YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota Sequoia Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

17/100

#11 most-complained of 13 Sequoia years

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

The 2016 Toyota Sequoia has a complaint index of 17, ranking 11th of 13 model years, with a 'Best' verdict relative to other Sequoia years. It carries 11 complaints and 2 recalls, with brakes as the top problem area.

Complaints
11
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13 city / 17 hwy

Top 2016 Toyota Sequoia problems

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

  1. Brakes4 (36%)
  2. Electrical System3 (27%)
  3. Engine2 (18%)
  4. Fuel System1 (9%)
  5. Other1 (9%)
  6. Steering1 (9%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (9%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (9%)

What owners report

  • Rotors reportedly warp repeatedly, sometimes at 18,000 miles and again at 28,000 miles, causing steering wheel shake when braking at highway speeds.
  • Owners describe brake vibration returning after resurfacing or replacement, with one case citing rotor and pad replacement at 40,250 miles median mileage for that report.
  • Some drivers reported cruise control failing to slow the vehicle on an incline while set at 70 mph.
  • One owner described the seat adjusting suddenly and the vehicle lunging forward and backward at 55 mph, though the cause was undetermined.
  • Instrument panel gauges reportedly become unreadable in daylight due to dim lighting, requiring a flashlight to see.
  • A driver reported excessive steering wheel vibration at 55 mph or higher tied to the Takata recall period.
2016 Toyota Sequoia complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2016Dec 2016Feb 2018Aug 2018Feb 2019Sep 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2016 (2).

2016 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.

2016 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.

2016 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
2014Caution5017215
2015Best89215
2016Best1711215
2017Caution587214
2018Avoid8320414

All Toyota Sequoia years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
Compared with other Sequoia model years, 2016 ranks well. NHTSA lists a complaint index of 17, the second-best among the 13 years tracked, earning a 'Best' verdict.
What problems does the 2016 Toyota Sequoia have?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 36% of complaints, mostly involving warped rotors and steering wheel shake. Electrical system issues account for 27% of complaints, and engine issues make up 18%.
Does the 2016 Toyota Sequoia have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Sequoia: one for a power steering gear assembly manufactured incorrectly, and one for replacement lugnuts tied to accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels.
How does the 2016 Sequoia compare to other years?
The 2016 model's complaint index of 17 is much lower than the worst year, 2010, which has an index of 100. Only 2015, with an index of 8, scores better among all tracked years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota Sequoia?
The EPA rates the 2016 Sequoia at 15 mpg combined, 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.