Is the 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA reliable?

The 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA has 21 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA?

Top problems: ENGINE (5 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (3 complaints, avg repair $500); SEATS/RESTRAINTS (2 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA?

The 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA gets 16 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Toyota SEQUOIA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA has 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 21. The most common issue is engine problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: my toyota sequoia 2011 has a slow leak at the front passenger side just on top of the exhaust manifold,took it to the dealer and they said the cam shaft oil seal is leaking. they are willing to fix it,but my concern is if my car will be the same again since its just 6 weeks old,and i might encounter. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

5 complaints

24%

• MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2011 HAS A SLOW LEAK AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE JUST ON TOP OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD,TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAM SHAFT OIL SEAL IS LEAKING. THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX IT,BUT MY CONCERN IS IF MY CAR WILL BE THE SAME AGAIN SINCE ITS JUST 6 WEEKS OLD,AND I MIGHT ENCOUNTER
• 2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR PUMP REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW AIR PUMP AND A NEW AIR PUMP DRIVER AT A COST OF $ 2643 BEFORE TAXES. THE DEALER NOTED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSE BY POSSIBLY WATER INTRUSION. *JB MA 10
• 2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR PUMP REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW AIR PUMP AND A NEW AIR PUMP DRIVER AT A COST OF $ 2643 BEFORE TAXES. THE DEALER NOTED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSE BY POSSIBLY WATER INTRUSION. *JB MA 10

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2011 HAS A SLOW LEAK AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE JUST ON TOP OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD,TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAM SHAFT OIL SEAL IS LEAKING. THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX IT,BUT MY CONCERN IS IF MY CAR WILL BE THE SAME AGAIN SINCE ITS JUST 6 WEEKS OLD,AND I MIGHT ENCOUNTER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA

Based on 10 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 60K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (7)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER19/11/2014

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.

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$3,001

Per month

$250

Per mile

25.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Toyota SEQUOIA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota SEQUOIA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2011 SEQUOIA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 21 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2011 HAS A SLOW LEAK AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE JUST ON TOP OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD,TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CAM SHAFT OIL SEAL IS LEAKING. THEY ARE WILLING TO FIX IT,BUT MY CONCERN IS IF MY CAR WILL BE THE SAME AGAIN SINCE ITS JUST 6 WEEKS OLD,AND I MIGHT ENCOUNTER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT UTILIZED THE PARKING BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE V
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: MY 2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA ONLY HAS TWO HEIGHTS ON THE THIRD ROW HEADRESTS. THE LOWEST SETTING LAYS THE HEADREST RIGHT ON THE SEAT AND IS TOO LOW TO SUPPORT ANYONE'S HEAD. THE OTHER SETTING ON THE TWO OUTSIDE SEATS RAISES THE HEADREST ALL OF THE WAY UP WHICH IS TOO HIGH TO SUPPORT A CHILD'S HEAD. IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DIGITAL SPEED READER WAS PROVIDING A DIFFERENT READING FROM THE SPEEDOMETER READING. THE DIFFERENCE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH GREATER ON THE SPEEDOMETER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)