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

- 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
| 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 | 5,983 lb | 51/49 |
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 | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -23% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Sequoia 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -28% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD FFV FFV | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Sequoia 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | -26% | $4,800 | 635 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Toyota Sequoia (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Ford Expedition | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Dodge Durango | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2012 Nissan Armada | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 GMC Acadia | 19 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
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.
Not every 2012 Toyota Sequoia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Toyota Sequoia buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Structure › Body — 3 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 70,000 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 2012 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 →