TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Sequoia suspension problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 25 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Sequoia, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Toyota Sequoia we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 25.
Owners have filed 25 suspension complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Sequoia has a well-documented front suspension problem centered on lower ball joints. Toyota issued recall 07V013000 in 2007, but owners report severe parts shortages—dealers receiving inventory trickle by trickle, with waits of 6 weeks or longer. Some dealers kept vehicles for weeks then failed to complete the work before the campaign timeline expired, leaving owners unrepaired and dealers paid anyway.
The ball joint issue manifests as uneven tire wear on the outer edges, with some owners going through three tire sets by 66k miles despite regular rotation and alignment checks. After the recall repair, some owners report the ball joints failing again. One owner documented a separated ball joint from the control arm knuckle during a low-speed turn.
Frame rust is pervasive and severe—not surface corrosion but holes eaten through the undercarriage, shock mounts, and spare tire brackets. Owners with 2005 models report rust visible by 11 years old. A court-ordered class-action inspection campaign around 2018–2019 required frame assessment and replacement if failed, but multiple owners describe dealers documenting frame failure, then refusing to replace the frame because the campaign window expired.
Rear air suspension failures cause the vehicle to bottom out and skip across the road at all speeds, hampering braking and control. Dealer valve replacements haven't fixed it. Electrical issues with VSC/TRAC/ABS warning lights illuminate intermittently, and one early vehicle caught fire at 20k miles while parked, with cause undetermined.
Same Toyota Sequoia suspension reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Lower Ball Joint Wear & Premature Failure
Lower ball joints fail or wear prematurely, causing uneven tire wear, alignment loss, and steering instability. Owners report the 2007 recall (07V013000) addressed the issue, but some report the joints failing again shortly after recall repair.
When: 2007 recall issued; failures reported as early as 18k–116k miles; one owner reports ball joint replacement needed again post-recall
Symptoms owners cite: Outer edge tire wear despite regular rotation and alignment checks; Uneven tread wear on all four tires; Vehicle going out of alignment 3–4 times per year; Front-end vibration at 60 mph or faster; Steering wheel shaking; Lower ball joint separated from control arm knuckle
Codes mentioned: 07V013000 (Suspension: Front: Control Arm: Lower Ball Joint)
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair performed; air release valves replaced in one case without resolving the underlying issue. Parts shortages delayed recall completion by months or longer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2007 Recall 07V013000 issued for lower ball joint replacement. Widespread parts shortages (owners report dealers receiving 1 part per week, 6-week wait times, or no ETA). Some dealers unable to complete repairs within recall timeline; one owner documents dealer paid but never completed the work.
Rear Air Suspension (Air Bag Leveling) Failure
Rear air suspension system fails, causing the vehicle to bottom out and skip across the road. Dealer replaced air release valves without resolving the fault. Toyota unable to diagnose or repair the problem.
When: Failures reported during normal driving; no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle bottoms out at all speeds; Rear end skipping across road in both directions; Loss of braking and vehicle control at low and high speeds; Suspension warning light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced air release valves without fixing the problem. Multiple dealer visits unsuccessful.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No fix provided; owners report Toyota does not know why the system is failing
Excessive Frame Rust & Corrosion
2005 Sequoia frames develop severe rust holes, particularly on the undercarriage and around shock mounts. A 2005 class-action court order mandated frame inspection and replacement if needed, but dealers failed to complete repairs within the campaign window or properly documented frame failure.
When: Rust observed as early as 2016 (11 years old); frame holes documented in photos by 2016; inspection notices sent around 2018–2019
Symptoms owners cite: Frame rust holes visible and photographed; Rust through from inside out; Chassis rust on entire undercarriage; Shock mount corrosion; Spare tire mount rust
Repairs/costs cited: Class-action court order required frame inspection and seal coating or replacement. One owner documents dealer kept vehicle 15+ days, failed inspection, and repair timeline expired without work completed. Frame seal coating product unavailable at some dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class-action frame inspection campaign (2018–2019); Toyota refused to replace frames even when inspection failed, citing expired campaign timeline. One owner reports Toyota stated 'once they make a decision, they never change their mind.' 2004 and earlier model years received chassis replacements for the same rust issue.
Electrical/Brake System Warning Lights (VSC, TRAC, ABS)
Brake warning lights (VSC, TRAC, ABS) illuminate intermittently or continuously on the instrument panel, sometimes accompanied by loss of braking power and acceleration, or unexpected 4WD engagement and wheel lock.
When: Failures reported from 19k miles onward; intermittent during stop-and-go traffic and at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights illuminate on dashboard intermittently; VSC and TRAC buttons stay on continuously; ABS light illuminates; Loss of braking power and acceleration; Unexpected 4WD engagement; Wheels locking on one side during 4WD; Grinding noise when backing
Codes mentioned: Skid control defective (diagnostic result from dealer)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer advised skid control system defective and needed repair; vehicle not repaired in one case. No mechanic scan found faults in another case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or fix documented
Uneven Tire Wear & Premature Tire Failure
Tires wear unevenly on the outer edges despite regular rotation and alignment maintenance, forcing premature replacement. Owners believe this is caused by ball joint or suspension defects.
When: First set replaced at 28k miles; second at 66k; owners report tire life of ~26k–40k miles instead of typical lifespan
Symptoms owners cite: Outer edge of tires bald or nearly smooth; Inner portion of tires still has 25k+ miles of tread remaining; Traction control activation during cornering due to worn outer edge
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple tire replacements and alignments performed; costs not specified. Owners dispute dealer claim that 26k tire life is normal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota representative told one owner that 26k tire life is normal for Sequoia and should not be compared to Tahoe or Explorer. Dealer blamed owner maintenance despite regular rotation and alignment; Toyota refused to acknowledge suspension defect as cause.
Engine Compartment Fire
Vehicle caught fire while parked. Police and fire reports filed; manufacturer could not determine cause but offered only partial reimbursement.
When: Early in vehicle ownership, at 20k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fire while parked; Fire may have started in engine compartment per police report
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; manufacturer reimbursed only half the cost
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer reimbursed half the vehicle cost, stating cause could not be determined
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Extreme rusting on vehicle chassis, spare tire mount, shock mounts, entire under-carraige. Toyota has performed chassis replacements on model years up to 2004 due to extreme rusting on the sequoia. This generation needs to be included in recall or campaign to remedy the situation. *tr
Had suspension trouble with your 2005 Toyota Sequoia?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 Toyota Sequoia?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 25,000 and 105,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 25,000; a quarter make it past 105,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Sequoia.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.