Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2013 Toyota Sequoia with NHTSA between 2014 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 of 16 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 3
Against the median year of the Toyota Sequoia. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 95
56% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 Toyota Sequoia
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
318.8%
Median failure at 148,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
318.8%
Median failure at 31,000 miles
Body & Structure
212.5%
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Wheels
16.3%
Tires
16.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.3%
Median failure at 15,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.3%
Median failure at 15,000 miles
Brakes
16.3%
Median failure at 15,000 miles
Airbags
16.3%
Electrical System
16.3%
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 15,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
555.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
333.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
111.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2014peak 3Feb 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 Toyota Sequoia
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA19001Opened 19 Apr 2019Closed 19 Sep 2024AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount...
Recalls on the 2013 Toyota Sequoia
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202172355,683 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note: This recall only affects the following block heater/cord part numbers: C014003034 PK5A408J09 PU14000904 C014003151 PK5A408J13 PU14000905 C014000885 PK5A489J11 PU14000907 C014000888 PK5A489J22 PU14000909 C014000907 PK5A410H00 PU14000911 C014100904 PU14000900 PU14000913 C014100907 PU14000901 PU14003571 C014100911 PU14000902 PK5A489J14 PK5A408J05 PU14000903 Safety Risk: Engine block heater wiring that overheats or melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Toyota recommends that you should stop using the engine block heater immediately. Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to disable the engine block heater. For some vehicles, the corrective actions for this recall are under development. For others, a new engine block heater cannot be installed, and the owner will receive a refund of the purchase price of the engine block heater.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Voorhees Township, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have 2013 Toyota, Sequoia blizzard pearl and my paint started chipping. I have reached out to corporate 3 separate times and they have refused to assist me in this matter. Based off the article listed below, I have a window up to 14 years which is quickly approaching and I have been denied by corporate twice and my local dealer. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11719001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albertville, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2013 Toyota Sequoia Limited (108,000 miles) Rear lift gate around latch was not designed correctly to allow moisture out. Our vehicle is in pristine shape other than the rear lift gate latch. By the time you notice it, it’s too late and unfixable. I’ve seen these get so bad from doing internet research some people hold the door down with straps because the structural integrity is gone and the lift gate can’t be latched and could fly open. The ironic thing about this is it’s obvious Toyota has a problem. Toyota charges $750 - $1000 for a new unpainted lift gate, however NO dealer in the United states can tell you when you’ll receive it because it’s on a nationwide backorder. We purchased this from a Non-Toyota dealer September 2022 and did not (or even think I had to look for it) notice this until spring 2023.
NHTSA complaint #11553624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albertville, MN
STRUCTURE:BODY
2013 Toyota Sequoia Limited (108,000 miles) Rear lift gate around latch was not designed correctly to allow moisture out. Our vehicle is in pristine shape other than the rear lift gate latch. By the time you notice it, it’s too late and unfixable. I’ve seen these get so bad from doing internet research some people hold the door down with straps because the structural integrity is gone and the lift gate can’t be latched and could fly open. The ironic thing about this is it’s obvious Toyota has a problem. Toyota charges $750 - $1000 for a new unpainted lift gate, however NO dealer in the United states can tell you when you’ll receive it because it’s on a nationwide backorder. We purchased this from a Non-Toyota dealer September 2022 and did not (or even think I had to look for it) notice this until spring 2023.
NHTSA complaint #11553624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompsons Station, TN
WHEELS
Due to a latent defect, Toyota's chrome lug nuts swell such that the lug wrench no longer fits the nuts. Owners confronted with flat tires are stranded on roadsides, potentially out of cell phone range, because they are unable to change the tire. I personally was stranded at midnight due to this defect. I alerted my Toyota dealership in Peoria, Illinois. They said they were aware of the issue on Sequoias and Sienas and that the could not keep enough lug nuts in stock. Toyota has provided no formal notice to owners of this latent defect and safety hazard. Both the Toyota dealership and Toyota care refused to provide without charge replacement lug nuts.
