Most common 2012 Toyota Sequoia problems
Share of the 20 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 →
2012 Toyota Sequoia recalls (3)
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 Toyota Sequoia:
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.
What 2012 Toyota Sequoia owners say
Brakes
As I was driving, the anti-slip brake light came on, followed immediately by the brake light. The conditions were dry and I was on a straight city street so there was no reason for it to light up. Since it was concerning the braking system, I pulled into a parking lot as soon as I was able. The brakes seemed to be working properly. My owners manual gave me steps to reset it, none of which worked. At the dealership, they finally figured out it was the anti-skid brake ECU. I was told it could be driven but I wouldn't have the anti-skid technology if I were to ever need to slam on my brakes or if I were in slippery conditions. The vehicle is 3 years old and had less than 60 k miles on it at the time. It's a $3000 repair. When I looked into it, there are reports online dating back to 2008 for this type of failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated without warning. While driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle decreased in speed. The contact pulled over and turned the ignition to the off position. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Electrical system
Electric door locks failed on all 4 doors. Two were replaced by Toyota under warranty. They made me pay to replace one and they refused to replace the other. Now the drivers door lock has failed again. The drivers door will not lock or unlock when using the fob. The rear drivers side door will not lock or unlock using the fob or any other lock / unlock switch in the car. This means the car cannot be opened using the fob at all. It's a safety hazard and Toyota will not take responsibility to replace them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the wiring on the vehicle was chewed due to rodents. The side air bags were also chewed out. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring contained soy products and needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 03/01/17
Stability & traction control
As I was driving, the anti-slip brake light came on, followed immediately by the brake light. The conditions were dry and I was on a straight city street so there was no reason for it to light up. Since it was concerning the braking system, I pulled into a parking lot as soon as I was able. The brakes seemed to be working properly. My owners manual gave me steps to reset it, none of which worked. At the dealership, they finally figured out it was the anti-skid brake ECU. I was told it could be driven but I wouldn't have the anti-skid technology if I were to ever need to slam on my brakes or if I were in slippery conditions. The vehicle is 3 years old and had less than 60 k miles on it at the time. It's a $3000 repair. When I looked into it, there are reports online dating back to 2008 for this type of failure. …
I brought my Sequoia in for a 10,000 mile oil change and when I picked it up, I was told that the dealership had completed ssc doe update. Since the update, my vehicle makes a loud noise when turning the engine off and then a thump sound. Was told that the noise is coming from the air injection pumps that were affected from the doe update. Toyota will not give me any documentation on the recall for my vehicle that affects the emission control ejector to fail and the vehicle going into fail safe mode. Toyota representatives are telling me that the noise is normal and is suppose to be there. This noise was not present before the update and I do not feel that the vehicle is safe when it is extremely secretive about the recall or the update that is being performed on the vehicle due to the recall. My vehicle makes noises that do not sound right. …
2012 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 | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Toyota Sequoia a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Sequoia rates better than average: 45% 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 2012 Toyota Sequoia?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (5) and stability & traction control (4).
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Sequoia have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2012 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 2012 Toyota Sequoia problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 57% 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.