The most-reported Sequoia run is 5TDBT48A84S (2004 builds) with 24 complaints, 4.7× the typical run. Electronic stability control (esc) problems make up 21% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 9.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns for Sequoia model years 2001–2022.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Toyota Sequoia has 529 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Sequoia complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5TDBT48A84S•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDZT34A12S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDZT34A92S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDBT48A32S•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| 5TDBT44A21S•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 5TDZT34A03S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5TDBT48A33S•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5TDZT34A43S•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDZT34A62S•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| 5TDBT48A91S•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 5TDZT34AX2S•••••• | 2002 | 1 | — | |
| 5TDZT34A52S•••••• | 2002 | — | — |
Each of the other 517 Sequoia runs has 19 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 133 Sequoia VINs so far, most often 2026, 2025, 2023 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Toyota Sequoia the gap between build years is 9.3×: a 2003 car draws 9.3 complaints per run, a 2015 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 7 | 6 | — | |
| 2018 | 18 | 12 | — | |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 9 | 8 | — | |
| 2015 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 2014 | 16 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2013 | 11 | 10 | — | |
| 2012 | 18 | 15 | — | |
| 2011 | 17 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 28 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 2008 | 54 | 34 | 4 | |
| 2007 | 117 | 49 | 5 | |
| 2006 | 173 | 51 | 6 | |
| 2005 | 287 | 52 | 6 | |
| 2004 | 332 | 54 | 17 | |
| 2003 | 576 | 62 | 14 | |
| 2002 | 578 | 69 | 18 | |
| 2001 | 427 | 66 | 18 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 9.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2015 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 21% of everything Toyota Sequoia owners report: Electronic Stability Control (esc), 682 of 2,696 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 7 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 18 | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 | 1 | |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 5 | 1 | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | |
| Suspension | 22 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 30 recall campaigns on the Toyota Sequoia; the 6 below cover build years 2001 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 21E103000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System | 2008–2022 |
| 21V920000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System | 2008–2022 |
| 16V396000 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 2005–2011 |
| 14V743000 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler | 2005–2011 |
| 07E023000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder | 2001–2007 |
| 15V286000 | Air Bags | 2002–2007 |
The Sequoia against its rivals
The Sequoia draws 5.1 complaints per production run; the Ford Explorer 5, the Dodge Durango 4.8 and the Ford Expedition 3.1. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Sequoia | 2,696 | 529 | 3.4% | |
| Ford Explorer | 29,405 | 5,833 | 5% | |
| Dodge Durango | 11,502 | 2,416 | 4.9% | |
| Ford Expedition | 7,766 | 2,478 | 5.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,696 reports on the Toyota Sequoia, 3.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Toyota Sequoia | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,696 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 93 (3.4%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 7 (0.3%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 125 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 4 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 41% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Toyota Sequoia share of that is 2,696 complaints over 529 runs, 0.24% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Toyota Sequoia VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,696 NHTSA complaints from 529 Sequoia runs and 30 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Sequoia production run has the most complaints?
5TDBT48A84S, a 2004 build, with 24 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Sequoia run has 5.1.
Which Sequoia years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 9.3 complaints per run and 2015 lightest at 1.
Does the Sequoia get more complaints than the Ford Explorer?
Yes: 5.1 complaints per production run for the Sequoia against 5 for the Ford Explorer.
How many Sequoia complaints involve a crash?
3.4% of 2,696 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 7 involved a fire.
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