2008 Toyota SEQUOIA: complaints, problems and recalls

2008 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WAS PURCHASED WITH TIRES INSTALLED WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AND SIZE FROM THE SPARE. SPARE CAN ONLY BE USED FOR SHORT TIME EMERGENCY USE UNDER 50 MILES AN HOUR. IF A TIRE FAILS ON A TRIP ON AN INTERSTATE AND SPARE IS INSTALLED VEHICLE WILL NOT HANDLE OR PERFORM 100%. THIS PLACES DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK. NOT ALL PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS RISK AND THE OWNERS MANUAL EXPLAINS THIS POORLY. MOST PEOPLE WILL CHANGE THE TIRE AND DRIVE ON THE SPARE NORMALLY. ALL VEHICLES SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME BRAND AND SIZE OF TIRE…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234747 at NHTSA ↗

THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE DIFFERENTIAL ACTUATOR IS BAD AND CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE NEXT DAY THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 02/13/09. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253302 at NHTSA ↗

WHENEVER I DRIVE UP HILL OR JUST SPEED UP, THE BAD SMELL OF ROTTEN EGGS COMES INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS ROLL UP AND WITH THE RECALCULATING VENT BUTTON ON. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255483 at NHTSA ↗

2008 TOYOTA SEQUOIA PLATINUM HAS A DESIGN DEFECT WITH THE DASHBOARD MOUNTED CONTROL SWITCH FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE WINDOW. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED MOMENTARY CONTACT WITH THE SWITCH CAUSED THE REAR WINDOW TO LOWER COMPLETELY. THE SWITCH WAS LOCATED WHERE THE HIS RIGHT KNEE INADVERTENTLY MADE CONTACT WHEN THE SEAT WAS IN THE FORWARD POSITION . *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10261228 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST MY STEERING WHEEL, I PULLED THE LEVER AND A PIECE FELL ON TO THE FLOOR THE SIZE OF A HALF DOLLAR. NOW MY STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK WHILE I DRIVE. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT I NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, WHICH NONE ARE AVAILABLE FOR 2-3 WEEKS. THEY SUGGESTED I GO BACK HOME AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAIT. I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN, AND TOLD THEM THEY ARE KEEPING THE CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED. I AM GLAD I WAS ALONE, AND NOT DRIVING AT 55MP…

Owner-reported narrative. 763 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262384 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER 4,399 MI. THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED AND PRODUCED A TICKING SOUND ON ACCELERATION AND EXHAUST FUMES CAN BE SMELLED THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN FAN IS ON. AS PER DEALERS ADVICE, IT'S OK TO USE VEHICLE PENDING REPAIR. IT'S BEEN 5 DAYS AND THE PART HASN'T ARRIVED YET. CONTACTED DEALER FEW TIMES TO FACILITATE REPAIR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,399 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263839 at NHTSA ↗

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARPED THE ROTORS ON THE TRD BRAKE KIT TWICE IN 27000 MI. THESE BRAKES WERE OFFERED AS A MANUFACTURER OPTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE CALIPERS AT 7000 MI. NOW AT 27000 MI THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN. THE DEALER SAYS IT WILL TAKE APROX 30 DAYS TO GET THE PARTS AS THEY ARE BACK ORDERED. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE HEAT PROBLEM. DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS 20% REMAINING ON FRONT BRAKE PADS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283757 at NHTSA ↗

FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE DOES NOT FIT OVER FRONT WHEELS IF VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL TRD BRAKE PACKAGE BECAUSE THE CALIPERS ARE LARGER. TOYOTA STATES THAT IN THE EVENT OF A FRONT FLAT, THE SOLUTION IS TO REMOVE A REAR TIRE, PLACE THE SPARE ON THE REAR THEN REMOVE THE FLAT FRONT TIRE AND REPLACE IT WITH THE REAR TIRE. TOYOTA REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL SPARE WITH ONE THAT FITS ON THE FRONT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10283758 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.

Consequence: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2011-03-04 (March 4, 2011)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.

Consequence: FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2012-10-10 (October 10, 2012)

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

Consequence: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

Reported: 2021-11-23 (November 23, 2021)

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.

Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.