2004 Toyota Sequoia Owner Complaints

Description of the Safety Crash/Informed Incident: Vehicle Information: 2004 Toyota Sequoia (VIN: [XXX]) Incident Date: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Police Agency: California Highway Patrol (Report #:[XXX]) Speed at Incident: Highway speeds (~65 MPH) Description of Defect/Failure: Structural mechanical failure leading to sudden, catastrophic wheel separation at highway speeds. Nine days prior to the incident, on [XXX], the vehicle underwent a comprehensive brake, rotor, and tire rotation service at a certified Toyota dealership (Toyota of Chula Vista, Work Order #[XXX]). While traveling on the interstate, the right rear passenger wheel assembly completely detached from the moving vehicle. As a result, the wheel flew off crossing several traffic lanes, traveling over a jersey wall on the freeway shoulder, landing into a nearby drainage ditch. The vehicle dropped onto the remaining brake/rotor assembly, generating extreme sparks, causing an immediate loss of braking pressure, and creating an imminent threat of a rollover or multi-vehicle fatal collision. Subsequent post-incident inspection on a maintenance lift revealed that all wheel studs on the right rear hub were completely sheared or stripped off. This indicates a severe technician failure to properly torque the wheel lug nuts to factory specifications during reassembly, or an un-diagnosed structural failure of the wheel mounting components following certified dealer service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11747762

Incident

Jun 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. There was an abnormal rattling sound detected in the front area. The vehicle was shaking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the frame was completely rusty and unsafe to drive. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to have the frame checked, and it was determined there was minor rust detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Crestmont Toyota Parts · Crestmont Toyota Service, 730 NJ-23 N, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444, who determined there was rust detected but was not repaired. The contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

NHTSA ID

11737255

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

198,000 mi

Rust! Frame completely rusted, even though the CRC was applied back in 2013.

NHTSA ID

11676855

Incident

Jul 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while completing an inspection and emissions test on the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that there was severe rust on the rear subframe of the vehicle, near the control arm, and several other areas on the subframe. The contact stated that there were several holes on the subframe caused by the extreme rust. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

NHTSA ID

11674182

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

Mileage

203,000 mi

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11617958

Incident

Sep 19, 2024

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11611616

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the check brakes and a traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. When Toyota issued a recall for the braking issue, the contact did not receive notices, so the contact called them and was told it was a few selected 2004 Toyota Sequoia recalled for those who had complained but, it was not broadcasted like that. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E023000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA ID

11588514

Incident

Mar 14, 2022

Mileage

143,000 mi

Frame is rotting out

NHTSA ID

11582378

Incident

Feb 8, 2023

TOYOTA frame is falling apart due to the use of faulty metal to manufacture those frames they ran a limited service campaign to replace some of the frames and they denied many other owners that right please help by telling TOYOTA North America to take care of this very hazardous issue thank you

NHTSA ID

11579668

Incident

Mar 27, 2024

Frame

NHTSA ID

11552901

Incident

Apr 7, 2022

The undercarriage is rotten you help my thanks

NHTSA ID

11491571

Incident

Oct 31, 2022

Frame has rust issues throughout. Frame not properly treated at the factory and now I am suffering because it has virtually rusted through in front of the drivers side rear wheel which was pointed out to me at Toyota when my car was in for service.

NHTSA ID

11477258

Incident

Aug 2, 2022

The frame is rusting away due to poor grade of metal that it is built from.

NHTSA ID

11451641

Incident

Feb 12, 2022

Rotting frame!

NHTSA ID

11449428

Incident

Jan 8, 2022

The tail gate will not open. I had the vehicle since 2018 and it was working and now it's not working. I taken it to toyota dealership and the cost is to much for at this point. I was wondering is there anything that can be done?

