RoadVitals

2010 Toyota Sequoia

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Jun 9, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
10
Latest Dec 23, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Toyota Sequoia, most frequently naming the engine, body & structure and electrical categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 250 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1232.4%
  • Body & structure513.5%
  • Electrical513.5%
  • Driver assistance410.8%
  • Powertrain (other)25.4%
  • Fuel system25.4%
  • Airbags12.7%
  • Tires & wheels12.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Dec 23, 2021
151 units potentially affected
The defect: 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. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
The risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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 & ManufacturingManufacturer number 21TH01View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM; STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Nov 23, 2021
22,462 units potentially affected
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
The risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number 21TB10 / 21TA10View on NHTSA.gov

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Jun 2, 2016
7,749 units potentially affected
The defect: 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. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
The risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: 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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLCManufacturer number SET16BView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jun 9, 2026

I bought the vehicle under the assumption that it only had 138,000 miles on it. Upon trying to register it with Carfax I was informed that the odometer had been tampered with and the actual mileage is 345,000

NHTSA ID
11742874
Incident
Jun 16, 2025
Electrical
Filed Apr 14, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 90,586, and at the time of checking the Carfax, it was discovered that the mileage was 260,000.

NHTSA ID
11654512
Incident
Apr 14, 2025
Mileage
260,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 17, 2024

Power steering rack assembly malfunctioned and started shaking violently. Upon inspection, a fluid leak was found from the passenger side of the steering rack.

NHTSA ID
11609103
Incident
Aug 16, 2024
Suspension
Filed Jul 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he noticed that the rear wheels were extended outward. The contact looked under his vehicle and noticed that the rear subframe and suspension were extremely rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, there was no diagnostic test performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.

NHTSA ID
11474051
Incident
Jul 14, 2022
Mileage
184,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 23, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and the speed continued to increase. While depressing the brake pedal, the speed continued to increase and exceeded 95 mph. The driver used the parking brake to eventually stop the vehicle and turn off the engine. After restarting the vehicle, the RPM continued to rev very high. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V017000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11441486
Incident
Nov 17, 2021
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 24, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was moisture and condensation in the air injection pump and the air switching valve. The contact stated that there was a manufacturer’s warranty pertaining to the failure causing the check engine warning light to become illuminated however, the warranty was for 150,000 miles or 10 years, whichever came first. The vehicle was no longer covered under the warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. "The contact was informed that there was moisture and condensation in the air injection pump and the air switching valve." since this is not correct. The dealer only said that the items needed to be replaced due to the indicator light. They could not verify that there was a specific issue with the parts but said that it was an indicator that the parts could go bad and needed to be replaced.

NHTSA ID
11418336
Incident
May 5, 2021
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2020

A VALVE SPRING BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUDDER AND REQUIRE A SLOWER SPEED. I FORTUNATELY WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT HAD CIRCUMSTANCES BEEN DIFFERENT THIS COULD HAVE POSED A MORE SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I'M FINDING INCREASINGLY MORE INSTANCES WHERE THE SAME ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WITH THE SAME ENGINE. ALL AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE (117K).

NHTSA ID
11311467
Incident
Feb 13, 2020
Mileage
117,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2019

I PURCHASED THIS 2010 SEQUOIA IN OHIO A FEW YEARS AGO. I BELIEVE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED IN MA. THE REAR HATCH DOOR LOCK LOOKED LIKE IT HAD GOTTEN WATER DAMAGE AND HAS BEEN GETTING STUCK, MORE NOW THAN WHEN I GOT IT. IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE IT TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO MANUALLY OPEN, FEELS LIKE IT'S STILL LOCKED EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS LIKE IT UNLOCKS. SOMETIMES I CAN'T GET IT TO OPEN AT ALL AFTER 10 MINUTES OF TRYING. I'VE GIVEN UP ON THE TRYING THE INTERIOR BUTTON AND THE BUTTON ON THE FOB TO TRY TO OPEN IT. IT ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO OPEN AND THEN BEEPS TWICE AND STOPS. AGAIN, THE LATCH IS LOCKED TIGHT WHEN IT SHOULD BE UNLATCHED. IVE TRIED SPYING LUBRICATIONS IN IT WHEN IT'S OPEN. SOMETIMES IT HELPS FOR A WHILE THEN IT GETS STUCK AGAIN. I COULDN'T GET OUR SOFTBALL TEAM EQUIPMENT OUT FOR THE GAME. EMBARRASSING.

NHTSA ID
11207619
Incident
May 14, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

T-SB-0039-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

T-SB-0038-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

T-SB-0061-23 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

T-SB-0062-23 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Sequoia by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022120
2021420
2020420
2019760
2018205048.6
2017731
2016103143.7
2015931
2014173148.6
2013123151.6
2012204149.1
2011177053.5
2010Viewing3110057.8
2009690
2008669052.0
20071369256.6
200620210253.6
200535211455.9
20043799458.8
20035637556.9
20026668457.6
20015303151.1

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.