MotorDeets

2004 Toyota Sequoia: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia: 6 recalls, 380 owner complaints and up to 14 mpg combined.

6vehicle recalls
380owner complaints
17mention a crash
14best combined mpg
2004 Toyota Sequoia
Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 3 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Suspension Vehicle recall #05V225000 · 2005 · 768,379 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint May have been scratched. The ball joint May eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.

Why it matters: The lower ball joint May separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.

The fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2005.

Suspension Vehicle recall #07V013000 · 2007 · 533,124 vehicles

What's wrong: On certain trucks and MINI vans, due to possible improper finishing of the front suspension lower ball joint, some ball joints May experience an incidental deterioration of the internal lubrication. This May cause the ball joint to wear and loosen prematurely, which could result in increased steering effort, reduced vehicle self-centering, and noise in the front suspension.

Why it matters: In extreme cases, if the vehicle is continuously operated in this condition, the lower ball joint May separate from the knuckle and could cause a loss of vehicle control.

The fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints. The recall began on February 28, 2007.

Airbags Vehicle recall #15V285000 · 2015 · 1,973,468 vehicles

What's wrong: On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 sequoia, 2005-2006 tundra, 2003-2007 corolla, 2003-2007 corolla matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus sc vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which May produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to…

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-285 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be…

Airbags Vehicle recall #15V286000 · 2015 · 1,069,055 vehicles

What's wrong: S. Virgin islands, guam, saipan and american samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus sc, Toyota sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota corolla matrix, Toyota corolla, Pontiac vibe, and Toyota tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and…

Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-286 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be…

Airbags Vehicle recall #18V883000 · 2018 · 168,993 vehicles

What's wrong: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators May explode due to propellant degradation.

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General motors will notify the Pontiac vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of…

Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #19V741000 · 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

What's wrong: These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019.

3 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles

What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.

Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #07E023000 · 2007 · 13,128 vehicles

What's wrong: Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987mza, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than dca7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.

Why it matters: Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

The fix: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.

Suspension Equipment recall #22E002000 · 2022 · 15,200 vehicles

What's wrong: The ball joint housing May have inadequate hardness, causing premature failure.

Why it matters: A ball joint failure May cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Driv will work with distributors to return unsold parts. Dealers will inspect and replace the ball joint as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 17, 2022.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 19 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Stability control98
Body & structure77
Speed control / throttle53
Brakes50
Suspension47
Brakes (hydraulic)39
Electrical34
Traction Control System31

What owners describe

The 2004 Toyota Sequoia has 380 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 22 Sequoia model years for complaints (2.6× the average Sequoia year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (56 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 95,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (672 complaints, 6 recalls), 2005 (352 complaints, 9 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
4.7 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive131714Regular
4.7 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive131614Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Toyota Sequoia.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2004 Toyota Sequoia manual

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FAQ

Does the 2004 Toyota Sequoia have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Toyota Sequoia, plus 3 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2004 Toyota Sequoia problems?

Owners have filed 380 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are stability control (98), body & structure (77), speed control / throttle (53).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota Sequoia get?

EPA ratings run up to 14 mpg combined (4.7 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2004 Toyota Sequoia repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Sequoia years

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