VehicleVerdict

2018 Toyota Sequoia problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2018 Toyota Sequoia sits mid-pack among Sequoia years: 36 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 29, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (33% of the total).

36

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Sequoia years?

Sequoia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sequoia years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Toyota Sequoia problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1233%
Other514%
Driver Assistance411%
Speed Control411%
Fuel System38%
Brakes26%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Seat Belts13%
Seats13%
Steering13%
Suspension13%
Airbags13%

Does the 2018 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?

5 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.

20V012000Fuel SystemJanuary 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.

18V685000Electrical SystemOctober 4, 2018 · 168,187 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Consequence

If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.

18V122000Electrical SystemFebruary 20, 2018 · 64,901 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. Electrical interference within the power supply circuit may cause the vehicle's electronic stability control system to be deactivated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

Consequence

Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system can increase the risk of a crash in certain conditions.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0H. Note: This recall has been superseded by 18V-685. The software remedy for 18V-685 includes the updates to the software for this recall.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ISSUE: SAFETY FEATURES FAILING AT LESS THAN 500 MILES PROBLEM STATEMENT: AT LESS THAN 500 MILES THE SAFETY SENSORS ( COLLISION PREVENTION, CRUISE CONTROL ADAPTABLE SPEED, REAR CROSS TRAFFIC, BLIND SPOT MONITOR ) ARE FAILING REPEATEDLY. DEALER HAS CONTACTED TOYOTA FOR SUPPORT. NO ETA AT PRESENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 9, 2017

“EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND UPON INITIALLY MOVING FORWARD THE FIRST 50 FEET, A LOUD CLUNK IS HEARD AND IT CAN ALSO BE FELT IN THE FOOT PEDALS AND THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD THE FIRST 50 FEET OR SO. IT DOES NOT OCCUR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 1, 2018

“ISSUE: SAFETY FEATURES FAILING AT LESS THAN 500 MILES PROBLEM STATEMENT: AT LESS THAN 500 MILES THE SAFETY SENSORS ( COLLISION PREVENTION, CRUISE CONTROL ADAPTABLE SPEED, REAR CROSS TRAFFIC, BLIND SPOT MONITOR ) ARE FAILING REPEATEDLY. DEALER HAS CONTACTED TOYOTA FOR SUPPORT. NO ETA AT PRESENT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 9, 2017

“In the past few months the automatic braking feature was activated without any reason. No obstruction in front, no unusual weather or driving conditions. Fortunately nobody was close behind and no accident occurred. Today the blind spot and cross traffic indicators stopped working. I have not taken…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · July 12, 2021

“I own a 2018 Toyota Sequoia experiencing fuel pump failure symptoms including extended crank and loss of power. This issue matches NHTSA Recall 20V012000, which affects similar vehicles with the same fuel pump defect. However, my VIN is not included in the recall despite identical symptoms and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 14, 2026

2018 Toyota Sequoia — common questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Sequoia reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sequoia: 36 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2018 Sequoia problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (12 complaints), other (5 complaints), driver assistance (4 complaints).

Does the 2018 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Toyota Sequoia. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.