Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 9% | 13,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% | 5,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 7% | 111,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% | 142,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% | 152,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 4% | 108,000 miles |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% | 107,000 miles |
| 2002 | 78 | 12% | 136,000 miles |
| 2001 | 51 | 10% | 155,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On Monday afternoon 1/19/2015 was driving my 2007 Toyota Sequoia 40 MPH as I drove my vehicle suddenly dropped on the left side & my tire flew off. Damage was done to my suspension as it scrapped & hit the concrete pavement damage was done to my rim. Now the dealership I purchased the vehicle from is currently working to resolve my issue. What happened to me has happened to many others where they will input your VIN into Toyota system but it does not populate that your vehicle is involved in the recall. Yet they recalled over 500,000 vehicle sold with the defect ball joint. This has cause substantial damage to a perfectly good vehicle.
After complaining about difficult steering at low speeds, e.g., pulling out of a parking space, I had an alignment done at a Toyota dealer, but deferred having a power steering pump replaced until the necessary part could be obtained. Driving home from the dealership and shortly after exiting a freeway, I was backing up as part of a y-turn when the car suddenly collapsed toward the front right, as though the driver's side front wheel had fallen off. After getting the car towed back to the dealer, I was informed that the lower ball joint had broken. If this had happened at highway speeds, it probably would have caused a serious, perhaps fatal accident. I've since learned that this model year Toyota Sequoia was recalled for faulty ball joints, but that our vehicle was manufactured after the defective parts were no longer used. …
My front end sounds weird and when I turn my trac lights come on and it tries to turn off but never does I was told my fuel pump was bad I paid 650 for it to be fixed was the issue I believe it is a recall on similar vehicles
Spent over 2K at Toyota carlsbad for repairs 1-2 years ago..problem accelerating and lights coming up for check engine, track off and vsc..took again and they are asking for nearly 5K for repairs..problem accelerating in freeway and TPMS lighs on..
Frame deterioration has rendered the rear torque arm incapable resulting in dynamic misalignment of the rear axle. Under acceleration the vehicle veers into oncoming traffic and under deceleration it veers towards the road ditch as the axle shifts about beneath the vehicle.
When I make a left or right turn my truck completely shuts down motor dies, wheel locks. For a bout 4-9 seconds and then powers itself back up without my control. Its started doing it only in the winter now it it consistent. I al most had a few fatal accidents behind it.
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. …
After getting off the highway and parking, I found it hard to move steering wheel and the car began making loud noise. When our mechanic looked at it, he said the entire frame had rusted, including the part that holds the power steering fluid, causing the power steering fluid to fall out, and creating the steering problems. He determined the vehicle was unsafe to drive and recommended I called Toyota dealerships to see if they would replace the frame as part of Toyota's frame replacement program. I tried calling 2 Toyota dealerships (including the one from which I purchased the vehicle) and both said they're not running that program anymore and there's nothing they can do. I then called Toyota customer service, filed my case and requesting that frame be replaced due to the extreme rust and the problems it was causing with under 75,000 mi on it. …
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Sequoia years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (78), 2001 (51), 2003 (23), 2004 (14) and 2007 (9) model years. Steering complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Toyota Sequoia steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 21V-920 (hydraulic power assist system, Nov 23, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Sequoia steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles; 9% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (3 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion (3).
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.