This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Toyota Sequoia with 139K miles. This SUV had a frame recall in 2014, Toyota dealer applied the paint/epoxy to the rusted frame instead of replacing the rusted frame. The paint peeled off within 6 months of the application. Now the frame is rusted very badly. When driving it makes grinding noises. My mechanic said that because of extensive frame rust, the frame has gotten weaker and is slightly bent. This makes the moving parts touch the other parts of the body/frame resulting in the noises. He suggested replacing the rusted frame.
I purchased a top of the line '04 Toyota Sequoia in January of this year for almost 9K. It has less than 110K miles on it and in pristine condition. We took it to the shop in August because we thought it needed a front end alignment. Nope! this was the frame that was recalled under the Tundra trucks for rusting out because the frames were not built correctly. No where in my research did the recall mention the Sequoias. The frame is rusted so badly that it isn't even safe for me to drive. I have been to kerry Toyota in florence ky, and spoke with several different people and keep being told there is nothing you Toyota can do about it because the previous owner didn't take it in when the recall was active and have the special spray coating sprayed on to the frame. This is absolutely outrageous. You had a recall on these frames and didn't include the Sequoia model name and Toyota knew these frames would become dangerous and detrimental to the life of the car. This isn't a few hundred dollar fix which we could deal with, it's 7 thousand or more dollars fix after I paid almost 9K for a car that had less than 110K miles and is otherwise in perfect condition. When we purchased the car you couldn't tell that the frame was rusted so bad because someone had sprayed undercoating all over the frame. This car and the condition it is in minus the frame should last another 200K miles or more. I have no choice but to continue to drive it, I spent all that money on it and I can not believe that with everyone we have spoken to no one wants to make this right especially because your company knew how detrimental and dangerous this frame is, and here I am driving my children around in it. It is ate up with rust so bad that it can't even be welded.
Undercarriage is rusted, dch Toyota new brunswick technician confirmed that the sealant they used did not prevent the problem from occurring. And now the vehicle is not road safe. But they do not want to make the repair that they should have done originally. Strange, though, is that they fixed the same year Tundra that has the same frame and under carriage.
At on or about 7:30 pm on may13th 2018 our son was driving the families 2004 Toyota Sequoia northbound in 2 lane divided highway and no other traffic present. Weather was inclement, visibility clear but nothing out of the ordinary for Florida. He was traveling 41 mph in a 45 in the left lane. No sooner than he went through the intersection traffic light controlled, (he had the right of way) did he go through what the deputy said was a slippery section of the road way covered with standing water. He released pressure on the accelerator to diminish hydroplaning and no sooner than that instant the vsc lights (variable speed control) lights illuminated in the dash. He reported that the right front wheel locked up and created a pivot point for the car to spin around 180 degrees clockwise, now facing oncoming traffic as he was now in the right lane. He was frantically attempting to regain control over the vehicle by constantly depressing the brakes in order to stop the vehicles motion however unsuccessful as he was pressing on the braking pedal with no response, the car now still in motion, hit the curb, and left the roadway by going now backwards down a steep embankment of over 12 feet and came to a halt. Luckily, a sheriffs deputy was traveling in the opposite direction and had witnessed this and was able to save my sons life by his quick response. The car had to be extracted out of the culvert with recovery cranes. Our family is so grateful to the deputy and that we have our son alive and without a scratch. He is a bit worn for wear being shook up like that. The Sequoia has always been serviced by Toyota and we enjoyed years of trouble-free ownership until this incident.
- Fort Myers, FL, USA
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Rust, rust, rust. I can see through the left side rear wheel well. It's embarrassing when I open the door looks like something is missing. Hey part of door and wheel well is gone. Hate thinking about what else is missing, because it rusted away. Original owner.
