2023 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HYBRID Recalls, Complaints & Safety

Sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving the vehicle. Sounded exactly like a gunshot. Luckily I remained calm while driving and heart racing. It was 9:20 at night and no other cars around. I am absolutely certain that nothing hit or touched my car.

This is related to Toyota service bulletins T-SB-0043-24 and T-SB-0022-25. My brakes started squealing shortly after I purchased the vehicle. I reported this to my toyota dealership. They told me about the service bulletins, but said the parts are on back order. I have been waiting for almost 2 years, and the dealership still hasn’t fixed it. Now, my brakes are vibrating violently at highway speed, and my family is scared to ride in the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sequoia. The contact received notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V657000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that while in reverse (R), during inclement weather at his residence, the vehicle's reverse screen went black, and the reverse notification system failed to detect any structures. The contact stated that as a result of the reverse camera being black and not notifying him of any structures, the vehicle collided with a tree, impacting the right rear. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the reverse camera needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure and filed a complaint; however, he has yet to receive any information regarding the outcome of his complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 21,463.

Crash

The car seat platic keeps breaking and ripping. It has sharp edges. Dealer says its a know issue. Already replaced once and broke again.

Electronic control module failed due to the cup holder failing. It is available for inspection. Safety was put at risk because the vehicle randomly slammed itself on the brakes, when in drive the vehicle was moving backwards then abruptly braking and moving forward. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. There were warning lamps for the following: drive start control malfunction, parking brake unable to disengage, hybrid system failure, check engine, parking support brake malfunction. The vehicle was showing as being in both park and drive at the same time. The dealer determined the cupholder allows water condensation to leak into the center console compartment where exposed high and low voltage wiring is contained as part of electronic modules causing the vehicle to malfunction. The vehicle was put in gear while throwing the malfunctions, however, the electronic components should not be exposed and stored within a compartment where liquids are known to be stored (cup holder) in a way that allows water to leak into them. This could happen while the vehicle is being driven and cause serious issues. This same issue happened once before several months back before the cup holder started to fail, so regardless if the cupholder is working properly, it seems water can penetrate this area of the vehicle and cause issues because there is no barrier between the electronic modules/wiring and the cup holder drip tray. The service department actually stated to me that they see this issue all the time on the Sequoias and Tundras.

Hybrid system malfunctioned and engine completely seized up. Dealer/Toyota is replacing the short block and both turbos on my Sequoia. This seems to be the same issue as the Tundra engines.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that there was a recurring issue with the moonroof leaking. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty seal. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. Most recently, the seal was detaching from the vehicle's interior. The manufacturer was contacted and it was confirmed that the cost of the diagnostic test would be the owner's responsibility. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while attempting to utilize the controls on the side of the driver’s seat, there was a crack in the hard plastic, and in the process, the contact sustained a minor cut on the left hand. The contact stated that medical treatment was not needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that the same crack had appeared on the front passenger’s seat. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

1 injured

Able to lock car while keys are in the front cup holders. Have to close rear hatch manually. Dash button, key fob button and door button do not work. Others have been complaining about this on the internet. Driver side door has to be forced to roll up. Pull button to roll up. Goes up and then opens back up about two thirds of the way.

The rearview mirror in my 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a digital camera-based system rather than a traditional reflective mirror. The issue is that the camera used for this system has a low resolution and performs poorly in low-light conditions, making it difficult to see clearly at night. This creates a significant safety risk, as rear visibility is crucial when driving at night, especially when changing lanes, reversing, or maneuvering in areas with limited lighting. Toyota has since introduced an improved, higher-resolution version of this camera in newer models such as the Toyota Tacoma, which provides significantly better night visibility. However, despite acknowledging the issue and investigating potential solutions, Toyota has stated that the newer, higher-quality camera is “not compatible” with the Sequoia and therefore cannot be retrofitted to address the problem. This issue has been raised with Toyota, and their investigation confirmed the problem. However, they have not provided a solution or corrective action for existing Sequoia owners. The problem is consistent and has been observed repeatedly in nighttime driving conditions. The vehicle has not displayed any warning messages or error indicators related to the rearview camera system. Given the importance of rear visibility for safe driving, the poor performance of the current system presents a potential hazard to drivers and other road users. A malfunctioning or inadequate rearview camera system increases the risk of accidents, particularly in low-light situations where the driver is relying on it for visibility. I request that this issue be reviewed and addressed to ensure that affected vehicles are equipped with safe and functional rearview systems.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid. The contact stated that the tow hitch cover had separated from the vehicle while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the part was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V640000 (Structure, Trailer Hitches); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

