Toyota Fj Cruisers Structural Integrity

y2kz71 · January 31, 2008

How would you like to open your hood to check the oil and see your inner fenders spliting

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/prob...-body-rips.html

I have a couple of questions. I have just bought a 2008 FJ and am just now getting in on this discussion. I have read comments that the fix is for Toyota to replace the inner fenders with new reinforced units. My questions are: (1) Does Toyota have the replacement units available. (2) Are they using them on the current production models (ie: my 2008 model).

As far as I know, the "reinforced" replacement inner fenders are nothing more than the updated version that are currently in the '08 models. I wouldn't call it a reinforcement, but a redesign. The crumple zones are in a slightly different place than the '06-'07 models. I know people with both '08 models and someone with the replacements of ripped fenders with the newer version. Both are bulging.

To my knowledge, no, because there is no "fix" yet. We're still in the "Toyota is aware of the issue and is working on a solution.", as myself and others have been told by Toyota reps.

I know that the one person I know that had there's replaced (and who is now showing bulges again) had there's done under warranty. When I reported mine, they offered to "fix" mine, also under warranty. I told them no, I will wait for the real fix. Once the real cause of the problem is solved, then, and only then, will I have them fix the fenders. And because I had them documented before the 36K expiration of the warranty, it will be covered even if my warranty expires before the fix is announced. That is what the service manager at the dealership I took it to said.

There is no way I will buy an FJ now, after reading this thread. And I was so set to get one. My wife and I test drove one and I had some great internet quotes. It was just a matter of deciding on a color and then negotiating the trade-in. But this defect really worries me. As a previous poster commented, this could really affect resale value and that is part of the reason I was excited about getting a Toyota.

jsn0801 · January 31, 2008

If I had not found the deal I did on my truck, that would have been me!

y2kz71 · January 31, 2008

I looked at them too, thought they were nice. But the sticker shock killed the deal for me.

wlvrn1215 · January 31, 2008

guess I should check mine!!! d**n

Norseman · January 31, 2008

How would you like to open your hood to check the oil and see your inner fenders spliting

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/prob...-body-rips.html

Move along --- nothing to see here. This is just GM propaganda! This could not possibly be true, Toyota is not capable of making junk like that.

Darkanion · February 1, 2008

This makes me glad the guys at the local Toyota dealership didn't want to talk to me the day I went looking at FJ's and 4Runners...!

Zembonez · February 1, 2008

TOYOTA must have replaced all of their engineers with cheerleaders.

Apparently their legendary quality of old has been thrown out the window for the sake of sales volume. Does that sound familiar? GM, Ford, and Dodge did it in the 80s. It bit them in the ass eventually just like it will Toyota. Funny how we all repeat the same old mistakes...

wlvrn1215 · February 1, 2008

checked m fj and all is well.....had it since feb of 07.

2000DV4.8 · February 1, 2008

checked m fj and all is well.....had it since feb of 07.

Make sure you knock on some wood.

wlvrn1215 · February 1, 2008

checked m fj and all is well.....had it since feb of 07.

Make sure you knock on some wood.

your not kidding.....I would hope that something that severe would happen to this thing...so far its been like an unstopable tank. I'll keep an eye on it now

svensk · February 1, 2008

Nothing a little J-B weld can't fix...

wlvrn1215 · February 1, 2008

Nothing a little J-B weld can't fix...

I swear by j-b weld but can you imagine!!

jhoff8487 · February 2, 2008

I knew I didn't like those FJs for more than just the fact they're hideous. I actually was asked to leave the local Toyota dealership because of it. I was looking at them(scouting the competition and just a love of cars) and a salesman came over to tell me how great they are, how American they are, and how I could definitely trade out of my Silverado for one. Once I pointed out that the parts content on a FJ is 0% American and that I'd never dare own a Toyota and a few more words(clean, but harsh words) were exchanged I was told that I shouldn't even stop and waste their time if I won't even give one a chance. I left.

wlvrn1215 · February 3, 2008

well I like mine......runs great and is fantastic off road...not just on a dirt road either. it performs quite well. But thats just my opinion and everyone is entitle d to theirs..

SilveradoLAX7 · February 3, 2008

I'd never dare own a Toyota and a few more words(clean, but harsh words) were exchanged I was told that I shouldn't even stop and waste their time if I won't even give one a chance. I left.

I've got to say, they have a darn good point. (& this is coming from a guy[me] that HATES tojo and would like nothing more than to see the Tundra fall on its face)

But flip it around. You are a GM dealer and some import crusader comes into your dealership, tells you that he has a 0% chance of buying a Chevy, but wants to chastise the sales staff on the shortfalls of a product they did not engineer. He disrupts the regular operations of a business, and wastes the time of the sales people. You would not ask him to leave?

...and I can see the rebuttal coming; 'but that's their job, I went to their showroom, and they had a chance to win me over'. Not buying it. I have no desire to buy a Toyota, I wouldn't waste their time. I'd be pissed if a bunch of bogus 'customers' scheduled meetings with me and had no intention of ever doing business with my company.

...sorry for the rant.

-Jay