2023 Toyota Sequoia problems
The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV manufactured by Toyota mainly for the North American market since 2000 for the 2001 model year, being derived from the Tundra pickup truck. It is the second largest SUV ever produced under the Toyota brand, after the Japan-exclusive, military-focused Mega Cruiser.
Previously manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana between 2000 and 2021, and then in Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas in San Antonio, Texas since 2022, the Sequoia is the first vehicle from a Japanese marque in the popular mainstream full-sized SUV class in North America, and initial planning done by first-generation Sequoia chief engineer Kaoru Hosokawa aimed the Sequoia directly at the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, Nissan Armada, and other full-size SUVs.
Up until the 2021 model year, the Sequoia was slotted between the mid-size 4Runner and the premium Land Cruiser in the North American Toyota SUV lineup. With the discontinuation of North American sales of the Land Cruiser from the 2022 model year onward, the Sequoia became the flagship SUV in Toyota's North America lineup.
As of 2021, the Sequoia is sold in the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica. It is offered in left-hand drive only.
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Common 2023 Toyota Sequoia problems
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia has received mixed reviews from owners, with some common issues emerging that may affect the overall driving experience.
One of the most significant complaints is the lack of space in the rear of the vehicle, which is surprising given its full-size SUV classification. After flopping the rear seats forward, owners are left with 3 separate tiers of space about 6" wide to set their groceries. This makes it difficult to carry groceries, chairs, or suitcases, rendering the vehicle less practical than expected.
Another issue is the poor fuel economy, which is barely better than that of the Expedition. The engine noise is artificially loud and obnoxious, adding to the disappointment.
The interior is another area of concern, with the 2023 Sequoia featuring cheap, clunky plastic that makes the whole thing feel cheap. The amount of hard plastic used in the interior is disappointing, given the vehicle's price range.
The driving experience is equally disappointing, with poor handling and ride quality. The engine is noisy, and the general noise level is what you would expect from the cheapest of the cheapest of the cheap compact SUVs, not a vehicle in this price range.
The 2023 Sequoia also lacks a torsen diff, which was present in previous generations. This means that the 4wd system is truly only for off-roading excursions or deep snow, leading to many busted 4wd systems.
The hybrid battery is located under the 3rd row seating, making the spacing back there a total disaster. The seats don't fold flat, and the recline function doesn't improve headroom thanks to the curvature of the roof. This makes it difficult to use the 3rd row, even if you are actually using it.
Finally, the removal of the slide function of the 2nd row/captains chairs is another disappointing change. I'd rather take 2nd row sliding seats that can provide a great deal of leg room for the 3rd row than this setup.
In summary, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia has several issues that may affect the overall driving experience, including poor fuel economy, a noisy engine, cheap interior materials, and disappointing driving dynamics. The removal of features like the torsen diff and slide function of the 2nd row/captains chairs is also disappointing, leading to a less practical and less enjoyable driving experience.
Are new Toyota Sequoias reliable?
The 2024 Toyota Sequoia has a predicted reliability score of 75 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Why are Toyota Sequoias so hard to get?
The full-size Sequoia was never stocked in large numbers to begin with, so current supply chain issues have made the situation more precarious. Toyota introduced a fully-redesigned Sequoia for the 2023 model year. The previous generation of the Sequoia was introduced in 2008 and ran until 2022.
How long will a Toyota Sequoia engine last?
The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota Sequoia both offer a potential lifespan of more than 300,000 miles. These used SUVs for sale near you are built to withstand off-road driving, and built with resilient components.
What is the real mpg for Toyota Sequoia 2023?
Based on data from 7 vehicles, 213 fuel-ups and 53,491 miles of driving, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia gets a combined Avg MPG of 17.87 with a 0.54 MPG margin of error.
Is Toyota Sequoia a reliable car?
The 2024 Toyota Sequoia has a predicted reliability score of 75 out of 100.
Why are there so few Toyota Sequoias?
The full-size Sequoia was never stocked in large numbers to begin with, so current supply chain issues have made the situation more precarious. Toyota introduced a fully-redesigned Sequoia for the 2023 model year. The previous generation of the Sequoia was introduced in 2008 and ran until 2022.
How long will a Toyota Sequoia engine last?
The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota Sequoia both offer a potential lifespan of more than 300,000 miles. These used SUVs for sale near you are built to withstand off-road driving, and built with resilient components.
What is the fuel consumption of a 2023 Sequoia?
Plus, the old Sequoia earned official EPA fuel economy ratings of 14 to 15 mpg in combined driving with its six-speed automatic transmission. The 2023 model uses a ten-speed automatic and should get 20 to 22 mpg.
