vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

Toyota SEQUOIA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

3,063 owner complaints analyzed

26 distinct recall campaigns

98,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 to 2022 model years. Data snapshot: . 2,299 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 730 of 3,063 complaints (23.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1,14537.4%
Steering behavior2448.0%
Engine operation913.0%
Transmission and shifting782.5%
Electrical and battery issues782.5%
Fuel system concerns220.7%

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.

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
730
Vehicle Speed Control
516
Service Brakes
383
Structure:Body
303
Traction Control System
246
Air Bags
229
Electrical System
228
Unknown Or Other
200
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)730
Vehicle Speed Control516
Service Brakes383
Structure:Body303
Traction Control System246
Air Bags229
Electrical System228
Unknown Or Other200

Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 730; Vehicle Speed Control: 516; Service Brakes: 383; Structure:Body: 303; Traction Control System: 246; Air Bags: 229; Electrical System: 228; Unknown Or Other: 200

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
238
25,000 to 49,999
256
50,000 to 74,999
342
75,000 to 99,999
336
100,000 to 149,999
641
150,000 and above
486
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000238
25,000 to 49,999256
50,000 to 74,999342
75,000 to 99,999336
100,000 to 149,999641
150,000 and above486

Under 25,000: 238; 25,000 to 49,999: 256; 50,000 to 74,999: 342; 75,000 to 99,999: 336; 100,000 to 149,999: 641; 150,000 and above: 486

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (641). 764 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.

2001
4
2002
23
2003
69
2004
77
2005
72
2006
76
2007
156
2008
137
2009
201
2010
339
2011
192
2012
204
2013
184
2014
218
2015
279
2016
213
2017
136
2018
108
2019
100
2020
63
2021
61
2022
41
2023
38
2024
37
2025
17
2026
18
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20014
200223
200369
200477
200572
200676
2007156
2008137
2009201
2010339
2011192
2012204
2013184
2014218
2015279
2016213
2017136
2018108
2019100
202063
202161
202241
202338
202437
202517
202618

2001: 4; 2002: 23; 2003: 69; 2004: 77; 2005: 72; 2006: 76; 2007: 156; 2008: 137; 2009: 201; 2010: 339; 2011: 192; 2012: 204; 2013: 184; 2014: 218; 2015: 279; 2016: 213; 2017: 136; 2018: 108; 2019: 100; 2020: 63; 2021: 61; 2022: 41; 2023: 38; 2024: 37; 2025: 17; 2026: 18

Pattern summary

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1,145 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 244 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 91 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 10002756 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)

WE HAVE A TOYOTA SEQUOIA, THE PROBLEMS ARE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT OPERATING ALL THE TIME. IT DOES NOT ENGAGE, WHEN IT DOES SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT STAY IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ONE EXAMPLE IS WHEN MY WIFE HAD SIX FRIENDS IN THE VEHICLE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT STAY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL MADE THE ENGINE LOOSE POWER SO SHE SLID BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL. NO ONE WOULD RIDE IN OUR 4 WHEEL DRIVE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL ACTIVATES AT RADOM ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE SKID CONTROL MAKES THE ENGINE LOOSE POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THERE IS ALSO A HES…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,582 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002756 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004170 · 2003-01-17 (January 17, 2003)

CONSUMER STATES" EVERY 3000 MILES THE VEHICLE BRAKES ARE BEING REPLACED. DUE TO BRAKE PEDAL HAVING TO BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THEY STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED BRAKES AND ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004170 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002155 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS WOBBLING AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPERATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002155 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10049104 · 2003-12-03 (December 3, 2003)

SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, VSC INITIALIZES ON DRY STRAIGHT PAVEMENT, AT LOW SPEEDS. RETURNED TO LOCAL CT DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. NO PROBLEM FOUND. ON A RECENT TRIP, DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, STRAIGHT ROAD, 70MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMING APART. THE NEXT THING I KNEW I WENT FROM THE RIGHT TO LEFT LANE AND INTO THE MEDIAN. LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED AND NO ROLLOVER OCCURRED. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL. THE VSC WAS THE CAUSE. THIS TIME THE VSC WOULD NOT RESET. TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALE…

Owner-reported narrative. 35,482 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049104 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10066362 · 2004-04-17 (April 17, 2004)

TOYOTA SEQUIOA 2001 STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOP AND IN GEAR. ON MANY OCCASION WHILE GETTING READY TO ENTERING INTO TRAFFIC OR PROCEEDING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND SHUT OFF STRANDING VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD OR INTERSECTION. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066362 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10071690 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)

WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE CUT THE THROTTLE BACK FROM IDLING. THIS CAUSED THE WHEELS TO SPIN, THEN VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD ON ITS OWN, AND STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. DEALER INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED, BUT IT WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE IT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071690 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002624 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)

I NEED TO REPORT MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUIOA AFTER AN INCIDENT THAT NEARLY BECAME A DEADLY ACCIDENT THAT NO ONE COULD HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER'S TRANSMISSION DEFAULT HAD I NOT SURVIVED THAT INCIDENT.ON DEC. 24, 2002, I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQIOUA IN FWY 5 WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FWY 5.I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE, BUT IT DIED DOWN AFTER I CHANGED THE (AUTOMATIC) GEAR TO DRIVE.I, TOGETHER WITH TWO PASSENGERS: ONE ADULT AND A 4-YR OLD TODDLER,WAS STUCK IN THE VEHICLE WAITING FOR THE I…

Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002624 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020769 · 2003-05-30 (May 30, 2003)

PURCHASED A TOYOTA SEQUOIA 7/01. BEEN IN AND OUT OF SERVICE EVER SINCE. WE ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR 3RD SET OF BRAKES, 3RD TRIP COMPUTER, AND 3RD SET OF TIRES, 2ND BATTERY, 2ND AMPLIFIER. CAR ONLY HAS 33,000 MILES MANY OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDING SOME ELECTRICAL. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR WORD FROM DEALERSHIP ON PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION AND FUEL SYSTEM. EVERYTHING UP TO THIS POINT (EXCEPT TIRES #3) HAS BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP GOT A CASE # WITH TOYOTA SO THESE PROBLEMS WILL BE COVERED IF THEY PERSIST. FEEL LIKE WE ARE ON THE PATH TO …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020769 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10144541 · 2005-12-06 (December 6, 2005)

HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. ALSO, A BUZZING NOISE COMES FROM THE FUSE BOX WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. AS A RESULT OF THE HEADLIGHTS STAYING ON, THE BATTERY RUNS DOWN. THE ONLY WAY TO START SEQUOIA IS TO JUMP/BOOST WITH ANOTHER CAR/BATTERY. LEGACY TOYOTA, 4115 JONESBORO ROAD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, [phone removed] REPLACED THE FUSE BOX JUNCTION BLOCK ASSEMBLY AND BLOCK ASSEMBLY ON 11/30/04. I TOOK THE SEQUOIA BACK TO LEGACY THIS MORNING FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10144541 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10052390 · 2004-01-05 (January 5, 2004)

GAS GAUGE ERRONEOUSLY INDICATES NO FUEL IN GAS TANK (INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT, THAT HAPPENS WHEN FUEL LEVEL IS IN THE 2/3 TO 1/2 RANGE. PROBLEM LASTS FOR A SHORT WHILE AND WILL GO AWAY AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE TANK DROPS. TOYOTA DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS NO TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052390 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10323064 · 2010-03-31 (March 31, 2010)

SPOKE WITH MR. RICHARD NEWMAN-SERVICE MANAGER AT FRONTIER TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA ON 3/13/10 REGARDING RECENT ISSUES WITH THE GAS TANK SENSOR ON OUR 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WE HAVE A PHANTOM PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE READING NO GAS WHILE OUR MILEAGE COUNTER INDICATES LARGE MILEAGE LEAPS TAKEN WHILE NOT DRIVING HARDLY ANY MILEAGE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN SPORADIC OVER THE SEVERAL MONTHS. MR. NEWMAN STATED TOYOTA HAS BEEN OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WHEN WE TOLD HIM THAT TOYOTA REFUSED TO FIX IT WHEN WE FIRST BRO…

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323064 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2006
8
2007
7
2008
8
2009
8
2010
9
2011
6
2012
3
2013
2
2014
2
2015
2
2016
2
2017
2
2018
4
2019
5
2020
1
2021
1
2022
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20068
20077
20088
20098
20109
20116
20123
20132
20142
20152
20162
20172
20184
20195
20201
20211
20221

2006: 8; 2007: 7; 2008: 8; 2009: 8; 2010: 9; 2011: 6; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1

Year-by-year records

Toyota SEQUOIA model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
20015311Not available
20026666+5
200356560
200438060
20053529+3
20062028-1
20071367-1
2008668+1
2009680
2010319+1
2011176-3
2012203-3
2013122-1
20141720
2015920
20161020
2017720
2018204+2
201975+1
202041-4
2021410
2022110