TOYOTA SEQUOIA · model year

2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

16 NHTSA complaints, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013TOYOTASEQUOIA carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 SEQUOIA is engine with 3 filings, followed by unknown or other (3) and structure:body (2). 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 3 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 2013 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.

16
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
STRUCTURE:BODY2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES1
POWER TRAIN1
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
AIR BAGS1
WHEELS1

Recalls (3)

21E10300023/12/2021

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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 incorr

21V92000023/11/2021

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

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.

17V31100011/05/2017

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that

Recent Complaints

20260219UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have 2013 Toyota, Sequoia blizzard pearl and my paint started chipping. I have reached out to corporate 3 separate times and they have refused to assist me in this matter. Based off the article listed below, I have a window up to 14 years which is quickly approaching and I have been denied by corporate twice and my local dealer. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20231105STRUCTURE:BODY

2013 Toyota Sequoia Limited (108,000 miles) Rear lift gate around latch was not designed correctly to allow moisture out. Our vehicle is in pristine shape other than the rear lift gate latch. By the time you notice it, it’s too late and unfixable. I’ve seen these get so bad from doing internet research some people hold the door down with straps because the structural integrity is gone and the lift gate can’t be latched and could fly open. The ironic thing about this is it’s obvious Toyota has a problem. Toyota charges $750 - $1000 for a new unpainted lift gate, however NO dealer in the United states can tell you when you’ll receive it because it’s on a nationwide backorder. We purchased this from a Non-Toyota dealer September 2022 and did not (or even think I had to look for it) notice this until spring 2023.

20231105UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2013 Toyota Sequoia Limited (108,000 miles) Rear lift gate around latch was not designed correctly to allow moisture out. Our vehicle is in pristine shape other than the rear lift gate latch. By the time you notice it, it’s too late and unfixable. I’ve seen these get so bad from doing internet research some people hold the door down with straps because the structural integrity is gone and the lift gate can’t be latched and could fly open. The ironic thing about this is it’s obvious Toyota has a problem. Toyota charges $750 - $1000 for a new unpainted lift gate, however NO dealer in the United states can tell you when you’ll receive it because it’s on a nationwide backorder. We purchased this from a Non-Toyota dealer September 2022 and did not (or even think I had to look for it) notice this until spring 2023.

20220115WHEELS

Due to a latent defect, Toyota's chrome lug nuts swell such that the lug wrench no longer fits the nuts. Owners confronted with flat tires are stranded on roadsides, potentially out of cell phone range, because they are unable to change the tire. I personally was stranded at midnight due to this defect. I alerted my Toyota dealership in Peoria, Illinois. They said they were aware of the issue on Sequoias and Sienas and that the could not keep enough lug nuts in stock. Toyota has provided no formal notice to owners of this latent defect and safety hazard. Both the Toyota dealership and Toyota care refused to provide without charge replacement lug nuts.

20200622STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY, AND MELTED WHICH CAUSED A CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA LOCATED AT 2460 VETERANS BLVD, KENNER, LA 70062. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE DEALER OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

20200121AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER 6 YEARS. REPAIR PART FOR AIRBAG SYSTEM $1627. WHY WOULD THIS PART BREAK? DOESN'T GET USED. JUST SIT'S IN THE CAR. SHOULD BE A FAULTY MANUFACTURED PART. NO ONE IN AREA HAS THE PART. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING TOYOTA SHOULD BE COVERING.

20190615ENGINE

MY 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH THE 5.7 LITER ENGINE (ONLY 28,000 MILES) IS LEAKING OIL BY THE CAM TOWER (LEFT SIDE). THE OIL IS LANDING ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH CAN CATCH ON FIRE IF NOT REPAIR. NOT A SAFE SUV TO DRIVE ON LONG TRIPS.

20181109VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED WAS SLOWER THAN NORMAL. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROAD CLEARLY DURING HEAVY RAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE CALVERT TOYOTA (2333 S LOOP W, HOUSTON, TX 77054) WHERE THEY STATED THAT ALL OF THE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED THE SAME WAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Mileage: 15,000

20181106UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE TOOK OUR 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO OUR LOCAL PRIVATE GARAGE HERE IN MAINE AND DISCOVERED IT IS UNINSPECTABLE DUE TO A TOTALLY RUSTING FRAME. THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR BE ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY CLOSE TO 15 TOYOTAS THROUGH THE YEARS AND ARE SO UPSET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IS NOT UNDER RECALL. ONE PREVIOUS TUNDRA THAT WE OWNED HAD A FRAME RECALLED AND THIS ONE SHOULD BE TOO.

Mileage: 148,000

20171204ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DASHBOARD SAFETY LIGHTS ( AIRBAG ASSY ) I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON: 1ST ATTEMPT.- 2/18/15 DIAGNOSTIC STARTER CRANKS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN SPUTTERS AFTER IT DOES START. EXCESSIVE FUEL SMELL. 2ND ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 3RD ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 4TH ATTEMPT.- 6/1/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTICS SOP ORDERED PART LIGHT IS ON GEST TO RETURN FOR REPAIR 7/2 5TH ATTEMPT.- 7/12-16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SOP AIR BAG CENTER CENSOR ASSY PER CODE 1836. 6TH ATTEMPT.- 7/16/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC LOOSE FIN FIT CAUSING CODE 7TH ATTEMPT.- 7/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR BAG. DIAGNOSTIC CAUSE: B1863 FOUND SHORT TO B+ EVERY TIME WE MAKE A LONG DISTANCE TRIPS THE SAFETY LIGHTS FOR: TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE & 4LO COMES ON. WE CALLED THE SHOP

Mileage: 50,000

20171204ENGINE

I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DASHBOARD SAFETY LIGHTS ( AIRBAG ASSY ) I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON: 1ST ATTEMPT.- 2/18/15 DIAGNOSTIC STARTER CRANKS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN SPUTTERS AFTER IT DOES START. EXCESSIVE FUEL SMELL. 2ND ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 3RD ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SHORT IN DRIVER'S SIDE KNEE AIRBAG ASSY. 4TH ATTEMPT.- 6/1/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTICS SOP ORDERED PART LIGHT IS ON GEST TO RETURN FOR REPAIR 7/2 5TH ATTEMPT.- 7/12-16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC SOP AIR BAG CENTER CENSOR ASSY PER CODE 1836. 6TH ATTEMPT.- 7/16/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR GAG. DIAGNOSTIC LOOSE FIN FIT CAUSING CODE 7TH ATTEMPT.- 7/29/16 SAFETY LIGHT FOR AIR BAG. DIAGNOSTIC CAUSE: B1863 FOUND SHORT TO B+ EVERY TIME WE MAKE A LONG DISTANCE TRIPS THE SAFETY LIGHTS FOR: TRAC OFF, CHECK ENGINE & 4LO COMES ON. WE CALLED THE SHOP

Mileage: 50,000

20160303TIRES

2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DEFECTIVE TIRES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, HE DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRE HAD BLOWN AND DISINTEGRATED. NO TIRE INFO WAS GIVEN. *JB

20141113ENGINE

FLEX FUEL MODELS OF THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 5.7 ENGINES HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER THINKS THERE IS E85 FUEL (OR AN ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN ACTUAL) IN THE SYSTEM WHEN THERE IS NORMAL 10% OR LESS GASOLINE ACTUALLY PRESENT. THIS CAN CAUSE ROUGH COLD STARTS/IDLE, POWER LOSS, SUDDEN RPM/POWER DROPOUT, MISSING, AND LESSENED FUEL ECONOMY, ETC. (DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS FOR DIFFERENT TRUCKS). MY SEQUOIA HAS NOW BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE RELATED TO THE ENGINE NEEDING RE-CALIBRATION AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. ,MY SEQUOIA WILL NOT START, WHEN IT DOES IT RUNS VERY ROUGH AND SENDS OUT A BLUE CLOUD OF EXHAUST. II CONSISTENTLY USE REGULAR GAS PURCHASED FROM SHELL OR CONOCO AND HAVE NEVER PUT IN THE E85 FUEL. JUST WENT IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN ON NOVEMBER 12,2014 - 9 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

20140908VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE MY 10 YEAR OLD PUSHED THE SHIFTER BACK INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A LURCHING HALT. WITHOUT A KEY, OR A FOOT OR THE BREAK, OR PRESSING ANY BUTTON, THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER ENGAGE A DRIVE GEAR OR NEUTRAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A BACKOVER OR ROLL-AWAY CRASH. TOYOTA OF PLANO SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. FURTHER, THEY SAY IT IS NOT EVEN COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA (CORPORATE) IS SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM/ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

20140908SERVICE BRAKES

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE MY 10 YEAR OLD PUSHED THE SHIFTER BACK INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A LURCHING HALT. WITHOUT A KEY, OR A FOOT OR THE BREAK, OR PRESSING ANY BUTTON, THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER ENGAGE A DRIVE GEAR OR NEUTRAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A BACKOVER OR ROLL-AWAY CRASH. TOYOTA OF PLANO SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. FURTHER, THEY SAY IT IS NOT EVEN COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA (CORPORATE) IS SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM/ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

20140908POWER TRAIN

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE MY 10 YEAR OLD PUSHED THE SHIFTER BACK INTO PARK, BRINGING THE CAR TO A LURCHING HALT. WITHOUT A KEY, OR A FOOT OR THE BREAK, OR PRESSING ANY BUTTON, THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER ENGAGE A DRIVE GEAR OR NEUTRAL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A BACKOVER OR ROLL-AWAY CRASH. TOYOTA OF PLANO SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL. FURTHER, THEY SAY IT IS NOT EVEN COVERED BY THE STANDARD WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA (CORPORATE) IS SAYING THE SAME THING, THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM/ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

Compare 2013TOYOTASEQUOIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA have?
The 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA has 16 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA?
The 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA?
Yes, the 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA?
The most-complained component for the 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA is ENGINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2013 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. The 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.