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Toyota SequoiaModel year report

2011 Toyota Sequoia Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Toyota Sequoia (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2011 Toyota Sequoia. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (18% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 257 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 35 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “Purchased the vehicle new. Brake rotors severely warped at12,572 miles creating severe vibration/shaking throughout the vehicle when brakes applied. Problem is particularly severe when utilizing breaks on a downhill grade. The severe vibration created a significant safety hazard as it impairs break performance particularly when roads are wet or icy. Car was under warranty. Toyota's solution was to resurface/grind the rotors back to smooth. Unfortunately this process removes metal, and mass, from the brake rotors which exacerbates the problem. Less mass, less ability to dissipate heat. …”

NHTSA complaint #10821007, filed 2016-01, 12,572 miles

Electrical system: “The door lock actuator on each of the doors on the SUV have failed. The doors will not lock/unlock without using the key, and the only door with key access is the driver's door. The doors can be locked/unlocked from inside. The replacement parts seem excessively high, and it appears that this is a common occurrence on Toyota vehicles. Since the actuator is part of the door latch, I am concerned that the actuator failure may lead to a latch problem. This occurs when the vehicle is at rest.”

NHTSA complaint #11160786, filed 2018-12, 130,000 miles

Engine: “Toyota has a faulty design on 5.7 liter sequoias and tundras where the engine camshaft tower sealant leaks oil towards the cabin. Since the engine is tilted back, the engine oil is directed to a heat shield and then directly to the exhaust pipe. Upon reaching the exhaust it causes smoke. The smoke will enter into the cabin causing engine fumes which occur when driving or parked until the engine cools. The engine could have caught fire, based on the amount of smoke that came out. Upon further research, this issue has caused fires. …”

NHTSA complaint #11319081, filed 2020-03, 137,000 miles

Engine cooling: “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 more problem in the future considering they took the engine apart.”

NHTSA complaint #10402916, filed 2011-05, 2,050 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

40% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,000 and 130,000 miles.

30%0–1010%10–250%25–5020%50–7510%75–10020%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

4201220152017202020232026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Toyota Sequoia. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sequoia · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 18.5% risk
Sequoia · SUV RWDnot rated———4 · 18.5% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 Toyota Sequoia version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sequoia 2WD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic142016$4,200
Sequoia 2WD5.7L 8-cyl6-speed automatic141916$4,200
Sequoia 4WD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic141915$4,450
Sequoia 4WD5.7L 8-cyl6-speed automatic131815$4,450
Sequoia 4WD FFV5.7L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic131814$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2011 Toyota Sequoia → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 257 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 257 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Sequoia

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019722,3005—15—Not enough data
2018202,6844—15—Falling
2017731,0002—15—Not enough data
20161133,5002—15—Not enough data
2015921,5002—15—Not enough data
20141739,3002—15—Rising
20131232,5002—15—Not enough data
20122027,5003—16—Falling
20111760,0006—16—Falling
20103162,5009—16Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20096117,8208—15—Not enough data
20086760,0008—15Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200713673,0007—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200620289,0008—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200535287,0009—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200438095,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200356584,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002666111,5006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2001531119,2631—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Toyota Sequoia model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Toyota Sequoia have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2011 Toyota Sequoia as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Toyota Sequoia is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (18% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2011 Toyota Sequoia been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Sequoia (Sequoia 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Toyota Sequoia reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 3,000 and 130,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.