Toyota Sequoia years to avoid (and the best years)
128 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recalls across 7 model years, 2010 to 2018. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 128complaints
- 15recalls
- 3reported crashes
- 2reported fires
- 3reported injuries
Which Toyota Sequoia years should you avoid?
No Toyota Sequoia model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Toyota Sequoia year has 17 complaints on file.
What are the best Toyota Sequoia years?
The Toyota Sequoia years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2016 (11), 2013 (12) and 2014 (17). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 20 | 1.2× | 5 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2016 | 11 | 0.6× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2014 | 17 | 1.0× | 3 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Body and structure |
| 2013 | 12 | 0.7× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2012 | 20 | 1.2× | 4 | 0 | 1 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2011 | 17 | 1.0× | 7 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 31 | 1.8× | 10 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 48 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain15 (31%)
- Structure & body10 (21%)
- Other systems8 (17%)
- Electrical & infotainment6 (12%)
- Brakes4 (8%)
Recalls (15)
Steering · 21E103000 · Dec 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V920000 · Nov 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V012000 · Jan 2020 · model year 2018
If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V685000 · Oct 2018 · model year 2018
If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 18V122000 · Feb 2018 · model year 2018
Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system can increase the risk of a crash in certain conditions.
Safety · 17V311000 · May 2017 · model years 2013, 2014, 2016
Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V396000 · Jun 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Body & glass · 15V689000 · Oct 2015 · model years 2010, 2011
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Safety · 14V743000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
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.
Safety · 13V123000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2012
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Airbags · 13V014000 · Jan 2013 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Tires · 11V148000 · Mar 2011 · model years 2010, 2011
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.
Safety · 10V036000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V035000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Safety · 10V017000 · Jan 2010 · model year 2010
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.