2023 Toyota Sequoia car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Sequoia problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Structure problems
- Electrical system problems
- Lane departure problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2023 Toyota Sequoia vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2023 Toyota Sequoia complaints
The NHTSA has received 14 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Toyota Sequoia.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-22
- VIN: 7SVAAABAXPX
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Vehicle comes with factory installed trailer towing equipment. 1. When a trailer is hooked up and headlights are turned on no signal is sent through the seven blade connector to turn on the running lights on the trailer. 2. When the trailer is connected no signal is sent through the seven blade connector to activate the electric brakes on the trailer. Because of these defects I was unable to tow my trailer. I have connected the vehicle to three different trailers and experienced the same issue. I have taken the vehicle to authorized dealer twice and they deny the problem.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-31
- VIN: 7SVAAABA9PX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The pinch sensor of tailgate prevents the tailgate from closing.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-31
- VIN: 7SVAAAAA2PX
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: T-SB-0043-24. In this safety bulletin it is noted that front brakes squeak. Loudly I might state. Happens always in the morning when backing out of covered garage. The bulletin says to verify then replace. Can get no help from Dealership or from Toyota USA. Very annoying and do not know about danger.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-08
- VIN: 7SVAAAAA8PX
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Upon purchasing my 2023 Toyota Sequoia, I noticed that the rear hitch cover had a tendency to come loose while driving and eventually fall off. I promptly addressed this issue with the dealership, and they replaced it with a new one. However, the problem persisted, and the replacement cover also failed after just a few days. This occurred when the vehicle had been driven for approximately 2,000 miles. The hitch cover continues to fall off.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-19
- VIN: 7SVAAABA1PX
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Twice now, when I attempt to refill the fuel tank, with the truck off, the tank "burps" out about 8 to 10 ounces of gas which spills on me, the left side fender and left side tire. When I put my ear to the filler neck, I can hear the fuel pump running (with the truck OFF). I sent the dealer a video off the noise I hear at the filler neck. Also the discoloration on my new Michelin ten ply tires. Went to dealer, Master Mechanic had no idea. He also didn't know where the battery was in the truck to perform the open recall. Service manager said he would start a TAS report with Toyota and let me know. I month went by and I heard from no one. I sent the service mgr two texts, no reply to either, I called the service writer and he said he would get back to me....I'm still waiting. I called Toyota Help line today. They said they would call the dealer. I while later, the service mgr called me and had no excuse for ignoring me. He wants to keep the truck of six months to duplicate the video I sent him. He doesn't have a Sequioa loaner and he said even if he did, I could NOT tow with it since its against their policy. I tow ever day with the truck. Being a retired Professional Engineer, I think there is a software issue telling the fuel pump to run to purge the charcoal canister every few months. I'm must be hitting that frequency when I refill. It would be nice to talk to a Toyota Engineer, or maybe they want to wait for it to burst into flames.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-07
- VIN: 7SVAAABA2PX
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My wife returned home and exited the car leaving her key inside the car. She went to open the backdoor to get our infant son out and the car had locked itself. She had to call me at work so that I could unlock the car with the app.
LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-23
- VIN: 7SVAAABA8PX
- Components: LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: The Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) fails to properly deactivate when a trailer is equipped. The owners manual specifically states this should occur, the dash indicates that LTA is OFF but the indicator remains and the system provides steering inputs. When towing a trailer any abrupt movements can induce oversteer or trailer sway leading to loss of control, the LTA may perform abrupt movements. I have notified but received no response, so far no accident has occurred. The warning and indicator lamps are not in sync and don't align with the true system status. Details are from when I first noticed this system issue. I'm providing snippets from the manual showing the expected behavior, and the indicators. I also have included a screenshot of a video I made that shows the trailer detection, warning that LTA is OFF and the LTA indicator remaining ON.
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-31
- VIN: 7SVAAABA2PX
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: Vehicle vibrates above 45mph. Took it to dealership and they did not fix the issue. Lane departure warning had to be disabled as it is mistaken for an actual lane departure. Vehicle posses a risk to operator and other drivers on the roadway. Toyota corporate notified but disregarded claim as dealership advised they were unable to replicate.
