257 of the
4,811 complaints filed about the Toyota Sequoia
are about the suspension —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
My 2003 Sequoia was in the garage for a check on the brakes. I also asked them to check the frame for any rust issues, because I had previously been concerned about it earlier. They reported to me that the car should be off the road because the rust in the frame was so severe. They said they would not put it up on the lift anymore because it could break in half. The stabilizer was barely connected at one end. There were holes completely through the frame at several places. I know from my research that Toyota issued safety recalls for 2003 Sequoia and Tundra vehicles. This an issue that Toyota should repair.
NHTSA complaint #11757568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Description of the Safety Crash/Informed Incident: Vehicle Information: 2004 Toyota Sequoia (VIN: [XXX]) Incident Date: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Police Agency: California Highway Patrol (Report #:[XXX]) Speed at Incident: Highway speeds (~65 MPH) Description of Defect/Failure: Structural mechanical failure leading to sudden, catastrophic wheel separation at highway speeds. Nine days prior to the incident, on [XXX], the vehicle underwent a comprehensive brake, rotor, and tire rotation service at a certified Toyota dealership (Toyota of Chula Vista, Work Order #[XXX]). While traveling on the interstate, the right rear passenger wheel assembly completely detached from the moving vehicle. As a result, the wheel flew off crossing several traffic lanes, traveling over a jersey wall on the freeway shoulder, landing into a nearby drainage ditch. The vehicle dropped onto the remaining brake/rotor assembly, generating extreme sparks, causing an immediate loss of braking pressure, and creating an imminent threat of a rollover or multi-vehicle fatal collision. Subsequent post-incident inspection on a maintenance lift revealed that all wheel studs on the right rear hub were completely sheared or stripped off. This indicates a severe technician failure to properly torque the wheel lug nuts to factory specifications during reassembly, or an un-diagnosed structural failure of the wheel mounting components following certified dealer service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11747762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Turned into a laundromat parking lot and my balljoint snapped and my truck was sitting on the ground on the driver side front. Bent my fender and door also.
NHTSA complaint #11707612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This Toyota has several large rust holes directly on the frame. i hit a pot hole and more structure damage was revealed on the frame from rust. The truck drives rough now. The vehicle only has 150,000 miles. The rust holes are so severe that they're directly under my suspension. I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle. Their was once a recall for the frame. It doesn't seem that it was satisfied. I'm very worried about this issue. Toyota should have to replace frame or make it safe to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11639427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front strut is failing, but dealer cannot replace strut due to lack of inventory and they say a failure in the strut is only if it is leaking. Strut makes grinding/rumbling noise.
NHTSA complaint #11629180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 Toyota Sequoia frame completely deteriorated and rusted through. I discovered this when brining my vehicle in for the Toyota Airbag Recall when the technician brought this safety issue to my attention. Previous driving had been extremely unstable and buckled when I was on the highway. Since discovering the frame issue, I stopped driving the vehicle. I believe this is a safety issue caused by a defective frame that Toyota is aware of and had issue a past recall for. The Toyota dealer has made a video of the deteriorated frame and has commented that the vehicle is a safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11597103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2019 Toyota Sequoia Platinum with air suspension is leaning to the left. The driver rear measured from the center of the tire hub to the bottom of the fender is 1and 1/8 inch lower than the passenger rear. There was a similar Toyota T-SB-0179-17 with a similar issue that was issued for 2013-2016 Toyota Sequoia Platinum vehicles with air suspension. Please look into this and potentially extend the previous TSB or issue a new one to solve this issue. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11586120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My wife pulled out of a parking lot and there was a loud noise and the vehicle began to shudder violently. Approximate speed was 10 mikes an hour and she was able to stop. The drivers side rear suspension airbag had broken through the lower control arm, and was under the rear driver side tire. It appears some frame members are cracked as well. Had this happened at highway speeds, it may have resulted in a catastrophic accident. Writer contacted Toyota, as I do not recall being notified of their ZH9 frame replacement program that resulted from a class action settlement, and the rear of the frame is horribly rusted. Vehicle probably would have qualified at that time to be fixed, but am now out of the window. Manufacturers should be made to notify via certified mail, so they know their customers received notifications like this.
