The 2023-2024 Toyota Sequoia has up to 6 NHTSA recalls. If your Sequoia keeps going back for repairs, California lemon law may entitle you to a refund.
The third-generation 2023-2024 Toyota Sequoia arrived as a clean-sheet redesign, priced from $60,000 to $90,000, with a new twin-turbo V35A-FXS engine, a new 10-speed automatic, a new hybrid eAxle, and a new multimedia system. It also arrived with six active or recently-resolved federal safety recalls, a 14-inch multimedia screen that freezes without warning, a transmission that can roll the vehicle unexpectedly when placed in Neutral, and an advanced driver-assistance system that occasionally applies full emergency braking on the freeway when no obstacle is present. The Tundra, which shares the V35A engine and most of its electronics, has accumulated over a dozen NHTSA recall campaigns since the platform launched in 2022. The Sequoia follows the same pattern: five recalls confirmed for MY2023, five for MY2024, covering everything from spare tires detaching at highway speed to rearview cameras that stop displaying when the vehicle is placed in Reverse. Consumer Reports calls the 2024 Sequoia less reliable than other cars from the same model year. For a family hauler with a third row of passengers, that verdict carries real weight. If your Sequoia has been back to the dealer repeatedly for any of these issues, California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act may give you the right to demand a repurchase or replacement.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Spare tire unexpectedly falls from undercarriage while driving; loud bang or scraping noise under rear of vehicle; spare tire visible in rearview mirror rolling away; visual inspection reveals broken or missing chain on undercarriage spare tire holder
Vehicle moves forward or backward while shifter is in Neutral and foot is off the brake; unexpected creep when parked in Neutral; vehicle rolls in parking lot without driver input; warning light for transmission may or may not illuminate
Vehicle load capacity sticker on door jamb or accessory label shows incorrect maximum weight; owner may unknowingly exceed GVWR when towing or hauling; handling instability under load; tires overloaded beyond rating
Tow hitch cover falls off rear bumper while driving; loud plastic clatter from rear of vehicle; cover visible in rearview mirror tumbling onto roadway; rear bumper has open receiver hitch hole after cover loss
Sudden loud bang or hiss from passenger-side front or rear tire; rapid loss of tire pressure while driving; TPMS warning light illuminates immediately; vehicle pulls hard to passenger side; loss of steering control at highway speed
Backup camera image does not appear when vehicle is shifted into Reverse; 14-inch multimedia screen stays black or shows prior forward-camera view instead of backup image; rear visibility is completely absent during reverse maneuvers; condition may be intermittent or persistent
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Spare tire unexpectedly falls from undercarriage while driving; loud bang or scraping noise under rear of vehicle; spare tire visible in rearview mirror rolling away; visual inspection reveals broken or missing chain on undercarriage spare tire holder
A detaching spare tire at highway speed creates an uncontrolled road hazard and constitutes a safety defect under Song-Beverly. If the dealer failed to perform this recall remedy within a reasonable time — or if the vehicle returned for related concerns after the recall was issued — those visits count toward the Song-Beverly repair attempt tally. Owners whose vehicles remained in service without the recall being applied should document the date they first presented the vehicle for remedy.
Dealer replaces the spare tire carrier assembly at no cost (complete replacement, not weld repair). Owner notification letters mailed August 14, 2023.
Vehicle moves forward or backward while shifter is in Neutral and foot is off the brake; unexpected creep when parked in Neutral; vehicle rolls in parking lot without driver input; warning light for transmission may or may not illuminate
Unexpected vehicle movement is a clear safety-system defect under Song-Beverly. If an owner brought the vehicle to the dealer for related symptoms — surging, unexpected roll, transmission warning — before the February 2024 recall was issued, those prior visits count toward the statutory repair-attempt threshold. The defect covers the full 2023-2024 model year range, and any vehicle not yet receiving the ECU update remains out-of-compliance.
Dealer updates transmission control ECU software at no cost (Toyota recall numbers 24TA02 and 24LA02). Owner notification mailed April 8, 2024. Software update resolves the neutral-engagement logic error.
Vehicle load capacity sticker on door jamb or accessory label shows incorrect maximum weight; owner may unknowingly exceed GVWR when towing or hauling; handling instability under load; tires overloaded beyond rating
An inaccurate GVWR label is a regulatory non-compliance defect; if an owner relied on the label and overloaded the vehicle causing tire, suspension, or brake damage, those resulting repairs may constitute lemon-law-qualifying failures. Song-Beverly's substantial impairment standard is met if the label error led to a reasonable safety concern requiring dealer visits.
Gulf States Toyota mails corrected replacement labels directly to registered owners at no cost (GST recall 24R2). Owner notification letters mailed September 16, 2024.
