Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Toyota SequoiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Sequoia. Most complaints involve structure (16) and vehicle speed control (9). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
67
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Dec 23, 2021NHTSA 21E103000

Steering: hydraulic power assist system

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 23, 2021NHTSA 21V920000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

67 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2008 – Sep 2026
  1. Structure16
  2. Vehicle speed control9
  3. Power train7
  4. Engine and engine cooling6
  5. Seat belts5
  6. Electrical system5
  7. Suspension5
  8. Engine3
  9. Service brakes3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sequoia model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001530
2002692
2003684
2004380
2005352
2006202
2007136
200867
20096
201031
201117
201220
201312
201417
20159
201611
20177
201820
20197
20204
20214
20221
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

16 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic informed her husband that the chassis was severely rusted. The dealer and other unknown dealers were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under Toyota Campaign Number: ZH7 because the campaign had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed the assessment from the dealers. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 5, 2023StructureODI 11530450

Vehicle speed control

9 reports
“While accelerating to pass a vehicle that was signaling and operating well below the speed limit, my vehicle experienced sudden and continued unintended acceleration. I was able to bring the vehicle to a stop while fighting against the engine within an intersection but the engine continued building revs, bouncing off the limiter while my foot was entirely removed from the accelerator pedal and fully applied to the brake. During this time I had moved the gear selector to neutral, only furthering the engine's revs, and attempted to place the vehicle into park without success, before having to reach beneath my dashboard, foot still on the brake, to pull the accelerator pedal up. I verified both visually and by feel that the pedal was stuck in it's position entirely on it's own, there was no outside object or floormat inhibiting it's ability to return.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Vehicle speed controlODI 11751908

Power train

7 reports2 crashes
“Tony Divino Toyota, a Toyota Motor Company dealership, sold me this vehicle sight unseen knowing I would immediately be towing a boat trailer 350 miles at highway speeds through construction zones on I-80 with children and our dog onboard. I was told it had passed a "160 point inspection" and was "in great condition". However, when delivered to me the dealership knew it was not road worthy and in fact illegal to drive on public roads due to missing a third brake light, bad rear brakes were bad, the transmission had failed, the battery had failed, the shocks/struts had failed, and a live shotgun shell was rolling around under the drivers seat. Both Toyota Motor Corporation and the dealership refused to address or correct these vehicle defects which could have resulted in a disastrous crash with injury/death to myself and children. This systemic Toyota disregard for used vehicle quality creates a national safety issue with all cars processed through the Toyota Motor Company network.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2021Power train, Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11439219
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sequoia 2WD
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141715$4,300592
Sequoia 2WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,300592
Sequoia 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,300592
Sequoia 4WD
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,600635
  • Sequoia 2WD
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 2WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Toyota Sequoia as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2730
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Sequoia questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Toyota Sequoia problems?

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (16), vehicle speed control (9), power train (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Toyota Sequoia at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026