YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota Sequoia Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2016 Toyota Sequoia ranks 14th of 18 model years with a complaint index of 24 and earns a Best verdict. NHTSA logged 11 complaints, led by brakes (4 complaints, 36% share), and 2 recall campaigns, with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
24/100
#14 of 18 Sequoia years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
11
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13 city / 17 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2016 Toyota Sequoia problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners describe warped brake rotors that cause the steering wheel and vehicle to shake when braking, sometimes recurring after dealer resurfacing or replacement.
  • Some report the instrument panel gauges becoming unreadable in daylight, requiring a flashlight to see them, with the dealer unable to offer a fix.
  • One owner described sudden unintended forward-and-backward lunging while adjusting the power seat controls at highway speed.
  • A fuel leak was reported during refueling that recurred each time the tank was filled.
  • One owner noted the cruise control failed to reduce speed on an incline while set at 70 mph.
  • A steering wheel vibration at 55 mph or higher was reported and linked by the owner to a Takata-related concern, despite dealer visits.
2016 Toyota Sequoia complaints: complaints filed per month1Jul 2016Dec 2016Feb 2018Aug 2018Feb 2019Sep 2026
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2016 (1).

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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Good3517215
2015Best129215
2016Best2411215
2017Good477214
2018Caution5320414

All Toyota Sequoia years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Sequoia a complaint index of 24, the second-best result among the 18 model years covered, and it carries a Best verdict relative to other Sequoia years.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Sequoia?
Brakes lead complaints at 4 reports (36% share), mostly warped rotors causing steering wheel shake, followed by electrical system issues at 3 complaints (27% share).
Does the 2016 Toyota Sequoia have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Sequoia: a power steering gear assembly recall and a recall covering accessory Rockstar wheel lugnuts. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2016 Sequoia compare to other Sequoia years?
The 2016 model ranks 14th worst out of 18 years by complaint index, well below high-complaint years like 2005 (complaint index 100, Avoid) and close to top years like 2013 and 2015, which carry Best verdicts.
What mileage do brake problems show up at on the 2016 Sequoia?
Brake complaints on the 2016 Sequoia have a median mileage at failure of 32,550 miles, based on NHTSA complaint data.

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.