Why so many '07 FJC's for sale? Common Probs?

[UTREDROK]

Ive been shopping around for an FJ80 for awhile, and recently decided to check out the new FJC's. A search of our local market (Utah, KSL.COM) shows about a dozen 07 FJC's with less than 10K miles on them.

This makes me wonder what is wrong with them that they are being unloaded?

I drove one today, TRD with lots of trimmings with 3300 miles on it. Everything seemed to work as it should.

The owner mentioned that he had to have dealer replace the transfer case already?? Is this a common problem?

Should I be concerned with that?

Thanks!

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

No, I have never heard of a t-case problem. The rig is overbuilt except for the problem of the Ring & Pinion in the rear differential. Supposedly a problem with a manufacturer on FJ rear diffs built before 2/07. I am wishing enough people would complain to Toyota to issue a factory recall to get the rear differential gears replaced.

I love my new FJ except the rear diff. I'm hoping to get it replaced under warranty even though it hasn't exploded on me yet. I don't have time for unexpected explosions of this sort.

 

[FlyNdrive]

Another thing to consider that the drive train and chassis was built to handle V-8 HP and torque from the Toyota Prado, 4-Runner, and Lexus GX470. It is indeed over built and is capable in every sense of the word.

Yes, there is a problem with the rear diff due to a vendor that did not properly heat treat the third ring gear. There is not a recall as of yet, but if you have problems under warranty there is a TSB that covers the problem so will more than likely be covered under warranty.

I hope I answered your questions.

-Ben

 

[woody]

my "guess" is a number of owners purchased the rig simply for the "new car on the block" factor....and once the new car smell left, they decided that they needed the next "new car on the block"....

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

Another thing to consider that the drive train and chassis was built to handle V-8 HP and torque from the Toyota Prado, 4-Runner, and Lexus GX470. It is indeed over built and is capable in every sense of the word.

Yes, there is a problem with the rear diff due to a vendor that did not properly heat treat the third ring gear. There is not a recall as of yet, but if you have problems under warranty there is a TSB that covers the problem so will more than likely be covered under warranty.

I hope I answered your questions.

-Ben

I keep hearing about this Tech Bulletin, but nobody ever publishes a copy of it. Is there something I can print off and take to Toyota and say "I'd like you to repair this before it leaves me stranded"?

It just seems nobody cares if it explodes on them while on the trail. What if you're not with a group of people to help? What if you're out in the middle of no-mans-land and the diff goes out and it's a 40 mile walk through a desert? I for one want my rear diff taken care of BEFORE it explodes and leaves me in a bind, or life and death situation. What is Toyota doing for us?

I looked inside the drivers door, and mine was built in 6/2006.

 

[BRICKTOP]

yup

Yeah, a lot of people wanted the "different" rig and now that they aren't so unique, they're trading back into their heated leather seat SUVs. I run a Jeep dealership and there are a lot of people trading them in on the new JKs too. Some going to the Rubicon for the offroad capability, but most just using the 4 door Wrangler for the same thing they used their FJs for...commuters and mall crawlers.
That is the big reason the FJs are so far below KBB wholesale right now. Initially their value was STRONG and Kelley reflected that. They will adjust over the next 6 months so the book values will drop quickly but the actual values will be much closer in relation to the book figures.

 

[SHANE07TACOKILLER]

FJ

If you can afford to buy an FJ, do it.
If you need a mall crawler buy a jeep.
I've been on some pretty good offroad adventures with my buddy in his fj and it is a great truck.
I would've got one myself but I needed a truck.

 

[FirstToy]

The $4/gallon gas prices and the trendy nature of the FJC probably has a lot to do with it too.

by 'trendy' I mean a lot of people that just got it for looks. 07-08 is a big year for new models so people are probably moving on.

 

[BMThiker]

a TSB on the rear diff is news to me too.

 

[NYCTRD]

It's likely several factors, including the diff issues, body cracks, the windshields cracking, early windshield seal leaks--

Then the folks who really wanted a mall cruiser get tired of poor rear visibility, plain seats, lack of other luxury ammenities and the impracticality of storage & the rear seats.

Let's face it, I think the rush to market left a few too many unresolved kinks and hurt their rep a bit.

I'm personally waiting to have the field rep look at my fender apron bulges & I'm replacing the rear diff oil this weekend to see how black it is and what's swimming around in it (12-k miles). But I love the truck.

 

[D'Animal]

Lease is up.

