Best and worst Toyota Sequoia years — which to avoid

Though Sequoia is widely associated with reliability and excellence, some of its model years do not quite deliver on the promise. This article reveals the Toyota Sequoia years to avoid and best Sequoia years you should focus on for a purchase.

We’ll deal with the NHTSA complaints, common problems affecting certain model years, and driver reviews in general as we explain why some models are better purchase decisions than others.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Toyota Sequoia years

While in the making of this guide, our team used the information from sites of authority like NHTSA and IIHS to figure out which model years have received the most complaints and why. We also considered ownership feedback from past and present Sequoia drivers on KBB, Edmunds, and Consumer Reports.

By combining all these, along with official Sequoia recalls, we were able to come up with a unique rating system for the Sequoia years, so we’ve divided them into the best and worst categories in the table below:

Most common Toyota Sequoia problems

The Toyota Sequoia has many enticing characteristics, making it a popular option for drivers looking for a family vehicle. However, before making a purchase, it is essential to know what kind of problems the car is prone to developing. Despite its durability and reliability, Sequoia has its share of problems.

Here are the most common problems you can expect a Toyota Sequoia to develop.

1. Lower ball joint problems

Many drivers complain about the lower ball joint problem the Sequoia develops often after 11,000 to 20,000 miles. Eight models of the Sequoia were heavily afflicted with the problem to the point where Toyota had to issue a recall campaign for five of them to fix it. The problem was caused by manufacturing defects which initiated a premature wearing of the lower ball joint.

Worn lower ball joints are a safety hazard as the lower ball joints connect the lower control arm to the steering knuckle. They are vital pieces for the proper functioning of the suspension system. When they are not in a good position, they cause you to lose control of your vehicle, making you susceptible to accidents.

2. Rusty frame

The Sequoia is very susceptible to rust as Toyota seems to have not thoroughly treated many of the frames of its vehicle with anti-corrosion chemicals. After a few years of use, it is not odd to find rust on a Sequoia. The rust is more severe in areas where salt is often applied on the road and for Sequoias that spend most of their life in a garage. At this point, you may wonder “what’s frame damage on a car” and it’s more serious than it appears.

Rust affects a vehicle’s appearance and weakens its load-bearing components, as the undercarriage and some vulnerable areas help spread the rust and reduce the car’s structural integrity in the process. This rust problem affected many other Toyota SUV models, not Sequoia alone, to the point where drivers filed a lawsuit against Toyota.

As a settlement, Toyota had to pay $3.4 billion to drivers who purchased the 2005 to 2008 Sequoia models. The settlement covers the cost of inspections, the application of corrosion-resistant compounds, and a complete frame replacement for the most severe cases.

3. Damaged exhaust manifolds

Models made from 2001 to 2004 suffered the most from the effects of a damaged exhaust manifold.

The role of the exhaust manifold is to direct the hot exhaust gasses away from the engine and into the exhaust system. When the manifold is cracked, it makes a lot of noise when the car is being fired up as the metal heats up to expand. The noise disappears when the pipe is hot enough because the heat has caused it to expand enough to seal itself.

If left untreated, a cracked manifold can damage other parts of the engine, reducing engine performance and fuel economy and causing exhaust gasses to enter the cabin. Not only do the fumes entering the cabin subtract from ride comfort, but they also pose a serious health hazard that can lead to a damaged respiratory system.

4. Leaking camshaft towers

Some drivers have complained about their camshaft tower failing prematurely, causing an oil leak that accelerates the overheating process, putting you at risk of losing your engine. The 2008 Sequoia is most notorious for having this problem.

To adequately repair this issue, drivers had to replace the offending o-rings and gaskets. The price for this replacement is approximately $2,500.

5. Oxygen sensor failure

2001 to 2004 Toyota Sequoias are most prone to oxygen sensor failure. Drivers complain that the problem reoccurs several times in a few years, which is very inconvenient. The main symptoms of bad oxygen sensors include engine misfires, poor fuel efficiency, and rough idling.

Worst Toyota Sequoia years to avoid

Some Sequoias have more problems than others, which inconveniences their drivers. To fully enjoy the value of your money when you purchase a Sequoia, you can’t help but wonder – what are the worst Sequoia years?

The worst Toyota Sequoia years are 2001 and 2002, but you should avoid all of the models on this list:

• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2007
• 2008

Now that you konw about the worst-rated years, let’s see why you should avoid them by further discussing some of the main probelms below.

First-generation Sequoia (2001-2004 model years)

The first generation of Toyota Sequoias is far from the Sequoia we know today. They were unreliable with many problems, including brake, body/paint, steering, suspension, and engine issues. Sequoias of this first generation were known for engine failure as early as 100,000 miles.

One of the worst problems a driver reported while driving one of the first generations of Sequoia was a transmission failure, an erratic VSC traction control system, and a cracked manifold happening all at once. All these were severe issues that cost a lot to repair.

The 2002 Sequoia model holds the record as the worst Sequoia as it had the most number of complaints and troubles. The other models following the 2002 models did not equal the reputation of the 2002 Sequoia but had other frustrating problems. These problems include air injection system failure, camshaft tower leaks, excessive rusting, acceleration loss, clunk noises at the rear end, and a battery that runs down rapidly.

What made owning a first-generation Sequoia more annoying was that some of them started developing faults after an early 3,000 miles, with the more severe ones appearing after 90,000 miles. The 2001 to 2004 model years of the Sequoia are avoided altogether as the number and kind of complaints drivers had to give were more than disheartening.

Second-generation Sequoia (2008 model years)

The second generation of Toyota Sequoia came with significant improvements. However, the very first Sequoia of this generation is best left alone.

Drivers complained that the ride was rough on the 2008 Sequoia, and the exhaust manifold was notorious for cracking early. Accessories like airbags and belts wore and torn pretty early, with some drivers complaining of the seatbelt refusing to recoil after use.

Despite the improvement, the 2008 Sequoia model was still poor in terms of safety, as its handling was poor and sloppy.

What are the best Toyota Sequoia years to buy?

After the poor execution of their vision for the Sequoia in the first generation, Toyota sat up for later generations and produced the Sequoias, which we are familiar with today. Here are the best Sequoia years you should look out for during purchase.

• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

From the list, we can see that Toyota began bringing out the best in the Sequoia after the failure of the first generation. Excluding the 2008 model, which started the series, all other model years of the second generation had significant improvements in safety and ride comfort.

The number of complaints Toyota normally received for the Sequoia reduced drastically, and the reputation of the Sequoia as a reliable vehicle grew with models like the 2009 Sequoia being the best.

2009 Toyota Sequoia

The 2009 Sequoia is the best-rated model overall and it’s the go-to option for all those looking for a reliable used model to buy. Ever since its release, Sequoias never had to suffer with issues like oil leaks, transmission faults, and even engine failure.

This one didn’t receive any complaints filed to NHTSA by fellow drivers and it had an excellent feedback regarding its reliability.

Is the Toyota Sequoia worth buying?

The Toyota Sequoia is worth buying as it fulfils its performance, comfort, and luxury promise. The SUV is spacious, quiet, capable, and worth its price. It has different trim options, so you to pick one that best suits your personality and budget.

If you are looking to buy a car as an investment, the Sequoia is one to consider, as it holds its value pretty well due to its reliability. With the proper maintenance and care, the Sequoia can last about 300,000 miles or 20 years, which is 100,000 miles more than the average lifespan of a conventional vehicle.