Toyota Sequoia Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Toyota Sequoia options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Toyota Sequoia has 130 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. 2018 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Sequoia
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 130
- Safety recall campaigns
- 11
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (20 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (1 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
By model year
Toyota Sequoia: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
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.
What the complaint data suggests
Below AverageThe TOYOTA SEQUOIA has 130 NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 130 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 11 federal recall campaigns
- 4 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
11 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 130 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
130 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.
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.
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.
Read 14 more owner reports
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2026 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the interstate, there was a loud popping sound coming from the sunroof, and the sunroof glass shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the cost of the repair was not covered. The approximate failure mileage was 2,960.
I just bought a 2026 sequoia and the sunroof exploded all of a sudden while driving down the road and almost caused a serious wreck
The passenger 2nd row seat seat belt failed to unbuckle. child was strapped into car seat with seat belt. seat belt was not able to unbuckle and child was trapped. fire department had to cut fabric on seat belt to release child due to failed restraint system.
I was driving to work when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise which caused me to stop and panicked. It sounded like a gunshot. My PTSD and anxiety kicked in. Seconds later I felt the glass on my arm and I looked up and my back sunroof exploded
Showing 20 of 130 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Toyota Sequoia
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Toyota Sequoia, in plain English.
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 130 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 11 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. 4 of the Toyota Sequoia's 130 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 Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below 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. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for 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.
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Check a Toyota Sequoia by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Toyota Sequoia.
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Toyota Sequoia reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Sequoia reliable?
Below Average. The Toyota Sequoia has 130 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Toyota Sequoia years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2018 (20 complaints), 2017 (7 complaints), 2019 (7 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Toyota Sequoia problems?
Top reported issues: UNKNOWN OR OTHER (26 complaints); STRUCTURE (25 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15 complaints).
Does the Toyota Sequoia have recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Toyota Sequoia. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.