2013 Toyota SEQUOIA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2013 Toyota SEQUOIA has 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: flex fuel models of the toyota sequoia with 5.7 engines have an issue where the engine's computer thinks there is e85 fuel (or an alcohol concentration that is much higher than actual) in the system when there is normal 10% or less gasoline actually present. this can cause rough cold starts/idle, po.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

3 complaints

19%

• FLEX FUEL MODELS OF THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 5.7 ENGINES HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER THINKS THERE IS E85 FUEL (OR AN ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN ACTUAL) IN THE SYSTEM WHEN THERE IS NORMAL 10% OR LESS GASOLINE ACTUALLY PRESENT. THIS CAN CAUSE ROUGH COLD STARTS/IDLE, PO
• I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DASHBOARD SAFETY LIGHTS ( AIRBAG ASSY ) I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON: 1ST ATTEMPT.- 2/18/15 DIAGNOSTIC STARTER CRANKS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN SPUTTERS AFTER IT DOES START. EXCESSIVE FUEL SMELL. 2ND ATTEMPT.- 6/29/16 SAFETY LIG
• MY 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH THE 5.7 LITER ENGINE (ONLY 28,000 MILES) IS LEAKING OIL BY THE CAM TOWER (LEFT SIDE). THE OIL IS LANDING ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH CAN CATCH ON FIRE IF NOT REPAIR. NOT A SAFE SUV TO DRIVE ON LONG TRIPS.

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

“FLEX FUEL MODELS OF THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 5.7 ENGINES HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER THINKS THERE IS E85 FUEL (OR AN ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN ACTUAL) IN THE SYSTEM WHEN THERE IS NORMAL 10% OR LESS GASOLINE ACTUALLY PRESENT. THIS CAN CAUSE ROUGH COLD STARTS/IDLE, PO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

19%

• WE TOOK OUR 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO OUR LOCAL PRIVATE GARAGE HERE IN MAINE AND DISCOVERED IT IS UNINSPECTABLE DUE TO A TOTALLY RUSTING FRAME. THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR BE ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY CLOSE TO 15 TOYOTAS THROUGH THE YEARS AND ARE SO UPSET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IS NOT
• 2013 Toyota Sequoia Limited (108,000 miles) Rear lift gate around latch was not designed correctly to allow moisture out. Our vehicle is in pristine shape other than the rear lift gate latch. By the time you notice it, it’s too late and unfixable. I’ve seen these get so bad from doing internet re
• I have 2013 Toyota, Sequoia blizzard pearl and my paint started chipping. I have reached out to corporate 3 separate times and they have refused to assist me in this matter. Based off the article listed below, I have a window up to 14 years which is quickly approaching and I have been denied by corp

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

“WE TOOK OUR 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO OUR LOCAL PRIVATE GARAGE HERE IN MAINE AND DISCOVERED IT IS UNINSPECTABLE DUE TO A TOTALLY RUSTING FRAME. THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR BE ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY CLOSE TO 15 TOYOTAS THROUGH THE YEARS AND ARE SO UPSET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IS NOT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

2 complaints

13%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY, AND MELTED WHICH CAUSED A CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA LOCATED AT 2460 VETERAN
• 2013 Toyota Sequoia Limited (108,000 miles) Rear lift gate around latch was not designed correctly to allow moisture out. Our vehicle is in pristine shape other than the rear lift gate latch. By the time you notice it, it’s too late and unfixable. I’ve seen these get so bad from doing internet re

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY, AND MELTED WHICH CAUSED A CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA LOCATED AT 2460 VETERAN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

1 complaints

• THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE M

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

“THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE M”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

1 complaints

• THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE M

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 16 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: FLEX FUEL MODELS OF THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 5.7 ENGINES HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER THINKS THERE IS E85 FUEL (OR AN ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN ACTUAL) IN THE SYSTEM WHEN THERE IS NORMAL 10% OR LESS GASOLINE ACTUALLY PRESENT. THIS CAN CAUSE ROUGH COLD STARTS/IDLE, PO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WE TOOK OUR 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO OUR LOCAL PRIVATE GARAGE HERE IN MAINE AND DISCOVERED IT IS UNINSPECTABLE DUE TO A TOTALLY RUSTING FRAME. THEY DEEMED IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR BE ON THE ROAD. WE HAVE HAD PROBABLY CLOSE TO 15 TOYOTAS THROUGH THE YEARS AND ARE SO UPSET THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IS NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASHBOARD WAS STICKY, AND MELTED WHICH CAUSED A CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA LOCATED AT 2460 VETERAN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: THERE IS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE SHIFT LOCK. MY CHILDREN WERE IN OUR NEW 2013 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEY MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK POSITION AND INTO NEUTRAL. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A PASSING CAR BEFORE M
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)