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2006 Toyota Sequoia Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Toyota Sequoia has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Frame rust corrosion.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Toyota Sequoia.

Reported to NHTSA

Frame rust corrosion

STRUCTURE

43 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2025-01

“This Toyota has several large rust holes directly on the frame. i hit a pot hole and more structure damage was revealed on the frame from rust. The truck drives rough now. The vehicle only has 150,000 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11639427
“Back in 2018 toyota did the undercoat to my 2006 Toyota sequoia frame to prevent rust. Now my frame is completely rotted out to the point i can’t drive my vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11629218
“THE FRAME ON THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND THERE ARE SOME RUST PERFORATIONS AND HOLES IN THE STRUCTURAL PARTS OF THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, SOME STABILITY COMPONENTS NEED TO BE WELDED BACK ONTO THE FRAME BECAUSE THEY HAVE BROKEN OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10852672

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

VSC/TRAC/ABS warning lights with brake malfunction

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES

51 NHTSA complaints · 2008-12 → 2020-03

“THE VSC TRAC LIGHT, THE VSC OFF LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALL COME ON.... IT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO ACTUALLY FAIL. I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART AND THIS SEEMS TO RESET IT. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND AT VARIOUS TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11099914
“BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALY. VSC LIGHT SHOWS ON AND OFF. BRAKES ARE UNRESPONSIVE AT TIMES. ALL THREE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF. TRACTION CONTROL IS ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10425804
“WHEN TAKING TURNS AT MILD ACCELERATION THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT WILL FLASH AND THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATION. THIS GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN TAKING A LEFT TURN FROM STOP WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE STREET ONTO A MAIN ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11090781

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ball joint and suspension component failure

SUSPENSION

6 NHTSA complaints · 2007-11 → 2021-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11258626
“PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND DROVE 30 FEET TOWARDS A STOP SIGN GOING 15 MPH AND BALL JOINT BROKE AND CAR FELL TO DRIVER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11288295
“I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM MY FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA WHEN I WOULD GO OVER A BUMP. EVEN WHEN I WAS GOING VERY SLOW OVER A SPEED BUMP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10509725

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear hatch and tailgate latch failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-07 → 2019-03

“HE REAR DOOR LATCH FAILED, MAKING THE DOOR INOPERABLE. USE OF THE DOOR FOR ENTRY AND EXIT WAS IMPOSSIBLE, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452307
“2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIA BACK DOOR LOCK IS BROKEN. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEED TO ESCAPE THROUGH TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR HATCH. I WOULD BE UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10394244
“CONCERNING 2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIA - THE REAR TAILGATE LATCH LEVER BROKE. THERE IS NO INTERIOR TAILGATE RELEASE BUTTON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED IT AT OUR COST BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10346143

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Drivetrain jolt at stop

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2006-09 → 2010-05

“ONCE COMING TO A STOP, IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REAR ENDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10168272
“MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED 2 WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS WE FREQUENTLY RECEIVE A JOLT IN THE DRIVETRAIN AND A SLIGHT FORWARD MOVEMENT IN THE VEHICLE. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN LIGHTLY REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10245319

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall parts delay

AIR BAGS

39 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2022-09

“2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTO ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11485635
“I AM PART OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG RECALL FOR 2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIAS. AS A CONSUMER, I HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG FOR ALMOST 12 MONTHS AND I AM JUST NOW RECEIVING A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10748045
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V065000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10920273

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Secondary air injection pump failure into limp mode

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-08 → 2018-07

“SECONDARY AIR SYSTEM REPEATEDLY BRAKING PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO LIMP MODE, ALSO CAUSING JERKY DRIVING. 2-3K REPAIR ON A KNOWN DEFECT WITH NO RECALL?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11111429
“SECONDARY INJECTION PUMP FAILURE. DEALERSHIP SAYS VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND COST WOULD BE ROUGHLY $3000.00. NO OFFER TO HELP, BUT SAME PROBLEM AS 07-10 TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10860431
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10469077

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

28 crashes 1990–2024

How the 28 occupant deaths break down

16

driver deaths

12

passenger deaths

28

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Toyota Sequoia reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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