 

[Stinkyfinger]

Some of the manuals have had problems with the transfer case. I forget exactly what it is,but something gets misaligned when you put it into 4 low, making it impossible to get it out of 4 low. When this happens the dealerships replace the transfer case with a new style case without any questions asked.
Mine acts up sometimes, it doesn't stick in 4low but it can be a bear to get out. I was going to bring it up to the dealership, but I'm assuming they won't replace it until it breaks.

Their are a lot of impulse buyers out their who like to buy the newest items to be cool or to become part of the "in crowd".
Or buy the fj on the looks or the cute factor(I hate when people call it cute ) then
realize that the FJ is really a big gas hungry SUV, that is better suited for the trails then the mall parking lot.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I know a few people who bought an FJ, believing they were getting the Toyota version of the Honda Element. They didn't understand the difference, which is why they sold it after 10k.

I am actually glad to see it happen. FJ's need the "right" owners.

 

[PhilC64]

I'd chalk it up to "6 4 6" is all! Remember everything is relative!

 

[Cruiserdrew]

The $4/gallon gas prices and the trendy nature of the FJC probably has a lot to do with it too.

by 'trendy' I mean a lot of people that just got it for looks. 07-08 is a big year for new models so people are probably moving on.

I agree. I think for many, it's just a car, it isn't personal. The original owners have their 2 years out of it and it's on to the next thing. I'm Ok with that type of thinking, not that I share it.

You have to remember almost no one in the grand scheme, knows about the broken diffs or other problem areas. Only the 1% whack jobs that go offroad and hang out on ih8mud.

 

[ToyotaDon]

The only TSB for the diffs on the FJC is the one regarding a new Synthetic Gear Oil. Here is an excerpt from that TSB:

The differential gear oil used in 4Runner and FJ Cruiser vehicles has been changed to
a 75W–85 GL5 synthetic gear oil beginning with the 2008 model year. This new
synthetic gear oil is compatible with 2003 – 2007 model year 4Runner and 2007 model
year FJ Cruiser differentials. Please refer to the Parts Information section below for
information about this gear oil and use this gear oil (or equivalent) when filling front or

rear differentials with oil

​

​

​

​

We have had a few ring gears with broken teeth on the Tacoma, but haven't seen any yet on the FJC. Whenever we see a broken ring gear we kind of wonder how the truck is being used, but warranty will usually cover it up to 60K IIRC.

Another thing to consider that the drive train and chassis was built to handle V-8 HP and torque from the Toyota Prado, 4-Runner, and Lexus GX470. It is indeed over built and is capable in every sense of the word.

Yes, there is a problem with the rear diff due to a vendor that did not properly heat treat the third ring gear. There is not a recall as of yet, but if you have problems under warranty there is a TSB that covers the problem so will more than likely be covered under warranty.

I hope I answered your questions.

-Ben

 

[LandCruisers4Life]

I drained my rear diff and put in heavy duty 85W 140.

 

[FJ Grover]

I agree. I think for many, it's just a car, it isn't personal. The original owners have their 2 years out of it and it's on to the next thing. I'm Ok with that type of thinking, not that I share it.

You have to remember almost no one in the grand scheme, knows about the broken diffs or other problem areas. Only the 1% whack jobs that go offroad and hang out on ih8mud.

I guess that makes me a WJIT - Wack job in training - Can't wait for the first event - so where's the December snow blizzard already?

 

[sandbox31]

Used

I bought my FJC used 11k miles. I got car fax report for about 15 used models and the common theme for about 14 of them were that the owner could not afford the payments. I think there were many people who wanted one but later found out they could not afford it. The car fax report will tell you if there is a lean against the car. If your interested in buying one do your research on the one you buy before you buy.

 

[voodoofx]

Why people sell.

I've owned a lot of cars and trucks over the years, but the list of dislikes is the longest with the FJ. I admit I should have spent more time checking it out when I bought it 20 months ago. The skid plate is flimsy crap, the bumpers are flimsy crap. The roof rack is... The upright, flat windshield pits easily. The A pillars combined with the mirrors and seating position make for awful visability especially when descending steep twisty roads/trails in the rain. The seats lack lateral support. The power amp is near useless. Nobody likes riding in the dark claustrophobic back seats. The rear seats dont fold flat. No interior door handle for the back door makes it an awful pain if you do sleep in the back and need to take a leak. The spare is mounted too high. The doors wont lock if the rear window is open. Gas mileage really sucks. Off-road the FJ excels but like most people the vast majority of my driving is pavement.