2012 Toyota Sequoia: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Toyota had a recall on fuel pumps in 2020 mine was not part of the recall even though mine went bad and had to be replaced in February 2020. Now with another fuel pump recall issued in January 2025 I am also told mine is not part if the recall however I am having issues related to the fuel pump once again causing my engine to stall. Can someone please look into this as I feel my car should be part of that recall for another failing fuel pump. I do have receipt of repair in 2020 by First Class HALT I can provide if needed. My engine is stalling, not cycling fuel properly and has left me stranded. Then other times fires up normally.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2025
“Vehicle has been rusting only on the rear hatch since 2019. It's rusting around the wiper assembly and near the latch assembly. We had it repaired once but it's worse now. I've noticed many owners on line complaining of this”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Electric door locks failed on all 4 doors. Two were replaced by toyota under warranty. They made me pay to replace one and they refused to replace the other. Now the drivers door lock has failed again. The drivers door will not lock or unlock when using the fob. The rear drivers side door will not lock or unlock using the fob or any other lock / unlock switch in the car. This means the car cannot be opened using the fob at all. It's a safety hazard and toyota will not take responsibility to replace them.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that the wiring on the vehicle was chewed due to rodents. The side air bags were also chewed out. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring contained soy products and needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 03/01/17*lj *cn”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2016
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2015
“I have a 2002 toyota sequoia & have had about 7 instances since the beginning of august where trac off trac vsc and slip indicator light all come on while car locks up and beeping noise all while driving. Have found several instances of the same situation. Apparently toyota recalled the 2003 models for the apparent same reason but did not include the 2002's although there are several complaints. Would be horrible if someone is injured or killed before toyota takes this seriously. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/sequoia/2002/brakes/service_brakes.shtml. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2014
“On several occasions my traction control lights comes on. I do not now what causes it nor can I make it happen it is a random occurrence. *tr”Owner report · Traction Control System · Oct 2013
“My vehicle began shaking violently when braking downhill at around 60-65 mph. This started at 15000 miles on the vehicle. Toyota dealer said the rotors were warped. Toyota dealer and corporate customer service say they feel the brake wear is normal and they said the vehicle requires a brake job. The braking shakes the whole vehicle so violently I am afraid I will lose control of the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2013
“Vsc lights are on all the time, and so is the check engine light. Have spent $$$$ of dollars replacing oxygen sensors, mufflers, hoses, etc. Just had the frame replaced under recall, but too many other parts rotted and had to be replaced as well for additional costs. I love the car, but when I brake the wheel vibrates too much and make controlling the car difficult. I believe this is due to the vsc control. Not to mention the car stability light goes on and off everytime I accelerate (taking the suv in for that voluntary recall as well). Fix this vsc/engine light problem. *tr”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Sep 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
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.
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.
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."
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sequoia by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Toyota Sequoia. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2012 Toyota Sequoia have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:rack and pinion. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.