UNKNOWN. I have NOT had an incident. I own a 2024 Toyota Sequoia SUV that uses the same engine as the hundreds of thousands of Tundra trucks that Toyota has already recalled. They've recalled over 250,000 Tundras because they say "machining debris" may cause a problem that eventually destroys the engine's main bearing, resulting in loss of power. [XXX] My problem is, they are NOT recalling the hybrid models that use this exact same engine, to include both Tundras and Sequoias. It seems they do this because the hybrid model still MAY be able to safely exit the road if failure happens because the hybrid battery and motors can still move it. As an owner of a Sequoia, I am concerned that this problem may occur out of warranty, and that I will be stuck with an engine possessing a known defect. At a minimum, Toyota should extend the warranties on these vehicles to cover that known defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Component Affected: Exterior Lighting (Tail Lamps) / Electrical System. Description of Defect and Safety Hazard:The rear tail lamp assemblies on this 2024 Toyota Sequoia have suffered a major sealing and adhesive compromise, permitting road dirt and fine debris to bypass internal filters and permanently accumulate inside the housing. This is a progressive design defect identical to the one that triggered Toyota’s massive 443,000-unit rear-lighting safety recall (Recall 25TA14 / 25TB14) for platform-sharing Tundras.This constitutes an active safety hazard. The dense layer of road grime and permanent dust obscuring the interior lenses significantly degrades the lumen output, visibility, and daytime reflectivity of the brake lamps, turn signals, and rear running lights. This directly increases the risk of a rear-end collision, particularly in low-visibility or nighttime conditions. Furthermore, the persistent introduction of dirt and sand into an unsealed electronic housing risks premature circuit corrosion, electrical shorts, and complete illumination failure while the vehicle is in transit.Despite bringing the vehicle to two separate licensed dealerships (Daytona Toyota and Parks Toyota) within the original 3-year/36,000-mile factory bumper-to-bumper warranty window (current mileage: 35,821), Toyota and its regional distributor (Southeast Toyota) have refused to replace the defective assemblies, falsely categorizing a structural seal breach as normal environmental behavior.

The second row right seat belt receptacle wiring harness failed on my 2024 Toyota Sequoia. The two wires connecting the seat belt buckle sensor were severed cleanly. The wiring harness is routed through the seat fold/pivot mechanism with insufficient slack or protection. Normal use of the fold-flat seat function caused the harness to be pinched and abraded at the pivot point over time, eventually shearing the wires completely. The seat belt alarm activated continuously even when buckled, as the sensor could no longer detect buckle engagement. The dealer inspected the vehicle and attributed the damage to user fault, declining warranty coverage. Upon self-repair, the cause was clearly mechanical — the harness routing places the wires directly in the path of the seat pivot with no grommet or strain relief. This is a design defect that poses a safety risk, as a non-functioning seat belt sensor may give false readings about buckle status. The failed component is available for inspection.

The power liftgate on my 2024 Toyota Sequoia intermittently fails to close using the automatic function. When pressing the close button (either on the liftgate or key fob), the system beeps twice and does not initiate closing, requiring manual force to shut the liftgate. Additionally, the pinch sensor appears to malfunction, falsely detecting an obstruction when none is present. This creates an inconsistent and unreliable operation of the liftgate system. This issue presents a safety concern because the liftgate may not properly secure while driving, increasing the risk of it opening unexpectedly. Furthermore, the failure of the pinch sensor system raises concerns about potential injury, especially to children or passengers, if the sensor does not function correctly during operation. The issue occurs intermittently and has been difficult for the dealership to permanently resolve. This appears to be a broader defect rather than a one-time failure.

I am submitting this complaint to raise serious safety concerns regarding the towing capabilities of the 2024 Toyota Sequoia. Despite its advertised towing capacity of up to 9,000 pounds, this vehicle is dangerously unstable when towing even modest travel trailers—particularly single axle models weighing around 4,500 pounds. During a recent vacation, I towed a properly loaded single axle travel trailer using my 2024 Sequoia. The trailer was equipped with: A weight distribution hitch Anti-sway bars Balanced tongue weight and cargo distribution Despite these precautions, the Sequoia was thrown around on the highway, requiring constant correction and resulting in a white-knuckle driving experience. My vacation was ruined, and my safety was put at risk. The trailer now sits unused in my driveway because I cannot safely tow it with this vehicle. The instability appears to stem from the Sequoia’s: Short wheelbase, which reduces towing control Soft suspension, tuned for comfort rather than trailer handling Hybrid drivetrain weight distribution, which may compromise rear-end stability These design choices make the Sequoia unsuitable for towing travel trailers, even well below its rated capacity. RV dealerships, including Camping World, routinely sell trailers to Sequoia owners based solely on the published tow rating. There is no warning or advisory provided about the vehicle’s real-world towing limitations. This practice is misleading and dangerous. I urge Toyota and the NHTSA to take the following steps: Issue a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) or formal advisory warning owners about towing instability with the Sequoia. Educate RV dealerships about the limitations of SUV towing dynamics, especially with single axle travel trailers. Investigate owner complaints and consider a broader safety review of the Sequoia’s towing performance. There are multiple online reports and forums where Sequoia owners share similar experiences. This is not an isolated incident—it is a sys