Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 72/100 (GOOD)

2021 Toyota Sequoia Reliability Report

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia has good reliability, above average for 2021 SUVs, with two steering recalls as the main thing to check before buying.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

5per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$642

Annual Fuel Cost

$4,000–$4,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact80/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity73/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Ranks among the stronger Sequoia years with few owner complaints, though its two steering recalls should be confirmed as completed.

Top Issues to Watch

POWER TRAIN (1)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)
STRUCTURE (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 14)

2021 is year 14 of the Second generation (XK60).

Redesigned for the 2008 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
2nd generation Sequoia (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2008: Second generation (XK60) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is year 14 of the Second generation (XK60).

Should You Buy the 2021 Toyota Sequoia?

Good reliability puts this Sequoia above average among 2021 SUVs and among the stronger of the five scored Sequoia model years. Owners filed only 4 complaints, about 5 per 10,000 sold. The 2020 and 2022 model years rate about the same, so neither neighbor clearly beats it.

Steering is the area to look at. Federal recall records list 2 steering recalls for this year. Among the 4 complaints, 1 was crash-related and 1 involved injuries. The data does not link those complaints to a specific recall or symptom, so treat them as a reason to check, not as a known failure pattern.

Before buying, ask the seller for proof that both steering recalls were completed. Model-wide, estimated annual repair cost is $642, below the $784 typical for the class. If a 2021 has open recalls or no paperwork, the 2020 and 2022 also show good reliability and 2 recalls each, so check their records the same way.

Compared to the 2022 Toyota Sequoia, which scored the same. See also the 2020 Toyota Sequoia for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+$142 cheaper to maintain than avg fullsize SUVs
+Low major repair risk (15%)
+Low recall count

Cons

−POWER TRAIN (1)
−FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)

Compare 2021 Toyota Sequoia With

2021 GMC Yukon

Reliability: 55/100

Mixed

2021 Nissan Armada

Reliability: 74/100

Good

2021 Ford Expedition

Reliability: 57/100

Mixed

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

Reliability: 58/100

Mixed

2021 Cadillac Escalade

Reliability: 54/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

2 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

POWER TRAIN (1)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Toyota Sequoia Recall Details

2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Toyota Sequoia. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

21E1030002021-12-23

STEERING

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.

21V9200002021-11-23

STEERING

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.

Consequence

An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Toyota Sequoia? Check its history first

Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Toyota Sequoia NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 18.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat, 3rd row)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Toyota SequoiaRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$642

vs $784 avg for fullsize SUVs

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.4

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

15%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Sequoia

$642

Category Avg

$784

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

14–15 MPG

Running cost: $4,650–$4,950/yr

Fuel + repair

13 city / 17 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
Sequoia 2WD 5.7L 8-cyl	Rear-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	13	17	15	$4,000
Sequoia 4WD 5.7L 8-cyl	Part-time 4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	13	17	14	$4,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Toyota Sequoia.

Inspect for any signs of fuel leakage under the vehicle, especially around the gas tank.
Check the sunroof for any cracks or signs of stress that could lead to breakage.
Test the suspension by bouncing the vehicle to listen for creaking or knocking noises, especially on the driver's side.
Verify that the vehicle does not move when in park, and ensure the gear shift functions correctly.

2021 Toyota Sequoia Common Problems by Component

4 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

POWER TRAIN (1)FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)STRUCTURE (1)SUSPENSION (1)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaintSafety-related

2024-03-30Crash reported1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while parked and the driver door was opened, he observed a beeping noise and the vehicle began reversing inadvertently. The contact dove into the driver's seat and attempted to move the gear shift but it was already in park (P). The contact was not sure if the brake was depressed at that time. The vehicle continued to reverse and collided with a creek bed. The contact sustained left hip and left knee injuries along with other cuts and scrapes. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and then to a body shop the next day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,236.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

2024-06-19

The gas tank on my vehicle started leaking. It has a crack in the tank. I have not been in an accident nor have I hit anything to cause damage to my vehicle. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 6 hours in my work parking lot when I was notified that the tank was leaking.

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

2024-06-08

While I was driving on the freeway, my family and I heard a loud bang. I pulled over to check and discovered that our sunroof had exploded. We went to a Toyota dealership to have it examined, but the staff claimed it was caused by a rock. We opened the sunshade to check, but no rock was found inside. It was clearly an issue with the sunroof itself. Despite this, we received no help and were simply dismissed.

SUSPENSION (1 complaints)

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

2022-02-11

My cars suspension (driver side shock) has been making creaking, grinding, and/or knocking noise when traversing over mild bumps or road defects at slow speeds. The sound can be replicate by bouncing the car up and down. I am concerned my suspension components will fail under prematurely or under extreme stress. Noted, I brought my car to Toyota for inspection on 2/11/22 and they were not able to replicate the sound. Subsequently I found this related TSB: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10181779-9999.pdf. Additionally noted, I have a TRD pro model with a similar setup as far as suspension. I believe the known defect in the 2019-2020 TRD pros (4Runners) applies here. Lastly, there is such a small population or TRD Pro Sequoias (only manufactured for 3 years 2020-2022) I’m concerned it’s not enough to create demand for a TSB.

Best & Worst Toyota Sequoia Years

Best Toyota Sequoia Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2022

2Recalls

1Complaints

Good

2021

(Current Model)

2Recalls

4Complaints

Good

2020

2Recalls

4Complaints

Toyota Sequoia Years to Avoid

No Toyota Sequoia years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 69 and 72 across 5 scored model years.

See full Toyota Sequoia years-to-avoid analysis

Toyota Sequoia Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Toyota Sequoia reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	69/100	Good
2019	70/100	Good
2020	72/100	Good
2021	72/100	Good
2022	72/100	Good

Toyota Sequoia Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2022	72/100	0	Good	2	1
2021(selected)	72/100	0	Good	2	4
2020	72/100	+2	Good	2	4
2019	70/100	+1	Good	6	7
2018	69/100	—	Good	5	20

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Toyota Sequoia reliable?

Yes, it has good reliability. It sits above average among 2021 SUVs and among the stronger of five scored Sequoia model years. Owners filed 4 complaints, about 5 per 10,000 sold. The main caution is two steering recalls, so confirm they were done.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Sequoia?

Steering is the only problem area in the data. Federal recall records show 2 steering recalls. Owners filed just 4 complaints, and 1 was crash-related while 1 involved injuries. The data does not name a specific symptom, so no repeated failure shows up.

Does the 2021 Toyota Sequoia have steering problems?

It has had two steering recalls, according to federal recall records. That makes steering the one area worth checking. The data does not say which owner complaints relate to steering. Ask for documentation that both recall repairs were completed on the exact vehicle.

How much does the 2021 Toyota Sequoia cost to maintain and repair?

Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $642 for the Sequoia model-wide. That is below the $784 typical for its class. The figure covers the whole model, not only the 2021 year, so treat it as a general guide.

Is the 2021 Toyota Sequoia better than the 2020 or 2022?

Not clearly. Both neighbors also have good reliability and rate about the same. The 2020 has 4 complaints and 2 recalls. The 2022 has 1 complaint and 2 recalls, though a newer year has had less time to collect complaints.

Don’t buy a 2021 Toyota Sequoia without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Toyota Sequoia

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia does best on recall impact (80/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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