TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Sequoia electrical problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 13 electrical complaints filed for the 2006 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
Among the 7 model years of Toyota Sequoia in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ?Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ? Difficulty to pair the phone. ? Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first turning on the vehicle. ? Various Bluetooth® Audio functions are no longer functioning with customer?s phone such as ability to change the track using the steering wheel controls. These concerns can be caused by changes made on the customer?s phone. Make sure to inquire with the customer if the connectivity concerns occurred after receiving an operating system update on their phone, or if they have restored their phone data/settings recently.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
This cluster reveals distinct electrical and control system problems across 2006 Sequoias. The most common complaint centers on VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS, and brake warning lights illuminating simultaneously, often paired with hard brake pedal and severely reduced acceleration—owner #10's vehicle exhibited this at 80k miles with completely worn ABS pump motor brushes. Owner #6 describes brakes becoming "almost not stopping the vehicle" when these lights activate, returning to normal only after engine shutdown.
Multiple owners report the secondary air injection pump's plastic fan blades fracturing and lodging in valves, forcing limp mode with 45 mph speed limitation. The dealer in narrative #1 acknowledged this happens "all the time" yet quoted $3,500 labor-heavy repair.
Water intrusion into the tailgate causes severe corrosion of power window regulators and exterior latches (owner #3). Rear wiper, window, and defrost systems fail intermittently then completely (owners #4, #8), despite verified intact fuses. Owner #7 reports the battery drains in 20–30 minutes when the ignition sits in accessory mode with the radio on—a parasitic draw Toyota service dismissed as normal.
Computer failures occur without external cause—owner #2's ECU and VSC failed simultaneously with no blown fuses and unaffected radio, yet Toyota insisted it was external fault. Owner #11 reports acceleration stalling on right turns into traffic, similar to a documented recall but not covered.
Same Toyota Sequoia electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Secondary air injection system fan blade failure
Plastic fan blades in the air pump (secondary air injection system) fracture and break into pieces that lodge in valves, forcing the engine into limp mode.
When: Variable; owner #1 reports dealer stated this happens frequently
Symptoms owners cite: Engine goes into limp mode; Loss of acceleration up hills; Speed limited to 45 mph or below; Air pump cycles on for one minute after cold start
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #1 quoted $3,500 by dealer; described as mostly labor to replace the plastic fan blade (estimated ~$5 part cost)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #1 reports dealer acknowledged the problem happens frequently to these vehicles; suggests some coverage in Canada but not USA per owner research
ECU and VSC computer multiple failures
Complete or near-complete failure of engine control unit, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), and other onboard computers without clear external cause.
When: Owner #2 reports incident on 30 July 2009; Owner #9 reports recurring issue during and after warranty period (vehicle purchased May 2006)
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple computer systems fail simultaneously (ECU, VSC, other controllers); Unrelated systems (like radio) continue to function normally; No blown fuses or circuit breakers present
Codes mentioned: ECU fault, VSC fault
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota tech representatives insisted fault was 'external' despite lack of evidence; refused to acknowledge potential latent defect
VSC/ABS warning lights with reduced braking and acceleration
Intermittent illumination of VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS, and brake warning lights accompanied by hard brake pedal, weak braking response, and engine power reduction.
When: Owner #5 reports incidents in March 2016 and later; Owner #6 reports ongoing issue for 1.5 years; Owner #10 reports lights came on at 80k miles
Symptoms owners cite: VSC TRAC light illuminates on dashboard; VSC OFF light illuminates; ABS light illuminates; Brake warning light illuminates; Brake pedal becomes hard to press and brakes nearly fail; Engine goes into 'safe mode' with power and acceleration limited; Brakes return to normal after vehicle is turned off and restarted (sometimes)
Codes mentioned: VSC fault, ABS fault, Brake system fault
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #5 notes faulty skid control unit (ECU) costs approximately $2,300; Owner #10 found ABS pump motor brushes (ATE model 25.0206-0206.3, part P/N 44050-0C100) completely worn
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite multiple owner complaints; Owner #5 notes owners have attempted to request recall
Tailgate window regulator corrosion and failure
Water intrusion into the tailgate allows interior components to corrode severely, causing power window regulator and exterior latch assembly failure.
When: Owner #3 reports power window failure, then exterior handle failure approximately 12 months later
Symptoms owners cite: Power rear tailgate window falls down into door when activated; Exterior tailgate handle breaks and will not open; Regulator assembly severely corroded; All connecting parts severely corroded; Interior latch assembly severely corroded
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota refusing to address issue; owner states condition likely present from new but manifested after warranty period
Intermittent brake warning light
Brake warning light comes on intermittently despite brakes functioning normally and all fuses being intact.
When: Owner #4 reports occurring after purchase of used vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light on dashboard comes on intermittently; No actual brake system problems detected
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate problem; claims brakes are fine
Rear wiper, window, and defrost system failures
Rear wiper, power window, and defrost system repeatedly fail, with intermittent recovery before complete failure.
When: Owner #4 reports failures occurring intermittently, then complete failure; Owner #8 reports tailgate wipers, window and fluid system not operational since 2008 despite good fuses
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wiper system fails; Rear power window fails to raise and lower; Rear defrost system fails; Systems work intermittently before failing completely; Tailgate wiper fluid system non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #4 verified fuses are intact; Owner #8 verified fuses good in all 4 compartments
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially suggested window not fully raised; later said further investigation needed at additional cost
Excessive battery drain in accessory position
Battery drains completely if ignition is left in accessory position for 20-30 minutes with radio on, indicating excessive parasitic drain.
When: Owner #7 reports issue ongoing since October 2009; battery replaced once
Symptoms owners cite: Battery dies with ignition in accessory position after 20-30 minutes; Radio remaining on drains battery quickly; Battery previously replaced without resolving issue
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced once without solving problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota service unable to find problem; one technician suggested owner would need a separate marine battery to listen to radio in accessory mode
Interior lighting failures
Door and interior compartment lights fail to operate.
When: Owner #13 reports passenger door light, glove box light, and ash tray lights not working
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger door light does not work; Glove box light does not work; Ash tray light does not work
Engine stalling on right turns during traffic
Vehicle stalls or loses acceleration for a few seconds when turning right into traffic.
When: Owner #11 reports issue is hazardous
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during right turns into traffic; Acceleration loss for a few seconds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #11 notes similar issue covered under NHTSA recall 10V176000 but this occurrence not included in that recall
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Just like every other 2006 sequoia at 80k miles the yellow ABS, yellow vsc off, yellow vsc trac , and red brake dashboard lights came on causing it to fail the ma state inspection. Disassembled p/n 44050-0c100 and the brushes in the ABS pump motor (ate 25.0206-0206.3) are completely gone.
Had electrical trouble with your 2006 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 electrical problem on the 2006 Toyota Sequoia?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 40,000 and 91,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 91,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2006/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.