Makes›Toyota›Sequoia›2012

2012 Toyota Sequoia

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Toyota Sequoia
Pictured: 2023 Toyota Sequoia Limited in Wind Chill Pearl, Front Right, 01-16-2023. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 4WD Sr5/Limited/Platinum
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
Length
205.1 in
Curb weight
5,983 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints11 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 139 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 23% below the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 14 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Toyota Sequoia is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.6L 8-cyl and 5.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 205 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,983 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 23% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Sequoia — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Sequoia →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4WD Sr5/Limited/Platinum205.1 in79.9 in74.8 in122 in67.3 / 68.9 in5,983 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sequoia 2WD4.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-23%$4,200555
Sequoia 2WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-28%$4,450592
Sequoia 4WD4.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-21%$4,450592
Sequoia 4WD FFV FFV5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-21%$4,450592
Sequoia 4WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-26%$4,800635
Spend $9,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Toyota Sequoia.

Similar 2012 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Toyota Sequoia (this car)16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Ford Explorer23 MPGNot rated5
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe21 MPGNot rated4
2012 Ford Expedition16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Dodge Durango19 MPGNot rated10
2012 Nissan Armada15 MPGNot rated1
2012 GMC Acadia19 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (3)

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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Apr 9, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 7,525 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Fix
Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Seats · Jan 16, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Toyota Sequoia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

11Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
70,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System3
Structure › Body3
Service Brakes2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Engine1
Suspension1
Steering1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/09: 116/01: 117/01: 117/07: 221/01: 121/03: 122/04: 122/09: 125/04: 125/07: 115/0917/0121/0122/0425/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Toyota Sequoia buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Structure › Body — 3 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 70,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Sequoia. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Sequoia years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Sequoia22208.3 inNot rated010
2025 Sequoia22208.3 inNot rated211
2024 Sequoia22208.3 inNot rated538
2023 Sequoia22208.3 inNot rated539
2022 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated11
2021 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated14
2020 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated14
2019 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated57
2018 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated420
2017 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated27
2016 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated211
2015 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated29

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →