2005 Toyota Sequoia
The Verdict
The 2005 Toyota Sequoia has 351 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (136 complaints) and brakes (84 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 39/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Toyota Sequoia, consider the 2022 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2022 has 99% fewer complaints
View the 2022 Toyota Sequoia dashboard →
Klunk Score: Check Engine
More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
Starter replacement is exceptionally high, self repair impossible. There should be recall on manufacturing design of starter placement inside intake manifold amongst other impossible expectations
We have an issue with our Cosco Mightyfit LX Convertible Car Seat that we purchased in 2021 from Walmart. About 5 times now, when we have gone to get our child out of the seat, one of the straps has disconnected by itself from the rear buckle loop holder. The first time it happened we thought it may be a fluke, but given it has happened now about 5 times we are concerned about the continued use of this car seat and the safety it would provide in the case of a crash. We are concerned that if involved in a crash, one side (or both) of the chest straps would somehow come undone and our child would not be secured in his seat. Once we re-connect the strap to the buckle/loop on the back side of the car seat, it seems to be okay again for a little bit, but there is no notice or appearance of issues until some time later we go to unbuckle him and realize one strap just pulls out of the back of the seat. Additionally, the issue seems to occur regardless of installation method. It has occurred with both the latch system and the vehicle's seat belt. Issue seems to be regardless of seat installation location as we have had it happen in both the 2nd and 3rd rows. Vehicle seems to not play a factor as well. To answer the suggested questions very specifically: -What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The harness. Specifically, part of the 5-point harness that is the shoulder strap (left side usually) -How was the child’s safety put at risk? Child would not be secure in instance of crash and liable to come out of their car seat or not remain as firmly planted as designed. -Has the car seat been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No it has not. The date listed below of when incident occurred is the most recent date this occurred, but again it has been multiple times now.
After several years of fighting problems with, after braking to a brief stop, the loss of power/abs grinding when accelerating and turning right, now the ABS is completely dysfunctional. Both TRC lights will turn on and usually the parking brake, and when braking at speeds less than 10mph the abs will activate and prevent bring the truck to a stop without pumping them, on dry pavement. When the ABS light turns on, then braking is possible, but all pressure is gone from brake booster and brakes sound like they're grinding, not like the sound of abs engaging. Very dangerous to drive in snow as front brakes work but drive axle doesn't disengage when the brake pedal is depressed. Regular mechanic won't engage with diagnosing issues as he feels the problem is partly computer malfunction and Toyota won't allow for used part mismatching. ABS/ECU is failed.
The contact owned a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer on August 7th, 2023, where a protective chemical coating was sprayed on the sub frame. The contact stated that after driving, he noticed that power steering fluid was leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact’s brother who is an independent mechanic, informed him about the source of the leak and noticed there was rust on the puncher frame. The vehicle was towed to the same local dealer, where it was placed on the lift, and it was diagnosed that the frame had rusted and was damaged beyond repair. The mechanic was able to peel and remove rust while using a screwdriver. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.
Took the suv for an oil change and was brought to my attention that the frame of suv, chassis, is rusted and can break any moment. I took it to Toyota 2 years ago for the recall, and they said it was fine.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH the rear of the vehicle lowered and the rear of the vehicle started to bounce, and the suspension warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the suspension system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
The frame is damage by the weather.
