Recall 13V098 covers 209,000 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser vehicles for seat belt retractor anchors that can detach. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 209,000 2007-2013 Fj Cruiser vehicles because repeated forceful closing of the rear access doors can crack the panels that hold the front seat belt retractors. If cracking reaches the lower retractor anchor, the retractor can detach in a crash and increase injury risk; the Toyota dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front seat belt retractor in a 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser is the spool mechanism that pulls the belt back in and locks it during a sudden stop. On these SUVs, Toyota mounted the driver and passenger front retractors in the rear access door panels, so those panels also act as part of the belt anchorage structure.
The access door panel is supposed to stay strong enough to hold that retractor in place. When the access door is repeatedly and forcefully closed over an extended period, the panel can crack because it does not have enough strength for that load. A cracked mounting area weakens the place where the seat belt retractor is attached.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not rely on normal belt movement or the absence of a rattle to decide the vehicle is clear.
Who's affected?
Covers one SUV model across the 2007-2013 model years, all tied to the front seat belt anchorage.
| 2007 Toyota Fj Cruiser | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2008 Toyota Fj Cruiser | seat belt |
| 2009 Toyota Fj Cruiser | seat belt |
| 2010 Toyota Fj Cruiser | seat belt |
| 2011 Toyota Fj Cruiser | seat belt |
| 2012 Toyota Fj Cruiser | seat belt |
| 2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser | seat belt |
| Units affected | 209,000 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If cracks form around the lower retractor anchor, the seat belt retractor can detach and increase injury risk during a crash. If your VIN is included, avoid delaying the recall appointment and ask the dealer how the belt anchor will be handled. Repair will be free at any franchised Toyota dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Toyota dealer to ask for the current free repair status for recall number 13V098.
- Schedule the seat-belt anchorage repair that addresses cracked access-door panels and loose lower retractor anchors.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one, and give the dealer your VIN when you call.
- Avoid repeatedly or forcefully closing the rear access doors until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician checks the front seat belt retractor mounting area in the rear access door panels and performs the recall procedure Toyota provides for campaign 13V098. Toyota's filing says interim owner letters went out in late April 2013, repair notices began in late May 2013, and the safety recall began on June 6, 2013. The dealer repair is free once Toyota provides the final procedure for your VIN.
Timeline
| March 15, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 6, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V098?
Recall 13V098 covers 209,000 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser vehicles with front seat belt retractors mounted in the rear access door panels. Repeated forceful closing can crack the panel around the lower retractor anchor, letting the retractor detach in a crash and raising injury risk.
What should I do if my 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V098. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall number 13V098 when you schedule service. Toyota's recall line is 1-800-331-4331.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost to the owner. Toyota handles the recall repair through franchised Toyota dealers, so parts and labor are covered for an included 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V098?
The risk is reduced seat belt protection in a crash. If cracks form around the lower retractor anchor in the access door panel, the front seat belt retractor can detach, which raises the injury risk for an occupant during a collision.
What if I bought my Toyota Fj Cruiser used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If Toyota never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2007-2013 Toyota Fj Cruiser is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer with recall number 13V098.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V098000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V098 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V098000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →