The Lemon Index
20021st generation
About average · most complaints: brakes
Better years to buy
72 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Chevrolet Tahoe 1012001 Ford Expedition 932001 Chevrolet Suburban 133
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2001 Toyota Sequoia
- Rust / frame corrosion106 complaintsmostly at 100,000–170,000 miles (161,000–274,000 km)
- Engine stalling17 complaintsmostly at 70,000–140,000 miles (113,000–225,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm16 complaintsmostly at 106,000–212,000 miles (171,000–341,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 531 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Toyota Sequoia (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 19,000 and 52,000 miles (30,000–84,000 km) (the middle half of the 35 complaints, of all 72 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 07E023000 (brakes), 06E049000 (lights) and 02V129000 (wheels) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Toyota sent dealers 164 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine no start condition”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 72 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 52K miles (30K to 84K km) on the car (35 of all 72 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The braking system has been a problem since about 10,000 miles ,and continues to be a problem today. I have taken my Sequoia to the dealer several times. The dealer has not fixed the problem.
2001 Toyota Sequoia owner · NHTSA complaint 10100447
More owner reports
Brake pedal goes all the way down to the floor and the vehicle vibrates while driving on an incline .
NHTSA complaint 10041930
2001 Toyota Sequoia front caliber siezed, resulting in warping rotors by overheating creates front end braking vibration and less than normal stopping ability while towing
NHTSA complaint 10020671
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 164 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine no start condition
- Abnormal squeal noise from the engine accessory drive belt area, usually during cold start-up
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Wheels · recall issued 2002
ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedYaw rate sensor malfunction2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.7L 8-cyl.
Every Toyota Sequoia year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-sequoia/?y=2001" title="Toyota Sequoia reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-sequoia/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Toyota Sequoia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 87; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota Sequoia year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2001 Toyota Sequoia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (69%), engine (11%) and tires (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia have?
3 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Sequoia problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 19,000 and 52,000 miles (30,000–84,000 km) (the middle half of the 35 complaints, of all 72 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2001 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia have?
4.7L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Toyota Sequoia year than the 2001?
Not nearby: the 2001 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Toyota Sequoia years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works