The frame is rusted through in large, weight-bearing areas. Some of the holes are 3 inches or more in diameter. I have been told it is dangerous to drive. Toyota had a rust proofing recall around 2012. They sprayed some tar-like material on it which did no good. I am the original owner and have taken good care of the vehicle. This frame is every bit as bad as all the Sequoia frames Toyota recalled and replaced from model year 2005 on. I deserve the same treatment as the later owners with their rusted frames. Less important but annoying is the rust on the body over the left read wheelwell which is glaringly obvious when a passenger opens that door. You can see right through that part of the body. It happened within a few years of purchase.
The contact's friend owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. While the vehicle was taken to an inspection station, the contact's friend was informed by the inspector that the frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Rear hatch handle breaks probably due to faulty design of handle, cable and latch. Falure happens when opening rear hatch. Vehicle stationary. If handle breaks you are unable to access the spare tire due to where the crank mecanism that lowers spare tire is located. Closed door hatch blocks access to crank. No other access to crank. On this vehicle handle has broken 3 times. On our 2005 Sequoia it has broken 4 times. Toyota plastic handle is obviously week since it breaks in the same spot every time at a replacement cost at the dealer of $600 to $850 each occasion. I am unable to provide pictures as the broken parts were disposed of.
Vehicle has large holes in frame on LH side and bottom extending next to body mount. Needs Toyota to replace frame have plated it but not sure how long it will last
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact noticed that the front frame fractured without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (rudy luther Toyota, 8805 wayzata blvd, golden valley, mn 55426; (612) 424-7924) and the contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-331-4331 and stated that nothing could be done. The failure mileage was 120,000.
My family car is currently a 2004 Toyota Sequoia with 161,000 miles. Recently I brought it to the local dealership where I was informed the frame was rotted significantly and may be hazardous to drive. I then called Toyota customer service and was informed that my particular model is not included in their very large and expensive defective frame recall.the local dealership concluded that the frame is indeed defective, but until Toyota motor Corp. Admits there is a problem, I will be forced to use a potentially unsafe vehicle as we aren't able to afford a replacement at this time. Thank you for your consideration.
Toyota Sequoia 2004 frame degradation to point of unsafe. Front-passenger side frame where stabilizer bar is welded to frame has rusted through, leaving a large hole and disconnecting the stabilizer bar from the frame. Known issues by Toyota. As frames were inspected by service centers. Frame "passed". issues was noticed during normal inspection - vehicle operated within originating intent and purpose. Normal driving. Toyota service center suggests a $12,000 frame replacement to fix problem.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. While jacking up the vehicle to change the rear driver's side tire, the jack went through the frame and created a visible hole and crack. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame was rusted. The frame was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,800.
I bought this vehicle new and have maintained it in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Additionally, this particular vehicle is garage kept so it is not subject to weather routinely. The rear lift gate latching mechanism has failed on my vehicle 4 times. This is a very common problem with Toyota Sequoia vehicles. Both of my local dealers state it is a very common problem. This time the cable just "snapped". it failed while I was at a gas station and needed to open the hatch. It has been repaired/replaced twice in the last few years, but continues to fail. A simple search on google will show tens of thousands of these vehicles with the same problem. It is a safety problem because it fails without notice and when it does it eliminates a means of egress from the vehicle in the case of an accident. Toyota motor sales has in the last few years been in the media multiple times for "not doing the right thing" when their vehicles have design flaws. This is just one more case. The following website documents many owners problem with the same problem of the lift gate latch failing. problemtoyota.com/tag/latches-locks-linkages/page/6/ this is not an item that should fail as often as it does. Simple failures of bearings, brakes... can be expected but this is a design flaw and it is dangerous. Toyota should issue a recall and fix this item.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle failed state inspection. The contact was informed that there was severe corrosion to the subframe of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe and should not be driven. The contact also stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,561.
Frame is rusting underneayh to the point where I have had to repair the vehicle control arm which rusted off and broke while driving. My tow hitch mount has rusted off. There are more than 5 spots along the frame where rust has perforated and the frame has visible signs of rot. I had a licensed garage inspect the frame and was told the vehicle is dangerous and that the frame should be replaced. I am having continuous problems with the suspension components rusting out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stone Ridge, VA, USA