2012 Toyota SEQUOIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
27,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 20 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 30.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 |
Service Brakes: 6; Electrical System: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 4; Engine: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Equipment: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10532639 · 2013-07-30 (July 30, 2013)
VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING DOWNHILL AT AROUND 60-65 MPH. THIS STARTED AT 5000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA DEALER SAID THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY SAID THEY MACHINED THE ROTORS AS A "GOODWILL" GESTURE AS BRAKES ARE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOW AT 16K MILES AND 6 MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE IS SHAKING VIOLENTLY DOWNHILL WHEN BRAKING. TOYOTA DEALER AND CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE SAY THEY FEEL THE BRAKE WEAR IS NORMAL AND THEY SAID THE VEHICLE REQUIRES A BRAKE JOB. HOW WOULD THE BRAKES FAIL TWICE AND THE VEHICLE ISN'T EVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10532639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10544592 · 2013-09-20 (September 20, 2013)
VSC LIGHTS ARE ON ALL THE TIME, AND SO IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HAVE SPENT $$$$ OF DOLLARS REPLACING OXYGEN SENSORS, MUFFLERS, HOSES, ETC. JUST HAD THE FRAME REPLACED UNDER RECALL, BUT TOO MANY OTHER PARTS ROTTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL FOR ADDITIONAL COSTS. I LOVE THE CAR, BUT WHEN I BRAKE THE WHEEL VIBRATES TOO MUCH AND MAKE CONTROLLING THE CAR DIFFICULT. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO THE VSC CONTROL. NOT TO MENTION THE CAR STABILITY LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF EVERYTIME I ACCELERATE (TAKING THE SUV IN FOR THAT VOLUNTARY RECALL AS WELL). …
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10544592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10484018 · 2012-11-12 (November 12, 2012)
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD IDLE/ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS, ERRATIC PROBLEMS WITH EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING, RACING, SURGING, AND FLUCTUATION OF ENGINE RPM'S, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP SAFELY. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WAS A NEW VEHICLE AND IT NEEDED TIME,??ONE THOUSAND MILES,?? FOR THE ENGINE TO BREAK IN. THEIR INITIAL SOLUTION TO MY VEHICLE'??S PROBLEM DID NOT RECTIFY ITSELF. I HAVE HAD TO RETURN IT TO THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10484018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11654129 · 2025-04-11 (April 11, 2025)
Toyota had a recall on fuel pumps in 2020 mine was not part of the recall even though mine went bad and had to be replaced in February 2020. Now with another fuel pump recall issued in January 2025 I am also told mine is not part if the recall however I am having issues related to the fuel pump once again causing my engine to stall. Can someone please look into this as I feel my car should be part of that recall for another failing fuel pump. I do have receipt of repair in 2020 by First Class HALT I can provide if needed. My engine is stallin…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11654129 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944534 · 2017-01-12 (January 12, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHEWED DUE TO RODENTS. THE SIDE AIR BAGS WERE ALSO CHEWED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING CONTAINED SOY PRODUCTS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/01/17*LJ *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944534 at NHTSA ↗