2011 Toyota Sequoia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2011 Toyota Sequoia has 17 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 41, and 6 recalls, earning a Good verdict — the 11th worst of 18 model years. Engine issues are the top complaint area at 29% of reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 41/100
- #11 of 18 Sequoia years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2011 Toyota Sequoia problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine5 (29%)
- Structure & Body4 (24%)
- Brakes3 (18%)
- Electrical System2 (12%)
- Fuel System2 (12%)
- Other2 (12%)
- Airbags1 (6%)
- Steering1 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the camshaft tower sealant leaking engine oil onto the exhaust, sending smoke and fumes into the cabin while driving or parked.
- Some owners describe unintended forward thrust when applying the brakes at a stop, leading to a collision.
- One owner reported the parking brake failing to hold the vehicle on an incline, with the dealer stating no repair was possible.
- Door lock actuators on multiple doors reportedly failed, leaving doors unable to lock or unlock without the key.
- Owners noted the third-row hatch developing rust near the latch, with metal breaking away and raising concern the tailgate could open while driving.
- One owner reported the digital speed reading and speedometer differing by about 3 mph at highway speed.
2011 Toyota Sequoia recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2011 Toyota Sequoia fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 19 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.
2011 compared with other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
- NHTSA lists 17 complaints for the 2011 Sequoia and a complaint index of 41, giving it a Good verdict — the 11th worst among 18 model years, meaning it performs better than most other Sequoia years on owner complaints.
- What problems does the 2011 Toyota Sequoia have?
- The top complaint area is the engine, at 29% of reports, including oil leaks from the camshaft tower and reports of unintended acceleration. Structure & body issues, mostly rust and interior components, account for 24% of complaints.
- Does the 2011 Toyota Sequoia have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Sequoia, covering the power steering gear assembly, seat heaters, structure/body components, a headlight switch, occupant detection sensors, and tire pressure monitoring calibration. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Toyota Sequoia should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2005 through 2008 and 2010 carry Avoid verdicts, with 2005 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2011 model year is rated Good, not Avoid.
- What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2011 Sequoia?
- Engine-related complaints on the 2011 Sequoia show a median mileage of 137,000 miles, higher than the overall median failure mileage of 60,000 miles for the model year.