YearToAvoid

2009 Toyota Sequoia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2009 Toyota Sequoia carries a complaint index of 6, the lowest among all model years, but it is capped to a Caution verdict because of 8 recall campaigns requiring dealer visits. Engine complaints are the most common issue, at a median mileage of 128,000.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
6/100
#17 of 18 Sequoia years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
6
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
8
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13 city / 18 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2009 Toyota Sequoia problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine2 (33%)
  2. Brakes1 (17%)
  3. Electrical System1 (17%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (17%)
  5. Fuel System1 (17%)
  6. Other1 (17%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (17%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicle stalls or hesitates when accelerator is pressed, sometimes sputtering around 40 to 60 mph.
  • Accelerator pedal has stuck at 35 mph, causing unintended acceleration up to 80 mph with brake and traction control warning lights on.
  • Vehicle intermittently fails to start, with owners reporting fuel tank cleaning, fuel pump replacement, and fuel filter replacement without lasting fix.
  • Dashboard warning lights for VSC, ABS, brakes, and check engine illuminate repeatedly, tied to an onboard computing unit that needed replacement more than once.
  • Frame rust and rot appear near the driver side tire area, with holes forming in the structure.
2009 Toyota Sequoia complaints: complaints filed per month1Jul 2012Nov 2014Sep 2015Sep 2017Jun 2019Apr 2021
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2012 to Apr 2021; peak Jul 2012 (1).

2009 Toyota Sequoia recalls

8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V920000Nov 23, 2021Steering22,462 vehicles

    Steering:rack and pinion

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 15V689000Oct 22, 2015Visibility & Wipers1,814,284 vehicles

    Visibility:power window devices and controls

    Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.

See all 8 recalls for the 2009 Toyota Sequoia →

2009 Toyota Sequoia fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
18 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other Sequoia years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid88136715
2008Avoid8267815
2009Caution66815
2010Avoid7631915
2011Good4117615

All Toyota Sequoia years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2009 Sequoia has a complaint index of 6, the lowest of all 18 model years covered, with only 6 complaints and no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported. Despite that low complaint count, its verdict is capped to Caution because it carries 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
What problems does the 2009 Toyota Sequoia have?
Owners reported issues across Engine, Brakes, Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Fuel System, and Structure & Body areas, with Engine complaints the largest share at 33 percent. Median mileage at failure across the model year sits at 117,820.
Does the 2009 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2009 Sequoia, covering steering, structure & body, visibility & wipers, suspension/wheels/tires, engine, and other components. None of these are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2009 Sequoia compare to other Sequoia years?
The 2009 model ranks 17th worst out of 18 years by complaint index, meaning almost every other year has more reported complaints per vehicle. Years like 2013 and 2015 earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 18 and 12, while 2005 through 2008 and 2010 are rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Toyota Sequoia?
EPA rates the 2009 Sequoia at 15 mpg combined, 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.