Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Toyota SequoiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Sequoia. Most complaints involve service brakes (4) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
11
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$4,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

Wheels: lugs

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.

WheelsReported May 11, 2017NHTSA 17V311000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2016 – Sep 2026
  1. Service brakes4
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Vehicle speed control2
  4. Wheels1
  5. Seats1
  6. Fuel/propulsion system1
  7. Steering1
  8. Visibility/wiper1
  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 Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

4 reports
“VEHICLE HAS 40K MILES TIRES ARE WORN TREAD 2/32 ALREADY, AND FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. BACK AT 25K MILES, FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED, AND NOW AT 40K MILES, NEW ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE PLACED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2019Wheels, Service brakesODI 11252185

Electrical system

3 reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Toyota Sequoia. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 158,343, and at the time of vehicle registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 258,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Electrical systemODI 11762885

Vehicle speed control

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REDUCE SPEED WHEN AN INCLINE WAS REACHED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (ROGERS AND ROGERS TOYOTA, 2351 US HIGHWAY 86, IMPERIAL, CA 92251) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2018Vehicle speed controlODI 11067281
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-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 Nov 11, 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 (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150606
Sequoia 4WD FFV
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131715$4,150609
Sequoia 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450614
  • Sequoia 2WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD FFV
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota Sequoia as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 10117Vehicle 10116
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

2016 Sequoia questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Sequoia have?

3 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.

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Sequoia problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (4), electrical system (3), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Sequoia at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026