2008 Toyota Sequoia
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Sr5/Limited/Platinum
- Engines
- 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 15 combined · 14 city / 19 hwy
- Length
- 205.1 in
- Curb weight
- 5,690 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 8 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 21% below the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG.
- 8 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Toyota Sequoia is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.7L 8-cyl and 5.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 205 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,690 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 21% worse than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,450 a year in fuel.
It has 8 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.
What changed for 2008
- New body dimensions: 1.2 in longer, wheelbase +3.9 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
- Engine added: 5.7L 8-cyl
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Sequoia →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Sr5/Limited/Platinum | 205.1 in | 79.9 in | 74.8 in | 122 in | 67.3 / 68.9 in | 5,690 lb |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequoia 2WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sequoia 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -14% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 16 / 14 | -20% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Toyota Sequoia under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Toyota Sequoia (this car) | 15 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 GMC Yukon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Ford Expedition | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Dodge Durango | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Ford Taurus | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (8)
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System · Nov 23, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V920000 · 22,462 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Jun 2, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 7,749 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
- Risk
- If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler · Nov 19, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 3,233 vehicles
- Problem
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
- Risk
- Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
- Fix
- SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls · Oct 10, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V491000 · 2,519,424 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
- Risk
- If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Mar 4, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V148000 · 22,000 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.
- Risk
- FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles
- Problem
- GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Risk
- THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles
- Problem
- SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
- Risk
- A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Jan 21, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V017000 · 2,230,661 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
- Risk
- THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Not every 2008 Toyota Sequoia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Toyota Sequoia buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Structure › Body — 11 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 4 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,414 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Toyota Sequoia. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sequoia years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2024 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 38 |
| 2023 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 39 |
| 2022 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2020 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 7 |
| 2018 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 20 |
| 2017 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2016 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2015 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →