Toyota Sequoia
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2017–2026). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Toyota Sequoia? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
AI Interpretation
Medium ConfidenceAverageNHTSA complaint data for the 2017–2026 Toyota Sequoia shows a moderate number of reports, with the highest volume in 2018. The most frequently cited component is 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER', followed by electrical system and fuel/propulsion system issues. There are 20 recalls across the model years, and only 2 crash-related complaints, suggesting that while some concerns exist, they are not predominantly safety-critical.
- The 2018 model year accounts for the highest number of complaints (20 out of 43).
- The most reported component is 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' with 10 complaints.
- Electrical system issues are the second most common, with 8 complaints.
- Fuel/propulsion system complaints total 7, and vehicle speed control complaints total 5.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints are the most frequent, indicating potential issues that are not easily categorized.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM complaints suggest possible problems with wiring, battery, or electronic modules.
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM complaints may point to fuel delivery or engine performance concerns.
The 2018 model year has the most complaints (20), driven largely by UNKNOWN OR OTHER and electrical system issues. Buyers of a 2018 Sequoia should pay close attention to these areas.
The 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years have zero complaints, which may indicate improved reliability or low sample size. Buyers considering these years should still verify recall status.
- Inspect or ask about any UNKNOWN OR OTHER issues reported for the specific model year.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for electrical system and fuel/propulsion system repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle's speed control and suspension before purchase.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
20 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 43 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
43 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
MOON ROOF EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON SAM HOUSTON TOLL WAY. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OR ANY INDICATION OF FAULTY ROOF.
Front strut is failing, but dealer cannot replace strut due to lack of inventory and they say a failure in the strut is only if it is leaking. Strut makes grinding/rumbling noise.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as designed, without warning. The contact stated that after driving for several minutes, the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that on another occasion, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 41,000.
Stopped truck turned it off, forgot to put in park, got out of truck, truck began to roll backwards done my driveway. I had hop back in while trucks was rolling backwards
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while parked and the driver door was opened, he observed a beeping noise and the vehicle began reversing inadvertently. The contact dove into the driver's seat and attempted to move the gear shift but it was already in park (P). The contact was not sure if the brake was depressed at that time. The vehicle continued to reverse and collided with a creek bed. The contact sustained left hip and left knee injuries along with other cuts and scrapes. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and then to a body shop the next day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,236.
The gas tank on my vehicle started leaking. It has a crack in the tank. I have not been in an accident nor have I hit anything to cause damage to my vehicle. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 6 hours in my work parking lot when I was notified that the tank was leaking.
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 sunshade to check, but no rock was found inside. It was clearly an issue with the sunroof itself. Despite this, we received no help and were simply dismissed.
My cars suspension (driver side shock) has been making creaking, grinding, and/or knocking noise when traversing over mild bumps or road defects at slow speeds. The sound can be replicate by bouncing the car up and down. I am concerned my suspension components will fail under prematurely or under extreme stress. Noted, I brought my car to Toyota for inspection on 2/11/22 and they were not able to replicate the sound. Subsequently I found this related TSB: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10181779-9999.pdf. Additionally noted, I have a TRD pro model with a similar setup as far as suspension. I believe the known defect in the 2019-2020 TRD pros (4Runners) applies here. Lastly, there is such a small population or TRD Pro Sequoias (only manufactured for 3 years 2020-2022) I’m concerned it’s not enough to create demand for a TSB.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Sequoia. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V920000 (Steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The part was not available for repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
LOWER FUEL PUMP FAILS AT HIGH SPEED OR IN COLD WEATHER I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA SERVICE.
CAR SHOOK AT 50 MILES PER HOUR AND ABOVE, CHECK ENGINE AND 4 LO LIGHTS FLASHED. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACING. TOYOTA ADVISED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT PART OF THEIR CURRENT RECALL.
SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERING SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65-70MPH THERE IS A WHISTLING OR METAL TO METAL SOUND THAT HAPPENS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. I CAN'T TELL IF IT'S IN THE WINDSHIELD OR THE FRAME AREA. ALSO THERE IS A CONSTANT SQUEAK ON THE RIGHT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD AT THE DASHBOARD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALMER'S TOYOTA SUPERSTORE (LOCATED AT 470 SCHILLINGER RD, MOBILE, AL 36695, (251) 639-0800) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A LOW BATTERY WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HE HAD JUST CHARGED THE BATTERY BEFORE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FAILURE CAUSED IT TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
ON JULY 12, 2017, I HAD BACKED UP MY 2017 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOUSE AND THEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, BUT LEFT IT RUNNING. MY THREE CHILDREN REMAINED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, SEATED AND BUCKLED. I EXITED THE VEHICLE TO WALK TO THE BACK AND PUT A BOX IN THE BACK AND WHEN I TURNED AROUND, THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WAS SPEEDING AWAY. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A SMALL SECTION OF TREES ON THE RIGHT SIDE, WHICH POPPED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OPEN. THE VEHICLE THEN CONTINUED ON UNTIL IT RAN THROUGH TWO FENCES AND INTO THE WOODS BEHIND THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, WHERE IT STRUCK OTHER TREES AND CAME TO A STOP. UPON CATCHING UP WITH THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WAS STILL REVVING AND WAS DIGGING RUTS INTO THE GROUND. I OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FOUND THE GEAR SHIFT JUST SLIGHTLY OUT OF PARK, WHICH IS NOT WHERE I LEFT IT. I HAD TO FORCEFULLY PUT IT BACK INTO PARK BY HITTING IT AND THEN TURNED THE KEY OFF. THE MOTOR WOUND DOWN WITH A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE. I THEN UNBUCKLED ALL THREE OF MY CHILDREN (AGES 11, 9, AND 5) AND GOT THEM OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED IN THE FRONT END AND PASSENGER SIDE BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE HAD BEEN TWO OTHER INSTANCES OF TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY THAT TOYOTA HAD STATED THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE FIRST WAS APPROX 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE WHERE IT WOULD LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING AND THEN SUDDENLY GET IT BACK AND SURGE. THE SECOND OCCURRED IN MARCH 2018 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DECELERATE WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL, EVEN WHEN THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT, AND THEN SUDDENLY REACCELERATE. NEITHER TIME TOYOTA COULD PINPOINT A CAUSE OR FIX FOR EITHER BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WORKED AFTER THEY CHECKED IT OUT. THE EDR REPORT COLLECTED BY TOYOTA CONTAINED A LARGE AMOUNT OF INCORRECT DATA, SUCH AS THE VEHICLE ROLLING OVER WHEN IT DID NOT AND OTHER INFO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIORITY TOYOTA CHESAPEAKE (1800 GREENBRIER PKWY, CHESAPEAKE, VA 23320) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RODENTS CHEWED HOLES THROUGH THE WIRING THAT WAS LUBRICATED WITH PEANUT OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,200.
Third row seatbelts broke. They came undone from where they are bolted to the bottom of the car. My children were in their car seats anchored by the seatbelts when these broke when the vehicle was moving and they flew sideways. Looks like poor products were used to secure the seatbelt, there are signs of product disintegration and rust coloring on belt where they occurred.
Parking brake requires continual adjustment. Brake becomes non functional when brakes are hot and then park on a hill. Examples would include pulling our boat and going to the boat ramp off the highway. Parking brakes loses any ability to hold the vehicle.
Fuel filler door hinge and pin does not work properly. The hinge, door, and pin are bent. This prohibits 1) opening the door, 2) filling the gas tank, and 3) the door from closing properly. The spacing around the door is not equal and is askew, tilted to the bottom right and dips inward. Toyota seems to have used this design on other models, eg Camry, Sienna, etc. I located a NHTSA Customer Support Bulletin for those models with a similar fuel filler door hinge and pin design; however, I was not able to not locate one for a 2019 Toyota Sequoia. Your website does not allow video uploads, so 3 photos are attached: 1) widest point the door will open with assistance, 2) widest door will open without assistance, and 3) the door closed. Please look into this matter. Please 1) provide replacement for current owners, and 2) send feedback to Toyota to engineer a better option for future vehicles. Many thanks,
My 2019 Toyota Sequoia Platinum with air suspension is leaning to the left. The driver rear measured from the center of the tire hub to the bottom of the fender is 1and 1/8 inch lower than the passenger rear. There was a similar Toyota T-SB-0179-17 with a similar issue that was issued for 2013-2016 Toyota Sequoia Platinum vehicles with air suspension. Please look into this and potentially extend the previous TSB or issue a new one to solve this issue. Thank you.
Showing 20 of 43 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Toyota Sequoia
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota Sequoia has 43 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota Sequoia has 20 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 2 of the Toyota Sequoia's 43 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota Sequoia vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Toyota Sequoia vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota Sequoia has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.