Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My rear hatch quit 48 months after purchase. First the rear defrost/wiper/window quit soon followed by the hatch not opening at all. The issue lies with the inadequate 360 degree sealing of the rear hatch itself. Several issues have resulted from the inadequate seal: water coming in under the hatch and mold forming inside the vehicle. Dust comes in the vehicle while driving on dirt roads. Night driving is especially difficult due to the rear wiper and defrost not working. Every 03-05 owner I speak with has an issue with the rear hatch and the internet forums are endless.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle had a sudden loss of power. Also, the vehicle stalled while making left and right turns and various warning indicators illuminated. Initially, the dealer (principle Toyota, 7370 winchester rd, memphis, tn 38125, [phone]) was unable to replicate the failure, so it continued to progress and various warning indicators remained illuminated, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
Vsc vsc traction control lights came on as well as the check engine light. The vehicle was accelerating poorly. The dealer replaced the air injection control drivers and then all of the warning lights were off. The following day all of the warning lights were back on again and the vehicle was accelerating poorly again. I returned the vehicle to the dealer and I was told that another repair was needed now. The air pump set needs to be replaced for $1,700.00. Thousands of Sequoia owners have reported this problem but Toyota has not issued a recall.
2005 Toyota Sequoia - following gauge lights came on: check engine, vtrac. Vehicle made did not sound right while idling, and was not accelerating correctly (in limp mode). Took to mechanic. The air pump broke apart and went into the induction system. Very expensive repair. This is known issue with this make/model and year but was not under recall?
Vsc trac off, the vehicle looses power completely and there is a grinding noise. My wife was driving on the interstate and lost power. Luckily, she was not in traffic. Restarted and made it home. The vsc trac off lights are still on. Very dangerous if the vehicle loosed power completely driving 70 MPH on the interstate.
Vsc/trac control/ check engine dash warning lights come on and will not reset. Have had the vehicle at two different Toyota dealers and they cannot find the proplem. They want me to pay them to go into the motor to find the problem. Have found several complaints on line about the same issue.
I was leasing an 2005 Sequoia through southeast Toyota. I purchased the vehicle 6 months ago and at the time it was certified. Since I have had the vehicle I experienced the brake light going on and off. It never stayed on long enough to take it in to be checked out and would often go away after the car was turned off and then on again. Recently, the check engine, vsc trac and trac off lights came on and remained lit after the car was started - the brake light would also continue to come on after driving and would not always come back on after the car was turned off and started back up again. I took my Sequoia into the closest dealer and was told that I needed a skid control ECU #89541-0c070 ($2206), master cylinder pressure sensor #89637-0c020 ($477.86) and a knock sensor bank 2 #89615-06010 #17171-50030 ($741). …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 25 MPH he noticed that the defrost, windshield wiper and the rear window were not working. The power rear window would not open and close. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who repaired the vehicle. Four to five months later, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the identical failure and it was repaired again. The failure recurred 6 to 7 months later and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired since it was no longer under warranty. The estimated repair cost was $800. The contact was advised that the dealer was pressing a button and shutting the rear hatch with force as a repair option. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that there was an electrical short that was causing the failure. The VIN was not available. …
Driving on the highway and took an exit. Slowed down and turned the steering wheel. The vsa and trac lights came on, the car lost power for several seconds, pushing the gas pedal didn't do anything for several seconds and eventually, heard a loud noise as if the engine was re-engaging and then some grinding noise and the car was back to "normal" driving condition. Since the first incident, has happened several times over again. Very dangerous considering there were cars behind me and could have ran into me. Similar experience pulling into a parking lot. Made a left turn and the car just stopped. People were honking behind me and the car would not move. Had to turn the ignition off and then back on to make it work again.
Vsc, trac off, and emergency brake lights all stayed on after car was started. For the next week or so they would go off then come back on and then stayed on continually. I took it to my dealership on June 16, 2012 and they said the skid control computer needed replaced and they had to order the part. On June 19, 2012 they replaced this part at a charge of $1013.56. On June 22, 2012 all these lights have again come on. I was told at the time of the initial diagnosis there had been a bulletin issued about this issue. I ask why it wasn't recalled if it was a known safety issue and they just said it was a bulletin not a recall.
Electrical complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Toyota Sequoia, 10% of the model year's 352 complaints. The component named most often is horn (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Sequoia electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Toyota Sequoia, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Sequoia electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
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.