What 6 owners told NHTSA about the 2026 Toyota Sequoia

I was driving to work when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise which caused me to stop and panicked. It sounded like a gunshot. My PTSD and anxiety kicked in. Seconds later I felt the glass on my arm and I looked up and my back sunroof exploded

NHTSA ODI 11745791

Complaint Against Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. I am filing this complaint regarding the extraordinary delay in obtaining Toyota replacement parts needed to repair my 2026 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro. I purchased this vehicle new for approximately $89,000. On [XXX], it was rear-ended by another driver. The vehicle was delivered to the Ed Morse collision repair center, Delray Beach on April 3, 2026 and has remained there ever since. The repair cannot be completed because Toyota replacement parts, including part numbers 51934-0C030 and 51949-0C040, have been unavailable for months. I was previously advised that Toyota expected a mid-June release date for the parts. However, the dealership parts department is now reporting the status as "TBD" with no confirmed availability date. As a result, I have been without my vehicle for more than two months. My insurance rental coverage has been exhausted, and I have incurred continuing transportation expenses while waiting for Toyota to supply the necessary parts. I opened Toyota Brand Engagement Center Case #[XXX] and have made repeated attempts to obtain accurate information regarding part availability and repair completion. Despite these efforts, I still have no reliable timeline for when my vehicle will be repaired and returned. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11743469

Supplementing Tracking #11731142. 2026 Toyota Sequoia i-FORCE MAX Hybrid 4WD, VIN [XXX] , ~7,500 mi. Purchased new 11/22/2025 from Prestige Toyota of Ramsey, NJ. Toyota Case XXX. THREE DEFECTS: 1. STEERING: Steering wheel has physical flex, looseness, and audible creak when touched or pushed. Connected directly to airbag module — raises concerns about steering integrity and airbag deployment in a collision. Video evidence (XXX). First noticed Dec 2025, reported in writing 1/15/2026. 2. DRIVER HEADREST: Will not hold adjusted position. When lowered to align with seat top for proper head support, it slips back up on its own. Passenger headrest holds position fine. Driver head restraint may not be in correct protective position during rear impact. Reported in writing 1/15/2026. 3. PASSENGER SEAT/LUMBAR: Front passenger seat has mechanical looseness and noise near automatic lumbar area, especially in fully rearward position. Minimal passenger use. Onset recent. DEALER RESPONSE: Vehicle brought to Prestige Toyota 2/5/2026. Written 5-item issue list emailed to service advisor Joseph Criscione same day. On 2/6/2026 dealer reported "no defects found." Automated Xtime inspection: 50 passed, 0 cautioned, 0 failed. No defect diagnosed or repaired for any item. GM Bruce Laga told me to get another dealership on 2/7/2026, refusing future service. Toyota confirmed 4/14/2026 I can go to any dealer. No crash. No injury. No fire. No warning lamps. All symptoms physical/mechanical. All components on vehicle, available for inspection. Videos available upon request INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11731373

2026 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid. Three safety-related defects reported to dealer, all dismissed without proper diagnosis. STEERING: Steering wheel exhibits noticeable flex, looseness, and audible creak when touched or lightly pushed. The steering wheel houses the airbag module. Looseness raises concerns about steering integrity and airbag deployment reliability. Video evidence available. First noticed within weeks of purchase. Reported in formal written complaint to dealer on 1/15/2026 and again at service visit on 2/5/2026 with written issue list. On 2/6/2026 dealer reported no defects found. Automated inspection showed 50 items passed zero issues despite this documented complaint. PASSENGER SEAT: Front passenger seat has developed mechanical looseness and noise near the automatic lumbar area when set to fully rearward position. Minimal passenger use. Seats are safety-relevant for crash protection and seatbelt anchor integrity. HEADREST: Passenger headrest reported as defective in 1/15/2026 written complaint to dealer. Not addressed during service visit. Dealer service visit on 2/5-2/6/2026 at Prestige Toyota of Ramsey [XXX] resulted in all-green inspection with zero issues found despite three safety complaints documented in writing. Vehicle has approx 7500 miles. Toyota Case XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11731142

The forward sunroof in my brand new Sequoia exploded, sounding like a gunshot. It showered me, my [XXX] and [XXX] in glass. This was caused from a DEFECT and not an impact or outside source. Our safety was incredibly risked by this explosion. I could have swerved and crashed with the loud bang of the explosion and this put others at risk as well. There are multiple class action lawsuits with exploding sunroofs. This is not uncommon and something needs to be done about this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11704593

Nearly a complete loss of braking downhill. I am very familiar with the stretch of road I was traveling and have traveled it in other vehicles without issue. When I did need to use my brakes I noticed they were not working as they should, I had to basically stand in the brake petal and the truck shook barely slowing. I eased off the brakes and applied pressure again with the truck still shaking and barely slowing again. I was finally able to downshift and slow down enough to stop the vehicle and pulled off the side of the road allowing the brakes and rotors a chance to cool down. Had I not been able to stop the vehicle, it would have gone off the side of the mountain likely resulting in death. I did take the vehicle to the local Toyota service center complaining of loss of brakes and they returned with everything is within specs. I have not had another issue like that yet but I do still experience a brake squealing when braking especially in reverse. There were no prior issues and didn’t notice any warning lamps. Vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ODI 11703780