Last updated: 2026-07-24
2021 Toyota Sequoia Reliability Report
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia scores 72/100 ("Good"). With 2 recalls and 4 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
2
Complaints
4
Complaint Rate
5per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$642
Annual Fuel Cost
$4,000–$4,300
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues to Watch
- POWER TRAIN (1)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)
- STRUCTURE (1)
Generation & Refresh (US)
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?
At 72/100, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2021 is year 14 of the Second generation (XK60).
Owners log 4 complaints on this model year — enough to suggest attention is needed, but no single failure mode dominates yet.
Get a pre-purchase inspection on any used example, with extra attention to power train (1). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.
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 Chevrolet Tahoe
Reliability: 58/100
2021 GMC Yukon
Reliability: 55/100
2021 Ford Expedition
Reliability: 57/100
2021 Nissan Armada
Reliability: 74/100
2021 Cadillac Escalade
Reliability: 54/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- POWER TRAIN (1)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)
Recall Overview
2
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
5
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 16.7
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
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.
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.
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.
Buying a used 2021 Toyota Sequoia? Check its history first
Every 2021 Toyota Sequoia has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
- 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
Toyota SequoiaRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based 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
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 complaintSafety-relatedThe 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 complaintThe 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 complaintWhile 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 complaintMy 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
Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.
Best Toyota Sequoia Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Toyota Sequoia year is 2022 with a reliability score of 72/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2021 (72/100) and 2020 (72/100).
2022
2021
(Current Model)
2020
Toyota Sequoia Years to Avoid
No Toyota Sequoia years are statistical outliers in our data.
All model years score consistently well. The Toyota Sequoia maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.
Toyota Sequoia Reliability Score Trend
Toyota Sequoia reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 71/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Sequoia?
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Sequoia have?
Is the 2021 Toyota Sequoia expensive to maintain?
Don’t buy a 2021 Toyota Sequoia without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Toyota Sequoia.
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