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-01
- VIN: 7SVAAABA0PX
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Rear plastic hitch cover piece flew off at interstate speed endangering other drivers on the road
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-05
- VIN: 7SVAAABA0PX
- Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: A water leak was identified in the front left pillar from the support handle. It was sent in to Olympia Toyota who believed that body work was needed. The vehicle was then transferred to Titus Toyota in Tacoma. The assessment in Tacoma was very different than that in Olympia, and the vehicle was sent in to repair without first making contact with the owner. The assumption is that water is leaking in through a defect in the roof railing system. Multiple alerts have deployed: air bag warning, pre-collision system warning, lighting warning. The extent of the water leak has not been identified, and has likely compromised these systems including the electrical system. Toyota USA also has a class action law-suit regarding their RAV-4's, where there are consistent leaks due to the roof-rails, and this vehicle has a similar (but as yet unproven) design. I have attempted to contact Toyota USA and they have not replied.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-23
- VIN: 7SVAAABA8PX
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: On 10/23, I was driving at around 40 MPH on Whitestone Blvd and my Toyota Sequoia lost power and the engine started shaking aggressively, there were no previous warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure mode to occur. After that, I had to pull over an almost got hit by another vehicle when moving to the side of the road, I was able to turn the car back on and move about 10 feet and the car lost power again. There was a warning in the screen "Hybrid Engine Failure", and the transmission indicator was marking both Park and Drive at the same time. The vehicle was towed to Toyota of Cedar Park for inspection, which was the dealer where I leased the vehicle from around 6 months ago. on 10/25, I received a call from the dealership that the car was ready for pickup and the dealership reported the failure was caused as a Transmission Range Sensor failure (P070562). The dealership only action was to reset the computer and clear up the code. No sensor was replaced and the dealership was unable to replicate the failure mode after driving the vehicle for about 20 miles. The dealership requested me to take the vehicle and bring it back if the failure shows up again; I informed the dealership, I will not be taking the vehicle under those conditions as the failure mode could be catastrophic and could create a safety hazard if it happened again at high speed on the highway putting my family's safety at risk.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-07
- VIN: 7SVAAABA6PX
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Vibration caused by unbalanced drive shaft. It’s made of aluminum and after only 2136 miles it’s already unbalanced and shakes when moving. This is the third vehicle I’ve seen do this after only a few thousand miles of use.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-06
- VIN: 7SVAAABA7PX
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Windshield wipers stopped working in the middle of the cycle during heavy rain and stayed at a 45 degree angle causing visibility obstruction as well as not clearing rain. Dealer is investigating.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-27
- VIN: 7SVAAABA3PX
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The vehicle is equipped with Towing mirror package. The problem is the size and placement of the mirrors. They are roughly 12” wide by 12” long and then have an arm that is solid that is 10” wide and 10” long when not extended. The placement of the mirrors on the vehicle completely blocks view of cross traffic with standard seating position. When stopped at a stop sign the driver will need to move their head to nearly touching the steering wheel to see around these mirrors through a small triangular glass section. Small - Medium cars/trucks are completely hidden behind the mirrors at stop intersections. To fix the issue the mirror needs to sit 6-8” lower on the vehicle and/or have the arm see through instead of solid.
Negative 2023 Toyota Sequoia car reviews
Positive 2023 Toyota Sequoia car reviews
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Love it! You'll be pleased to know that it handles well on bumpy roads and tight curves. The extras and 'heads up' display are definitely worth it! We're so glad we found one because they're hard to come by right now.
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The first time I saw the Sequoia 2023, I thought it would be the perfect vehicle for me. I really liked the spacious interior, even with the third row seats up. However, I soon realized that this vehicle was quite expensive and had a small 3.5L engine for such a large armada. It just wasn't worth the money, and I was left feeling disappointed.
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It sounds like you put in a lot of effort to finally purchase your new vehicle! I'm glad to hear that it was worth it and that you're happy with your purchase. It seems like this vehicle is even larger and more powerful than your previous one, which must be exciting.
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Welcome back! I hope you had a great trip. I wanted to share my thoughts on your Toyota review. It sounds like you had a really positive experience with the car, especially in terms of gas mileage and comfort. It's great to hear that you were able to save money on gas despite towing extra weight. I appreciate your honest feedback about the plastic closures in the third row, but it's good to know that overall you still enjoyed the car. As someone who grew up with a Land Cruiser, it's clear that you have a lot of experience with Toyotas, and your recommendation carries a lot of weight. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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I'm glad to hear that you've been enjoying your purchase for the past three weeks! It's great to know that the performance has met your expectations. I would definitely recommend it as well.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2023 Toyota Sequoia problems:
2023 Toyota Sequoia - Such a Disappointment : r/toyotasequoia
Aug 9, 2022 ... In addition to the interior changes that are not family friendly, we have had multiple issues with the car...the trim on the drivers seat ...
