The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,387 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
1 owner complaint, first 3 years 14–15 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe 502009 Ford Expedition2009 Chevrolet Suburban
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't 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.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Toyota sent dealers 197 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “For a limited time, any Toyota dealer will install a newly designed Smart Stop Technology at…”?
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 1 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 →
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 197 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
- 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
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. 2009 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=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Toyota Sequoia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,387 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Sequoia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (100%), brakes (100%) and stability control (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 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 2009 Toyota Sequoia get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Toyota Sequoia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 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 2009 Toyota Sequoia have?
4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Sequoia year is better than the 2009?
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