What are the most common Toyota Sequoia problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 5,410+ owner reports, the 2001-2025 Toyota Sequoia has 16 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Frame Rust and Structural Corrosion, Rear Air Suspension Compressor and Air Spring Failure, Front Lower Ball Joint Premature Wear and Separation (2UZ-FE XK30/40). Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Toyota Sequoia reliable?
The 2001-2025 Toyota Sequoia has 16 known issues documented across 5,410+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Frame Rust and Structural Corrosion and Rear Air Suspension Compressor and Air Spring Failure and Front Lower Ball Joint Premature Wear and Separation (2UZ-FE XK30/40) and Transmission Neutral Creep / Unintended Forward Movement (Recall 24V125). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Sequoia problems?
Repair costs for known Toyota Sequoia issues range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Frame Rust and Structural Corrosion, typically costs $200-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What year Toyota Sequoia is the most reliable?
Reliability varies across model years of the Toyota Sequoia. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2001-2025 Toyota Sequoia with 16 documented issues documented across 5,410+ owner reports.
What is the 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia Frame Rust and Structural Corrosion?
1st-gen Sequoias in salt-belt states develop severe frame rust, particularly at the rear crossmember, leaf spring mounts, and spare tire carrier area. Toyota issued a Limited Service Campaign (LSC) for some Tundra frames but Sequoias were not included despite sharing the platform… Repairs typically run $200-$5,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2022 Toyota Sequoia Rear Air Suspension Compressor and Air Spring Failure?
The load-leveling rear air suspension on the Sequoia (Limited and Platinum trims) suffers from compressor burnout and air spring leaks. The compressor runs excessively to compensate for slow leaks in the air springs, eventually overheating and failing. The rear of the vehicle sag… Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia Front Lower Ball Joint Premature Wear and Separation (2UZ-FE XK30/40)?
The front suspension lower ball joints on first-generation Sequoias wear out far ahead of normal service life. Owners and Toyota's own recall documentation attribute it to a joint design/manufacturing process that puts excessive stress on the stud and allows the grease seal and i… Repairs typically run $450-$1,100. Severity: high.
What is the 2023-2024 Toyota Sequoia Transmission Neutral Creep / Unintended Forward Movement (Recall 24V125)?
On the 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid (10-speed automatic shared with Tundra Hybrid and Lexus LX600), some transmission clutch components may not fully disengage when shifted to Neutral. Engine power can keep reaching the wheels, letting the vehicle creep forward unexpectedly at low sp… Severity: high.
What is the 2001-2009 Toyota Sequoia Secondary Air Injection System Failure (2UZ-FE)?
The 4.7L 2UZ-FE's secondary air injection system fails due to corroded air switching valves (ASVs) and seized air pumps. Moisture enters the system and corrodes internal components. Causes check engine light with P2440/P2442 codes. Repairs typically run $100-$2,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2019 Toyota Sequoia Secondary Air Injection Pump Failure (3UR-FE/i-FORCE)?
2nd-gen Sequoias with the 5.7L 3UR-FE also suffer from secondary air injection pump failures, similar to the 1st gen but with updated part numbers. The pump seizes from internal moisture corrosion, triggering P2440-P2445 codes and check engine light. Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia Steering Angle Sensor Zero-Point Not Stored by Skid Control ECU (VSC / TRAC Lights On)?
On certain 2003 model year Sequoias, faulty logic in the Skid Control ECU can fail to correctly store the steering angle sensor center position, so the stability control system never establishes a valid straight-ahead reference. The VSC and TRAC warning lights illuminate and stay… Repairs typically run $120-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2022 Toyota Sequoia 3UR-FE 5.7L Water Pump Bearing and Weep-Hole Coolant Leak?
The engine-driven water pump on the 5.7L 3UR-FE develops a coolant leak long before most owners expect one. The pump's internal shaft bearing wears, which lets the shaft move and destroys the mechanical seal behind the pulley; coolant then seeps out of the weep hole and dries as… Repairs typically run $450-$950. Severity: medium.
What is the 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia Rear Hatch Power Window Inoperative (Glass Stopper Bracket Jam / Regulator Motor Failure)?
The retractable rear tailgate glass on the first-generation Sequoia is a chronic failure point. Two distinct causes show up over and over in owner threads. First, a metal stopper/brake bracket and spring assembly inside the hatch binds against the window gear and jams the mechani… Repairs typically run $0-$450. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2022 Toyota Sequoia 3UR-FE 5.7L V8 Cam Tower / Timing Cover Oil Leak (FIPG Sealant Failure)?
The second-generation Sequoia's 5.7L 3UR-FE V8 seals the camshaft towers and timing chain cover to the cylinder heads with Toyota's formed-in-place sealant (FIPG/RTV) instead of a gasket. Heat and vibration degrade the sealant, letting oil seep from the cam towers (often onto the… Severity: medium.
What is the 2023-2025 Toyota Sequoia Rearview Camera Green/Black Screen Freeze (Recall, Oct 2025)?
On third-gen Sequoia models with the 14-inch multimedia display, unexpected signal noise can desynchronize the four serial data lanes carrying the rearview-camera image, making the backup-camera display show half-green, full-green, or full black, or freeze briefly when reverse is… Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2010 Toyota Sequoia AB60E 6-Speed Torque Converter Lockup Shudder (TSB TC018-07)?
Early second-gen Sequoias with the AB60E 6-speed automatic (5.7L V8) can develop torque-converter flex-lockup-clutch shudder. Owners feel an intermittent shudder/vibration when lightly accelerating after an upshift around 20-45 mph, or before a downshift between 30-65 mph, as the… Severity: medium.
What is the 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia Exhaust Manifold Cracking (4.7L 2UZ-FE V8)?
The cast iron exhaust manifolds on the 2001-2007 Sequoia 4.7L V8 develop cracks from repeated thermal cycling. The cracks typically appear at the flange where the manifold bolts to the cylinder head or between the runner tubes. A cracked manifold causes an audible exhaust leak (t… Repairs typically run $800-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2023-2025 Toyota Sequoia i-FORCE MAX Hybrid Cooling System Issues?
The 2023+ Sequoia with the i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain has experienced cooling system issues related to the added complexity of cooling both the twin-turbo engine and hybrid battery system. Owners report coolant loss with no visible external leak (internal leak at… Repairs typically run $100-$2,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2023-2024 Toyota Sequoia Tow Hitch Cover Detachment from Rear Bumper (Recall, Sep 2024)?
On the 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid, the resin tow hitch cover on the rear bumper is retained by molded clips, but the attachment design does not engage securely. The cover can loosen and fall off while driving, creating a road hazard for following vehicles. Toyota recalled 43,395 ve… Severity: low.
What is the 2001-2022 Toyota Sequoia Rear Liftgate Strut Failure (Hatch Won't Stay Open)?
The gas-charged struts that hold the rear liftgate open on the Sequoia lose pressure over time, causing the heavy rear hatch to fall on its own. This is a safety concern as the liftgate is large and heavy enough to injure someone if it drops unexpectedly. The struts typically beg… Repairs typically run $30-$120. Severity: low.
