I have dealt with Toyota/Lexus over another issue that was covered up for a long time. I bought a 2004 ES330 Lexus. Loved the car for the first 3 or 4 days, and then a weird thing started to happen. As the car learned how I drove, it also "forgot" to accelerate. At a left turn, as I would hit the accelerator, nothing happened for 1-2 seconds and then the car would surge with wheels spinning. I started to research this problem. Not too many sedan Lexus owners belong to forums, so I just started looking at other Toyotas with the 3.3 liter engine and fly by wire acceleration. I logged my complaint with NHTSA, and found at least 8 other complaints on there(in the mean time, I went to the dealer with this many many times). Finally in 2005 as my wife was making a left turn, she had the same thing happen, and the car was almost hit. I called Toyota/Lexus and explained to them that I am not a happy camper. They finally bought the car back. Since then, they have released multiple TSBs on fly by wire acceleration hesitation. There are numerous programs out there. Our minivan with the 3.3 engine had this problem too, but not as severely. There are now hundreds of complaints on NHTSA regarding this issue.
Toyota is very good at hiding crap like this. When I bought my 2008 FJ, I already knew that I will end up with this problem, and that sooner or later I will probably have to fix it. I honestly do not see Toyota getting involved unless someone is hurt by this.
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2008 FJ Crawler (ARB FJ Cruiser through DSI), 3 inch OME Lift, 305/65/17 Pro Comp Tires, ARB Black Bumper, Warn Winch
Mods that I have made:
Nuvi GPS Hard wire and mount above mirror
Reverse camera from Sam's Club (7" screen mounted in visor)
Other rides:
2008 Z06 Corvette pushing 500 hp to wheels
2008 AWD Chevy Express Conversion Van (Southern Comfort)
I doubt it. Otherwise there would be a lot of recalls. The FJ has a "body on frame" construction like that of a pick up. If it was a unibody, i think then you may have a problem.
Yes. If it was unsafe and causing people to get in wrecks and die, there would be a recall or we would have heard of it on the forum. I don't know how dangerous it is, but i would bet it is not going to make a significant difference in a collision. As cruiserlarry said and i agree, if you make your own modifications to the fender area, you are assuring that toyota will deny you for a claim if you wish to have them repair it later on.
If you look at this little diagram, maybe you will change your mind about it not being a frame issue....
The fender is supposed to crumple in that area upon front impact. When you flex an inner fender multiple times, the steel fatigues and it cracks...
It would be interesting to see if there is an identification on the frame indicating a date of manufacture... It is possible that its just a batch of steel that was "OK" but on the low sides of the specs used in frame construction -which would explain why some dont have this problem.
Having worked in automotive QS 9000 for 5 yrs as production manager, setting up the various production paperwork, I know all these things are traceable right down to the coil of steel it came from... and the steel supplier is supposed to be able to do the same in their process.
Holy cow! I'm going to check mine out tonight since it's a 2007. I guess I'll be riding the trails a little bit slower now.
Any word on whether Toyota has decided to do anything about the older models? I saw on wikipedia that they re-designed the inner fenders after late 2008 models. True? So are they just going to do it case-by-case and claim "abuse" if you've ever taken your FJ off-road?
reported rips in mine at 40,000 miles and was turned down as out of warrantee, not covered on extended either. I have 60,000 now and is getting worse. just an FYI
My FJ is 2007 model but I don't know production date. However I don't see any crack or bulges yet, FJ has 9700 miles now no crazy off road yet just unpaved road drive. I install heavy Fab Four bumper with winch but no wheel lift.
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'07 Black, TRD cat-back, JBA short header, K&N CAI, PIAA sports horn, carbon fiber pedals, URD short shifter, TRD shift knob, IMP knob, TRD key, Fab Four brush bumper, Superwinch, side steps, Bilstein HD shoks.
If you look at this little diagram, maybe you will change your mind about it not being a frame issue....
The fender is supposed to crumple in that area upon front impact. When you flex an inner fender multiple times, the steel fatigues and it cracks...
It would be interesting to see if there is an identification on the frame indicating a date of manufacture... It is possible that its just a batch of steel that was "OK" but on the low sides of the specs used in frame construction -which would explain why some dont have this problem.
Having worked in automotive QS 9000 for 5 yrs as production manager, setting up the various production paperwork, I know all these things are traceable right down to the coil of steel it came from... and the steel supplier is supposed to be able to do the same in their process.
I have been looking into a FJ,,, this is good info guy!
I also thought it would be bad if the fj was a spaceframe,, support wise. But this looks just like front clipp.
reported rips in mine at 40,000 miles and was turned down as out of warrantee, not covered on extended either. I have 60,000 now and is getting worse. just an FYI
And thats Bad news,,,Esp. for a person looking at the FJ.
There has to be a recall soon,, right? Isnt Toyota all about quilty and the personal experience? Always number one?
Also real quick,,, when is it that they Are discontinuing the FJ ,, is the last year 2010?
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