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2016 Toyota Sequoia

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 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
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 4WD
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
15 combined · 13 city / 17 hwy
Length
205.1 in
Curb weight
5,968 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints11 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 217 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 21% below the 2016 standard SUV average of 19.1 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Toyota Sequoia is a standard SUV offered with a 5.7L 8-cyl engine 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 5,968 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (13 city / 17 highway), 21% worse than the 2016 standard SUV average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $4,450 a year in fuel.

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

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Sequoia — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Sequoia →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4WD205.1 in79.9 in77.2 in122 in68.1 / 69.3 in5,968 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 2WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-21%$4,450606
Sequoia 4WD FFV FFV5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-20%$4,450609
Sequoia 4WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 14-25%$4,800614
2/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
2/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $10,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Toyota Sequoia.

Similar 2016 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Toyota Sequoia (this car)15 MPGNot rated2
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated3
2016 Ford Explorer22 MPGNot rated14
2016 GMC Yukon19 MPGNot rated5
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe19 MPGNot rated10
2016 Ford Expedition18 MPGNot rated3
2016 Nissan Pathfinder23 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (2)

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.
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · May 11, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V311000 · 1,325 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.
Risk
Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 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
40,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes4
Electrical System2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Steering1
Visibility/Wiper1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Seats1
Unknown Or Other1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/07: 116/09: 116/12: 117/05: 118/02: 118/06: 118/08: 118/11: 119/02: 119/08: 126/09: 116/0716/1218/0218/0819/0226/09max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Toyota Sequoia buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Vehicle Speed Control — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,000 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 2016 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
2015 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated29
2014 Sequoia15205.1 inNot rated215

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