VehicleVerdict

2016 Toyota Sequoia problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Sequoia — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Sequoia years?

Sequoia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted1,126 complaints2001: 857 complaints2002: 1,126 complaints2003: 875 complaints2004: 576 complaints2005: 558 complaints2006: 293 complaints2007: 194 complaints2008: 94 complaints2009: 9 complaints2010: 38 complaints2011: 21 complaints2012: 33 complaints2013: 16 complaints2014: 25 complaints2015: 15 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 8 complaints2018: 36 complaints2019: 8 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 1 complaints
Sequoia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sequoia years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Sequoia problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes429%
Electrical System214%
Speed Control214%
Seats17%
Steering17%
Tires & Wheels17%
Visibility & Wipers17%
Fuel System17%
Other17%

Does the 2016 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21E103000SteeringDecember 23, 2021 · 151 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.

21V920000SteeringNovember 23, 2021 · 22,462 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

17V311000Tires & WheelsMay 11, 2017 · 1,325 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“NEEDED ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT ALMOST 30,000. TOLD DUE TO ROTORS OVERHEATING. TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALERSHIP THAT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN, BUT DID NOT OFFER A SOLUTION, EXCEPT TO NOT TAILGATE CARS. AS ROTORS WARP THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN YOU BRAKE GOING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 15, 2017

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 4, 2018

“WHEN DRIVING IN DAYLIGHT ON SUNNY DAYS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECOMES SO DARK THAT THE GAUGES BECOME UNREADABLE. I HAVE TO USE A FLASHLIGHT TO READ THEM. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NOT ANYTHING HE CAN DO TO FIX THIS.HE SAYS TOYOTA DOES NOT PUT THE BRIGHTER LED BULBS IN THE SR5 BUT THEY ARE IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 14, 2016

“TAKATA RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL / VEHICLE WHEN AT 55MPH OR HIGHER. I'VE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THIS IS NORMAL. I SPENT ALMOST $65,000.00 ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE VIBRATIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 7, 2016

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 28, 2019

2016 Toyota Sequoia — common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Sequoia reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2016 Sequoia problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (4 complaints), speed control (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2016 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Toyota Sequoia. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Toyota Sequoia under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Sequoia years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sequoia years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among Sequoia years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.