2023 Toyota Sequoia After 2 Years – What’s Failed & What Still Works?

Two years and 26,000 miles later, my 2023 Toyota Sequoia has been put through its paces. This full-size SUV came with a brand-new twin-turbo hybrid powertrain, updated electronics, and plenty of promises about capability and reliability. But how has it actually held up?

From minor annoyances to warranty-worthy repairs, here’s a full breakdown of what’s gone wrong, what Toyota has (and hasn’t) fixed, and whether I’d still recommend the Sequoia after two years of ownership.

The Importance of a Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty

Investing in a 10-Year, 120,000-Mile Warranty

One of the smartest decisions I made when purchasing my Sequoia was adding a 10-year, 120,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. With a completely redesigned powertrain, new hybrid components, and an array of modern tech, the odds of something going wrong were higher than in previous generations. At $1,900, the warranty seemed like a reasonable safety net—especially since it’s transferable if I ever decide to sell.

The Value of a Warranty

I’ve been burned by costly repairs before. A previous Lexus GX I owned racked up a $3,200 repair bill for a single issue. If anything similar happens to the Sequoia, the extended warranty would already have paid for itself. So far, it’s come in handy—though not for anything catastrophic (yet).

Problems Encountered

Not everything has been smooth sailing. While the Sequoia has been mostly reliable, a few annoying issues have cropped up along the way.

1. Stereo Knob Falling Off

At 21,000 miles, the volume knob on the stereo fell off while I was driving. Not ideal when you’re trying to adjust the music on the highway. The plastic bracket inside had snapped—despite barely using the knob in the first place. Toyota replaced it under warranty, but it makes me question the durability of other interior components.

2. Driver’s Seat Trim Piece Cracking

By 12,000 miles, the trim piece on the side of the driver’s seat had cracked. Annoyingly, this was the exact same issue I had with my 2003 Sequoia—so it seems Toyota still hasn’t fully solved this problem. The dealership replaced the trim under warranty, but I’m skeptical about how long the fix will last. If it happens again, they might call it “wear and tear”and refuse to cover it.

3. Tailgate Malfunction

Around 18,000 miles, I started experiencing tailgate issues. When trying to close it using the key fob, door button, or kick sensor, the tailgate would either:

• Beep and refuse to move
• Start to close, then reverse and go back up

Toyota traced this to a faulty safety sensor, which was replaced under warranty. No issues since, but it was a frustrating problem while it lasted.

4. HVAC System Concerns

The HVAC system makes an unusual clicking noise when switching between floor vents and defrost or adjusting airflow. Toyota checked it out but claimed it wasn’t a problem. While it hasn’t affected performance, it’s something I’ll keep an eye on—especially since strange HVAC noises can sometimes indicate a bigger issue down the road.

Conclusion: Is the 2023 Sequoia Still Worth It?

After two years and 26,000 miles, the 2023 Sequoia has been mostly solid—but not without a few hiccups. The powertrain has been trouble-free, the hybrid system performs well, and the ride quality is still great. However, minor build-quality concerns (like the stereo knob and seat trim) and tech issues (like the tailgate sensor) have been frustrating.

If you’re considering a new Sequoia, I’d highly recommend getting an extended warranty. With all the new technology packed into this SUV, it’s only a matter of time before something expensive breaks.

Would I buy it again? So far, yes. But I’ll check back in at 50,000 miles—because that’s when the real test of durability begins.