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2005 Toyota Sequoia Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 352 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Sequoia, most often about the stability control (26% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is 5th of 22 Sequoia model years by number of complaints and has 9 recalls.

Complaints352
Recalls9
Crashes reported7
Fires reported1
Injuries reported212 deaths reported

Most common 2005 Toyota Sequoia problems

  1. Stability control

    93 complaints · 26%

    Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.

    Vsc trac, vsc off and ABS lights all come on at once. I took the vehicle to my mechanic and he couldn't pull the code as it was off by the time I got there. Brakes had good pad left. The light came on 3 times today and went off just as unexpectedly.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 92,140 miles
    My 2005 Toyota Sequoia had the vsc light come on. We took it to the dealer who said that it was a code for the secondary air injection valve sticking open, but he also told US that they have replaced the valves before and it ended up being the pump. When pulling into traffic the vehicle went into "limp"mode which was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 92,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    89 complaints · 25%

    Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while parked, the vsc and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact was unaware of the repair needed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 96,000 miles
    While driving, the brake warning light, vsc off light, and vsc trac light all came on. Pulled over and shut engine off. Restarted the car and lights were initially off but came right back on as soon as I started driving. Had advance auto parts hook computer to it, and it isn't throwing a code at all.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 93,331 miles
  3. Speed control

    85 complaints · 24%

    Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.

    My 2005 Toyota Sequoia had the vsc light come on. We took it to the dealer who said that it was a code for the secondary air injection valve sticking open, but he also told US that they have replaced the valves before and it ended up being the pump. When pulling into traffic the vehicle went into "limp"mode which was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 92,000 miles
    Vsc trac, vsc off and ABS lights all come on at once. I took the vehicle to my mechanic and he couldn't pull the code as it was off by the time I got there. Brakes had good pad left. The light came on 3 times today and went off just as unexpectedly.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 92,140 miles
  4. Engine

    55 complaints · 16%

    Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.

    Vehicle when on a stop and making a turn doesn't accelerate for a few seconds it goes blank then after gets speed. In many occasion I had close calls with upcoming traffic behind me after making the turn because of the acceleration failure. I called the dealer where the car was obtained and they said that there is no…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 95,000 miles
    Toyota extended the warranty coverage for repairs related to illumination of the check engine light (malfunction indicator light) due to moisture/water in the air injection pumps and/or air switching valves for select Sequoia trucks. It should be required to extend it to all Sequoia trucks as it clearly recognizes…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 95,000 miles
  5. Air bags

    40 complaints · 11%

    Parts named most often: frontal.

    This has been going on since april 2010, its now november 2010 with no resolution. My 2005 Toyota Sequoia trac off, vsc trac, check engine lights and ABS lights keep coming on. Brought into the dealer three times while the lights were on so the dealer could put it on the computer. No codes show up. I am told that it's…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 93,912 miles
    I have owned my 2005 Toyota Sequoia for a couple of years and recently my SRS light came on, then my cruise control quit working, and recently horn quit working. These all took place in a matter of a few weeks. After diagnosing the issue with my mechanic, it was determined that my spiral cable/clock spring failed.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 69,987 miles
  6. Electrical

    34 complaints · 10%

    Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn.

    The brake light constantly goes on and off. Trac off, vsc trac and check engine lights all come on. A loud rattling noise coming from the front end of vehicle and vibration. Engine will not accelerate randomly while driving and the trac control light goes on at the same time. This is a huge safety issue especially…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 80,000 miles
    The vsc, trak light and ABS lights came on which in turn made the check engine light come on. They stay on continually. At first no code could be found. Then dealer stated that the ecu had to be replaced as well as air pump - both totalling over $3000. This is not the only Sequoia to have this happen. Other years have…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 86,000 miles
  7. Suspension

    27 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.

    Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact received recall notice number 07v013000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) in may of 2007. The dealer stated that it would be at least six months or next year before his vehicle could be repaired. The contact believes that the wait time should not be so…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 40,000 miles
    The plastic latch on the rear door of our 2005 Sequoia broke in november 2011. We had it replaced at the dealer for a cost of $300. Fourteen (14) months later, the plastic handle has broken again. This car has only 75000 miles and has been garage kept its entire life. The dealer offered a discount on the labor but…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 65,789 miles
  8. Body and structure

    26 complaints · 7%

    Half of these problems showed up before 142,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    I took my Toyota in for an alignment. They took me out to look at it and the frame was so rusted that the swaybar had broken and was resting against the boot, which it ripped a hole in. The other side was eaten away with rust and ready to break at any moment. The whole frame from front to back was rusted. I took it to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 135,000 miles
    The recall warranty expired on this vehicle on january 31, 2017. I first received notice of this defect when I took my vehicle to the dealership for another issue I was experiencing. The dealership notified me that the recall was for rusting of the vehicle's chassis and is dangerous for me to continue driving my…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 150,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2005 Toyota Sequoia recalls

  1. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 19V741000 · October 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.

    Full defect summary

    Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

  2. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 18V883000 · December 12, 2018 · 168,993 vehicles

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will notify the pontiac vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 23, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are j0a (zone a toyota), j0b (zone b toyota), j0c (zone c toyota), jli (zone

    Full defect summary

    Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 lexus sc and toyota sequoia, 2003-2005 toyota corolla and tundra, and 2003-2007 pontiac vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.

  3. Seats: seat heater/cooler

    NHTSA 16V396000 · June 2, 2016 · 7,749 vehicles

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on july 14, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.

    Full defect summary

    Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4runner, highlander, sequoia, and sienna, 2005-2010 avalon and tundra, 2006-2008 camry solara, 2006-2010 highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 rav4 and tacoma, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2007-2011 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

  4. Air bags: side/window

    NHTSA 16V065000 · February 5, 2016 · 320,409 vehicles

    Risk: If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on december 1, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is g0c and glb.

    Full defect summary

    Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 toyota land cruiser and lexus lx470, 2005-2006 toyota tundra and sequoia, 2004-2006 toyota 4runner and lexus gx470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.

  5. Air bags

    NHTSA 15V285000 · May 13, 2015 · 1,973,468 vehicles

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-285 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on july 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-312 in its entirety.

    Full defect summary

    Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 sequoia vehicles manufactured august 18, 2003, to august 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 tundra vehicles manufactured march 18, 2003, to august 25, 2004. On june 16, 2015, toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 sequoia, 2005-2006 tundra, 2003-2007 corolla, 2003-2007 corolla matrix, 2003-2007 pontiac vibe and 2002-2007 lexus sc vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been ins

  6. Air bags

    NHTSA 15V286000 · May 13, 2015 · 1,069,055 vehicles

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-286 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on july 13, 2015. Pontiac vibe owners may contact gm at 1-800-762-2737. Gm began the recall on june 29, 2015. Note: this recacl

    Full defect summary

    Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 lexus sc, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, sequoia, and pontiac vibe, and 2005-2006 toyota tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in florida, along the gulf coast, puerto rico, hawaii, the u.s. Virgin islands, guam, saipan and american samoa. On june 16, 2015 toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 lexus sc, toyota sequoia, 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix, toyota corolla, pontiac vibe, and toyota tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the may 13, 2015 notification in the portions of georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessit

  7. Seats: seat heater/cooler

    NHTSA 14V743000 · November 19, 2014 · 3,233 vehicles

    Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

    Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in january 2015. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

    Full defect summary

    Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 prius and corolla, 2009-2011 venza, 2006-2010 avalon, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2005-2011 sienna and sequoia, 2006-2011 tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, camry, highlander, tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 rav4 and 4runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

  8. Equipment: labels

    NHTSA 10V036000 · February 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

    Full defect summary

    Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

  9. Suspension: lower ball joint

    NHTSA 07V013000 · January 19, 2007 · 533,124 vehicles

    Risk: In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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. This may cause the ball joint to wear and loosen prematurely, which could result in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2005 Toyota Sequoia

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Sequoia?
By NHTSA owner complaints: stability control (93 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); brakes (89 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles); speed control (85 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Sequoia have?
9 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2005 a bad year for the Toyota Sequoia?
It is 5th of 22 Sequoia model years by number of complaints, with 352 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Toyota Sequoia years

Toyota Sequoia problems by year