2007–2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser: Inner fender cracking or bulging
Likely causes, ranked
- Inner fender (firewall-side) sheet metal crackingShop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: Bulges or cracks in the inner fender sheet metal near the firewall, visible with the hood open.
Likely causes
- Inner fender design. FJ Cruiser forum owners document cracking and a later reinforced design. Warranty outcomes were inconsistent, and some claims were denied for off-road use.
DIY or shop?
Body shop.
Useful steps
- Inspect both inner fenders.
- Document cracks with photos.
- Get a body shop opinion on repair.
Vehicle focus: 2007–2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Safety / mechanic note
Structural cracks should be checked by a professional. Verify with a mechanic or body shop.
Recalls & service bulletins
No recalls or service bulletins are listed for this page yet.
NHTSA complaints: 155 keyword-matched complaints (of 722 unique complaints filed under NHTSA model names FJ CRUISER, 2007–2009; NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.