Buyer Research

2016 Toyota Sequoia — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $24,000–$36,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

Old-school, over-built, and exceptionally durable — the Sequoia's 5.7L V8 and conventional automatic are famous for running past 250k, and the whole truck is simpler and tougher than its GM/Ford rivals. It's thirsty and the design is dated, but if you want a full-size SUV that just won't quit, this is the one. Buy the maintained one and keep it forever.

What we checked

Partly reconciled against public records, 2026-09-11

NHTSA holds 10 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Sequoia, across 3 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. 40% of them are about one thing — the brakes. That much concentration is a genuine pattern rather than background noise, and it is the first thing to check on any example you look at.

3 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Not written up yet: the brakes (4 complaints), throttle and cruise control (2 complaints). Those groups are in the public record and are not covered by the issues below. Treat them as something to ask about, not as absent.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2016 Toyota Sequoia

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Fuel economyLow

The 5.7L drinks fuel. Not a fault — it's the price of the durability.

Repair cost: Not yet priced

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the fuel system (1).

Dated design / infotainmentLow

The platform and Entune system are old. Character.

Repair cost (estimate): $0-$400

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (2).

Exhaust manifold / minor leaks (high mile)Low

Some high-mile 5.7Ls develop minor exhaust or gasket leaks; usually minor.

Repair cost (estimate): $200-$800

Source: not yet checked against public records.

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Neglected oil despite the durable V8
✗Frame rust (inspect underbody in salt states)
✗Tow abuse with no records

Good Signs

✓Documented service
✓Clean frame, quiet V8
✓One or two owners, honest history

Found a specific Toyota Sequoia?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2016 Toyota Sequoia in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

Get My Verdict — $7.99

No account required. Delivered to your inbox, usually within minutes.

Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for this year. It stops short of the verdict, because that needs the photos.

Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.

Other Toyota Sequoia years

2014 Toyota Sequoia

$20,000–$30,000