Toyota Sequoia Suspension Problems

Owners have filed 249 complaints about suspension problems with the Toyota Sequoia — 8% of all Sequoia complaints. The worst model years are 2002 (50), 2001 (48) and 2004 (47). Problems typically start around 120,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

249complaints
2002worst year
120ktypical miles
2related recalls
25crashes
1fires

Suspension complaints by model year

’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’1948504047271413511111
Suspension complaints per model year, Toyota Sequoia.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2019114%—
201815%0 miles
201416%—
201215%—
201013%184,000 miles
200857%79,000 miles
20071310%90,000 miles
2006147%83,000 miles
2005278%66,000 miles
20044712%118,000 miles
2003407%117,000 miles
2002508%130,000 miles
2001489%157,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
    48
  • Front
    10
  • Rear
    4
  • Front › Wheel bearing
    3
  • Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
    2
  • Front › Stabilizer bar
    2
  • Front › Control arm › Lower arm
    1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2012%
  • 25k–50k
    138%
  • 50k–75k
    1710%
  • 75k–100k
    148%
  • 100k–150k
    4125%
  • 150k+
    6036%

What owners report

My wife pulled out of a parking lot and there was a loud noise and the vehicle began to shudder violently. Approximate speed was 10 mikes an hour and she was able to stop. The drivers side rear suspension airbag had broken through the lower control arm, and was under the rear driver side tire. It appears some frame members are cracked as well. Had this happened at highway speeds, it may have resulted in a catastrophic accident. Writer contacted Toyota, as I do not recall being notified of their ZH9 frame replacement program that resulted from a class action settlement, and the rear of the frame is horribly rusted. Vehicle probably would have qualified at that time to be fixed, but am now out of the window. Manufacturers should be made to notify via certified mail, so they know their customers received notifications like this.

2008 Sequoia · Jan 2024

I was driving in rain going about 35-40 MPH entering a curve when I saw a car stopped in front of me turning into a driveway. I tried to hit the brakes but my car actually accelerated to 55-60 MPH hitting the vehicle from behind. It threw the car I hit over 100-200 feet off the road into a tree. My car continued to accelerate and finally stopped 1-2 football fields' length up the road. I had over $23,000 worth of damage to my car including a cracked frame. It took over 6 weeks to get my car fixed because the Toyota dealership kept finding more damage as they worked on it. It was not totaled even though I had insurance that would have totally replaced the car with a new one if it were totaled. I feel the car has never been the same since. I sustained shoulder, neck, back, and r knee injuries where I kept trying to hit the brake to get the car to stop. …

2008 Sequoia · 15,000 miles · Feb 2011 · crash · 1 injury

car is not recalled yet the same model year is recalled from 2007, this problem effects my car as well as cars made earlier in the year. The suspension is unstable and joints are worn in many places ball joints and other steering effecting joints. The car makes sudden side movements like the wheel is about to fall off or the tire fell off the time but the tires are properly inflated. Repair estimated are atleast $600 possibly $1200 as it is worn in 2 places The problem is on the passenger side front. The car has 114000 miles. There is no recall on this car but other Sequoias made the same year are recalled This is pretty obvious the problem was in the design and not the date of manufacture.

2007 Sequoia · Nov 2022

2007 Toyota Sequoia frame completely deteriorated and rusted through. I discovered this when brining my vehicle in for the Toyota Airbag Recall when the technician brought this safety issue to my attention. Previous driving had been extremely unstable and buckled when I was on the highway. Since discovering the frame issue, I stopped driving the vehicle. I believe this is a safety issue caused by a defective frame that Toyota is aware of and had issue a past recall for. The Toyota dealer has made a video of the deteriorated frame and has commented that the vehicle is a safety issue.

2007 Sequoia · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the vehicle experienced the death wobble. The contact stated that the VSC OFF, and the VSC traction and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road before deciding to continue to drive. The contact stated while driving to his residence, he heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, the rear driver suspension link was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 298,000.

2006 Sequoia · 298,000 miles · Nov 2021

This Toyota has several large rust holes directly on the frame. i hit a pot hole and more structure damage was revealed on the frame from rust. The truck drives rough now. The vehicle only has 150,000 miles. The rust holes are so severe that they're directly under my suspension. I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle. Their was once a recall for the frame. It doesn't seem that it was satisfied. I'm very worried about this issue. Toyota should have to replace frame or make it safe to drive.

2006 Sequoia · Jan 2025

I tried to make apointments to local dealers they set up appointments and than don't do nothing about it they said the don't have any certified tech to do the job so I left with this mess not knowing when my ride is going to give. Out on me I got about 319000 miles Toyota should be proud and thank me for keeping my ride up to date I do my part to have it running good but they not doing there part to help me with these recalls please help me out.

2005 Sequoia · Jul 2022 · crash

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH the rear of the vehicle lowered and the rear of the vehicle started to bounce, and the suspension warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the suspension system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.

2005 Sequoia · 100,000 miles · May 2015

Related recalls (2)

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

NHTSA recall 07V-013 · Jan 19, 2007 · 533,124 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 05V-225 · May 17, 2005 · 768,379 vehicles

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

NHTSA investigation EA06014 · opened Aug 2, 2006 · closed Feb 28, 2007 · led to recall 07V-013

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).

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota Sequoia years have suspension problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (50), 2001 (48), 2004 (47), 2003 (40) and 2005 (27) model years. Suspension complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2002.

Is there a recall for Toyota Sequoia suspension problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 07V-013 (lower ball joint, Jan 19, 2007); 05V-225 (lower ball joint, May 17, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Toyota Sequoia suspension problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the front › control arm › lower ball joint (48 mentions), followed by the front (10).

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.