5TDBY5G10GS1375902016 TOYOTA SequoiaSR5 Grade
2016 TOYOTA Sequoia was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2016 TOYOTA Sequoia
2016 TOYOTA Sequoia was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- 3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- Common owner-reported issues: steering issues
- Component failure cascade detected — a known defect pattern that typically leads to more severe downstream damage
11 owner complaints filed — top areas: Brakes (36%), Electrical (27%), Other (27%). Common issues: steering issues.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- TOYOTA
- Model
- Sequoia
- Year
- 2016
- Trim / Series
- SR5 Grade
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 8-cyl 5.7L 381 hp
- Doors
- 5
- Manufacturer
- TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING, INDIANA, INC.
- Assembly
- PRINCETON, INDIANA, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Toyota Motor Mfg. Indiana (Princeton)
Produces Tundra, Sequoia, and Sienna. Strong manufacturing standards.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
- ▸Steering system recall
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Steering
- ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones
Owners of the 2016 TOYOTA Sequoia report brakes issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Owners of the 2016 TOYOTA Sequoia report electrical issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
3 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~71%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
TOYOTA has an excellent recall completion rate (95%) — owners typically receive a remedy within 14 months.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~14 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
SummarySoutheast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.Read full details...
~40% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
SummaryToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.Read full details...
~24% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
SummaryToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.Read full details...
~24% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
Manufacturer Recall Response Time
Time between first owner complaint and recall issuance
16 months elapsed between first complaint and recall issuance — a significant delay in consumer protection.
Complaint Intelligence
11 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
Service Brakes leads owner complaints (36%), most reported when the vehicle was 1–3 yrs old. Also common: Electrical System (27%), Vehicle Speed Control (18%).
Based on 11 complaints with a reported incident date. Too few owners cited mileage (4) to report a reliable failure-mileage range.
36% of complaints filed in Feb & Aug — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME11 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Toyota Sequoia. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 158,343, and at the time of vehicle registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 258,000.
VEHICLE HAS 40K MILES TIRES ARE WORN TREAD 2/32 ALREADY, AND FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. BACK AT 25K MILES, FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED, AND NOW AT 40K MILES, NEW ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE PLACED.
VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN I WAS GOING TO STOP
NEEDED ROTORS AND BRAKES REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT ALMOST 30,000. TOLD DUE TO ROTORS OVERHEATING. TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALERSHIP THAT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN, BUT DID NOT OFFER A SOLUTION, EXCEPT TO NOT TAILGATE CARS. AS ROTORS WARP THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN YOU BRAKE GOING DOWNHILL OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS- FEELS VERY UNSAFE.
CPSC: I PURCHASED, NEW A 2016 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. AT 18,000 MILES THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. TOYOTA UNDER WARRANTY REPLACED THEM. AT 28,000 MILES THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AGAIN. WHEN BRAKING THE WARPED ROTORS VIOLENTLY SHAKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CAR. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ROTORS ANY LONGER, AND SUGGESTED THE PURCHASE OF BIGGER ROTORS. *JS *TT
WHEN STEERING GREATER THAN 40 MPH THEN BRAKE, STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AND ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WERE WARPED. VEHICLE HAD 24,975 MILES WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER. AS WITH SEATS, DRIVER SEAT HAD SOME SEPARATION ON STITCHING AND WAS DISCOLORED. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED DRIVER SIDE SEAT BOTTOM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REDUCE SPEED WHEN AN INCLINE WAS REACHED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (ROGERS AND ROGERS TOYOTA, 2351 US HIGHWAY 86, IMPERIAL, CA 92251) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK, FUEL LEAKED OUT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COULD NOT BE SERVICED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
TAKATA RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL / VEHICLE WHEN AT 55MPH OR HIGHER. I'VE BEEN NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THIS IS NORMAL. I SPENT ALMOST $65,000.00 ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE VIBRATIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS UNCOMFORTABLE AND COULD ULTIMATELY POSE A SERIOUS HAZARD ON THE ROAD. SOMETHING HAS TO BE CAUSING THIS VIBRATION AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIND A FIX FOR IT. THE VEHICLE COMFORT WHILE DRIVING IS NOT A PLEASANT ONE. ALSO THE WIPERS MAKE EXCESSIVE NOISE WHILE IN USE. AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. BUT THIS IS SO LOUD THAT IT IS HARD TO CONCENTRATE WHILE DRIVING WITH THIS NOISE. *TR
WHEN DRIVING IN DAYLIGHT ON SUNNY DAYS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECOMES SO DARK THAT THE GAUGES BECOME UNREADABLE. I HAVE TO USE A FLASHLIGHT TO READ THEM. THE DEALER SAID THERE IS NOT ANYTHING HE CAN DO TO FIX THIS.HE SAYS TOYOTA DOES NOT PUT THE BRIGHTER LED BULBS IN THE SR5 BUT THEY ARE IN THE SEQUOIA PREMIER MODEL.THE INABILITY TO READ THE GAUGES WITHOUT AID OF EXTERNAL LIGHT SOURCE CREATES A HAZARDOUS CONDITION FOR DRIVERS,PASSENGERS AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THE DEALER OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE IF I WAS WILLING TO TAKE A $ 9,000.00 LOSS ON A 3 MONTH OLD VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE DRIVER ADJUSTED THE DRIVER'S SEAT WITH THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL FUNCTIONS. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WITH AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER WAS UNCERTAIN HOW THE FAILURE OCCURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY OTHER THAN ADVISING THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 965.
Component Failure Cascade Risk
Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures
▸ Loss of power steering assist — vehicle becomes difficult to control especially at low speeds and during parking
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 11 NHTSA complaints on file for the TOYOTA Sequoia — a relatively low volume that spans from 2016 to 2026.
The amber reliability line averaged 99/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 97/100 in 2026.
The recall (red dashed line) followed the first complaints by 1 year — a typical response window; neither unusually fast nor a pattern of denial.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $30,114 (~$502/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2016 TOYOTA Sequoia — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
TOYOTA has been fined $1217M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Criminal settlement — concealed unintended acceleration defects for years before recall.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 5TDBY5G10GS137590 |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Make | TOYOTA |
| Model | Sequoia |
| Trim | SR5 Grade |
| Series | USK60L/USK65L |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 8 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.7 |
| Horsepower | 381 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | TOYOTA MOTOR MANUFACTURING, INDIANA, INC. |
| Assembly City | PRINCETON |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 5TD |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 0 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | G |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | S |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 137590 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 11 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 10/2/2026, 6:59:21 AM.