My 2007 Fj cruiser has about 125,000 miles on it. Last week I noticed that when I drive 45-50 mph the truck makes a noise and shaking in the rear end and bounces slightly. The truck is automatic but when this happens it feels as if I'm driving an automatic vehicle and am in the wrong gear. (loose feeling power train) they checked the universals and they were fine and changed the fluid in the rear pumpkin but still no fix. Now they are telling me try replacing the fluids and filters in the transmission. (another $180 repair bill) this sound only happens when I'm coasting with accelerator at 45-50 mph and not going up any hills or heavy acceleration. I have an appointment to do the transmission service and I hope it fixes the problem.

- Congers, NY, USA

Rear differential failure. Gear whine/ grind noise getting louder on rear differential. Gear backlash increase. Apparently Toyota is aware of substandard ring and pinion gears in early Fj cruisers and changed the design in later models. Vehicle has never been subjected to off road conditions. Fear gear is going to break and leave me stranded somewhere, so need to replace assembly. Toyota should recall these early differentials as the problem is well documented on all the fj forum sites.

- Sherwood Forest, CA, USA

2007 Fj cruiser, at 34066 miles on October 22 2009 vehicle was taken Toyota dealership in alvin, tx for diagnostic test on the complaint of the manual transmission making a high pitched squeak. At that time the dealership replaced the entire transmission under warranty, but at that time there wasn't a fix for the problem. They replaced a broken transmission with one that was prone to fail again. As of today april06 2015 the vehicle is squeaking once again from transmission. Toyota knows of the condition. Tsb 036510 is a fix for the issue but is only covered under 60K mi.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

Noise from rear of vehicle progressively worsened over 3-4 weeks. Extreme whine/hum with wheel rotation with corresponding decreased gas mileage. Took to dealership and was told that the rear bearings were "shot" and the rear differentials needed to be replaced. I have completed all regularly scheduled maintenance the entire almost 9 years that I've owned the vehicle and have never had any issues. Estimated cost for dealership to repair is ~$2000. Car has 115,000 miles. Wouldn't expect an expense of this magnitude when all maintenance has been completed by dealership.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

Vehicle has loud humming or whining noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. Noise starts around 25 mph and continues to get louder the faster the vehicle goes. Problem didn't begin until around 120500. Notified dealership and they stated that there wasn't anything that could be done other than replace the rear differential and bearings.

- San Marcos, TX, USA

This is a complaint upon Toyota and as they have been aware of manufactured defect in the rear differential gears and bearings of most if not all 2007 Fj cruisers. All that are made in 2006 for sale in 2007 have or will have a differential go out as it is a "2000 dollar time bomb waiting to happen as the Toyota service manager stated" I asked the manager if any assistance has been given to any of these repairs as it is a common problem with all 07's and he said Toyota just assisted one they did a few months back and it was out of warranty. With this information it seemed it could be a possibility since Toyota is very aware of the manufactured defect of the rear differential. So I left the Toyota dealership and made my call right away as to just be frustrated as they stated they could not assist in anyway other than file a claim. Still the case even after mentioning that Toyota assisted in paying for some of the cost of this defective part replacement of another same year not that long ago and still got a big no way can we help in anyway with costs as it is not a safety hazard, but to me it could be a safety hazard as I have heard that the rear differential can go out and no powertrain at all at any given moment and could in the middle of an intersection turning, up a hill, passing another vehicle, pulling a trailer, etc. My differential cover is also starting to get hot and smell from I imagine friction. Anyhow so many incidents of the same case with the same year and same problem, its hard to say how many really complaints and claims they have gotten. I have been told more than a thousand cases. Please take this serious and Toyota needs to own up to it for allowing a time bomb waiting to happen and some of those customers had it happen as soon as 65,000 miles just out of warranty. Many others experience the same problem even at earlier mileage just out of warranty.

- East Peoria, IL, USA

The transmission on my Fj cruiser is shuddering. It first started at low speeds of 25 mph, it now does it at higher rates of speed (50 mph). I was led to believe that it was my tires since they are 21 inch tires. I brought it to a dealership a few weeks ago (August 2014) and was told it is the transmission. I then did my research and have learned that numerous drivers of the 2007 Fj cruiser are experiencing the same issue, and now that the car has over 100,000 miles on it, it is no longer covered under warranty. One just needs to google "2007 Toyota Fj cruiser shuttering transmission" and you will find close to 60 pages of complaints about this very same issue. Please help us. Toyota knows this is an issue and needs to step up. This fix is costly... close to $5000 to rebuild a transmission.

- Swansea, MA, USA

I was driving on a surface street and felt a strange but and then a distinct thump, thump, thump, sound began emitting from the rear of the vehicle, I contacted my local Toyota deal but they failed to provide me with any helpful information regarding any recalls regarding the rear differential. Since I had the vehicle at a shop already and it was out of warranty, I allowed an outside shop to do the work. 1ea ring and pinion gear set, 1ea bearings kit, 1ea seals kit, synthetic oil, and labor for a total of $2002.20 I find it hard to believe a vehicle with 41.000 miles on would have it rear differential fail in the manner that this unit failed.

- Westlake Village, CA, USA

This problem started with my 2007 Toyota Fj cruiser (6 speed manual) with only 84K miles. There is this squeaky noise coming under the vehicle and every time I pressed the clutch about 1-2 inches that noise goes away. After taking this to the mechanic we have found that the noise was coming from the throw out bearing, after much investigation I also found that this a very common issue with this model transmission. And more than 65% driver have this issue in the past. I have contacted the Toyota of North America hq and they bluntly refuses to take care of it, and also informed me that this is not a big issue. Toyota forum or even a simple search from the website will explain that how much of a issue is this with consumer who owns this type transmission. I urge NHTSA to address Toyota to take care of this major problem and recall all of this for consumer needs. Thank you.

- Ontario, CA, USA

I recently purchased a 2007 Toyota Fj cruiser with 95K miles on it. All was fine for about a month until I started experiencing unexplained accelerating and RPM surging when driving below 30 mph and regularly while stopped in traffic with my foot on the brake. It's not a huge rev, but rather the engine will suddenly rise from normal idle RPM to about 1300 RPM, then back down again. I can feel the transmission grabbing and I have to keep the brake depressed to keep from taking off. The surge generally lasts for less than 10 seconds and then goes away for a short time. I can get it to duplicate the problem (at a stop, in gear) almost anytime. If you are not paying close attention and happen to lift your foot off the brake, the vehicle will lurch forward start to accelerate until the transmission downshifts. I fear that this will cause a serious accident someday, and someone could get hurt or killed. I have taken it to my local mechanic who says that he can't quite figure it out.

- Fountain City, WI, USA

When trying to put my car in reverse I could not move the gear shift lever. It was frozen. The ABS, all the trac annunciator lights stayed on. I had to bypass the gear shift to be able to move the car. I went on line to look up possible causes and was told to contact some of the auto parts companies like auto zone etc. And have them hook up their computer tester to troubleshoot this problem. I haven't had a chance to take it by yet.

- Robbinsville, NC, USA

Head a slight grinding sound sound coming from the rear of the car(2007 Fj cruiser with 56K miles) took it in to have it inspected and was told it was the rear differential. Bearings in the rear diff needed to be replaced and the job would cost estimated 1700 dollars to fix. Really bummed to hear that as I dont drive aggressive with this car or drive it off road at all. Keep reading other people have the same issue with this car year and Toyota has not done a recall? I always tell people to buy Toyota because they are reliable, not a happy camper at all. The company need to do the right thing and recall something known to be bad!

- Miami, FL, USA

I bought this car when the mileage was 36000. I still own this truck, the problem I have with this vehicle is too much noise coming from the rear side. I took it to Toyota dealer and was told the bearing is bad on one side of the wheel. I got both rear bearing replaced but the noise remain the same.I talk to Toyota but no fix at all. Still driving it with ear plug.

- Woodbridge , VA, USA

Loud grinding sound coming from the back of the car.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

This vehicle was picked up from purchase from greatbridge auto sales on 2/28/13. At the time of purchase it had a complementary 3000mile/90 warranty. When I drove it off the lot, it shuddered and had difficulty shifting gears.. it is an automatic transmission. The very next morning it was inspected by a known mechanic and it was deemed the torque converter. We contacted the GM who advised us to call the insurance that they use. Upon filing a claim, they only cover $1000 of work in that 3000mile warranty. But the car repair was $1700. On top of that I called Toyota, did my research found out that they have had complaints all over the internet, fj forums, edmunds etc... describing this issue which conveniently occurs right after the manufacturer warranty ends. My problem is that Toyota, has known about these problems and refuses to acknowledge it because it is outside of warranty and that is all they will say..consumer reports has stopped recommending this vehicle for this problem and no one seems to make Toyota accountable.it is a very costly repair for a vehicle that barely has the engine broken in when the transmission is disabled..it also interferes with the gas mileage which is not accurate because the engine has to do so much more work with the bad torque converter. We have taken all the steps possible and all Toyota corporate says is that they have no record of the problem. Please help

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

Rear differential failure. This is a common problem in the early year models of this vehicle. Starts with loud whining from rear of car followed by complete failure of gears inside rear differential.

