The 2019 Sequoia rides on Toyota's ancient but proven truck platform (same bones as Tundra). The 5.7L V8 is bulletproof if maintained, but a few platform-specific gremlins and one catastrophic failure mode exist that buyers need to understand.
Secondary Air Injection Pump Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0410/P0418/P0440 codes, Rattling noise on cold start for first 30-90 seconds, Failed emissions test, Occasional rough idle on startup
Fix: Replace air injection pump and check valves. Pumps seize or crack internally due to heat cycling. Book time is 2.5-3.5 hours depending on V8 accessories in the way. OEM pump required—aftermarket failures are common.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping from radiator area, Pink or red fluid spots under vehicle, Burnt transmission smell, Slipping gears if fluid level drops significantly
Fix: Cooler lines rust through at crimp fittings where they connect to radiator. Requires replacement of both lines and sometimes the cooler itself if contamination occurs. 3-4 hours labor. Critical—low fluid destroys the AB60 six-speed quickly. Flush recommended after repair.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Fuel Pump Failure (Recall 20V-490 / 21V-881)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: No-start condition with crank but no fire, Stalling at highway speed, Rough running and hesitation under load, Fuel pressure below 40 PSI
Fix: Low-density impeller pumps (Denso-manufactured) can fail prematurely. Covered under recall for affected VINs—check NHTSA database first. If not covered, it's 2.5 hours to drop tank and swap pump module. Non-recall repairs run full retail.
Estimated cost: $900-1,500
Steering Rack Seepage and Hose Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Power steering fluid puddles under front end, Groaning noise when turning at low speed, Steering feels notchy or sticky, Low fluid warning if equipped
Fix: Rack seals weep or high-pressure hoses crack at crimps. Rack replacement is 4-5 hours and expensive. Hoses alone are 1.5-2 hours. Related to recall 20V-133 for hose defects—check eligibility. Fluid contamination accelerates wear, so flush every 60k.
Estimated cost: $400-2,800
Exhaust Manifold Stud Breakage (5.7L)
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Exhaust tick or tapping on cold start that fades when warm, Louder exhaust note on acceleration, Visible soot streaks on manifold, Check engine light with O2 sensor lean codes
Fix: Studs corrode and snap at cylinder head, causing exhaust leaks. Removing broken studs requires head extraction tools or drill-out—4-6 hours per side if they snap flush. Often multiple studs fail. OEM studs only; use anti-seize on reinstall.
Estimated cost: $800-1,800
Rear Differential Pinion Seal Leak
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil dripping from front of rear diff, Whining noise from rear axle during acceleration, Vibration at highway speed if U-joint contaminated, Low fluid causes bearing growl
Fix: Pinion seal hardens and leaks. Requires driveshaft removal and seal press-out. 2-3 hours labor. If caught early, just seal and fluid. If run low, pinion bearings toast and diff needs rebuild—add $1,200-1,800.
Estimated cost: $400-2,200
Brake Actuator (Crawl Control / VSC) Modulator Noise
Rare · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Buzzing or motor noise from ABS pump when braking, Pedal pulsation at low speeds, Traction control and VSC lights intermittent, Normal braking function still present
Fix: Actuator motor bearings wear and create noise. Technically functional but annoying. Replacement is 1.5-2 hours. Toyota TSB BR-0045-19 covers inspection. Not safety-critical unless codes set and modulator fails completely.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 60k miles regardless of 'lifetime fill' claims—cooler line rust contaminates fluid
Inspect secondary air injection system hoses and valves at every major service; cheap hose clamps prevent $1,200 pump jobs
Use OEM-spec 0W-20 oil and change every 5k miles if towing—these engines run hot and burn oil when abused
Check all recall eligibility by VIN before any fuel pump or steering work—Toyota covers many of these issues
Undercoat or fluid-film the frame and crossmembers annually if in salt states—rust kills brake lines and diff mounts
Buy one—it's still a tank with 300k-mile potential if you stay ahead of fluid leaks and the secondary air pump, but budget $2k for deferred maintenance on any used example over 80k miles.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Located under hood on passenger side
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Control Modules — 2019 Toyota Sequoia
Every control module on the 2018-2022 Toyota Sequoia — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
📍 Under driver side dash or behind center console, near brake pedal assembly
🔧 Toyota Techstream or Autel/Launch
⚠️ Factory integrated trailer brake controller on TRD Pro and higher trims; calibration for trailer weight required
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 21E103000
2021-12-23
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 21V920000
2021-11-23
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020.
On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB02 and 20TA02 for Toyota vehicles and 20LB01 and 20LA01 for Lexus vehicles.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 19V244000
2019-03-27
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 19R1.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 18V685000
2018-10-04
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid vehicles. The air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may erroneously detect a fault during the vehicle start-up self check. If this occurs, the ECU may not deploy the airbags as intended, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0X. Note: 18V-122 was superseded by this recall. The software remedy also includes the updates to the software for 18V-122.
Vehicle Info — 2019 Toyota Sequoia
Performance
Horsepower
381hp
Torque
401lb-ft
0–60 mph
6.7sec
Quarter mile
15.1sec
Top speed
115mph
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
13mpg
Highway
17mpg
Combined
15mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
Towing capacity
7,400lb
Payload
1,795lb
Curb weight
6,015lb
Seating
8seats
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Wiper blades
Second generation Sequoia (2008-2021). Standard hook attachment for front blades.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2019 Toyota Sequoia 5.7L V8 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.