Anybody hear about or having twin turbo/engine problems in the ...
Jul 23, 2023 ... ... engine problems in the new 2023? : r ... We are interested in getting a sequoia but have heard there are problems ... Toyota Cars and Motor ...
2023 Toyota Sequoia hybrid check engine light | Toyota Tundra Forum
Nov 22, 2023 ... Truck has 2,200miles on it. Installed a cold air intake & BOV at 400miles Didn't have any issues until now. Has anybody gotten these codes on ...
2023 Sequoia Trunk Awfulness : r/toyotasequoia
Nov 5, 2023 ... But I respect toyota reliability and think the 2023 Sequoia ... problems and transmission problem too wait for second or third model of this ...
Other years of Toyota Sequoia
Are you having problems with your 2023 Toyota Sequoia?
Irving Keebler 2024-10-10
We've been driving the 2023 Sequoia Platinum for the past 7 months and have put 10k miles on it. While we love the look of the SUV, we've had some challenges with it. The cargo space is quite limited, which makes it difficult to carry heavy items like suitcases. Additionally, the ride quality hasn't met our expectations, especially considering the price point. We've also had some issues with the rain sensing and intermittent wipers, which unfortunately haven't been resolved by the Team Toyota dealership. In terms of fuel efficiency, we've noticed that the city MPG is lower than what was advertised, with an average of 16-17 instead of the listed 20. While we're not thrilled with the interior materials, we do appreciate the overall appearance of the vehicle. However, we're currently considering trading it in for something that better suits our needs.
Van Nolan 2024-10-10
I was really excited when I saw the leaked photos of the Sequoia back in 2021 and all the hype it was getting with great reviews about how capable it is. Unfortunately, when I finally found one for sale in Idaho and traded in my Audi Q7 for it, I immediately realized that it was a huge mistake. The interior felt flimsy and everything was made of cheap plastic. The seats were uncomfortable and had weird pressure points on my sit bones. It felt really uncomfortable to drive and almost unstable in the rear. All the power that you get makes the rear end want to kick out, especially when changing lanes, so be careful. The storage space is a known nightmare. I thought I could work with it, but it's so pointless. A vehicle costing 70k should have been better thought out. The big clunky tow mirrors are hideous and have blind spots galore! Even with the smaller convex mirror, it's hard to see when people are right behind or along the driver's side vision. The 4x4 is okay, but without a locking diff, how stuck can you actually get? You can get pretty stuck in anything more than 6”. There is a total lack of support for this vehicle, with most things on back order. I had to wait 3 months for a new windshield after a rock left two huge chips on the original. The only thing this vehicle has going for it is that it is powerful. However, what is there to do with all this power if the rest of the vehicle is total garbage? The sound is terrible, and there is so much chrome it would make my grandparents throw up! I just traded my Sequoia in and would have a hard time ever considering a Toyota in the future because of it. If this vehicle was priced at $45k, then it might be worth it, but not at a whopping 70. That's just insanity and greed for such crap.
Conrad Kuhic 2024-06-06
I recently purchased a 2023 Toyota Sequoia platinum edition, but I have to admit that I am a bit disappointed with some of its features. For a vehicle that costs $90,000, I expected better gas mileage and more spacious seating arrangements. The second row seats are fixed, which makes the third row cramped and uncomfortable. Additionally, there is no luggage or cargo space when the third row is up, which can be inconvenient. However, I do appreciate the camera system, adaptive cruise control, and smooth drive. Overall, I think the Sequoia has its pros and cons, but I am still happy to be driving it.It's amazing how much attention my vehicle gets, even more than sports cars! People are always coming up to me and asking about it. Plus, the towing capacity is incredible. I haven't even considered trading it in because of how well it tows my cargo trailer with all my toys in it. If I did trade it in, I'd have to get an SUV for around town and another vehicle for towing my quads. This one does it all!
Alexander Miller 2024-03-26
I really enjoyed everything about this vehicle, but unfortunately the cargo space was a deal breaker for me. The ride was great and the motor was strong enough to easily pull my 5000 pound boat. As a loyal Toyota fan for years, I was hoping this would be the perfect fit for me with its shorter wheelbase. However, upon inspecting the cargo area, I realized it would be completely unusable for a road trip or to try to move anything of any size. In the end, my family and I decided to go with the GMC Yukon XL. I am writing this because I truly hope Toyota will consider building a Sequoia that is similar to what the new Tundra offers, with two motors, one without the battery. If they were to do that and give us the ability to remove the 3rd row seats, I think they would have a real winner.