NHTSA ID

11434634

Incident

Sep 28, 2021

SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST IN THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT

NHTSA ID

11414721

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

I WAS SIMPLY PARKING MY 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN PARKING LOT SPACE. LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL COMPLETELY OFF THE CAR WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING OF PENDING PROBLEMS! BALL JOINT CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED! PRIOR RECENT NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT SHOWED NO PENDING PROBLEMS. DID A CHECK AND FOUND MANY PRIOR BALL JOINT ISSUES FOR THIS CAR AND A PRIOR RECALL YEARS AGO. TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CAPITOLA CA. THEY REPLACED BALL JOINT AND RELATED PARTS. THEY CHARGED ME LOTS OF MONEY CLAIMING THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD "PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN 2007 SO NO LIABILITY ON THEIR PART. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND COMPLAINED AND WAS BOUNCED AROUND UNTIL A FELLOW NAMED "GARRET" TOLD ME THE BALL JOINTS HAD BEEN "FIXED" IN 2007 DURING A RECALL. GREAT. THEN WHY DO THESE ISSUES CONTINUE? MY CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY ON PUBLIC STREETS AND THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS IMPENDING FAILURE. THE BALL JOINT AND RELATED SIMPLY FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AS I INTENDED ON KEEPING IT REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. WHAT BS IS TOYOTA PULLING WHEN THEIR SEQUOIA (AND OTHER SIMILAR TOYOTA VEHICLES) CONTINUE TO CATASTROPHICALLY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING? I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE DIED ON THE FREEWAY ETC BECAUSE OF THIS? I HAVE PERSONALLY OWNED AND/OR FAMILY, FRIENDS ETC. MANY CARS, TRUCKS ETC. BALL JOINTS LIKE BRAKES, TIRES HOSES ETC WEAR OUT SLOWLY AND GIVE AMPLE WARNING WHEN THEY NEED REPLACEMENT IE TIRE WEAR IS INCREASED, STEERING DIFFICULTY ETC. NOT IN TOYOTA'S CASE. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL BEFORE THE WHEEL JUST FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THESE CATASTROPHIC FAILURES OF WHEELS FALLING OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY MOMENT ARE HORRIBLY DANGEROUS AND YET COMMON KNOWLEDGE INCLUDING PRIOR RECALL(S) AND YET THEY STILL ARE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

NHTSA ID

11414630

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

Mileage

356,000 mi

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH

NHTSA ID

11404776

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

LEFT FRONT (DRIVERS SIDE) WHEEL BALL JOINT(S) FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND WEDGE UNDER CAR WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. NO PRIOR WARNING, NO PRIOR NOISE, NO PRIOR STEERING ISSUES, NO STRANGE TIRE WEAR (TIRES JUST REPLACED 6 MONTHS AGO). JUST INSTANT AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE!

NHTSA ID

11403018

Incident

Mar 14, 2021

Mileage

356,000 mi

REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN DEALER HAS REPLACED LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. THIS IS THE FOURTH FAILURE LATCH HAS, 2010, 2014, 2018 AND 2021. THE FIRST THREE FAILURES OCCURRED ABOUT EVERY 4 YEARS THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS. OWNED. CAR 6 YEARS BEFORE FIRST FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11396711

Incident

Feb 17, 2021

Mileage

250,600 mi

REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. HANDLE FAILED DEALER REPLACE LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY. THIRD FAILURE IN 8 YEARS, 2010, 2014 AND 2018. PARTS ARE FAILING ABOUT EVERY 4 YEARS. OWNED CAR 6 YEARS BEFORE FIRST FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11396709

Incident

Nov 6, 2018

Mileage

214,792 mi

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 4 YEARS FIRST FAILED IN 2010., REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. HANDLE FAILED DEALER REPLACED LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY.

NHTSA ID

11396707

Incident

Jul 10, 2014

Mileage

134,444 mi

REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. HANDLE FAILED DEALER REPLACE LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY.

NHTSA ID

11396706

Incident

May 4, 2010

Mileage

81,840 mi

TRAC OFF LIGHT AND VAC TRAC LIGHTS ON ALL THE TIME! GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED AT RANDOM TIMES. CAUSE FOR CONCERN! HAVE HAD EVERYTHING REPLACED THAT COULD CAUSE THIS OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS AND STILL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE!

NHTSA ID

11365155

Incident

Oct 17, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

MY 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HATCH (LOCK SUS ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY) HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. ON 10 JULY 2014 AND 23 NOVEMBER 2018 EACH WERE COSTLY REPAIRS FOR A SIMPLE HANDLE/LOCK THAT WERE POORLY DESIGNED. A DOOR HANDLE AND LOCK SHOULD NOT COST OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH QUALITY OF SMALL PART REPLACEMENT JOBS I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETE TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE. HATCH DOOR FAILED WITH NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS SUMMER AND WINTER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID

11339201

Incident

Jul 10, 2014

Mileage

134,444 mi