NHTSA complaint #11569276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
To whom it may concern, I recently purchased a 2002 Toyota sequoia. I brought the truck to a local shop for a (overall assessment of the vehicle) since I just Purchased it. The shop owner ( I have their name address if needed). The chassis is rusty and has holes sue to rust. If someone can get back to me It’s much appreciated
NHTSA complaint #11540644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH the rear of the vehicle lowered and the rear of the vehicle started to bounce, and the suspension warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the suspension system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11514394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 Sequoia class action, court ordered frame inspection & either repair or frame replacement. Never received notice of class action. Received letter stating vehicle needed to be inspected. Took to Victory Toyota, Canton, MI on Jan 5, 2018. Was told passed inspection & frame needed seal coating, did not have product. Vehicle was taken in multiple times, never completed the process. On May 6, 2019 the vehicle was taken to this dealership, a rental vehicle was provided and they did nothing and on May 21, 2019, noted the vehicle didn’t pass inspection & the campaign had expired! Per service history report from another dealership, on May 21, (the 15th day they had they had vehicle in their possession), they noted the frame did not pass inspection, also noted the repair timeline expired and they did nothing; however, they were paid to do the job they never did. The frame should of been replaced. I have photos from 2016 showing holes in the frame. I took vehicle to two other dealerships, one inspected in fall 2019 & sent 3 photos to Toyota showing the frame rusted holes but stated once Toyota makes a decision, the never change their mind. Second local dealership printed detailed Toyota repair history report showing Victory stated the vehicle did not pass inspection and that the timeline expired on the 16th day they had the vehicle!! The vehicle interior & exterior is in excellent condition but Toyota knowing refused to replace many of the frames, even though they knew the manufacturer had not made the frames correctly. Toyota has tons of money, clearly they don’t care about their product or customers safety.
NHTSA complaint #11507441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Complete failure and separation of the lower ball joint. Caused the wheel to fall off, damaging the front fender and jamming the front door making the door stuck closed. Fortunate we did not crash into anything and kill anyone. A very close call.
NHTSA complaint #11502148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
car is not recalled yet the same model year is recalled from 2007, this problem effects my car as well as cars made earlier in the year. The suspension is unstable and joints are worn in many places ball joints and other steering effecting joints. The car makes sudden side movements like the wheel is about to fall off or the tire fell off the time but the tires are properly inflated. Repair estimated are atleast $600 possibly $1200 as it is worn in 2 places The problem is on the passenger side front. The car has 114000 miles. There is no recall on this car but other Sequoias made the same year are recalled This is pretty obvious the problem was in the design and not the date of manufacture.
NHTSA complaint #11494966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front driver’s side wheel bearing fracture causing the tire to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the front wheel bearing was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11491922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frame deterioration has rendered the rear torque arm incapable resulting in dynamic misalignment of the rear axle. Under acceleration the vehicle veers into oncoming traffic and under deceleration it veers towards the road ditch as the axle shifts about beneath the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11488948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I tried to make apointments to local dealers they set up appointments and than don’t do nothing about it they said the don’t have any certified tech to do the job so I left with this mess not knowing when my ride is going to give. Out on me I got about 319000 miles Toyota should be proud and thank me for keeping my ride up to date I do my part to have it running good but they not doing there part to help me with these recalls please help me out.
NHTSA complaint #11480298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rack and pinion rusted out and had to be replaced. It cracked in the middle of the highway and left me inching to safety. Never fully recovered 186k, frame is fully rusted and will not pass inspection due to faulty oxygen sensors and excessive rust and corrosion. Will need to replace exhaust to input a new sensor at 4k Vechicle is fully operable and functional but cannot pass inspection without the safety of rust treatment or replacement It’s a great vechicle but unfortunate that the 2002 series is left out of the recall . There are a lot of early generations that have these issues and although the trucks are reliable and have a long life , are undriveable because they can’t pass inspection. Please consider extended the rust recall to 2001-2003 Sequoias. This was my grandfathers truck and really would like to keep his memory in the family and drive my grandfathers truck as it still runs perfectly but has on going issues with rust and frame issues . There was an extended warranty for 2002 Sequoias that expired in 2014. This is a point where most Sequioas weren’t experiencing this issue. Dealership or recall will not honor and denied any claim for rust It is unfortunate because I am now disabled and love my Sequoia so much and was hoping to drive to appointments and gain my health back. It has become more than I am able to afford to fix an entire frame of the vehicle. It’s evident that early generations all that his issue but has not been honored for repair. I’ve repaired things over the years with hopes to pass inspection and now have insight as to what the real issue is. The excessive rust and damage to the frame.
NHTSA complaint #11474941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he noticed that the rear wheels were extended outward. The contact looked under his vehicle and noticed that the rear subframe and suspension were extremely rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, there was no diagnostic test performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
NHTSA complaint #11474051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.