Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tony Divino Toyota, a Toyota Motor Company dealership, sold me this vehicle sight unseen knowing I would immediately be towing a boat trailer 350 miles at highway speeds through construction zones on I-80 with children and our dog onboard. I was told it had passed a "160 point inspection" and was "in great condition". However, when delivered to me the dealership knew it was not road worthy and in fact illegal to drive on public roads due to missing a third brake light, bad rear brakes were bad, the transmission had failed, the battery had failed, the shocks/struts had failed, and a live shotgun shell was rolling around under the drivers seat. Both Toyota Motor Corporation and the dealership refused to address or correct these vehicle defects which could have resulted in a disastrous crash with injury/death to myself and children. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sequoia. After the ignition key was turned to the off position and removed from the vehicle, the gear shift was able to be switched into the drive position. The vehicle rolled away and crashed into the contact's garage. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure and remedy were unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. The consumer stated the problem was the gear shift, located between the driver and passenger seat. The gear shift came out of gear with the key out of the ignition, vehicle off, steering wheel locked and her foot not on the brake. The consumer stated her grandson knocked the vehicle out of gear and the vehicle crashed into her garage door. …
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while at a stop light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated with the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after several seconds, the vehicle accelerated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.
Check engine light on, vsc and trac lights on - truck enters limp mode due to faulty secondary air intake system for emissions system. This is a known issue for sequoias and tundras, however not yet covered for the 2007 model year! Dealer part costs $1,700. Unless Toyota recieves enough case problems for 2007 year, they will not extend warranty for parts, which they have done for all other affected years.
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
We have four drivers in our family and have driven and owned 4x4 wrangler, explorer,expedition,Subaru outback sport and 2 AWD Plymouth voyager. We now also own and drive a 2006 Toyota Sequoia. The Sequoia is a danger to us and other drivers when there is snow or ice on the ground. We live in michigan. With the 4 wheel drive on and with stability control, the back end still slides out easily without provocation. When it does the vsc takes over and leaves you out in traffic with no power. If you are going over 60mph you cannot turn on 4wd from 2wd. This requires slowing down in freeway traffic to activate 4wd. ABS does not come on if you are traveling at a slow speed like down a narrow icy driveway like we have. The Sequoia is a disaster waiting to happen. It obviously was not tested in real life winter conditions and needs to be fixed. Please help us.
2005 Toyota Sequoia with 87000 miles has lost power when the trac vsc and off trac plus engine is on. The Sequoia will only travel 30 miles per hour. Top. It happen June 19, 2016 when driving on the streets we started to go uphill when my wife and me notice that Sequoia had on power and the check engine light was on plus trac off and vsc trac lights were on. I look up the problem on the computer to fined out that others are having the same problem. I check the Toyota web site to see if any recalls. I enter the VIN number and fond none with this problem. Thanks
Vsc trac, vsc off, brake, ABS lights... All on, all at once. And looses power on the freeway very dangerous. I have done some research and there is thousands of complains . It hapen to me last night vsc trac, vsc off, brake, ABS lights.came on all on, all at once.and I start looosing power lucky I was close to a exit
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Sequoia years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (56), 2001 (35), 2004 (17), 2005 (14) and 2003 (13) model years. Transmission complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Toyota Sequoia transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Toyota Sequoia model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Sequoia transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (53 mentions), followed by the driveline (6).
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.