2018 Toyota Sequoia Safety Report

The 2018 Toyota Sequoia presents a mixed safety picture, characterized by a relatively low number of overall complaints but a significant recall history addressing critical safety systems. With only 19 total complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported to NHTSA, the vehicle appears to have a good record in terms of direct incident reporting. However, the vehicle has been subject to 5 recalls, which is a notable number for a single model year. These recalls address serious potential failures, including a sudden loss of power steering assist due to an incorrectly manufactured steering gear assembly, engine stalling from a faulty fuel pump, non-deployment of airbags due to an electrical system software issue, and deactivation of the electronic stability control (ESC) system due to electrical interference. These recalls indicate proactive measures by Toyota to address potential widespread safety defects that could increase the risk of a crash or injury. Common complaint patterns, despite the low overall count, show a recurring theme around advanced safety features and electrical systems. Several complaints detail malfunctions of the pre-collision system (PCS), blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control, often occurring at very low mileages (e.g., 'at only 30 miles,' 'at less than 500 miles'). There are also reports of the automatic braking feature activating without reason and issues with the infotainment system rebooting. The 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' category tops the complaint components with 3 reports, followed by 'FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE' and 'STEERING' with 1 complaint each, aligning with recall themes. The 'VISIBILITY/WIPER' category includes complaints about sunroof explosions, which, while rare (2 reports), are severe. Crash test performance data from NHTSA is largely unavailable for the 2018 Sequoia, with 'N/A' ratings for Overall, Frontal, and Side impact tests. The vehicle did receive a 4-star rating for Rollover resistance, which is a positive indicator for stability. The extensive recall history, particularly concerning steering, fuel pump, airbags, and ESC, suggests that while the vehicle may perform adequately in a crash, there were significant manufacturing or design flaws that could lead to a loss of control or failure of safety systems prior to an impact. The low complaint count, despite these recalls, might suggest that the issues were either not widely experienced or were addressed by the recalls before becoming widespread problems.

Our recommendation: Given the low complaint volume but significant recall history for critical safety components, prioritize verifying that all 5 recalls have been completed by a Toyota dealership before purchasing a used 2018 Sequoia. Pay close attention to the functionality of advanced safety features during a test drive, as these have been a source of early-life complaints.