eventually by hitting a bad pothole…It seemed frightening to me that they suggested I sell it to someone else and not disclose this potentially life threatening issue.”
2008 FJ Cruiser Owner Complaint
Questions About This Lawsuit?
MyCarVoice.com is not counsel or the settlement administrator in this class action lawsuit. Our goal is to inform owners of these vehicles of the current lawsuit.
This post will be updated as more information is officially announced. Please consider subscribing to this post for critical updates.
Submit your Toyota FJ Cruiser Car Complaint
Last Updated on May 6, 2022
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Christopher is an internet technology expert and mechanical engineer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. He loves nothing more than taking something apart and putting it back together again–better than before. Learn more about us
Frank
April 7, 2022 at 10:53 am2007 FJ. Undercarriage covered in rust. Nervous to drive it as the metal flakes keep falling off every single day.
Nathan Shaffer
April 7, 2022 at 11:55 amI have a 2007 Fj base 6 speed and I have not seen any rust with my vehicle but I also live in north texas. I am hoping to use my fj to travel to parts of the world that could cause minor rust and I cant do that if I fear my frame might fall apart.
George Powers
April 7, 2022 at 12:55 pmHad my 2007 FJ Cruiser inspected and was told the undercarriage is so rusted that I should sell or trade in before something dangerous occurs.
Ted
April 7, 2022 at 2:47 pmI have a 2007 FJ cruiser with rust. How do I become part of this lawsuit ?
Christopher
April 7, 2022 at 3:42 pmYou don’t need to do anything, as you are automatically part of the suit unless you write a letter opting out. But I would either submit your car complaint here, or subscribe to this post. This way when news becomes available, you will be notified.
Layman
April 7, 2022 at 4:09 pmI have a 2007 fj cruiser and it has rust
Richard Wilson
May 29, 2022 at 10:59 amNice to know that us fj owner don’t need to do anything to be apart of it.
DeShaun Jackson
January 13, 2023 at 1:32 am2007 TRD rust out of control
Ralph
October 14, 2022 at 12:25 pmI have the same question about my 2007 fj.
Pat Gram
April 7, 2022 at 4:28 pmWe have a 2012 and it is starting to rust…only 107k on it
Anthony Evans
April 7, 2022 at 5:22 pmI have a toyota fj cruiser also what do I have to do an I have a few more payment left
Samuel Steinmetz
April 7, 2022 at 6:14 pmI have a 2011 Trailteams edition FJ, I live in Tennessee and I purchased my FJ new and plan on driving it for a good long while, so with only minor frame rust at this time I’m concerned that this could become worse. Hopefully Toyota will take care of their vehicle problems before they get worse. This is not their first frame corrosion issue.
A lifelongLoyal Toyota Custer.
Clint Sterba
April 7, 2022 at 6:20 pmI have a 2007 FJ and I’m worried too
James
April 7, 2022 at 6:48 pmHorrible rust on mine, had to garage it because it’s unsafe to drive. The pictures I have are telling of a huge frame issue. Contacted Toyota and they gave me the cold shoulder.
Ali
April 7, 2022 at 11:00 pmHave 2007 fj cruser lot of rust, spend lots of $$ to treat the frame, rust treatment and special under coating, am I going to get my $$ back?
Rob
April 8, 2022 at 4:49 am2014 fj 45k Rust……
Alec
April 8, 2022 at 8:26 am2014 FJ Cruiser, 50k miles the rust is awful. Flaking off and can push my finger through in spots. I am spending $3k to have it treated to extend the life of the frame a few years before I’ll need to do the $20k replacement
Jay
April 15, 2022 at 11:28 amSame situation with same model year, original owner as well. Looking into having it treated this year.
Pete Wunsche
October 30, 2022 at 9:38 pmMy 07 cruiser had so much corrosion on the frame that the rear frame and trailer hitch literally crumbled and failed just after I towed my ultra light trailer from Ontario to the east coast over 7000 km. I was very fortunate that my trailer didn’t rip the frame off my truck and kill us or someone else on the road. Luckily my son is a welder and has welded up a whole new back frame so that I didn’t have to pull it off the road, since I purchased this truck only 18 months ago and still owe a boatload on it. The dealership had undercoated it so thick you couldn’t see the deterioration under it.
Phil Roseman
January 13, 2023 at 11:51 pmI have a 2011 rusting and flaking off in driveway. Have been taking to Zoe art for coating each year, but it’s not slowing it much. I’m going to need a new frame.