2005 Sequoia class action, court ordered frame inspection & either repair or frame replacement. Never received notice of class action. Received letter stating vehicle needed to be inspected. Took to Victory Toyota, Canton, MI on Jan 5, 2018. Was told passed inspection & frame needed seal coating, did not have product. Vehicle was taken in multiple times, never completed the process. On May 6, 2019 the vehicle was taken to this dealership, a rental vehicle was provided and they did nothing and on May 21, 2019, noted the vehicle didn’t pass inspection & the campaign had expired! Per service history report from another dealership, on May 21, (the 15th day they had they had vehicle in their possession), they noted the frame did not pass inspection, also noted the repair timeline expired and they did nothing; however, they were paid to do the job they never did. The frame should of been replaced. I have photos from 2016 showing holes in the frame. I took vehicle to two other dealerships, one inspected in fall 2019 & sent 3 photos to Toyota showing the frame rusted holes but stated once Toyota makes a decision, the never change their mind. Second local dealership printed detailed Toyota repair history report showing Victory stated the vehicle did not pass inspection and that the timeline expired on the 16th day they had the vehicle!! The vehicle interior & exterior is in excellent condition but Toyota knowing refused to replace many of the frames, even though they knew the manufacturer had not made the frames correctly. Toyota has tons of money, clearly they don’t care about their product or customers safety.
Frame deterioration has rendered the rear torque arm incapable resulting in dynamic misalignment of the rear axle. Under acceleration the vehicle veers into oncoming traffic and under deceleration it veers towards the road ditch as the axle shifts about beneath the vehicle.
I tried to make apointments to local dealers they set up appointments and than don’t do nothing about it they said the don’t have any certified tech to do the job so I left with this mess not knowing when my ride is going to give. Out on me I got about 319000 miles Toyota should be proud and thank me for keeping my ride up to date I do my part to have it running good but they not doing there part to help me with these recalls please help me out.
Malfunction indicator lights - Check engine, VSC off and TRAC off. The vehicle goes into limp mode. The issue is both a mechanical and engineering defect causing the override of the entire AIP system. Parts affected are Air injection pumps, Air switching valves, Air pump inlets/covers, Gaskets/connectors/clamps and Speed sensors.
Frame Rust
IN OCTOBER OF 2020, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY AIRBAG RECALLS AT MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER (LIA TOYOTA OF COLONIE). MY APPOINTMENT WAS ON OCTOBER 22, 2020. AFTER DEVOTING A DAY TO THIS, I WAS DISMAYED TO LEARN THAT MY VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE BACKORDERED. THEY SAID THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WERE IN. SEVERAL WEEKS WENT BY, AND I HEARD NOTHING. THEN, I GET A CRYPTIC MESSAGE FROM SOMEONE IN THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT, AND GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CALL BACK. WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER, A MAN ANSWERED WHO SAID IT WAS NOT LIA TOYOTA, AND THAT HE'D BEEN GETTING A LOT OF CALLS FROM PEOPLE THINKING THEY WERE CALLING LIA TOYOTA. (THE DEALERSHIP DID PICK UP WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER, AND IT WAS WHEN I ENTERED THE CHOICE TO SPEAK WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE PHONE SYSTEM THEN TRANSFERRED ME TO SOME INDIVIDUAL'S MOBILE PHONE!) SO, I THEN HAD TO TRY A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND FIND OUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THIS LED TO SEVERAL CALLS WHERE NO ONE REALLY KNEW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I FINALLY GOT MY ORIGINAL SERVICE MANAGER TO RESEARCH THE SITUATION, AND HE SAID THE PARTS WERE STILL ON BACK ORDER. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 15, 2020, AND I TEXTED THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO INFORMED ME THAT 1 PART WAS IN, BUT ANOTHER WAS STILL BACKORDERED. I THEN TEXTED THEM TODAY (JAN 29) AND THEY SAID THE PARTS WERE NOW IN. SO I AM FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT NO ONE WAS EVER GOING TO FOLLOW UP WITH ME TO NOTIFY ME OF THIS. IT'S BEEN 3.5 MONTHS, AND CUSTOMERS' SAFETY DOES NOT SEEM IMPORTANT TO EITHER TOYOTA OR LIA TOYOTA OF COLONIE. I OWN SEVERAL BUSINESSES, AND CUSTOMERS' VALUABLE TIME DOES NOT SEEM IMPORTANT TO THEM EITHER. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORK THIS HARD TO GET A RECALL REPAIR DONE.
