Despite being outshined by newer models, the Toyota Sequoia remains a rugged full-size SUV that offers reliable performance.
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The model has enough cargo space and interior room to haul the family on those long trips.
In this article, we discuss the lifespan of the Toyota Sequoia models to see if it is a good investment for your family.
Here is the short answer to how long Toyota Sequoias last:
From reports of owners, the Toyota Sequoia can last between 250,000 to 300,000 miles. If you drive around 15,000 every year, your Toyota Sequoia will give you about 17 to 20 years of excellent service.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Toyota Sequoia?
As said earlier, the Toyota Sequoia is a rugged SUV that features exceptional reliability. Hence, it is not surprising that this model can last a long time without developing major faults.
In our estimation, your Toyota Sequoia should cross, or at least reach, the 300,000-mile mark before it needs major repairs.
After 300,000 miles you may need to replace expensive components such as the engine, powertrain, and so on.
There’s plenty of statistical evidence to back up our claim, too.
For instance, iSeeCars.com, an automotive research site, ranked the Sequoia third on its list of models likely to reach 300,000 miles. They did this after analyzing millions of used car listings to get the data.
Getting a Toyota Sequoia to last 300,000 miles will require effort and dedication from you, the owner.
You will need to keep up with regular maintenance as this is the only way you can prevent problems from happening.
You must carry out maintenance activities such as transmission flushes, oil changes, filter replacements, regularly.
How Soon Should You Expect Rust on A Toyota Sequoia?
Rust is a big problem for many car owners, mostly because it spreads rapidly and can weaken the car’s components, making it risky to drive.
From our research, rust may appear on the Toyota Sequoia in the first six to ten years of ownership.
The Toyota Sequoia, at least the older models, suffer from frame rust issues.
If you are a Toyota enthusiast, you will remember that Toyota once settled a class action lawsuit related to the problem for billions of dollars. The settlement covered the Tundra, Tacoma, and Sequoia models.
While newer models aren’t particularly susceptible to frame rust, we advise that you take steps to prevent it on your vehicle.
Rustproofing the undercarriage and other areas vulnerable to rust will forestall rust and preserve the structural integrity of your vehicle.
Please also read our article on driving the Toyota Sequoia in snow and winter.
How Long Do Toyota Sequoia Last Compared to Similar Car Models?
Despite its large hulk and enormous cabin, the Sequoia enjoys exceptional longevity. But how does it compare to the competition? Let’s find out.
Toyota Sequoia vs. Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 is among the most reliable full-size SUVs on the market. However reliable, it cannot rival the Toyota Sequoia’s longevity.
We estimate you will get around 250,000 miles from the Mazda CX-9, 50,000 miles lesser than the Toyota Sequoia’s average lifespan.
The surprising fact about the Mazda CX-9/Toyota Sequoia comparison is that the former has the better reliability rating and lower service expenses.
RepairPal ranks the CX-9 1st out of 14 full-size SUVs for reliability, while the Sequoia receives a 5/14 ranking.
Also, maintenance and repairs on the CX-9 add up to $539, about $100 lesser than the Sequoia’s maintenance ($642). See a rundown of issues with the CX-9 models here.
So, what does this tell us? While the Mazda CX-9 has a shorter lifespan, it is less problematic. The Toyota Sequoia will last longer but will give you more problems and cost more to maintain.
Quickly scan our article that talks about 3 Most-Common Problems With Toyota Sequoia
Toyota Sequoia vs. Chevrolet Suburban
Like the Toyota Sequoia, the Chevrolet Suburban boasts rock-solid reliability. Thus, it only makes sense that it would have the same lifespan as its Toyota counterpart.
The Chevrolet Suburban can take you 300,000 miles or more, which is the same you’ll get on the Toyota Sequoia.
Although they have similar estimated lifespan, our bet is on the Toyota Sequoia to last the longer in reality.
First, it comes with a better reliability rating–and reliability is a major factor influencing vehicle longevity.
It places 5th on RepairPal’s reliability rankings (full-size SUVs) ahead of the Chevrolet Suburban, which is in 11th position.
Moreover, the Sequoia has cheaper maintenance prices of the two models. Per estimates, you will spend an annual average of $642 on maintenance for your Toyota Sequoia.
By comparison, the price of maintenance per year on the Chevrolet Suburban is $944, a difference of $302.
Combine both factors–reliability and maintenance cost–and the Toyota Sequoia has a better chance of lasting longer compared to the Chevrolet Suburban.
Toyota Sequoia vs. Dodge Durango
With its superior infotainment and muscle-car engine, the Dodge Durango promises more fun than the Toyota Sequoia.
However, that fun comes with a tradeoff in durability; and the Toyota Sequoia will outlast the Dodge Durango.
From our research, the Dodge Durango is only good for 200,000 to 250,000 miles. In comparison, the Toyota Sequoia can go up to 300,000 miles, with regular servicing.
Lower maintenance cost is all the more reason a Toyota Sequoia is the better long-term investment for you.
You will spend around $642 on maintenance (annually) for the Sequoia compared with $675 for the Dodge Durango.
