The Lemon Index
2007
20092nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
22 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe 712008 Ford Expedition 802008 Chevrolet Suburban 72
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 Toyota Sequoia
- Rust / frame corrosion15 complaintsmostly at 65,000–115,000 miles (105,000–185,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 21E103000 (steering), 21V920000 (steering) and 16V396000 (seats) done? It has 9 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Toyota sent dealers 241 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…”?
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 22 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 4K to 31K miles (7K to 50K km) on the car (16 of all 22 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
Whenever I drive up hill or just speed up, the bad smell of rotten eggs comes into the vehicle interior even with the windows roll up and with the recalculating vent button on.
2008 Toyota Sequoia owner · NHTSA complaint 10255483
More owner reports
Ltr fwd fm (tn) re safety recall for his 2008 Toyota Sequoia sr-aoa-acceleration pedal reinforcement bar installation, reply to knoxville, ofc (attn: elizabeth howell envelope only)
NHTSA complaint 10324259
2008 Toyota Sequoia lost power while driving at 65 mph. I was able to pull over to shoulder on the freeway then the car lost all power, even to steering. Tech said it is not battery, starter, etc...
NHTSA complaint 10331896
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 241 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- Warranty policy bulletin (pol11-05): toyota has received reports of customer concerns regarding
- For a limited time, any Toyota dealer will install a newly designed Smart Stop Technology at…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Steering · recall issued 2021
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Steering · recall issued 2021
The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
- Seats · recall issued 2016
The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Show all 9 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2014
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.
- Visibility · recall issued 2012
The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies.
- Tires · recall issued 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE P…
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- Speed control · recall issued 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 …
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,000–$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, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Every Toyota Sequoia year. 2008 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=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Toyota Sequoia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 72; 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 2008 Toyota Sequoia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (27%), speed control (18%) and tires (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia have?
9 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia cost in fuel a year?
About $4,000 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Toyota Sequoia have?
4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Sequoia year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
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