please refer to NHTSA issue 11624149. Toyota has dismissed my complaints about the trailer brake controller and has (twice now) closed the complaint I have filed with them regarding the issue I am having with the trailer brake controller. Even though I have been able to reproduce the CPU programming issue with the trailer brake controller with a Toyota Service Technician, Toyota corporate has decided to not move forward with any remedies and has dismissed my concerns. The improper programing on the trailer brake controller in this vehicle is a serious safety issue that should be recalled before an accident occurs and someone is killed.

I purchased my daughter's Nava in 2022 because of the extended rear-facing, the ability to fly with it, and its overall composition. My husband and I were driving today and we noticed my daughter kept getting out of her seat. Once we got home, on further investigation, we determined the issue to be a faulty, self-ratcheting system. My daughter is [XXX] in [XXX]. There should be no reason the straps are becoming loose. [XXX] we weren't in an accident on the freeway. I sent an email along with a video to the warranty department and I'm waiting to hear back. I am extremely frustrated as this car seat cost over $550 to purchase brand new With a two-year warranty. After doing further investigation, this seems to be an ongoing problem with the Nuna Rava. This is unacceptable and their faulty product has put my child's safety and life at risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The ECU in my Sequoia is incorrectly programmed when towing a trailer. I have a 6,000# dual axle electric brake travel trailer that I use my Sequoia to tow with. I set up the trailer specifications in the vehicle computer per the Toyota owner's manual and set the trailer gain per the Toyota owner's manual. The problem I experience is when the gain is set this way the trailer brakes lock-up under moderate braking. To remedy the trailer brakes locking up, I reduce the gain. The problem is, in order to stop the trailer brakes from locking up under moderate to heavy braking, I have to reduce the gain to the point the trailer brakes are effectively not operating. I have already brought the vehicle and trailer to a Toyota dealership, and they were able to reproduce the issue I am experiencing with the brakes. However, Toyota has closed my case with no remedy. I never experienced this issue with the previous vehicle (a 2015 Toyota Tundra) I used to tow this same travel trailer with. I believe the ECU is incorrectly programmed causing a different voltage output being provided to the trailer when 1) the brake pedal is depressed; vs. 2) when the trailer brake controller slider is operated (to set trailer gain).

Vehicle comes with factory installed trailer towing equipment. 1. When a trailer is hooked up and headlights are turned on no signal is sent through the seven blade connector to turn on the running lights on the trailer. 2. When the trailer is connected no signal is sent through the seven blade connector to activate the electric brakes on the trailer. Because of these defects I was unable to tow my trailer. I have connected the vehicle to three different trailers and experienced the same issue. I have taken the vehicle to authorized dealer twice and they deny the problem.

The pinch sensor of tailgate prevents the tailgate from closing.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the trailer hitch cover separated from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 21,650.

T-SB-0043-24. In this safety bulletin it is noted that front brakes squeak. Loudly I might state. Happens always in the morning when backing out of covered garage. The bulletin says to verify then replace. Can get no help from Dealership or from Toyota USA. Very annoying and do not know about danger.

Upon purchasing my 2023 Toyota Sequoia, I noticed that the rear hitch cover had a tendency to come loose while driving and eventually fall off. I promptly addressed this issue with the dealership, and they replaced it with a new one. However, the problem persisted, and the replacement cover also failed after just a few days. This occurred when the vehicle had been driven for approximately 2,000 miles. The hitch cover continues to fall off.

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the hitch cover detached from the rear bumper. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

Twice now, when I attempt to refill the fuel tank, with the truck off, the tank "burps" out about 8 to 10 ounces of gas which spills on me, the left side fender and left side tire. When I put my ear to the filler neck, I can hear the fuel pump running (with the truck OFF). I sent the dealer a video off the noise I hear at the filler neck. Also the discoloration on my new Michelin ten ply tires. Went to dealer, Master Mechanic had no idea. He also didn't know where the battery was in the truck to perform the open recall. Service manager said he would start a TAS report with Toyota and let me know. I month went by and I heard from no one. I sent the service mgr two texts, no reply to either, I called the service writer and he said he would get back to me....I'm still waiting. I called Toyota Help line today. They said they would call the dealer. I while later, the service mgr called me and had no excuse for ignoring me. He wants to keep the truck of six months to duplicate the video I sent him. He doesn't have a Sequioa loaner and he said even if he did, I could NOT tow with it since its against their policy. I tow ever day with the truck. Being a retired Professional Engineer, I think there is a software issue telling the fuel pump to run to purge the charcoal canister every few months. I'm must be hitting that frequency when I refill. It would be nice to talk to a Toyota Engineer, or maybe they want to wait for it to burst into flames.

