Toyota Sequoia Best and Worst Years (2005–2022)
Toyota Sequoia years to avoid are 2005-2008 and 2010, led by 2005 with 352 complaints and a complaint index of 100. The best years are 2013, 2015, and 2016, each with a complaint index under 20 and few reported problems.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2010Best 2013Best 2015Best 2016
- Model years
- 18
- 2005–2022
- NHTSA complaints
- 923
- Recall campaigns
- 23
- Crashes reported
- 28
- Fires reported
- 4
- Top problem area
- Brakes
Sequoia Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Toyota Sequoia problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 100 | 352 | 7 | 1 | 9 | Brakes | 15 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 94 | 202 | 7 | 0 | 8 | Brakes | 14.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 88 | 136 | 5 | 1 | 7 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 82 | 67 | 4 | 0 | 8 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 76 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 9 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 41 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 71 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 15 | — |
| 2013 | Best | 18 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 15 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 35 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2015 | Best | 12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 15 | — |
| 2016 | Best | 24 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Brakes | 15 | — |
| 2017 | Good | 47 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 14 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 53 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 14 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 65 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 5 | Fuel System | 14.5 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 29 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 14.5 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 59 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 14.5 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 14.5 | — |
Sequoia years to avoid: what went wrong
2005 Toyota Sequoia Index 100 · 352 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2005 Sequoia has the most complaints of any year, 352, and the highest complaint index at 100. Brakes account for 46% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 91,800 miles, followed by engine problems at 35% (median 92,000 miles). Owners also reported airbag and suspension issues, including ball joint failures and a parked-vehicle fire. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this year, covering airbags and seat heater wiring in the structure and body.
2005 brakes problems →2005 engine problems →2005 airbags problems →
2006 Toyota Sequoia Index 94 · 202 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2006 Sequoia carries 202 complaints and a complaint index of 94. Brakes lead at 29% of complaints (median 86,500 miles), with structure and body problems close behind at 25% (median 112,997 miles). Airbags made up 23% of complaints, including Takata-related non-deployment reports tied to crashes, and owners described ball joint failures at highway speed. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, including two separate airbag inflator campaigns.
2006 brakes problems →2006 structure & body problems →2006 airbags problems →
2007 Toyota Sequoia Index 88 · 136 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2007 Sequoia logged 136 complaints and a complaint index of 88. Engine problems top the list at 26% of complaints (median 65,000 miles), with airbags at 25% (median 129,000 miles) and structure/body issues at 21%. Owners reported steering seizing during driving and wheels detaching from the suspension while underway. A seat-heater fire was also reported. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, including airbag and seat heater wiring recalls.
2007 engine problems →2007 airbags problems →2007 structure & body problems →
2008 Toyota Sequoia Index 82 · 67 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2008 Sequoia has 67 complaints and a complaint index of 82. Engine issues make up 27% of complaints (median 22,250 miles), and structure/body issues 25% (median 90,000 miles). Owners described the gear shift moving into drive after the key was removed, causing rollaway incidents, plus a crash where airbags reportedly failed to deploy. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this year, including a power steering gear assembly campaign shared with later model years.
2010 Toyota Sequoia Index 76 · 31 complaints · 9 recalls
The 2010 Sequoia shows 31 complaints and a complaint index of 76. Engine problems dominate at 45% of complaints (median 71,375 miles), including a fire reported during startup. Owners also described sudden unintended acceleration when shifting into reverse or drive, and a melted rear door latch that trapped occupants inside. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for this year, including the shared power steering gear assembly recall and a wiper switch recall.
Most common Toyota Sequoia problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Brakes278 (30%)
- Engine253 (27%)
- Structure & Body149 (16%)
- Airbags128 (14%)
- Electrical System97 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires93 (10%)
- Other90 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain47 (5%)
- Fuel System40 (4%)
- Steering29 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Toyota Sequoia years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010 as the years to avoid, with 2005 ranked worst overall with 352 complaints and a complaint index of 100.
- What are the best Toyota Sequoia years to buy?
- 2013, 2015, and 2016 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 18, 12, and 24 respectively, the lowest in the lineup.
- What is the most common problem with the Toyota Sequoia?
- Across all years, brakes are the top complaint area with 278 complaints (30% share), followed by engine problems with 253 complaints (27% share).
- Is the 2009 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
- The 2009 Sequoia has only 6 complaints and a low complaint index of 6, but its verdict is capped at Caution because it has 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- Does the Toyota Sequoia have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 23 total recall campaigns across Sequoia model years 2005 through 2022, covering areas like airbags, structure/body seat heaters, and steering.