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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-TOYOTA-SEQUOIANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2008 Toyota Sequoia problems
The 2008 Toyota Sequoia has 66 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2008 Toyota Sequoia has 66 NHTSA owner complaints and 9 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is body at 12 complaints, typically surfacing around 94,966 miles (~$1,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
8
Severe
1
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Sequoia?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
9 recall campaigns on file
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.
Buying a used 2008 Toyota Sequoia? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
body — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 94,966 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
cruise control — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 46,333 mi · ~$600 to fix
engine — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 11,980 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 104,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 104,000 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 9 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 Sequoia· cruise control
This Toyota sequoia almost kill my family of 6, the accelerator pedal got stuck while in motion driving 30 to 40 miles, the issue was reported to Toyota and the car was taken to the concord, ca Toyota dealer for inspection, the Toyota service was unable to replicate the issue…
The 4 wheel drive differential actuator is bad and car will not engage in four wheel drive. *tr the consumer stated the next day the 4-wheel drive light illuminated. Updated 02/13/09. *jb
I was driving on I-15 in utah when my passengers heard honking and looked around. Suddenly a white car swerved close to me and cut me off. The driver was looking down and continued to swerve around. Then slowed and put on her flashers. She continued to swerve and then followed…
The second row passenger side seat belt mechanism is defective and does not recoil consistently. We are concerned to put our children in this particular seat because the seat belt sometimes gets jammed and does not recoil making for a very unsafe situation. We cannot reliably…
Had a problem with your 2008 Toyota Sequoia?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Toyota Sequoia has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2008 Toyota Sequoia?
The 2008 Toyota Sequoia is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 9 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Toyota Sequoia?
Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 12 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,966 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Toyota Sequoia a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 66 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 94,966 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Toyota Sequoia?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 12 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,966 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 94,966 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 2008 Toyota Sequoia?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 66 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Toyota/Sequoia.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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