My wife returned home and exited the car leaving her key inside the car. She went to open the backdoor to get our infant son out and the car had locked itself. She had to call me at work so that I could unlock the car with the app.

The Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) fails to properly deactivate when a trailer is equipped. The owners manual specifically states this should occur, the dash indicates that LTA is OFF but the indicator remains and the system provides steering inputs. When towing a trailer any abrupt movements can induce oversteer or trailer sway leading to loss of control, the LTA may perform abrupt movements. I have notified but received no response, so far no accident has occurred. The warning and indicator lamps are not in sync and don't align with the true system status. Details are from when I first noticed this system issue. I'm providing snippets from the manual showing the expected behavior, and the indicators. I also have included a screenshot of a video I made that shows the trailer detection, warning that LTA is OFF and the LTA indicator remaining ON.

Vehicle vibrates above 45mph. Took it to dealership and they did not fix the issue. Lane departure warning had to be disabled as it is mistaken for an actual lane departure. Vehicle posses a risk to operator and other drivers on the roadway. Toyota corporate notified but disregarded claim as dealership advised they were unable to replicate.

Rear plastic hitch cover piece flew off at interstate speed endangering other drivers on the road

A water leak was identified in the front left pillar from the support handle. It was sent in to Olympia Toyota who believed that body work was needed. The vehicle was then transferred to Titus Toyota in Tacoma. The assessment in Tacoma was very different than that in Olympia, and the vehicle was sent in to repair without first making contact with the owner. The assumption is that water is leaking in through a defect in the roof railing system. Multiple alerts have deployed: air bag warning, pre-collision system warning, lighting warning. The extent of the water leak has not been identified, and has likely compromised these systems including the electrical system. Toyota USA also has a class action law-suit regarding their RAV-4's, where there are consistent leaks due to the roof-rails, and this vehicle has a similar (but as yet unproven) design. I have attempted to contact Toyota USA and they have not replied.

On 10/23, I was driving at around 40 MPH on Whitestone Blvd and my Toyota Sequoia lost power and the engine started shaking aggressively, there were no previous warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure mode to occur. After that, I had to pull over an almost got hit by another vehicle when moving to the side of the road, I was able to turn the car back on and move about 10 feet and the car lost power again. There was a warning in the screen "Hybrid Engine Failure", and the transmission indicator was marking both Park and Drive at the same time. The vehicle was towed to Toyota of Cedar Park for inspection, which was the dealer where I leased the vehicle from around 6 months ago. on 10/25, I received a call from the dealership that the car was ready for pickup and the dealership reported the failure was caused as a Transmission Range Sensor failure (P070562). The dealership only action was to reset the computer and clear up the code. No sensor was replaced and the dealership was unable to replicate the failure mode after driving the vehicle for about 20 miles. The dealership requested me to take the vehicle and bring it back if the failure shows up again; I informed the dealership, I will not be taking the vehicle under those conditions as the failure mode could be catastrophic and could create a safety hazard if it happened again at high speed on the highway putting my family's safety at risk.

Vibration caused by unbalanced drive shaft. It’s made of aluminum and after only 2136 miles it’s already unbalanced and shakes when moving. This is the third vehicle I’ve seen do this after only a few thousand miles of use.

Windshield wipers stopped working in the middle of the cycle during heavy rain and stayed at a 45 degree angle causing visibility obstruction as well as not clearing rain. Dealer is investigating.

The vehicle is equipped with Towing mirror package. The problem is the size and placement of the mirrors. They are roughly 12” wide by 12” long and then have an arm that is solid that is 10” wide and 10” long when not extended. The placement of the mirrors on the vehicle completely blocks view of cross traffic with standard seating position. When stopped at a stop sign the driver will need to move their head to nearly touching the steering wheel to see around these mirrors through a small triangular glass section. Small - Medium cars/trucks are completely hidden behind the mirrors at stop intersections. To fix the issue the mirror needs to sit 6-8” lower on the vehicle and/or have the arm see through instead of solid.