NHTSA complaint #11447596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesKenner, LA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY, AND MELTED WHICH CAUSED A CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA LOCATED AT 2460 VETERANS BLVD, KENNER, LA 70062. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11330209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sussex, WI
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 6 YEARS. REPAIR PART FOR AIRBAG SYSTEM $1627. WHY WOULD THIS PART BREAK? DOESN'T GET USED. JUST SIT'S IN THE CAR. SHOULD BE A FAULTY MANUFACTURED PART. NO ONE IN AREA HAS THE PART. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING TOYOTA SHOULD BE COVERING.
NHTSA complaint #11300698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA
ENGINE
MY 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH THE 5.7 LITER ENGINE (ONLY 28,000 MILES) IS LEAKING OIL BY THE CAM TOWER (LEFT SIDE). THE OIL IS LANDING ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH CAN CATCH ON FIRE IF NOT REPAIR. NOT A SAFE SUV TO DRIVE ON LONG TRIPS.
NHTSA complaint #11220358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesBellaire, TX
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROAD CLEARLY DURING HEAVY RAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE CALVERT TOYOTA (2333 S LOOP W, HOUSTON, TX 77054) WHERE THEY STATED THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED THE SAME WAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #11150422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesMorrill, ME
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE TOOK OUR 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO OUR LOCAL PRIVATE GARAGE HERE IN MAINE AND DISCOVERED IT IS UNINSPECTABLE DUE TO A TOTALLY RUSTING FRAME. THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR BE ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY CLOSE TO 15 TOYOTAS THROUGH THE YEARS AND ARE SO UPSET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IS NOT UNDER RECALL. ONE PREVIOUS TUNDRA THAT WE OWNED HAD A FRAME RECALLED AND THIS ONE SHOULD BE TOO.
NHTSA complaint #11149777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesDenver, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DASHBOARD SAFETY LIGHTS ( AIRBAG ASSY ) I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON: 1ST ATTEMPT.- 2/18/15 DIAGNOSTIC STARTER CRANKS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN SPUTTERS AFTER IT DOES START. EXCESSIVE FUEL SMELL. 2ND ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 3RD ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 4TH ATTEMPT.- 6/1/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTICS SOP ORDERED PART LIGHT IS ON GEST TO RETURN FOR REPAIR 7/2 5TH ATTEMPT.- 7/12-16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SOP AIR BAG CENTER CENSOR ASSY PER CODE 1836. 6TH ATTEMPT.- 7/16/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC LOOSE FIN FIT CAUSING CODE 7TH ATTEMPT.- 7/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR BAG. DIAGNOSTIC CAUSE: B1863 FOUND SHORT TO B+ EVERY TIME WE MAKE A LONG DISTANCE TRIPS THE SAFETY LIGHTS FOR: TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE & 4LO COMES ON. WE CALLED THE SHOP AND THEY MENTION THAT WE NEED TO BRING THE TRUCK WITH THE LIGHTS ON SO THEY CAN LET THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS LIGHTS GET OFF AND ON WITHOUT REASON. I HAVE A VIDEOS FOR THIS PROBLEMS. 7TH ATTEMPT.- 12/1/17 SAFETY LIGHTS FOR TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE & 4LO. BY PHONE CONVERSATION: THEY CAN PULL ANY DATA. I DID NOT GET A DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN BEING DRIVE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS FROM 5MPH TO 75MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11052366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesDenver, CO
ENGINE
I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DASHBOARD SAFETY LIGHTS ( AIRBAG ASSY ) I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON: 1ST ATTEMPT.- 2/18/15 DIAGNOSTIC STARTER CRANKS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN SPUTTERS AFTER IT DOES START. EXCESSIVE FUEL SMELL. 2ND ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 3RD ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 4TH ATTEMPT.- 6/1/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTICS SOP ORDERED PART LIGHT IS ON GEST TO RETURN FOR REPAIR 7/2 5TH ATTEMPT.- 7/12-16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SOP AIR BAG CENTER CENSOR ASSY PER CODE 1836. 6TH ATTEMPT.- 7/16/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC LOOSE FIN FIT CAUSING CODE 7TH ATTEMPT.