Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Toyota SequoiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Sequoia. Most complaints involve engine (1) and forward collision avoidance (1). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
6
Top: engine
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

6 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2012 – Apr 2021
  1. Engine1
  2. Forward collision avoidance1
  3. Structure1
  4. Vehicle speed control1
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  8. Service brakes1
  9. Other / unknown1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

1 report
“MY SEQUOIA IS SPUTERING AND NOT WANTING TO GO WHEN I PRESS PETAL, AT 40 MPH IT DOES REALLY FUNNY AND AGAIN ABOUT 60”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2021Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11406933

Forward collision avoidance

1 report

Structure

1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE FRAME AND THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE CONTACT NOTICED SPOTS WHERE HOLES MAY START TO DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA OF KALAMAZOO (5850 STADIUM DR, KALAMAZOO, MI 49009, (269) 375-1000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2019StructureODI 11217874
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 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 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L, RNG=370 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131814$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.
  • Sequoia 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L, RNG=370
    13 city · 18 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 2009 Toyota Sequoia as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5351
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

2009 Sequoia questions

How many recalls does the 2009 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 2009 Toyota Sequoia problems?

Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (1), forward collision avoidance (1), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota Sequoia at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026