The Lemon Index
200920112nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: engine
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe 172010 Ford Expedition 612010 Chevrolet Suburban 34
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 9 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 10 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.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Toyota sent dealers 250 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 12 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 5K to 50K miles (8K to 81K km) on the car (9 of all 12 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.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 250 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
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- 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 10 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk…
- 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 $3,750–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Every Toyota Sequoia year. 2010 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-sequoia/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Toyota Sequoia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 35; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2010 Toyota Sequoia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (58%), body structure (17%) and speed control (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Sequoia have?
10 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 2010 Toyota Sequoia get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Toyota Sequoia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 Toyota Sequoia cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Toyota Sequoia have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Toyota Sequoia year than the 2010?
Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Toyota Sequoia years within 3 model years of it.
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