- Kensington, MD, USA

The Fj cruiser I purchased in 2007 was quite reliable until recently and it seems that this is a serious defect with the machined differential in early builds of this model. Toyota will not take responsibility for this defective differential for some reason although there have been over 1000 cases so far posted on the internet specifically related to the carbon brittlely in the differentials that are failing. I have included a few references below: www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/problems-dealer-service/35767-broken-rear-diff-build-date-please.html www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/transmissions-transfer-cases-traction-aids/126060-rear-diff-problem-07-a.html I took my car to the Toyota dealer of marin and they are now trying to charge me $2200 for a new differential, I am refusing to pay and I spoke to Toyota, they are denying there is a problem. Here is my Toyota case number, [xxx] please help resolve this serious issue. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sausalito, CA, USA

Heard noise coming from back of car. Sounded like it could be the brakes. Took it to Toyota, was told it was the rear differential. My husband is a quadriplegic and we have a lift on the back of our car. Need it for his scooter. Car only had a little over 80,000 miles on it. Have always bought Toyota... no one will help. Won't even meet me half way. Not the dealer, not the people I wrote to at Toyota, no one. This is not right. I have even gone online and found many others with the same complaint. Will anyone listen? it is in the shop right now and we are having it repaired for just over $1,600 dollars.

- Corona, CA, USA

Vehicle was traveling in the snow in 4 wheel drive mode when it started shaking and vibrating as if it had a flat tire. Because of the road conditions vehicle was traveling under the speed limit. Failure was catastrophic and did not allowed the vehicle to coast too long as the vehicle jammed, as if the transmission had broken several gears and binded. Vehicle came to a stop engulfed in smoke and flames were coming from the undercarriage. Upon a quick inspection it was noted that the front shaft had broken off from the transfer case, oil was pouring out of the case and heat from the exhaust pipe, immediately next to it, had ignited the oil into flames. Mud and snow was used to put out the flames. Under further investigation it was noticed that one of the tires had a blow out, the rear driver tire. After replacing the flat tire with the spare, an attempt to carry on 2 wheel drive mode was made but resulted in immediate restart of the flames. Flames were put out again using same method as before and vehicle was towed to a Toyota dealership. Dealership upon cursory evaluation decided that the transfer case had "insufficient" lubricant. This is ridiculous as the transfer case lost its oil when the shaft popped out with the front pinion gear causing the fire. There is no heat shield to protect oil from igniting in these vehicles. Vehicle has not even been taken apart as Toyota is not authorizing the warranty repair. All parts are available for review.

- Surrey, 00, USA

We park our car under the unit we live in, the carport under the unit is a concrete slab, we pulled up under the unit turn the car off and proceeded upstairs and hearing a loud noise we went back down stairs and the car had rolled off the concrete slab down to the canal we live on and over the dock and into the water. The car was not on nor were the keys left in the car. Consequences the vehicle was in the water for about an hour before the wrecking service was able to retrieve it out. The adjuster told me that it would have to be total because of the engine being in the water for that period of time. Prior to this approximately 45 to 60 days my emergency flasher started coming on by themselves and would go off temporary for about 5 to 10 minutes after I turn them off again, again, again, I called the Toyota dealership and talked to the service department and the gentlemen I talked to never heard of that before and advise me to take the fuse out and it should stop. I had to take the fuse out which in turn took away my turning signals. I took them out for 24 hours it did not stop. I left the fuse out for 72 hours and it stop. When the vehicle was in the water the car was half on the dock and half in the water with 1/3 of the hood cover in water the starter tried to turn over, the radio came on, and the brake lights or back up lights came on. The wrecker service told me the car was in gear and it should not have rolled. The vehicle is a 6 speed and not an automatic. I believe that something cause the car to jump enough to roll off the concrete slab and at that point gravity took over. The car had been turned off and the keys removed.

- Gulf Shores, AL, USA