Should durability be a major concern, the Toyota Sequoia is advisable. However, if you want a fun, spirited full-size SUV, the Dodge Durango is better.
Make sure to also read our article on where Toyota Sequoias are made.
How Reliable Is a Toyota Sequoia?
The Toyota Sequoia is one of the most reliable SUVs you can purchase.
Thanks to its rugged construction, it can handle driving on any terrain and still maintain its excellent condition. This explains why it ranked among iSeeCars’ list of cars kept the longest.
Further proofs of the Toyota Sequoia’s reliability are in the model’s performance on various reliability ratings. RepairPal gives it a 3.5 reliability rating and ranks it the 5th most reliable full-size SUV.
Similarly, J.D. Power gives the Toyota Sequoia high ratings for reliability.
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia model gets a 4 out of 5 predicted reliability rating, which according to J.D. Power, is better than most models.
The Best and Worst Years for Toyota Sequoia
While most of the Toyota Sequoia models have been very good, with few problems reported, some have been exceptionally problematic for owners. It is best to avoid such model years when buying a Toyota Sequoia.
Ultimately, you should be able to identify the best and worst Toyota Sequoia years.
After analyzing consumer complaints, we believe 2002 is the worst model year on record for the Toyota Sequoia.
This model year received many complaints relating to the vehicle’s brakes, transmission, engine, interior accessories, and electrical systems.
In fact, we would advise you to avoid any Toyota Sequoia released between 2001 to 2003, as these have the highest number of reported problems among the models.
The quality of Toyota Sequoia models has improved since then, such that newer models have few or no problems reported.
By our estimation, the best model year for the Toyota Sequoia is 2019. This model had no complaints, leading us to believe it is the best Sequoia model so far.
Also, check our article on how long Toyota RAV4 lasts.
What About Recalls for These Models?
The Toyota Sequoia has been involved in 23 recall actions. Below is a year-by-year breakdown of the recalls for the Toyota Sequoia:
- 2005: 9 recalls
- 2006: 8 recalls
- 2010: 8 recalls
- 2004: 7 recalls
- 2009: 7 recalls
- 2007: 7 recalls
- 2008: 7 recalls
- 2002: 7 recalls
- 2003: 6 recalls
- 2011: 5 recalls
- 2001: 3 recalls
- 2012: 2 recalls
- 2018: 2 recalls
- 2015: 1 recall
- 2016: 1 recall
- 2017: 1 recall
- 2013: 1 recall
- 2014: 1 recall
- 2019: 1 recall
Toyota Sequoia Model Year List
Here are all the model years of the Toyota Sequoia:
- 2001 Toyota Sequoia
- 2002 Toyota Sequoia
- 2003 Toyota Sequoia
- 2004 Toyota Sequoia
- 2005 Toyota Sequoia
- 2006 Toyota Sequoia
- 2007 Toyota Sequoia
- 2008 Toyota Sequoia
- 2009 Toyota Sequoia
- 2010 Toyota Sequoia
- 2011 Toyota Sequoia
- 2012 Toyota Sequoia
- 2013 Toyota Sequoia
- 2014 Toyota Sequoia
- 2015 Toyota Sequoia
- 2016 Toyota Sequoia
- 2017 Toyota Sequoia
- 2018 Toyota Sequoia
- 2019 Toyota Sequoia
- 2020 Toyota Sequoia
Are Toyota Sequoia Expensive to Maintain?
Considering that it is a full-size SUV, the Toyota Sequoia has reasonable maintenance costs.
According to RepairPal estimates, you will spend an average of $642 per year for servicing your Toyota Sequoia. This is lower than average for full-size SUVs ($784) and far cheaper than many models.
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
Typically, your brakes, i.e., brake pads and brake rotors, should last between 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Your driving habits will influence how long your brake pads last before wearing out.
Regular city driving, for example, will wear out the brakes faster than highway driving.
This is because you tend to use your brakes more in stop-go traffic than on the highway. Constant use will accelerate wear on the brakes.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
Tires on the Toyota Sequoia should last between 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regular tires cost about $150-$350 per set, while high-performance variants can cost over $500 per set.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
Based on reports, the transmission on the Toyota Sequoia should last anywhere between 130,000 to 180,000 miles.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
Toyota uses iridium and platinum spark plugs on its models. These can last up to 120,000 miles before replacement.
What About Insurance Cost?
The Toyota Sequoia costs $1884 to insure annually, which translates to $157 in monthly insurance payment.
Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Toyota Sequoia
Here are some tips to help you extend the life of your Toyota Sequoia:
- Make sure you consult the service manual and carry out all maintenance activities recommended by the manufacturer (Toyota).
- Wash your vehicle regularly, as this will eliminate road salt and prevent rust from destroying your vehicle’s components.
- Ensure your car gets serviced at a Toyota-licensed dealership or a reputable shop.
Resources
https://repairpal.com/reliability/toyota/sequoia
https://m.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sequoia/
https://www.cars.com/research/toyota-sequoia/