Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Sequoia vs FORD F 150
How the Toyota Sequoia and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Toyota Sequoia vs FORD F 150: The Sequoia has 128 complaints over 10 years (12.8/year) and 4 crash-related reports, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints (1,162.1/year) and 330 crash-related reports. The F-150 also has 151 recalls versus 32 for the Sequoia. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Sequoia or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 128 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 13 per year. Owners report issues with interior door handles breaking, sunroofs shattering, and occasional electrical glitches like warning lights. Recalls cover fuel pumps and hydraulic steering assist. Overall, the Sequoia shows fewer reported problems per year than many competitors, but specific structural and electrical faults can be costly.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging over 1,100 per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, electrical system, and exterior lighting. Owners frequently describe transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter glass. Recalls address engines, seat belts, door latches, and air bag inflators.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Sequoia | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 128 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 12.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Toyota Sequoia
- 01STRUCTURE26
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER25
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
- 04POWER TRAIN13
- 05SERVICE BRAKES13
Owners report interior door handles malfunctioning within low mileage, which could hinder escape in an emergency. Sunroofs have also shattered unexpectedly while driving, with dealerships sometimes blaming external causes.
Complaints include adaptive collision warning sensors illuminating randomly and blind spot monitoring errors appearing shortly after purchase. These glitches may reset but can recur, affecting driver confidence.
Some owners describe unintended reversing when parked or intermittent failure to accelerate at highway speeds. These incidents, though less frequent, pose safety concerns if they happen in traffic.
Brake-related complaints appear among the top components, though specific failure details are not provided in the sample. Buyers should still have the braking system inspected for wear or unusual noises.
“We have had 3 interior door handles malfunction within 12,000 miles. This poses a serious risk if the vehicle was in an accident where there was a fire and the interior door handle malfunctioned. Toyota has yet to publish a recall, but it is widely documented…”
“While I was driving on the freeway, my family and I heard a loud bang. I pulled over to check and discovered that our sunroof had exploded. We went to a Toyota dealership to have it examined, but the staff claimed it was caused by a rock. We opened the sunsha…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck gears, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions. These issues often recur despite repairs, making the truck unreliable for some.
Electrical complaints often mirror power train problems, such as output speed sensor failures triggering limp mode. Rear window defroster shorts have also caused back windows to shatter unexpectedly.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a major trouble spot. Owners likely experience frequent bulb failures, flickering, or complete lighting outages that reduce visibility and safety.
Engine-related complaints number 880, though sample texts do not detail specific failures. Recalls for engine issues suggest potential problems that could lead to stalling or reduced performance.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Toyota Sequoia — 32 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2…
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models wil…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorr…
The risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall i…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
The risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorr…
The risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall i…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Toyota Sequoia or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Toyota Sequoia has far fewer complaints per year (about 13) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100). In practice, this means Sequoia owners report fewer recurring problems, while F-150 owners face a much higher likelihood of transmission, electrical, and lighting issues. The F-150 also has more crash-related complaints and injuries reported.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Sequoia averages 12.8 complaints per year; F-150 averages 1,162.1 per year, a massive difference in reported issues.
- Crash-related complaints: F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries; Sequoia has 4 crash-related and 8 injuries.
- Top problem areas: Sequoia's top issues are structure (door handles, sunroof) and electrical glitches; F-150's top issues are power train (transmission limp mode, lead frame) and electrical (sensor failures, window shattering).
- Recalls: F-150 has 151 recalls covering engines, seat belts, door latches, and air bags; Sequoia has 32 recalls mainly for fuel pumps and hydraulic steering.
- Inspect all interior door handles for smooth operation and signs of weakness, as owners report malfunctions within low mileage.
- Check the sunroof for any cracks, chips, or previous repairs, and test it for unusual noises or leaks, given reports of shattering.
- Test drive the truck extensively, especially at highway speeds, to check for transmission shuddering, delayed engagement, or limp mode symptoms.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for proper function and look for any signs of electrical shorts or previous glass replacement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN on NHTSA's website.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on transmission (F-150) or door handles and sunroof (Sequoia).
- During the test drive, listen for unusual noises, test all electrical features (lights, windows, defroster, sensors), and check for warning lights.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes (F-150) or any structural repairs (Sequoia).
- Verify that any recall repairs have been completed, and confirm warranty coverage if applicable.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Toyota Sequoia | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 10 | 345 |
| 2024 | 37 | 638 |
| 2023 | 38 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 4 | 44 |
| 2019 | 7 | 52 |
| 2018 | 20 | 79 |
| 2017 | 7 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Toyota Sequoia or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Sequoia vs FORD F 150
- Toyota Sequoia total complaints
- 128
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Toyota Sequoia total recalls
- 32
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Toyota Sequoia avg complaints/year
- 12.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Sequoia
- Toyota Sequoia top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN