Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 2004 Toyota Sequoia and have owned it since it was built by Toyota. In 2013 Toyota had a safety recall on the frame for that vehicle because in certain Northern states they are having issues with the frame rotting and braking. I brought my vehicle in May of 2013 and Carlson Toyota in Minnesota inspected. It said that it passed and they installed a corrosion kit. This vehicle has been meticulously cared for over the years and it still looks that way on the exterior and interior. I have always had this vehicle enrolled in a car wash club so it gets washed almost daily in the winter and has for its entire life. But the frame of this vehicle is to the point now where it shouldn't be driven. It is so dangerously, rotted and breaking apart. I had the vehicle in Florida for spring break and while I was driving it there it was making some weird clunking noises. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at approximately 40 MPH over a manhole, there was a loud popping sound and the front passenger side wheel folded under the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch on the side of the road. The front passenger sustained injuries to the right knee and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V013000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Last week, (3/17/16) my neighbor was taking her three children to school in her 2004 Toyota Sequoia. She was traveling on a new road at approximately 30 MPH when the front end of the vehicle dropped on driver's side. She thought she had a flat tire so she steered to the side of the road. It appears the driver's side, lower ball joint failed (see photos). I called hendrick Toyota of apex, nc and talked with mr. John specht [phone]). He checked the VIN and said the lower ball joints had a recall and were changed on aug. 15, 2007. He also suggested I contact Toyota to request their assistance to cover the cost to repair the vehicle (case no.[redacted]). He advised the vehicle be brought in for the airbag recall too. Vehicle was towed home on a dolly to prevent any damage to the transmission. The vehicle has 215,444 miles and was not used for off-road driving. …
Took 2004 Sequoia to kings Toyota for the airbag recall as well as diagnostic eval of vsc ABS lights issue. Received a phone call that the tech could not determine the electrical problem unless we paid an additional $360 for more time to diagnose and that the frame was rusted through with large holes. Wondered if we wanted to pursue the electrical issue with the larger safety issue with the frame. Original issue occurred with lights coming on (had happened several times previously) followed by the power windows ceasing to work, several hours later the wipers and window seemed sluggish and the car lost all power. Had to jump the car several times to get off the road and then when jumping no longer worked, we had to push the vehicle into a church parking lot. After being told by mr. …
Description of the Safety Crash/Informed Incident: Vehicle Information: 2004 Toyota Sequoia (VIN: [redacted]) Incident Date: [redacted] Location: [redacted] Police Agency: California Highway Patrol (Report #:[redacted]) Speed at Incident: Highway speeds (~65 MPH) Description of Defect/Failure: Structural mechanical failure leading to sudden, catastrophic wheel separation at highway speeds. Nine days prior to the incident, on [redacted], the vehicle underwent a comprehensive brake, rotor, and tire rotation service at a certified Toyota dealership (Toyota of Chula Vista, Work Order #[redacted]). While traveling on the interstate, the right rear passenger wheel assembly completely detached from the moving vehicle. As a result, the wheel flew off crossing several traffic lanes, traveling over a jersey wall on the freeway shoulder, landing into a nearby drainage ditch. …
I have a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The vehicle has been well taken care of with numerous receipts to prove it. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, I have observed a 'rot' hole in the rear part of the frame. The whole in the frame is approximately the size of a dollar bill and spreading. There are other parts of the frame that will need attention in the future. Toyota has recalled Sequoia model years 2005 and up and have neglected to include the 2004. It is apparent that the 2004 Sequoia is subject to the same faulty frame manufacturing as other models/ years of numerous Toyota's. My vehicle has approximately 137,600 miles on it. I have maintained vehicles from from the 90s that have better frame construction than my Toyota. I believe that the frame on my 2004 Sequoia will need frame patches in the future as well as many other metal components connected to the frame replaced.
New 2004 Toyota Sequoia leased on 8/8/04 with 78 odometer miles, sustained damages to the front passenger-side steering arm at about 2,379 miles at 7:30 a.m. On 11/5/04 in plantation, florida, and immediate/complete separation of passenger-side front wheel. At the time of the incident, the asphalt-paved roadway was free of any abnormal conditions, and the weather was clear. The vehicle had been in motion for only a few feet after a full stop, seconds before the breakdown. Except for body damages resulting from the 5,000-lb vehicle falling on the road after the wheel separation, there is no damage that would suggest that the breakdown was the result of a collision. Police arrived at the scene, and did not write a report. The vehicle was towed to maroone Toyota dealership at about 10:30 a.m. On 11/5/04, where it remains in disrepair.
Our situation is virtually the same as many other complaints in your system. Namely that Toyota had our dealer apply undercoat to the frame of our 2004 Sequoia in July of 2013. On sept. 5 this year went to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation and after waiting a few hours was informed they did not perform the service as the frame was so bad. Knowing that a neighbor had the same problem and Toyota bought it back I asked about it and was told "that program was over" this is a serious safety issue and upon calling Toyota USA was told they can't do anything. There are numerous complaints similar to this on the nhts website. Why isn't anything being done about this?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the rear axle fractured due to corrosion. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown manufacturer recall related to the failure; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the rear axle fractured due to corrosion that was repaired under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 5/29/15
Me and my family were driving southeast on highway 280 on the far right lane trying to take junction 85 gilroy when all of a sudden through tire on the front driver side came off and the car just was limp on that side and all I can see was sparks and smoke my whole family was terrified .I was trying with all my strength to control the car and with the will of god I managed to safely stop the car .I step out to see what happened and the tire was stuck under the car and completely of the joint with the brecksame still connected to the tire
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints. The recall began on February 28, 2007. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
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 effort.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA investigations
Lower ball joint failure
In a letter dated January 18, 2007, Toyota notified NHTSA of a safety defect in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Toyota tundra and my 2004 through 2007 Toyota sequoia vehicles produced between September 15, 2003 and November 17, 2006 (NHTSA recall no. 07v-013).
Suspension complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Toyota Sequoia, 12% of the model year's 380 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Sequoia suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-013 (lower ball joint, Jan 19, 2007); NHTSA recall 05V-225 (lower ball joint, May 17, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Sequoia suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 118,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.