Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 352 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Sequoia, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 37 | 11% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 25 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 6% |
| Structure | 18 | 5% |
| Suspension | 16 | 5% |
| Engine | 15 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 11 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Starter replacement is exceptionally high, self repair impossible. There should be recall on manufacturing design of starter placement inside intake manifold amongst other impossible expectations
NHTSA complaint: Engine
We have an issue with our Cosco Mightyfit LX Convertible Car Seat that we purchased in 2021 from Walmart. About 5 times now, when we have gone to get our child out of the seat, one of the straps has disconnected by itsel
NHTSA complaint: Chest clip
After several years of fighting problems with, after braking to a brief stop, the loss of power/abs grinding when accelerating and turning right, now the ABS is completely dysfunctional. Both TRC lights will turn on and
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owned a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer on August 7th, 2023, where a protective chemical coating was sprayed on the sub frame. The contact stated that aft
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Took the suv for an oil change and was brought to my attention that the frame of suv, chassis, is rusted and can break any moment. I took it to Toyota 2 years ago for the recall, and they said it was fine.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH the rear of the vehicle lowered and the rear of the vehicle started to bounce, and the suspension warning light illuminated. The vehicle was
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
2005 Sequoia class action, court ordered frame inspection & either repair or frame replacement. Never received notice of class action. Received letter stating vehicle needed to be inspected. Took to Victory Toyota, Canto
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Frame deterioration has rendered the rear torque arm incapable resulting in dynamic misalignment of the rear axle. Under acceleration the vehicle veers into oncoming traffic and under deceleration it veers towards the ro
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2005 Toyota Sequoia. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-asse
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modul
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an
Tenneco Automotive (DRiV) is recalling certain aftermarket ball joints for 2004-2007 Toyota Sequoia and 2004-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles, MOOG part number K80521, K80522, NAPA part number NCP2601633, NCP2601634, ACDelco part number 45D2344, and 45D2345. The ball joint housing may have inadequate ha
Risk: A ball joint failure may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: DRiV will work with distributors to return unsold parts. Dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022. Owne
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affec
Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected
| Reliability raw | 53 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 75 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 352 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 37 of them (11%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 53/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.