Selling a worn-out or broken Toyota Sequoia

Check the recalls on your VIN before you decide. On the early trucks, ball joints and air bags are dealer recall work.

Three generations of Sequoia

The Sequoia started as the SUV version of the Tundra pickup. We pulled NHTSA's complaint records on October 10, 2026: 3,268 complaints across all three generations. Nearly all of them are about the first one.

Two things set the second generation apart from the Tundra: a fully boxed frame and an independent double-wishbone rear suspension. From 2023, every Sequoia is a hybrid.

Front ball joints, 2002-2007

Two recalls cover the front lower ball joints of early trucks. Recall 05V225, filed in May 2005, reached 2002-2004 Sequoias in a campaign of 768,379 vehicles in all. A scratch on the ball could make the joint wear and loosen. Recall 07V013, filed in January 2007, reached 2004-2007 Sequoias in a campaign of 533,124 trucks and minivans. There the problem was lost lubrication. In both, the joint can pull out of the knuckle and the driver can lose steering.

One 2004 owner told NHTSA the left front tire "fell completely off" while parking after a ball joint let go. If you can't confirm the recall work, treat the front end as suspect.

Stability and TRAC OFF lights, 2001-2005

Electronic stability control is the top complaint area for the whole model, with 475 complaints. Most fall on 2001-2005 trucks: 85 on the 2001, 116 on the 2002, 122 on the 2003, 61 on the 2004 and 64 on the 2005. Owners describe the VSC and TRAC OFF warning lights coming on. One 2003 owner blamed a faulty sensor; another said the lights returned years after a dealer replaced the sensors.

Only one recall touches this. Recall 10V176 reprograms or replaces the skid control computer on 50,000 Sequoias from the 2003 model year, built from April 2002 to April 2003. Its logic could store the steering angle center wrong, so stability control would step in at low speed and the truck would not pick up speed as expected. None of the recalls or bulletins we searched accounts for the lights on the other years.

Frame rust

Structure is the second-biggest complaint area, with 463 complaints. It ranks first or second on six of the seven first-generation years, with 92 on the 2001 and 92 on the 2003. Owners write about frames with "major frame rust", one at 167,000 miles.

Toyota's inspection guide from its frame corrosion settlement lists the Sequoia beside the Tacoma and Tundra: "Sequoia 05-07 Sequoia 08". We have not read a Sequoia warranty letter, so we can't tell you what that program pays. Ask a Toyota dealer whether your VIN was ever inspected or treated.

Air bags

The early trucks carry four Takata recalls: 15V285, 15V286, 18V883 and 19V741. Toyota lists certain 2002-2007 Sequoias in the final phase of that campaign, which covered many Toyota and Lexus models. When one of these inflators ruptures, metal pieces can fly into the cabin, and dealers replace it free. Under recall 16V065, 2005-2006 Sequoias get a new air bag control module, because the old programming could deploy the side curtains unexpectedly. That campaign of 320,409 vehicles also reached Land Cruiser, Lexus LX470 and Tundra models.

Second generation, 2008-2022

These trucks have few complaints, 233 across 15 years. The recall to know is 21V920: the power steering gear may have been assembled wrong and can leak, which can cut steering assist without warning. It covers 22,462 vehicles, 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra. Two 2020 campaigns, 20V012 and 20V682, replace a low-pressure fuel pump that can stall the engine at speed on certain 2018-2020 Sequoias. Each reached more than a million Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

The hybrid, 2023 on

The third generation has 96 complaints so far. Leaving out label campaigns, it has five recalls, and four of them also cover the Tundra:

• 24V125: the truck can move in Neutral with the brakes off; a transmission software update fixes it (280,663 vehicles, Tundra and Lexus LX600 included).
• 24V640: the rear bumper tow hitch cover can fall off (43,395 Sequoia Hybrids).
• 24V767: possible inner sidewall damage on passenger-side tires (11,890 vehicles).
• 25V657: the rearview camera image may not show in reverse (393,838 vehicles).
• 23V468: a weak weld in the spare tire chain (1,398 vehicles).

Engine reports show up too: 5 of the 38 complaints on the 2023 name the engine. One owner wrote that the engine "failed" at about 32,000 miles. Toyota's main bearing recall, 25V767, names the Tundra and two Lexus models with the same V35A engine, not the Sequoia.

Complaints and recalls by model year

From NHTSA's files on October 10, 2026. "Injuries" is the number of people hurt in incidents owners described. A recall campaign spanning several years in a grouped row counts once.

The recall counts include paperwork and label campaigns from Toyota's regional distributors, which is why some quiet years show several.

Repair or sell?

Compare the written quote with what the truck would bring running. A first-generation Sequoia that needs frame work and front suspension at the same time can cost more to fix than it is worth.

1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Ball joints, air bags and the steering gear leak are recall work.
2. Get the frame inspected on a hoist first; every other repair waits on that answer. Our failed inspection guide covers frame rot against surface rust.
3. Hybrid battery on a 2023 or newer? Toyota's warranty page says: "Every Toyota Hybrid battery is supported by a 10-year/150,000-mile limited warranty coverage, whichever comes first."
4. Engine gone? Read blown engine before you pay for a replacement.

We publish no repair prices for the Sequoia because we have no sourced ones. Get written quotes.

Selling it whole

1. Write down the VIN, mileage and what is wrong, plus whether it starts, drives or only rolls.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it sits and how to reach it: a driveway, a back lot, a shop bay. Mention a frame that is soft or a wheel that won't turn, so the driver brings the right equipment.
4. Keep it complete. Leave the wheels, converters and hitch on. Missing parts lower the offer.
5. Pickup needs two things: the title and a photo ID. Plates are a state-by-state rule; see after you sell.

More big Toyotas: the Tundra, Land Cruiser and 4Runner.