Common Toyota Sequoia Failures: Problems, Solutions and More!
The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV that is quite similar to the other full-size SUV that Toyota makes, the Land Cruiser. The Sequoia’s resale value is good, as Toyotas generally hold their value over time. Before purchasing this car, make sure you know the common Toyota Sequoia failures .
After five years, the value of a Toyota Sequoia will depreciate by about 43%. In this article, we will talk about the reliability of the Toyota Sequoia and the common problems of its models since its first generation was manufactured in 2001.
How good is the Toyota Sequoia?
The Toyota Sequoia is excellent when it comes to reliability. This is according to consumers who gave it an overall reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0. They also said that, on average, a Toyota Sequoia only visits a repair shop 0.3 times a year. Among all your visits, there is only a 12% chance that the damage will be serious.
Unlike the Land Cruiser, the Sequoia is more practical and simple . This is because the Land Cruiser has more premium features like a bigger engine, a more luxurious interior, and more off-road features.
Both offer plenty of space for people and luggage, but the Land Cruiser’s extra features make it more expensive. This is an advantage for the Sequoia because getting replacement parts is going to be less expensive, and fewer electronic features mean fewer components have the chance to break over time.
Motorbiscuit even called the Toyota Sequoia one of the “most reliable SUVs nobody seems to drive.” Drivers say the Sequoia can easily last more than a decade and hit 300,000 kilometers on the odometer without encountering any major problems. The Sequoia and Land Cruiser even earned Consumer Reports’ highest rating for reliability.
Common faults of the Toyota Sequoia
While the Sequoia is very reliable overall, it does have a few issues that owners may encounter. Here are some of the common failures of the Toyota Sequoia according to its model year:
1. Rust problems on the frame
A common problem with the Toyota Sequoia is its susceptibility to rust. The Sequoia has a truck-like chassis that relies on large metal frames to keep it rigid. However, Toyota may not have properly treated many of its vehicle frames on the assembly line with anti-corrosion chemicals.
This resulted in many Sequoias being severely rusted after a few years of use. This problem tends to only occur in states where road salt is commonly applied . But owners have reported that rust continues to form on vehicles that have been in the garage their entire lives.
Rust can weaken the load-bearing components of Sequoia, as they are usually the most susceptible. Rust protection of the vehicle’s underbody and other vulnerable areas will prevent rust from spreading and preserve the vehicle’s structural integrity.
This problem affects not only the Toyota Sequoia, but also other Toyota SUV models. Lawsuits were filed against Toyota in 2016 that led to a $3.4 billion settlement for owners of the Sequoia from 2005 to 2008. The settlement includes the cost of inspections, the application of corrosion-resistant compounds and, in some cases, a complete frame replacement.
2. Oxygen sensor failure
The oxygen sensor on the 2001-2004 Toyota Sequoia is prone to fail. Owners have reported that the problem has occurred several times over the past few years. Sometimes it may not be clear if the diagnostic system or the oxygen sensor is to blame for the repeatedly illuminating check engine light, but you can identify if it is a faulty oxygen sensor by looking for engine related symptoms .
A faulty oxygen sensor will cause your engine to misfire, rough idle, and poor fuel efficiency. A replacement oxygen sensor for the Toyota Sequoia costs around $50 to $150.
3. Leakage problems in the camshaft towers
The camshaft towers are responsible for opening and closing the cylinder valves. Oil is regularly passed around the camshaft towers to lubricate them. However, oil leaks occur because the Toyota Sequoia’s gaskets and o-rings tend to fail prematurely.
This problem occurs on the 2008 Sequoia. When an oil leak occurs, it puts engine components at risk because there is not enough oil circulating in the engine . This can accelerate wear and create problems such as overheating. Fixing this problem requires replacing all gaskets and o-rings to seal the leaks.
4. Bottom ball joint problem
There is also a problem with the ball joints on the Toyota Sequoia, causing them to wear out prematurely. This issue occurs on 2001 through 2008 Sequoia models. Ball joints do not have a specific lifespan because some tend to last longer than others . Ball joints are checked regularly during inspections because adverse road conditions, such as potholes and road salt, can accelerate wear.
If ignored, a worn ball joint can cause the control arm to become disconnected from the wheel, causing your vehicle to drift. The ball joint of the 2001 to 2004 Toyota Sequoia models are the ones that are particularly susceptible to this failure due to a problem during production.
Some drivers have reported that their ball joints failed after hitting a pothole. Others have reported that one side of their suspension suddenly fell off while driving. One owner reported that the ball joint failure also caused his brakes to fail, causing him to crash onto the shoulder of the road. Toyota is aware of the problem and has already issued a recall for the lower ball joint.
5. Exhaust manifold problems
Owners have also reported ticking noises coming from the engine due to an exhaust manifold leak. This has been reported to occur on models made from 2001 to 2004. The exhaust manifold is a length of tube that directs hot exhaust gases out of the engine and into the rest of the exhaust system.
They usually fail when a crack appears and causes exhaust gases to escape from the pipe . Since much of the engine noise is concentrated in the exhaust, the leak often causes loud ticking noises. However, as the metal heats up and expands, the tube can sometimes seal and make the noise go away. This is why this problem is usually the most prominent when the SUV starts up.
Although this may seem like a problem that can be ignored because it goes away, it can damage other components if left untreated and cause other problems such as poor fuel economy, poor engine performance, and exhaust fumes getting into the cabin. Gases entering the passenger compartment can be dangerous because they can damage the respiratory system and can even be fatal.
In summary
As reliable as the Sequoia is, there’s a chance it might have one of these common problems. Learning about these problems can be helpful if you are planning to purchase a Toyota Sequoia so that you can watch out for them.