Aamir
April 8, 2022 at 11:01 amThey should include all vehicles that share a similar platform. 4Runners, Tacoma’s, Tundra’s, GX470 and such should be included with the FJ Cruiser. I don’t see why Toyota won’t don’t anything to rectify their mistakes.
Garrett
April 9, 2022 at 9:32 amI live in Florida and I already have rust on my 07
Antonio
April 9, 2022 at 10:50 amI love my FJ but this is worrisome. I’d like to continue driving it for a long while but safety comes first. Hope issue is resolved, I’d like to stay posted.
Michael Gardner
April 9, 2022 at 11:34 pmI have a 2007 FJ cruiser and my frame is well questionable it’s not horrible but it is questionable and I would actually like to have it replaced because of the fact that it’s questionable the FJ originated back East and now is in the Midwest so not as bad roadwise but well yeah. If I could get the frame replaced that would be awesome because I have no intentions of getting rid of it.
Allison
April 10, 2022 at 7:51 pmI have been writing complaining seeking info on a lawsuit……my prayers have been answered!
LUIS
April 12, 2022 at 8:37 amI HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA FJ AND I REALLY WORRIED CAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES BACK AND FOURTH TO WORK, IF ANYTHING I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE THEM BACK IN, AND GIVE US THE SAME PRICE WE PAID FOR IT ON A NEW FJ CRUISER OR ANOTHER TYPE OF TOYOTA VEHICAL, I JUST DONT SEE TOYOTA DOING ANYTHING ABOUIT IT, OTHER THAN TRADING IT IN AND BILLING YOU FOR A NEW VEHICAL COMPLETELY, JUST SCREWING YOU OVER ON IT. BUT HOPFULLY THIS LAWSUIT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, WE BOUGHT OURS BRAND NEW AS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DID.
I HOPE THIS GO’S THROUGH.
Cheri
April 14, 2022 at 12:28 pmI have an 07 that has some rust, I almost lost my gas tank due to the rust breaking one of the bands holding it on. I don’t feel like it is normal for it to have the amount that it does.
Jay
April 15, 2022 at 11:25 am2014 FJ rust issues, original owner as well.
Mary Rivera
April 20, 2022 at 4:36 pmI purchased my FJ Cruiser brand new in 2007 and at only 5000 miles the entire brake line had rusted out. Toyota charged me almost $4000 to replace it. Next the frame completely rusted out along with everything else underneath. I had to ship it out of town because Toyota told me there was nothing they could do. It cost me nearly $13,000 to have a used frame installed. I only have 30,000 miles on this vehicle.
Joan-Marie Domino
April 20, 2022 at 6:07 pmI am original owner of ‘07 Toyota FJ Crusier. The rust under my truck was frightening with only 75,000 miles. I had rust remediation as it was cheaper then buying another truck. It was very expensive to repair but the truck is now safe to drive. Why did Toyota address this same issue with their other model trucks, but ignore the FJ Cruiser with same frame issues?
tom stanger
May 7, 2022 at 12:08 ami have a 2007 bought new in 06, one of the first batch. body and drivetrain in great shape, but the paint on the frame is gone and rust is everywhere. looks like i will loose the farthest rear cross member soon. for a truck that looks this good from the curb, i am afraid to pull a trailer with it. i expected better from Toyota
Theresa
May 14, 2022 at 2:48 pmMy FJ CRUISER has rust! They need to fix this issue. If your company is based on safety, FIX THIS ISSUE!!
Antonio Garcia
May 21, 2022 at 6:05 pm2011 FJ 6spd manual. 124500 miles on it. Showing rust on random spots of the frame. How will be compensated?
Richard Wilson
May 29, 2022 at 10:53 am2010 fj here. Has minor rust last time i had it in the air. But now knowing there’s issues withe the frames. This is my daily. I can’t have this thing get so bad it will compromise the safety and integrity of the vehicle with my baby in it. And a new vehicle is just out of budget right now.
JOHN KIELBASA
June 2, 2022 at 10:12 amI had my 2010 FJ serviced by Toyota deales since I purchased it back 2009 and not one of them said anything about my badley rusted frame. I just had it serviced at a local shop and the mechanic warned me that the frame plus are rusted so bad he might not be able to fix it any more. Thankfully I only use it for local trips around town, I am so pissed at Toyota I ordered a 2022 Ford F250 to replace my 2018 Tundra !!!!!
Terry W.
