Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Toyota Sequoia problems
Owners filed 352 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Sequoia with NHTSA between Jan 2005 and Aug 2024. The most-cited component is electronic stability control (esc) (93).
Complaints
352
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electronic stability control (esc)93
- Vehicle speed control85
- Service brakes60
- Air bags40
- Electrical system34
- Engine33
- Suspension27
- Structure26
- Service brakes, hydraulic25
- Traction control system25
- Engine and engine cooling22
- Power train14
- Tires10
- Fuel/propulsion system9
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
15
4
17
11
16
38
32
25
28
37
45
36
18
8
5
3
3
3
5
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 32 |
| 2012 | 25 |
| 2013 | 28 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2015 | 45 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electronic stability control (esc)
93 reports
“OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET OR HYWAY, THE VSC TRAC SENSOR LIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF AND HEARING GRINDING NOISE WHEN IT AUTO-ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SLOWS DOWN.”
Vehicle speed control
85 reports2 crashes
“After several years of fighting problems with, after braking to a brief stop, the loss of power/abs grinding when accelerating and turning right, now the ABS is completely dysfunctional. Both TRC lights will turn on and usually the parking brake, and when braking at speeds less than 10mph the abs will activate and prevent bring the truck to a stop without pumping them, on dry pavement. When the ABS light turns on, then braking is possible, but all pressure is gone from brake booster and brakes sound like they're grinding, not like the sound of abs engaging. Very dangerous to drive in snow as front brakes work but drive axle doesn't disengage when the brake pedal is depressed. Regular mechanic won't engage with diagnosing issues as he feels the problem is partly computer malfunction and Toyota won't allow for used part mismatching. ABS/ECU is failed.”
Service brakes
60 reports2 crashes
“I tried to make apointments to local dealers they set up appointments and than don’t do nothing about it they said the don’t have any certified tech to do the job so I left with this mess not knowing when my ride is going to give. Out on me I got about 319000 miles Toyota should be proud and thank me for keeping my ride up to date I do my part to have it running good but they not doing there part to help me with these recalls please help me out.”
Air bags
40 reports2 crashes5 related recalls
“IN OCTOBER OF 2020, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY AIRBAG RECALLS AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (LIA TOYOTA OF COLONIE). MY APPOINTMENT WAS ON OCTOBER 22, 2020. AFTER DEVOTING A DAY TO THIS, I WAS DISMAYED TO LEARN THAT MY VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE BACKORDERED. THEY SAID THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WERE IN. SEVERAL WEEKS WENT BY, AND I HEARD NOTHING. THEN, I GET A CRYPTIC MESSAGE FROM SOMEONE IN THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT, AND GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CALL BACK. WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER, A MAN ANSWERED WHO SAID IT WAS NOT LIA TOYOTA, AND THAT HE'D BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CALLS FROM PEOPLE THINKING THEY WERE CALLING LIA TOYOTA. (THE DEALERSHIP DID PICK UP WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER, AND IT WAS WHEN I ENTERED THE CHOICE TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE PHONE SYSTEM THEN TRANSFERRED ME TO SOME INDIVIDUAL'S MOBILE PHONE!) SO, I THEN HAD TO TRY A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THIS LED TO SEVERAL CALLS WHERE NO ONE REALLY KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I FINALLY GOT MY ORIGINAL SERVICE MANAGER TO RESEARCH THE SITUATION, AND HE SAID THE PARTS WERE STILL ON BACK ORDER. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER…”
Electrical system
34 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. INITIALLY, THE DEALER (PRINCIPLE TOYOTA, 7370 WINCHESTER RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38125, (877) 217-4003) WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE, SO IT CONTINUED TO PROGRESS AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. *TT *TR”
Engine
33 reports
“Starter replacement is exceptionally high, self repair impossible. There should be recall on manufacturing design of starter placement inside intake manifold amongst other impossible expectations”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.