2004 Toyota Sequoia
Common problems & what to know before you buy
Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 2004 Toyota Sequoia.
Recalls on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia
Air bags: inflator module
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same…
Air bags: inflator module
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original…
Suspension: lower ball joint
The ball joint housing may have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure.
6 more in the guide, with whether each one was done on the car you're looking at.
Source: NHTSA
What 380 owners reported
Source: NHTSA
2004 Toyota Sequoia at a glance
- Trims
- LimitedSR5
- Engine
- 4.7L 8-Cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drivetrain
- RWD, 4WD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Body style
- SUV
About the 1st Gen
The 2001-2007 Toyota Sequoia is the first generation of Toyota's full-size body-on-frame SUV, derived from the first-generation Tundra pickup. It was powered by the 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE i-FORCE V8 paired with a four-speed and later five-speed automatic, with rear-wheel drive standard and four-wheel drive optional. The only body style was a four-door wagon with three rows of seating for up to eight.
The Sequoia was Toyota's first genuine competitor to the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition, offering a significantly larger cabin than the 4Runner along with the same reputation for durability. It shared much of its front structure and drivetrain with the Tundra of the period. The second generation that followed in 2008 grew larger still and adopted an independent rear suspension.
For used buyers, a first-generation Sequoia is bought for the longevity of the 2UZ-FE V8, which regularly reaches very high mileage with routine maintenance. Frame corrosion is the central structural concern for this generation and was covered by a Toyota inspection program on affected trucks, making an underbody inspection non-negotiable on any example from a salted-road region. Lower ball joints were recalled, and vehicle stability control system faults are a common age-related complaint. Timing belt service is a scheduled item on this engine.
Other Toyota Sequoia years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the common problems with the 2004 Toyota Sequoia?
Owners have filed 380 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Sequoia with NHTSA, most often about the electronic stability control (esc). There are 9 recall campaigns covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.
Is the 2004 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 9 open recall campaigns on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.
Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 2004 Toyota Sequoia?
Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 2004 Toyota Sequoia listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.
Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.