Toyota Sequoia problems
352 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Suspension: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–105,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The secondary injection pump has failed. It started with a loud winding noise anytime it was started at a cold start. The noise would last a few minutes. Then everything was fine. Then the entire thing went out and my check engine light came on along with all traction…
As I started driving the car my vsc off vsc trac and brake light when on when I tried to brake it made a terrible sound as I continued to press on the brake it made a hssssssing sound like air was coming out I got home and googled the problem I guess im not the only one Toyota…
While driving home on interstate 15 in california brake pedal would not depress. After several hard foot applications pedal finally engaged. This is after months of service on this vehicle for brake problems starting with spongy and inconsistent pedal and vcs, ABS and brake…
Was in wreck and rolled over multiple yimes and went thru windshield ended up in hospsital with brain injury
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2005 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 352 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Toyota Sequoia is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Toyota Sequoia?
The 2005 Toyota Sequoia is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Suspension: 25 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 25,000–105,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Toyota Sequoia?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is cruise control, with 60 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,458 miles. Average repair cost runs about $600 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 84,810 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Sequoia has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Toyota Sequoia?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 352 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.