THESE VEHICLES HAVE A WELL KNOWN FRAME RUST ISSUE. IN MARCH OF 2018, TOYOTA DEEMED THIS FRAME SAFE AFTER AN INSPECTION AND APPLIED AN UNDERCOATING TO COVER UP THE RUST. A YEAR LATER THE UNDERCOATING BEGAN TO FLAKE OFF, REVEALING THE SEVERE RUST UNDERNEATH. LAST WEEK, NOT EVEN THREE YEARS LATER, WE WERE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND FELT A POP UNDERNEATH. THE PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR MOUNT BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME, AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD US THE FRAME IS SO ROTTED THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO WELD IT BACK TO. OTHER THAN THE FRAME ROT, THE VEHICLE RUNS, LOOKS, AND DRIVES LIKE NEW. THIS FRAME, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS, SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED INSTEAD OF UNDERCOATED. THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND SERVICE CAMPAIGN ARE OVER, BUT I THINK THIS SHOULD BE REVISITED, AS THERE ARE STILL MANY INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME CORRODED AND THE SUSPENSION ARMS THAT HOLDS THE FRAME SPRINGS WERE ALSO CORRODED. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED FOR THE CORROSION REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 240,000.
LABEL FOR DOT COMPLIANT VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. TRYING TO IMPORT VEHICLE INTO THE US FROM MX
ON 1/31/20 I TOOK POSSESSION OF 2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA, VIN [XXX] AND ON 2/3/20 I REGISTERED THE VEHICLE IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS. THE PREVIOUS OWNER [XXX] HAD ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 27, 2007 WITH 48,836 MILES. [XXX]. TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA HAD INSPECTED THE FRAME AND COATED IT. ON 2/4/20 I VISITED TOYOTA OF DARTMOUTH IN NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA 02747 FOR SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE TWO AIR BAG RECALLS ADDRESSED. UPON THEIR REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE'S TOYOTA SERVICE RECORD THEY INFORMED ME THAT NO RECORD REGARDING THE FRAME OR FRAME COATING EXISTS. ON 2/11/20 TOYOTA DARTMOUTH TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE TWO AIR BAG RECALLS AND DURING THAT TIME I HAD ASKED FOR AN OPINION OF THE FRAME. THEY COMPLETED THE AIR BAG RECALLS AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. SEVERE ROT HOLES ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF FRAME WHERE DRAG LINK CONNECTS TO FRAME. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE.? THEY RECOMMENDED I CALL TOYOTA BECAUSE THE FRAME PROGRAM HAD EXPIRED BUT SAID THAT TOYOTA MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP. I CALLED TOYOTA THAT AFTERNOON AND WAS TOLD A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AGENT WOULD CALL ME BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY. ON 2/12/20 A TOYOTA AGENT CALLED ME AND EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE THE FRAME PROGRAM HAD EXPIRED IN JANUARY 2019 THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT TOYOTA COULD DO. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE HIGHER UP WHO COULD REVIEW THE CASE. I WAS CONNECTED WITH [XXX], OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT THE TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IN PLANO, TX. [XXX] ALSO EXPLAINED THAT BECAUSE THE FRAME INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR MY VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TOYOTA COULD DO. I REQUESTED THAT HE ELEVATE THE CASE HIGHER TO SOMEONE WHO COULD REVIEW THE CASE ON A STAND ALONE BASIS. [XXX] TOLD ME THAT HE WAS THE HIGHEST THIS COULD GO AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO FURTHER ACTION BY TOYOTA FOR THIS CASE # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AIRBAG RECALL
BRAKE, VSC TRAC, TRAC OFF, AND ABS LIGHTS ALL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND STAY ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE FORUMS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKES FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. HUTCHINSON TOYOTA OF ALBANY (LOCATED AT 2865 LEDO RD, ALBANY, GA 31707, (229) 436-7751) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 242,000.
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