The 2021 Toyota Sequoia exhibits some reliability concerns, particularly related to the steering system, with two recalls noted. Given the average failure mileage of 33,236 miles, owners should remain vigilant as issues may arise within this peak range.
Key Factor:Steering system vulnerabilities
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Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (2) than the average TOYOTA vehicle (1.5). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
2 recalls for this vehicle1.5 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
📋Why This Matters
Steering system reliability is critical for vehicle safety and handling. The noted recalls indicate potential oil leaks from the hydraulic power assist system, which can compromise steering control, leading to increased difficulty in maneuvering. Such defects are especially troubling for a full-size SUV like the Sequoia, where driver confidence relies heavily on robust steering performance in a variety of driving conditions.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis
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Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
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Primary Risk Area:Noise
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Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.5)
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Summary: Overall, the safety trend for the 2021 Toyota Sequoia reveals significant areas of concern primarily focused on the steering components. Compared to expectations for vehicles in this class, which typically have lower complaint volumes and recalls, these issues represent a notable deviation from Toyota's usual reputation for excellence in manufacturing quality.
Safety & Reliability Score
84/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-0.2
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 TOYOTA Sequoia
Model Year2021
MakeTOYOTA
ModelSequoia
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr22
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
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Most Reported Issue
2 complaints (50% of total)
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Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
✅
Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 4 consumer complaints by severity level.
🟠High
1(25%)
🟡Medium
2(50%)
🟢Low
1(25%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
⚙️Engineering Insight
The peak failure range of 20k-40k miles indicates that problems may manifest shortly after attaining moderate mileage. Owners should prepare for potential steering issues around this threshold, ensuring regular checks and maintenance to avoid serious complications before reaching higher mileages.
📊 Mileage data extracted from 1 of 4 complaints (25% coverage)
0-20k
0 reports (0%)
20k-40k
1 reports (100%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
STEERING
🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Steering System
Issue: Potential oil leak from hydraulic power assist system due to manufacturing errors.
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Monitor steering responsiveness and inspect for fluid leaks regularly.
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Request complete service history focusing on any steering repairs or inspections.
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your TOYOTA dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (2)
Campaign: 21V920000
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 21E103000
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
✓
No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
4 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Sequoia.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Noise50%
Accident25%
Leak25%
Crack25%
Explode25%
Grind25%
Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while parked and the driver door was opened, he observed a beeping noise and the vehicle began reversing inadvertently. The contact dove into the driver's seat and attempted to move the gear shift but it was already in park (P). The contact was not sure if the brake was depressed at that time. The vehicle continued to reverse and collided with a creek bed. The contact sustained left hip and left knee injuries along with other cuts and scrapes. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and then to a body shop the next day. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,236.
Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The gas tank on my vehicle started leaking. It has a crack in the tank. I have not been in an accident nor have I hit anything to cause damage to my vehicle. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 6 hours in my work parking lot when I was notified that the tank was leaking.
Body/Interior⚠️ High
STRUCTURE
While I was driving on the freeway, my family and I heard a loud bang. I pulled over to check and discovered that our sunroof had exploded. We went to a Toyota dealership to have it examined, but the staff claimed it was caused by a rock. We opened the sunshade to check, but no rock was found inside. It was clearly an issue with the sunroof itself. Despite this, we received no help and were simply dismissed.
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION
My cars suspension (driver side shock) has been making creaking, grinding, and/or knocking noise when traversing over mild bumps or road defects at slow speeds. The sound can be replicate by bouncing the car up and down. I am concerned my suspension components will fail under prematurely or under extreme stress. Noted, I brought my car to Toyota for inspection on 2/11/22 and they were not able to replicate the sound. Subsequently I found this related TSB: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10181779-9999.pdf. Additionally noted, I have a TRD pro model with a similar setup as far as suspension. I believe the known defect in the 2019-2020 TRD pros (4Runners) applies here. Lastly, there is such a small population or TRD Pro Sequoias (only manufactured for 3 years 2020-2022) I’m concerned it’s not enough to create demand for a TSB.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common issues with the 2021 Toyota Sequoia?
Common issues reported with the 2021 Toyota Sequoia primarily revolve around its steering system. With two recalls addressing potential oil leaks in the hydraulic power assist mechanism, it's essential for owners to be aware of their vehicle's performance and address any symptoms early on.
How does the reliability of the 2021 Toyota Sequoia compare to earlier models?
The reliability of the 2021 model shows some concerning trends compared to earlier Sequoias that historically had fewer complaints and recalls. The recent recalls focused on steering components highlight an area where Toyota has room for improvement in maintaining its reputation across model generations.
📊Year-over-Year Context
➡️Stable Pattern
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.
🧭What This Means for You
Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
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If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified TOYOTA service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in TOYOTA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used
Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
This specific Sequoia year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.