TOYOTA SEQUOIA · model year

2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

575 NHTSA complaints, 24 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004TOYOTASEQUOIA carries 575 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 24 crashes, 1 fire, 28 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 SEQUOIA is electronic stability control (esc) with 98 filings, followed by structure:body (57) and vehicle speed control (52). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 9 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 2004 SEQUOIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

575
Complaints
24
Crashes
1
Fires
28
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

575 filings

Crashes Reported

24 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)98
STRUCTURE:BODY57
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL52
SERVICE BRAKES49
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM31
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC30
SUSPENSION28
UNKNOWN OR OTHER28
AIR BAGS24
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT14
POWER TRAIN13
STEERING12
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC7
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS7

Recalls (9)

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

07V01300019/01/2007

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND MINI VANS, DUE TO POSSIBLE IMPROPER FINISHING OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, SOME BALL JOINTS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INCIDENTAL DETERIORATION OF THE INTERNAL LUBRICATION. THIS MAY CAUSE THE BALL JOINT TO WEAR AND LOOSEN PREMATURELY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STEERI

19V74100017/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4

05V22500017/05/2005

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING

22E00200014/01/2022

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain aftermarket ball joints for 2004-2007 Toyota Sequoia and 2004-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles, MOOG part number K80521, K80522, NAPA part number NCP2601633, NCP2601634, ACDelco part number 45D2344, and 45D2345. The ball joint housing may have inadequate ha

15V28600013/05/2015

AIR BAGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf

15V28500013/05/2015

AIR BAGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, T

18V88300012/12/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modul

Recent Complaints

20250728STRUCTURE:BODY

Rust! Frame completely rusted, even though the CRC was applied back in 2013.

20250717STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while completing an inspection and emissions test on the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that there was severe rust on the rear subframe of the vehicle, near the control arm, and several other areas on the subframe. The contact stated that there were several holes on the subframe caused by the extreme rust. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

Mileage: 203,000

20241003STRUCTURE

See attached document for complaint.

20240829STRUCTURE

See attached document for complaint.

20240513SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the check brakes and a traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. When Toyota issued a recall for the braking issue, the contact did not receive notices, so the contact called them and was told it was a few selected 2004 Toyota Sequoia recalled for those who had complained but, it was not broadcasted like that. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E023000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Mileage: 143,000

20240513TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the check brakes and a traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. When Toyota issued a recall for the braking issue, the contact did not receive notices, so the contact called them and was told it was a few selected 2004 Toyota Sequoia recalled for those who had complained but, it was not broadcasted like that. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E023000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Mileage: 143,000

20240411SUSPENSION

Frame is rotting out

20240411UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame is rotting out

20240327UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TOYOTA frame is falling apart due to the use of faulty metal to manufacture those frames they ran a limited service campaign to replace some of the frames and they denied many other owners that right please help by telling TOYOTA North America to take care of this very hazardous issue thank you

20240327STRUCTURE:BODY

TOYOTA frame is falling apart due to the use of faulty metal to manufacture those frames they ran a limited service campaign to replace some of the frames and they denied many other owners that right please help by telling TOYOTA North America to take care of this very hazardous issue thank you

20231031UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame

20221031STRUCTURE:BODY

The undercarriage is rotten you help my thanks

20221031SERVICE BRAKES

The undercarriage is rotten you help my thanks

20221031UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The undercarriage is rotten you help my thanks

20220802UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame has rust issues throughout. Frame not properly treated at the factory and now I am suffering because it has virtually rusted through in front of the drivers side rear wheel which was pointed out to me at Toyota when my car was in for service.

20220212STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame is rusting away due to poor grade of metal that it is built from.

20220130UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rotting frame!

20210928UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The tail gate will not open. I had the vehicle since 2018 and it was working and now it's not working. I taken it to toyota dealership and the cost is to much for at this point. I was wondering is there anything that can be done?

20210501STRUCTURE:BODY

SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST IN THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT

Mileage: 100,000

20210430SUSPENSION

I WAS SIMPLY PARKING MY 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN PARKING LOT SPACE. LEFT FRONT TIRE FELL COMPLETELY OFF THE CAR WITHOUT ANY PREVIOUS WARNING OF PENDING PROBLEMS! BALL JOINT CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED! PRIOR RECENT NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT SHOWED NO PENDING PROBLEMS. DID A CHECK AND FOUND MANY PRIOR BALL JOINT ISSUES FOR THIS CAR AND A PRIOR RECALL YEARS AGO. TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN CAPITOLA CA. THEY REPLACED BALL JOINT AND RELATED PARTS. THEY CHARGED ME LOTS OF MONEY CLAIMING THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD "PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN 2007 SO NO LIABILITY ON THEIR PART. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND COMPLAINED AND WAS BOUNCED AROUND UNTIL A FELLOW NAMED "GARRET" TOLD ME THE BALL JOINTS HAD BEEN "FIXED" IN 2007 DURING A RECALL. GREAT. THEN WHY DO THESE ISSUES CONTINUE? MY CAR IS DRIVEN ONLY ON PUBLIC STREETS AND THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS IMPENDING FAILURE. THE BALL JOINT AND RELATED SIMPLY FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AS I INTENDED

Mileage: 356,000

Compare 2004TOYOTASEQUOIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA have?
The 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA has 575 NHTSA complaints, 24 crashes, 1 fires, 28 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA?
Yes, the 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA?
The most-complained component for the 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA is ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) with 98 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.