What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Sequoia?

Structure has the most complaints at 16, then unknown or other at 12, with engine and speed control at 9 each.

Does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?

Yes. The by-year count shows 8 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.

Is the 2008 Toyota Sequoia reliable?

NHTSA has 67 complaints for this model year. They cover many parts, so look at the problem groups above and get an inspection before buying.

How is the gas mileage of the 2008 Toyota Sequoia?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is 2008 a good year for the Toyota Sequoia?

See the by-year comparison on this page to set 2008 beside other years of the same model.

2008 Toyota Sequoia Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 67 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Toyota Sequoia^[1]. The same model year also has 8 recalls on record^[2].

67owner complaints^[1]

8recalls^[2]

14–15MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the truck. These are the biggest groups.

Structure. 16 complaints^[4]. Owners describe rust on the frame, a rear window that came loose, and rear liftgate handles and buttons that wear badly in heat and cold.
Unknown or other. 12 complaints^[5]. These reports do not fit a single named part.
Engine. 9 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe oil leaks, a cracked exhaust part, fumes in the cabin and a loss of power while driving.
Speed control. 9 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the truck speeding up on its own or a pedal that stuck, and some say it still happened after a repair visit.
Power train. 7 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a four wheel drive part that would not engage and a gear shifter that moved out of park without the key, which let the truck roll.
Brakes. 6 complaints^[9].
Electrical system. 5 complaints^[10].
Suspension. 5 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Sequoia is necessarily included.

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System (21V920), November 2021. About 22,462 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (16V396), June 2016. About 7,749 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (14V743), November 2014. About 3,233 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, burns. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls (12V491), October 2012. About 2,519,424 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems (11V148), March 2011. About 22,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V036), February 2010. About 153,418 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Equipment › Other › Labels (10V035), February 2010. About 271,417 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal (10V017), January 2010. About 2,230,661 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Sequoia 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[3]	14 / 17 / 15	$4,450
Sequoia 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[20]	14 / 19 / 15	$4,450
Sequoia 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[21]	13 / 16 / 14	$4,800
Sequoia 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[22]	13 / 18 / 15	$4,450

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR RWD/AWD^[23]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	18.5%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
SEQUOIA 4DR SUV 4WD SR5/LIMITED/PLATINUM^[24]	205 in	80 in	75 in	122 in	5,690 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sequoia model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	531	1
2002	666	6
2003	565	6
2004	380	6
2005	352	9
2006	202	8
2007	136	7
2008	67	8
2009	6	8
2010	31	9
2011	17	6
2012	20	3
2013	12	2
2014	17	2
2015	9	2
2016	11	2
2017	7	2
2018	20	4
2019	7	5
2020	4	1
2021	4	1
2022	1	1
2023	39	5
2024	37	5
2025	11	2
2026	10	0

NHTSA's counts for the Sequoia show 67 complaints and 8 recalls for 2008^[2]. Among the 26 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 7 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2022 (1) and the most are for 2002 (666)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 Sequoia?

The 2008 Sequoia has 67 complaints on file^[1], and they are spread over many parts of the truck. Structure leads the list with 16^[4], followed by engine and speed control with 9 each^[6]^[7]. Some reports mention crashes and injuries^[1], so the power train stories deserve a close read^[8]. Complaints are not adjusted for sales, so treat the counts as a guide and not a score. Check the recall section on this page and have a trusted mechanic look at the frame before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Sequoia?: Structure has the most complaints at 16^[4], then unknown or other at 12^[5], with engine and speed control at 9 each^[6]^[7].
Does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?: Yes. The by-year count shows 8 recalls^[2]. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.
Is the 2008 Toyota Sequoia reliable?: NHTSA has 67 complaints for this model year^[1]. They cover many parts, so look at the problem groups above and get an inspection before buying.
How is the gas mileage of the 2008 Toyota Sequoia?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is 2008 a good year for the Toyota Sequoia?: See the by-year comparison on this page to set 2008 beside other years of the same model.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Sequoia

2001 531 complaints, 1 recall
2002 666 complaints, 6 recalls
2003 565 complaints, 6 recalls
2004 380 complaints, 6 recalls
2005 352 complaints, 9 recalls
2006 202 complaints, 8 recalls
2007 136 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 this page
2025 11 complaints, 2 recalls
2026 10 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Toyota Sequoia

Other Toyota models from 2008

2008 Toyota Land Cruiser 8 complaints, 5 recalls
2008 Toyota Prius 1,497 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Toyota Sienna 429 complaints, 9 recalls
2008 Toyota Yaris 247 complaints, 10 recalls
2008 Toyota Avalon 349 complaints, 6 recalls
2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser 124 complaints, 9 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2008: suvs

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe 541 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Jeep Commander 437 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Jeep Liberty 541 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Lincoln MKX 253 complaints, 6 recalls
2008 Mazda Tribute 202 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Mercury Mountaineer 96 complaints, 1 recall

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 67 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Toyota Sequoia (4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Sequoia model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sequoia 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
16 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,500). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,000). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V920, filed November 23, 2021: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V743, filed November 19, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V491, filed October 10, 2012: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V148, filed March 4, 2011: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V035, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V017, filed January 21, 2010: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sequoia 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sequoia 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sequoia 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SEQUOIA 4DR SUV 4WD SR5/LIMITED/PLATINUM: length 205 in, width 80 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 122 in, curb weight 5,690 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2008 Toyota Sequoia: problems, recalls and fuel economy