Although the excellent characteristics of functionally graded materials (FGMs) cracks could be found due to manufacturing defects or extreme working conditions. The existence of these cracks may threaten the material or structural strength, reliability, and lifetime. Due to high cost and restrictions offered by practical operational features these cracked components couldn’t be replaced immediately. Such circumstances lead to the requirement of assessing the dynamic performance of cracked functionally graded structural components especially under moving objects. The present study aims to comprehensively investigate the dynamic behavior of functionally graded cracked Timoshenko beams (FGCTBs) resting on Winkler foundation and subjected to moving load through shear locking free finite elements methodology. The through thickness material distribution is simulated by the exponential gradation law. The geometric discontinuity due to cracks is represented using the massless rotational spring approach. The shear locking phenomena is avoided by using the different interpolation functions orders for both deflections and rotations. Based on Timoshenko beam element, a shear locking free finite elements methodology is developed. The unconditionally stable Newmark procedure is employed to solve the forced vibration problem. Accuracy of the developed procedure is verified by comparing the obtained results with the available results and an excellent agreement is found. Parametric studies are conducted to explore effects of the geometrical, material characteristics, crack geometrical characteristics, the elastic foundation parameter, and the moving load speed on the dynamic behavior for different boundary conditions. Obtained results revealed the significant effect these parameters on the dynamic performance of FGCTBs.