The Lemon Index
201120132nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,151 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe 122012 Ford Expedition 442012 Chevrolet Suburban 40
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 13V123000 (equipment) done? It has 4 recalls in all. 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?
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Toyota sent dealers 322 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 10 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 15K miles (8K to 24K km) on the car (9 of all 10 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
On several occasions my traction control lights comes on. I do not now what causes it nor can I make it happen it is a random occurrence.
2012 Toyota Sequoia owner · NHTSA complaint 10644752
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 322 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- See document search button for owner letter
- Technical Instructions: In certain 2012 - 2013 Model Year Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2013
These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight ad.
Show all 4 recalls
- 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…
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
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Sequoia SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Sequoia SUV 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
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. 2012 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-sequoia/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Toyota Sequoia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,151 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Sequoia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (50%), stability control (40%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Sequoia have?
4 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 2012 Toyota Sequoia get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Toyota Sequoia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 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 2012 Toyota Sequoia have?
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Sequoia year is better than the 2012?
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