June 7, 2022 at 8:31 amI own a 2007 Toyota FJcruiser and I live in PA. I just noticed a hole in my frame on the passenger side right near the front wheel. And there is plenty of other heavy rust on the frame as well. I have an appointment with a frame shop that has to diagnose the rest of the frame to check for other problem areas. It will be interesting what other things he finds wrong with the frame!
Christopher
June 7, 2022 at 8:33 amKeep us posted Terry!
Jacob
June 19, 2022 at 1:07 amWe’re are we at with the lawsuit? Or is the going to be one that sitting in courtroom for 2years. My trailing arm is being held on by hopes and dreams.
Christopher
June 20, 2022 at 9:35 amJacob if the trailing arm is at a point it’s unsafe to drive with, I recommend replacing asap. Keep all receipts of work performed for if/when this case settles you may be reimbursed.
Ken Wagner
June 26, 2022 at 11:54 amThanks for all of this great information. I have a 2010 FJ which I love! This is a very unfortunate situation, since I planned on driving this for a long time to come.
My vehicle is in great shape with the exception of the extremely rusted frame. The dealer recommended replacing it at a cost or $8,000 + anything they “break” while completing the service.
Glad to know this is an “opt-out” class action suit, meaning I don’t need to do anything to be a part of it.
Steve H.
July 19, 2022 at 2:54 pm2007 FJ. Bought it a year ago for $16,000. The body is in great shape, but the frame has four body mounts rusted away and a suspension link mount is gone. It cannot be driven. The whole frame is covered in extremely serious rust. It sits in my driveway, looking great and being useless. Shocking and dis-hearting for my son that bought his dream truck. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Ashot Saakov
September 21, 2022 at 12:29 amI have 2007 FJ cruiser, second owner 132000 miles. I live in NY, I checked the frame and bottom of the car, everything is rusted I use rust converter and then coated with undercoat just try to stop this issues and I was shock how danger it can be in case of any accident.
Shandee Johnson
September 30, 2022 at 10:35 pmI have a 2012 FJ Cruiser with 116,000. The rust is starting to scare me. I just got the transmission flushed and the front and rear differential fluids changed and was told from my Toyota dealership service that I must have moved from somewhere up north because my frame was so rusty and that next time the service would probably take longer due to rust damage. My body, engine, and interior are in excellent condition but the frame makes it almost seem worthless. I was told by a mechanic friend to hurry up and sell it while I still could. I just really love it and want it fixed. I would feel guilty selling it to someone I would only trade it back to Toyota. I am just really mad about the situation I am in.
Lyon
October 12, 2022 at 8:19 pm2007 170k miles. Bolts are breaking off due to rust. It’s my daily driver. I really don’t know how long it’ll last. Slowly deteriorating. Please Toyota do something about it
Ralph
October 14, 2022 at 12:28 pmMy 07 fj started rusting a few yrs ago, so I was interested in finding out the results of this suit when I came across it
ali p
October 29, 2022 at 7:22 amI have been looking for any updates and have not found one since April. I’m ready for a new frame!!!! Does anyone have any updates??
Frank
November 11, 2022 at 6:02 pmI am a proud owner of a 2008 FJ. 2 years ago I was told during MD State inspection that I should pay attention to my frame in coming years. According to the surveyor, FJ Cruiser frames has rusted the same way as the Takoma frames.
I hope this class action make its way to the highest level and every owner gets the benefits of it.
Kurt
November 11, 2022 at 10:29 pmAny idea how long Toyota is going to drag this out before a settlement?
Pease keep me updated!
Kendra Hawkins
November 24, 2022 at 1:10 amAll of the above and worse! I can’t afford to do anything else. Toyota help us !
Jean
November 25, 2022 at 9:01 pmI own a 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser which I bought brand new when they first came out. After owning it for 3 year, I started noticing rust underneath and the dealer also brought it to my attention. The rust has been getting worse every year. I have had to replaced so many parts that have been eaten away by the rust. Now my frame has holes the size of a fist. I have complained to Toyota multiple times and was told that they did not have enough complaints about the rust and that I needed to sell the car or trade it in. Very insulting! I’m glad to see people airing out their complaints. I pray that this frame issue is resolved by Toyota.
Micah I
December 15, 2022 at 8:14 pm07 Fj Cruiser
I’ve treated with 3m underbody protection, and another type of rust killer oil that got into every crevice. Through professional businesses not a DIY – I still get rust problems.