2008 Toyota Sequoia Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rust and corrosion of the frame and rear subframe, reported from as few as a few thousand miles up to well past 100,000, especially in states that use road salt. A second recurring theme is unintended or sticking acceleration, which several owners say persisted after the recall remedy was performed. Seat belt retraction, brake vibration and electrical faults round out the more common reports.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Frame and rear subframe rust and corrosion

   • 11 complaints (16%)
   • median 100,414 mi at 11.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners describe heavy rust on the frame rails, rear axle area and rear subframe, sometimes found during routine oil changes or alignments rather than by the driver. Complaints mention seized suspension bolts that prevent alignment or shock replacement, holes in the subframe, and cracked frame members; some owners were told by dealers that the vehicle was not covered because a corrosion campaign had expired or did not apply in their state. Several say the work required cutting parts from the frame or full frame replacement. Reported from roughly 5,000 to 250,000 miles, most often in vehicles driven in states that use road salt in winter.

   What to check: Have the frame, rear subframe and rear axle inspected on a lift, paying attention to the areas around the alignment adjusters and control arm mounts. Ask whether any corrosion-related campaign applied to this vehicle and whether it was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Toyota service said the rear sub-frame is rusting and eventually rear wheels could separate from vehicle. This was discovered while Toyota was replacing the main frame under a class action suit.the sub-frame was not included in the suit' therefore Toyota wants me to pay the entire cost of $2550”

   NHTSA complaint #11265409, filed 2019-10, 115,005 miles

   “The 2008 Toyota Sequoia only has 35,300 miles on it and while it was in for oil changed and on the rack, the mechanic noticed a severe rusting issue on the frame. The vehicle has severe rust on the frame in particular the rear axle assembly, including the welds that hold the frame together. I am very concerned with the issue of the roads and stress of potholes that the frame and welds could become severely damaged and possibly break off on the road in particular at high speeds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10747220, filed 2015-08, 35,340 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended or sticking acceleration

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the vehicle accelerating without the driver pressing the pedal, or the pedal sticking and holding speed despite hard braking; in several cases owners had to shift to neutral or stand on the brake to stop. Some report the condition returned after the accelerator pedal recall remedy was completed, and dealers in several cases could not reproduce the symptom and returned the vehicle unrepaired. Scattered across the sample from near-new to around 125,000 miles, with no clear mileage or weather pattern.

   Recall 10V017000

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal recall (campaign 10V017000) was completed and request documentation. During a test drive, check that the pedal returns freely and that the floor mat is properly secured.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a 2008 Toyota Sequoia and the pedal has been fixed. Somehow, occasionally I am still experiencing sudden acceleration . Recent article explains the pedal fix doesn't completely fix the sudden acceleration problem that is due to electronic defects and that explain why I am still experiencing sudden acceleration problem. The car just jerk forward for no reason. Please have Toyota fix the problem asap or we can return the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10313907, filed 2010-02, 15 miles

   “I was driving in rain going about 35-40 MPH entering a curve when I saw a car stopped in front of me turning into a driveway. I tried to hit the brakes but my car actually accelerated to 55-60 MPH hitting the vehicle from behind. It threw the car I hit over 100-200 feet off the road into a tree. My car continued to accelerate and finally stopped 1-2 football fields' length up the road. I had over $23,000 worth of damage to my car including a cracked frame. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10574055, filed 2014-03, 15,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Rear liftgate and rear window problems

   • 7 complaints (10%)
   • median 87,500 mi at 9.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2018

   Owners describe the rear liftgate handle or switch pad becoming sticky or melting, the latch actuator seizing with visible rust, and the gate becoming impossible to open by button or handle. Some also report the rear window dropping suddenly or failing to stay up; dealers in some cases quoted a repair cost and said the vehicle was not covered under a warranty extension. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 140,000 miles, with several owners noting the handle issue in hot or cold weather.

   What to check: Open and close the liftgate and cycle the rear window several times, and inspect the handle and latch area for sticking, cracking or rust.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rusty parts (rust extended warranty) the back window on my 2008 Toyota Sequoia fell down abruptly while traveling on the highway. The vehicle was in motion. Items flew from my back window and I was forced to slow down abruptly and prevent drivers in my rear from being in an accident. After pulling over, I had to retrieve those items on a busy roadway. I attempted to diagnose the issue by powering the window back up, but it wouldn't work. I attempted to push the window to the up position and it would not work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11142569, filed 2018-10, 140,000 miles

   “The rear liftgate on our 2008 Toyota Sequoia started acting up late may 2016. The liftgate lock actuator began getting stuck and very difficult to open. Now it cannot be opened by neither the power liftgate button nor manually with the handle. We can see that there is evidence of excessive rust on the actuator. It has seized and are now very concerned that in case of an emergency we will not be able to escape through the rear of the vehicle should all other exits are blocked. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11080786, filed 2018-03
4. 4
   Seat belts

   Seat belts that retract slowly or jam

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report that middle-row and driver seat belts retract slowly or not at all, or become difficult to pull out far enough to buckle. In some cases dealers replaced the affected belt, while others were told the vehicle was outside warranty coverage; one owner noted the problem appeared on a low-mileage vehicle with little rear-seat use. Reported from around 42,000 to 125,000 miles in the sample, with several complaints noting no mileage.

   What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it retract several times, especially the middle-row belts, and check that the buckle latches securely.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The drivers seat belt sometime does not retract. One of the seat belts in the middle row retracts slowly or sometimes does not retract. Another seatbelt is very tough to pull out to buckle. I just purchased this vehicle so I’m not sure how long the seatbelts have been an issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11576476, filed 2024-03

   “I have been having a problem with the seatbelts on this Sequoia for many years and I have had to go into the dealership several times to get help with stuck seatbelts, seatbelts that didn’t retract and seatbelts that weren’t tight enough. I was told after a service visit that Toyota approved a rear middle row seatbelt replacement, but started having other mechanical issues and never scheduled the repair. After getting help for the last time I instructed my kids to be very gentle with the seatbelts and that seemed to help for a long time. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11765074, filed 2026-09

Buying note. Given the pattern of complaints, a pre-purchase inspection focused on frame and subframe corrosion is the most important step, especially for a vehicle from a salt-belt state. Ask for records showing whether the accelerator pedal recall was completed, and test the brakes, seat belts and liftgate during the drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.