Steering: hydraulic power assist system
Risk. An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has logged 67 owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota Sequoia, most often about the structure. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-396 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 17, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
67 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 16 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 0 |
| Power train | 7 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 23 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Risk. An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk. If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Risk. 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.
Risk. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Risk. FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Risk. A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Risk. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION,…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sequoia median. How we score
2008 Toyota Sequoia 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the independent mechanic for an oil change, the mechanic informed her husband that the chassis was severely rusted. The dealer and other unknown dealers were notified of the failure and informed the contact…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine service, the independent mechanic discovered that the rear subframe was severely damaged due to rust and corrosion. The contact was advised that holes were present in the subframe, and the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an unknown repair, the dealer informed the contact that the sub-frame was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.