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 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Toyota Sequoia, and it carries 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 19% |
| Engine | 3 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 10% |
| Structure | 3 | 10% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I bought the vehicle under the assumption that it only had 138,000 miles on it. Upon trying to register it with Carfax I was informed that the odometer had been tampered with and the actual mileage is 345,000
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At th
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Power steering rack assembly malfunctioned and started shaking violently. Upon inspection, a fluid leak was found from the passenger side of the steering rack.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, he noticed that the rear wheels were extended outward. The contact looked under his vehicle and noticed that the rear subfram
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and the speed continued to increase. While depressing the brake
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was moisture
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
A VALVE SPRING BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUDDER AND REQUIRE A SLOWER SPEED. I FORTUNATELY WAS NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT HAD CIRCUMSTANCES BEEN DIFFERENT THIS COULD HAVE POSED A MORE SE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I PURCHASED THIS 2010 SEQUOIA IN OHIO A FEW YEARS AGO. I BELIEVE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED IN MA. THE REAR HATCH DOOR LOCK LOOKED LIKE IT HAD GOTTEN WATER DAMAGE AND HAS BEEN GETTING STUCK, MORE NOW THAN WHEN I GOT IT. IT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 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 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.
Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
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 incorr
Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 1-800-33
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vib
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The
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 | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 6 of them (19%). There are 10 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) 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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 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 68/100. 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.