6 Common Toyota Sequoia Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Sequoia owners have to deal with.

  1. Bluetooth Echos During Calls

    What's the point of hands-free calling if you can't have a conversation without an annoying echo getting in the way? That's the position many 2016-2019 Toyota owners find themselves in as they struggle with their car's bluetooth connection.

    Continue reading article "Bluetooth Echos During Calls"
  2. Toyota Truck Frame Rust

    There are thousands of Toyota trucks and SUVs that are one stiff breeze away from turning into a pile of corroded dust. The automaker has been accused of not properly applying corrosion protection to their vehicles, leading to multiple laws…

    Continue reading article "Toyota Truck Frame Rust"
  3. Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires

    Somewhere in the mid-2000's there was an industry-wide push by automakers to replace plastic and glass-based wiring insulation with a more eco-friendly soy-based coating. It's biodegradable, commendable, and a complete disaster for owners. …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires"

What Sequoia Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Sequoia Generations

The Sequoia has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (2001–2007).

Sequoia Key Numbers

  1. 310 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 737 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 26 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Sequoia Class-Action Lawsuits

The Sequoia has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Adam B. Lawler Law Firm, LLC, et al., v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., et al.

    3:21-CV-00354
    1. Case Filed

      A Toyota Bluetooth echo class action lawsuit has been filed by an Illinois law firm which alleges the hands-free phone systems are defective in multiple Toyota models that were not initially equipped with Apple CarPlay and have not had a head unit replaced by Toyota.

    Problem
    Bluetooth Echos During Calls
    Class Vehicles
    • 4Runner
    • Avalon
    • Avalon HV
    • Camry
    • Camry HV
    • Highlander
    • Highlander HV
    • Prius
    • Prius V
    • Sequoia
    • Sienna
    • Tacoma
    • Tundra
    • Yaris
    Class Members
    Illinois Residents
    Location
    Illinois
  • Freeman, et al., v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. et al.

    1. Case Filed

      Toyota Bluetooth echo problems have caused a class action lawsuit that alleges when the driver of the Toyota uses the hands-free phone system to make or receive a call, the person on the other end of the call hears an echo of their own words.

    Problem
    Bluetooth Echos During Calls
    Class Vehicles
    • 2017-2018 4Runner
    • 2017-2018 Avalon
    • 2017-2018 Avalon Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Highlander
    • 2016-2018 Highlander Hybrid
    • 2016-2018 Prius
    • 2016-2018 Prius V
    • 2016-2018 Sequoia
    • 2016-2018 Sienna
    • 2016-2018 Tacoma
    • 2016-2018 Tundra
    • 2018 Yaris
    Location
    Missouri

Recent Sequoia News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A lawsuit wonders how Toyota can keep calling their bluetooth implementation "hands-free" when owners very much need to use their hands to prevent echos on each and every call.

    For years owners have complained about this issue, but Toyota's only suggestion has been to pickup the phone and turn it's volume all the way up after the call has been initiated. Oh, and also make sure the radio volume is below level 45. Sorta defeats the point, don't you think?…

    keep reading article "Illinois Lawsuit Says Toyota's Hands-Free Calling is Unusable"
  2. Toyota is recalling 65,000 vehicles to replace the front passenger airbag inflators … again.

    Although the previous recall used new replacement Takata airbag inflators, this latest recall will use inflators supplied by a company other than Takata. Those previous replacements were still using ammonium nitrate, a propellant that breaks down and explodes unpredictably when exposed to humidity and moisture.

    Takata's inflators has been a long-running nightmare for millions of owners, hopefully this is the last time you'll have to bring your car in for service related to these exploding chunks of metal.

    keep reading article "Toyota Vehicles Recalled Again to Get Rid of Ammonium Nitrate Inflators"
  3. Poorly programmed control units have led to a Toyota airbag recall for 188,000 vehicles from the 2018-2019 model years.

    The automaker says the airbag electronic control units weren't programmed correctly, causing problems when the vehicles are started and the airbag sensors are disabled.

    Every airbag is attached to a control unit that monitors data from sensors and determines when the airbag should deploy. You can imagine how important it is that these control units are dialed in. Toyota forgot that whole part.

    keep reading article "Faulty Control Units Can Shut Off Airbags in 2018-2019 Toyotas"
  4. Toyota has blamed a musty A/C smell on microbes [i.e., mold] growing o the evaporator surface and now a lawsuit wants them to do something about it.

    The plaintiffs claim the vehicles have defective heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that cause smells and health problems from mold that collects on the evaporators. Numerous complaints have allegedly been filed with the government, Toyota and Lexus dealerships nationwide since at least 1999.

    This isn't the first time Toyota has been sued for musty A/C units.

    keep reading article "Air Conditioner Lawsuit Complains About Mold Smell From Toyota HVAC"
  5. There's a settlement on the horizon for owners of Toyota trucks with rusted out frames that are so holey, they make the Pope blush.

    The rusted frame class-action lawsuit may cost Toyota as much as $3.4 billion to replace truck frames that corrode and rust, making the frames a danger due to structural failures.

    The settlement covers former and current owners / lessees of the 2005-2012 Tacoma, 2007-2008 Tundra, and 2005-2008 Sequoia in the United States and its territories. Many of these trucks are one stiff breeze away from having their underbody turn to a pile of corroded dust. A fairness hearing will happen on 04/27/2017. If the judge approves the agreement, owners will have 60 days to submit claim forms and documentation.

    keep reading article "A Settlement Update for Rusted Toyota Frames"

See All Sequoia News