NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Sequoia. Most complaints involve service brakes (6) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sequoia model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 530 |
| 2002 | 692 |
| 2003 | 684 |
| 2004 | 380 |
| 2005 | 352 |
| 2006 | 202 |
| 2007 | 136 |
| 2008 | 67 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 31 |
| 2011 | 17 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.”
“I HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT COVERING UNDER WARRANTY AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I HAVE HAD 3 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAIL AND THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. YOU CAN NOT OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR SAFELY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THIS IS NOT SAFE. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AND I DON'T THINK THIS KIND OF SAFETY PART SHOULD BE THAT PRONE TO FAIL.”
“AS I WAS DRIVING, THE ANTI-SLIP BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, FOLLOWED IMMEDIATELY BY THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND I WAS ON A STRAIGHT CITY STREET SO THERE WAS NO REASON FOR IT TO LIGHT UP. SINCE IT WAS CONCERNING THE BRAKING SYSTEM, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. MY OWNERS MANUAL GAVE ME STEPS TO RESET IT, NONE OF WHICH WORKED. AT THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FINALLY FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE ANTI-SKID BRAKE ECU. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE DRIVEN BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE THE ANTI-SKID TECHNOLOGY IF I WERE TO EVER NEED TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES OR IF I WERE IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE IS 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD LESS THAN 60 K MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. IT'S A $3000 REPAIR. WHEN I LOOKED INTO IT, THERE ARE REPORTS ONLINE DATING BACK TO 2008 FOR THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AND INSTEAD CHOOSE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THE ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY. I THINK THERE TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. THANK YOU *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequoia 2WD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Sequoia 2WD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD FFV Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | $4,450 | 635 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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.
Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (6), electrical system (5), electronic stability control (esc) (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Sequoia at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).