Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2018 Toyota SequoiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2018 Toyota Sequoia. Most complaints involve electrical system (7) and electronic stability control (esc) (4). The EPA rates it 14–15 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14–15mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Dec 2021
Owner complaints
20
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Fuel system

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 13, 2020NHTSA 20V012000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2017 – Apr 2026
  1. Electrical system7
  2. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  3. Vehicle speed control4
  4. Fuel/propulsion system2
  5. Lane departure2
  6. Service brakes2
  7. Fuel system, gasoline1
  8. Steering1
  9. Back over prevention1

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, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving at 55 mph, the lane departure and rear cross passing warning light illuminated and the vehicle failed to turn off. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to inspect the vehicle however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Several months later, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle back to the same local dealer to be inspected. The contact was informed that the rear bumper sensor was not properly aligned to the brackets on the bumper, causing the failure. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact was concerned that at some point the failure might recur. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2021Electrical systemODI 11420278

Electronic stability control (esc)

4 reports
“RENTED VEHICLE FROM HERTZ IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK ON 10/14/18. WHEN I RETURNED VEHICLE ON 10/18/18, THE RENTAL CAR ASSOCIATE WROTE "SAFETY" ON THE WINDOW. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE "SAFETY" WAS FOR, HE SAID, "... THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER RECALL AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN RENTED TO YOU." NHTSA #18V685 - AIR BAG MAY DISABLED DUE TO FAULTY PROGRAMMING. ADDITIONALLY, RECALL NUMBER 18V122000 RECALL DATE 02/20/2018 COMPONENT ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL MAY BE RELEVANT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2018Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11141383

Vehicle speed control

4 reports
“BLIND SPOT MONITOR MALFUNCTION. REAR TRAFFIC ALERT MALFUNCTION. PRE COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE ODOMETER READING OF 312 MILES. TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND A SOFTWARE UPDATE WOULD REMEDY THIS. WENT TODAY 3/21/18 TO HAVE UPDATE INSTALLED. WITHIN 25 MILES OF LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP THE WARNINGS AND MALFUNCTIONS WE'RE BACK ON. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE DID NOT WORK. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS AND SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS RELATED TO COLLISION WARNINGS, BLIND SPOT, AND REAR TRAFFIC ALERT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2018Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11080779
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 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 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 (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131715$4,300607
Sequoia 4WD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600614
Sequoia 4WD FFV
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131714$4,600614
  • Sequoia 2WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD FFV
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 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

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Toyota Sequoia as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 12340Vehicle 12339
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

2018 Sequoia questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Sequoia have?

5 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 2018 Toyota Sequoia problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (7), electronic stability control (esc) (4), vehicle speed control (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Toyota Sequoia at 14–15 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026