Most common 2011 Toyota Sequoia problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Sequoia complaints by model year
Best Sequoia years: 2009, 2015, 2017. Years to avoid: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2011 Toyota Sequoia recalls (6)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge.
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 fj cruiser, Land cruiser, tacoma, sequoia and tundra vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: For the Land cruiser, sequoia, tacoma and tundra vehicles, the dealer will re-calibrate the tire pressure monitoring system on affected vehicles and install an updated tire and loading information label at no charge.
What 2011 Toyota Sequoia owners say
Engine & cooling
Toyota has a faulty design on 5.7 liter sequoias and tundras where the engine camshaft tower sealant leaks oil towards the cabin. Since the engine is tilted back, the engine oil is directed to a heat shield and then directly to the exhaust pipe. Upon reaching the exhaust it causes smoke. The smoke will enter into the cabin causing engine fumes which occur when driving or parked until the engine cools. The engine could have caught fire, based on the amount of smoke that came out. Upon further research, this issue has caused fires. Evidence of this problem is readily available searching "Toyota tundra cam leak fire", furthermore, change.org petition has over 5,178 signatures requesting the recall. This issue has occurred in vehicles from 1,000 miles and up. Toyota now uses a different sealant to prevent this leaking, so they must have recognized the issue but have remained silent. …
On [redacted] while driving our 2011 Toyota Sequoia 4x4 Limited (5.7 iforce non flex fuel) my wife was preparing to stop at a traffic light. Completely unexpected and with no warning, the vehicle started bucking, the engine began making a knocking noise and numerous dashboard lights started flashing. It immediately stalled while attempting to stop, thus, causing a very dangerous situation, losing total control of the brakes and steering, nearly causing a collision with the vehicle in front of her. The vehicle had to be towed from the middle of the road, while in heavy traffic. Eventually it was diagnosed (at my mechanics shop) and determined to be a broken valve spring in cylinder #7. …
Brakes
Purchased the vehicle new. Brake rotors severely warped at12,572 miles creating severe vibration/shaking throughout the vehicle when brakes applied. Problem is particularly severe when utilizing breaks on a downhill grade. The severe vibration created a significant safety hazard as it impairs break performance particularly when roads are wet or icy. Car was under warranty. Toyota's solution was to resurface/grind the rotors back to smooth. Unfortunately this process removes metal, and mass, from the brake rotors which exacerbates the problem. Less mass, less ability to dissipate heat. The same problem occurred again at 22,391 miles. Dealership refused to acknowledge the vibration. Returned to dealership at 24,564 miles. Dealership now acknowledged the problem as it was so severe it was impossible to ignore. …
On [redacted] while driving our 2011 Toyota Sequoia 4x4 Limited (5.7 iforce non flex fuel) my wife was preparing to stop at a traffic light. Completely unexpected and with no warning, the vehicle started bucking, the engine began making a knocking noise and numerous dashboard lights started flashing. It immediately stalled while attempting to stop, thus, causing a very dangerous situation, losing total control of the brakes and steering, nearly causing a collision with the vehicle in front of her. The vehicle had to be towed from the middle of the road, while in heavy traffic. Eventually it was diagnosed (at my mechanics shop) and determined to be a broken valve spring in cylinder #7. …
2011 Toyota Sequoia engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 14 / 19 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Toyota Sequoia a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Sequoia rates better than average: 58% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sequoia at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Toyota Sequoia?
The engine & cooling — 4 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (3) and seats (2).
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Sequoia have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2011 Toyota Sequoia, the most recent from November 23, 2021 (hydraulic power assist system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Sequoia?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2015 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Toyota Sequoia years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Sequoia problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.