ToyotaFJ Cruiser2012Overview/toyota/fj-cruiser/2012/base/

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 FJ Cruiser.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is an SUV that carries forward the model’s rugged design, and its engine requires a 6.4‑qt oil capacity with API‑specified 0W‑20/5W‑20 lubrication, while the Automatic 5‑speed transmission is paired with EPA‑rated fuel economy of 17 city/20 highway/19 combined mpg. Within the model’s complaint history from 2006 to 2015, the 2012 version records 39 total owner complaints, a figure that sits well below the 593 complaints recorded in the peak year of 2007 and reflects the relative stability of the later production years. It also carries five recorded recalls, with the most frequent complaint area listed as “Unknown Or Other,” underscoring a modest but improving reliability profile for that model year.

Model year2014201320122010200920082007

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 / 5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/20/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265-70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter1780138051
Spark plug9091901191
Battery2880054020
Front wiper blades8521213031 alt 8521235091
Serpentine belt90916A2015
Thermostat1632631050 alt 160310P010
Cabin air filter871394701083

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.2 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height72 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight4328 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 20 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the FJ Cruiser of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2007 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009SUV 4.0L V67.30 sec15.80 sec239 hp4x4
2008SUV 4.0L V67.40 sec15.80 sec239 hp4x4
2007SUV 4.0L V67.20 sec16.10 sec239 hp4x4
2007SUV 4.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec239 hp4x4
2006SUV 4.0L V67.60 sec15.90 sec239 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.4 qt of 0W-20 / 5W-20 API engine oil, 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil0W-20 · API · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity6.4 qt
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3 Pints
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity2.2 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10MM Bolts: 7 ft-lbs, 12MM Bolts: 18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts192 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing8-12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle91 ft-lbs / 78 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in / 0.0079 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.63 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 FJ Cruiser sits near the apex of the complaint curve that peaks in 2007 and then steadily declines, with 39 complaints that year versus 1 in 2006 and 6 in 2009. Its recall count of 5 is lower than the 9 recalls in 2007 and the 12 in 2008, reflecting a gradual reduction in safety‑related issues across the generation. The 2012 model shows a modest rise in top complaint areas—“Unknown Or Other,” “Structure,” “Steering,” and “Seat Belts” each at six reports—yet no crash or fire complaints, indicating that most problems are non‑critical. Compared to the following years (23 complaints in 2013 and 30 in 2014), 2012’s figures are intermediate, suggesting a stable but not exceptional reliability profile. Overall, 2012 offers a reasonable balance of low recall activity and manageable complaint levels, making it a viable choice for a used buyer if the vehicle has been well maintained.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
203
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
39
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 39 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other6
Structure6
Steering6
Seat Belts5
Seats2
Suspension,Unknown Or Other1
Structure,Unknown Or Other1
Suspension,Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V475000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 04/08/2014

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's… Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the…

13V163000Exterior LightingReported 25/04/2013

Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2007-2013 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured January 25, 2006 through February 23, 2013 and equipped with a Toyota Auxiliary Driving Lamp Kits mounted to… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 55 watt bulbs with 35 watt bulbs, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 203 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific FJ Cruiser. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 FJ Cruiser take?

6.4 qt of 0W-20 API, 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 FJ Cruiser have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the FJ Cruiser get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 20 highway / 19 combined mpg.