YearToAvoid

2021 Toyota Sequoia Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

67/100

#5 most-complained of 13 Sequoia years

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 5th worst out of 13 model years with data. NHTSA lists 4 complaints, 1 crash, 1 injury, and 1 recall for a power steering gear defect. Compared to top years like 2015 and 2016, it sits in the middle of the pack.

Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14.5
13 city / 17 hwy

Top 2021 Toyota Sequoia problems

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

  1. Fuel System1 (25%)
  2. Structure & Body1 (25%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (25%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain1 (25%)

What owners report

  • An owner reported the vehicle rolled backward on its own while parked with the door open, even though the shifter appeared to be in park; this incident involved a crash at 33,236 miles.
  • One owner described the sunroof exploding while driving on the freeway, with no rock or debris found afterward.
  • A gas tank crack caused fuel leakage while the vehicle was parked, with no prior collision or damage reported.
  • An owner described creaking, grinding, and knocking noises from the driver-side front shock when driving over bumps or road defects at low speed.
2021 Toyota Sequoia complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2022Jun 2024Jul 2024
4 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2022 to Jul 2024; peak Jun 2024 (2).

2021 Toyota Sequoia recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

2021 Toyota Sequoia fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13 MPG
Highway
17 MPG
Combined
14.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,475
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.

2021 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
2019Avoid757514.5
2020No verdict334114.5
2021No verdict674114.5
2022No verdict01114.5

All Toyota Sequoia years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
NHTSA data shows 4 complaints and a Complaint Index of 67 for the 2021 Sequoia, ranking 5th worst among the 13 model years tracked. It has one open recall covering a power steering gear defect.
Does the 2021 Toyota Sequoia have a recall?
Yes. Recall 21V920000 covers 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles for a power steering gear assembly that may have been manufactured incorrectly, potentially causing an oil leak. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
What is the top complaint area for the 2021 Sequoia?
Fuel System is listed as the top problem area, tied with Structure & Body, Suspension, and Transmission & Powertrain, each accounting for 25% of complaints.
How does the 2021 Sequoia compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 67 is higher (worse) than 2015 (8), 2016 (17), and 2013 (25), but lower than 2010 (100) and 2012 (92), which carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota Sequoia?
EPA rates it at 14.5 mpg combined (13 city / 17 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,475.

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.