YearToAvoid

2013 Toyota Sequoia Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#10 most-complained of 13 Sequoia years

The 2013 Toyota Sequoia has 12 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and a complaint index of 25, ranking 10th of 13 model years with a "Good" verdict relative to other Sequoia years. Engine issues are the top problem area at 33% of complaints.

Complaints
12
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13 city / 17 hwy

Top 2013 Toyota Sequoia problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine4 (33%)
  2. Other3 (25%)
  3. Structure & Body2 (17%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (17%)
  5. Airbags1 (8%)
  6. Brakes1 (8%)
  7. Electrical System1 (8%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (8%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Engine computer misreads flex-fuel content on 5.7-liter models, causing rough cold starts, power loss, sudden RPM drops, and reduced fuel economy.
  • Some owners report oil leaking near the left cam tower onto the exhaust manifold on 5.7-liter engines.
  • Chrome lug nuts reportedly swell over time so the factory lug wrench no longer fits, leaving owners unable to change a flat tire.
  • A front tire reportedly blew out and disintegrated while driving at highway speed.
  • Owners report the driver-side dashboard becoming sticky and melting, producing a chemical odor in the cabin.
  • Windshield wiper speed was reported to run slower than normal, reducing visibility in heavy rain.
2013 Toyota Sequoia complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2014Mar 2016Nov 2018Jan 2020Jan 2022Feb 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2014 to Feb 2026; peak Sep 2014 (3).

2013 Toyota Sequoia recalls

2 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 17V311000May 11, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,325 vehicles

    Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.

    Risk: Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.

2013 Toyota Sequoia fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
17 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.

2013 compared with other Sequoia years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Good4217615
2012Avoid9220315
2013Good2512215
2014Caution5017215
2015Best89215

All Toyota Sequoia years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
Compared with other Sequoia model years, 2013 is rated "Good," ranking 10th worst out of 13 years tracked, with a complaint index of 25 versus 100 for the worst year, 2010.
What problems does the 2013 Toyota Sequoia have?
NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2013 Sequoia, with engine issues making up 33% of them, followed by structure/body and suspension/wheel/tire complaints at 17% each.
Does the 2013 Toyota Sequoia have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a power steering gear assembly that may leak oil, and one for defective accessory lug nuts on certain Southeast Toyota-equipped Sequoias.
How does the 2013 Sequoia compare to other years?
The 2013 model's complaint index of 25 is much lower than the worst years, 2010 (100) and 2012 (92), but higher than the best years, 2015 and 2016, which scored 8 and 17.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Toyota Sequoia?
The EPA rates the 2013 Sequoia at 15 mpg combined (13 city/17 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.