- 7/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR BAG. DIAGNOSTIC CAUSE: B1863 FOUND SHORT TO B+ EVERY TIME WE MAKE A LONG DISTANCE TRIPS THE SAFETY LIGHTS FOR: TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE & 4LO COMES ON. WE CALLED THE SHOP AND THEY MENTION THAT WE NEED TO BRING THE TRUCK WITH THE LIGHTS ON SO THEY CAN LET THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS LIGHTS GET OFF AND ON WITHOUT REASON. I HAVE A VIDEOS FOR THIS PROBLEMS. 7TH ATTEMPT.- 12/1/17 SAFETY LIGHTS FOR TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE & 4LO. BY PHONE CONVERSATION: THEY CAN PULL ANY DATA. I DID NOT GET A DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN BEING DRIVE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS FROM 5MPH TO 75MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11052366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
TIRES
2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DEFECTIVE TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, HE DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRE HAD BLOWN AND DISINTEGRATED. NO TIRE INFO WAS GIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10704689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesDenver, CO
ENGINE
FLEX FUEL MODELS OF THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 5.7 ENGINES HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER THINKS THERE IS E85 FUEL (OR AN ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN ACTUAL) IN THE SYSTEM WHEN THERE IS NORMAL 10% OR LESS GASOLINE ACTUALLY PRESENT. THIS CAN CAUSE ROUGH COLD STARTS/IDLE, POWER LOSS, SUDDEN RPM/POWER DROPOUT, MISSING, AND LESSENED FUEL ECONOMY, ETC. (DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS FOR DIFFERENT TRUCKS). MY SEQUOIA HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE RELATED TO THE ENGINE NEEDING RE-CALIBRATION AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. ,MY SEQUOIA WILL NOT START, WHEN IT DOES IT RUNS VERY ROUGH AND SENDS OUT A BLUE CLOUD OF EXHAUST. II CONSISTENTLY USE REGULAR GAS PURCHASED FROM SHELL OR CONOCO AND HAVE NEVER PUT IN THE E85 FUEL. JUST WENT IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ON NOVEMBER 12,2014 - 9 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10654730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesDallas, TX
POWER TRAIN
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE MY 10 YEAR OLD PUSHED THE SHIFTER BACK INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A LURCHING HALT. WITHOUT A KEY, OR A FOOT OR THE BREAK, OR PRESSING ANY BUTTON, THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER ENGAGE A DRIVE GEAR OR NEUTRAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A BACKOVER OR ROLL-AWAY CRASH. TOYOTA OF PLANO SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. FURTHER, THEY SAY IT IS NOT EVEN COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA (CORPORATE) IS SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM/ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10631648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesDallas, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE MY 10 YEAR OLD PUSHED THE SHIFTER BACK INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A LURCHING HALT. WITHOUT A KEY, OR A FOOT OR THE BREAK, OR PRESSING ANY BUTTON, THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER ENGAGE A DRIVE GEAR OR NEUTRAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A BACKOVER OR ROLL-AWAY CRASH. TOYOTA OF PLANO SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. FURTHER, THEY SAY IT IS NOT EVEN COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA (CORPORATE) IS SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM/ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10631648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesDallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE MY 10 YEAR OLD PUSHED THE SHIFTER BACK INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A LURCHING HALT. WITHOUT A KEY, OR A FOOT OR THE BREAK, OR PRESSING ANY BUTTON, THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER ENGAGE A DRIVE GEAR OR NEUTRAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A BACKOVER OR ROLL-AWAY CRASH. TOYOTA OF PLANO SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. FURTHER, THEY SAY IT IS NOT EVEN COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA (CORPORATE) IS SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM/ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10631648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.