Tow hitch cover falls off rear bumper while driving; loud plastic clatter from rear of vehicle; cover visible in rearview mirror tumbling onto roadway; rear bumper has open receiver hitch hole after cover loss
A road hazard created by an ejected vehicle component is a safety defect. If a dealer performed the bumper modification remedy but the vehicle required additional related structural or body work, those subsequent visits are lemon-law relevant. Owners in 43,000+ affected-unit pool should confirm recall completion status with their dealer.
Dealers replace the tow hitch cover and modify the rear bumper retention points at no cost. Toyota recall numbers 24TB10 and 24TA10. Owner notification letters mailed April 7, 2025.
Sudden loud bang or hiss from passenger-side front or rear tire; rapid loss of tire pressure while driving; TPMS warning light illuminates immediately; vehicle pulls hard to passenger side; loss of steering control at highway speed
A blowout-causing manufacturing defect in original-equipment tires satisfies Song-Beverly's substantial impairment of use standard. If the vehicle was driven before the recall was performed and sustained a blowout, any related alignment, suspension, or body damage may be recoverable as consequential harm. Owners of 2024 Sequoia Hybrid vehicles should verify whether this recall was performed by their selling dealer at delivery.
Dealers inspect the passenger-side front and rear tires and replace them as necessary at no cost (Toyota recall number 24TA12). Owner notification letters mailed December 5, 2024.
Backup camera image does not appear when vehicle is shifted into Reverse; 14-inch multimedia screen stays black or shows prior forward-camera view instead of backup image; rear visibility is completely absent during reverse maneuvers; condition may be intermittent or persistent
Federal regulations require a functioning rearview display in all 2023-2024 model-year vehicles (49 CFR Part 571, FMVSS 111). Loss of this safety function qualifies as a safety defect under both FMVSS and Song-Beverly. If the owner brought the vehicle to the dealer before the October 2025 recall — reporting a black backup screen — those prior visits count toward the lemon-law repair tally.
Dealer updates the multimedia display software at no cost (Toyota recall numbers 25TB10 and 25TA10). Owner notification letters mailed November 19, 2025.
Infotainment screen freezes on a static image while vehicle is moving; touchscreen becomes unresponsive to input; screen goes completely black without restarting; system reboots mid-drive requiring 30-60 seconds to reload; Apple CarPlay or Android Auto drops connection unexpectedly; navigation audio stops during reboot; climate and audio controls inaccessible when screen is frozen
Infotainment defects qualify under Song-Beverly when they substantially impair the vehicle's use or value — a screen controlling climate, audio, navigation, and safety alerts that freezes or goes black meets this bar. Three or more dealer visits for this symptom without a permanent fix is a strong Song-Beverly indicator. Owners should insist the repair order explicitly names the symptom ('multimedia screen freeze') rather than a generic 'software update performed.'
Toyota dealer applies multimedia system software update per applicable TSB. If freeze recurs post-update, dealer may replace the multimedia display ECU under warranty. Owners should document each dealer visit with a repair order noting the symptom, date, and mileage.
Vehicle brakes hard unexpectedly on the highway with no obstacle ahead; Pre-Collision System warning activates falsely under overhead freeway signs, bridges, or metal guard rails; sudden deceleration from highway speed startles driver and risks rear-end collision by following traffic; PCS warning light or chime activates without a genuine hazard; vehicle slows to near-stop in travel lane; condition recurs at the same location or under similar overpass geometry
An ADAS system that initiates full emergency braking without a genuine hazard creates an active crash risk for following traffic — this is a safety defect, not merely an annoyance. Under Song-Beverly, repeated phantom braking that cannot be permanently resolved across multiple dealer visits supports a lemon-law claim. Owners should request the dealer check for stored radar DTCs before and after each visit; a 'cannot duplicate' finding does not negate documented owner evidence.
Dealer applies TSS 3.0 radar and camera firmware update per applicable TSB. If phantom braking recurs after update, dealer should inspect radar sensor alignment and mounting. Owner should log every event with date, location, speed, and roadway geometry for use in lemon-law documentation.
Hard jolt or thud when selecting Drive from Park or Neutral; transmission shudder or vibration during light-throttle acceleration between 15-45 mph; momentary hesitation then lurch when driver tip-ins throttle from low speed; rough or clunky downshift at deceleration; vibration in floor or seat under moderate acceleration; condition worse when engine is cold
Chronic transmission shudder that persists across multiple dealer visits — or that returns after a TCU software update — is a Drivability defect under Song-Beverly. The key lemon-law question is whether the dealer can achieve a permanent fix; if the vehicle has been in for transmission shudder three or more times, or was out of service for 30+ cumulative days, Song-Beverly eligibility should be evaluated.
Dealer updates transmission control ECU software to current calibration; may also perform ATF drain-and-fill with specified Toyota ATF WS. If shudder persists after software and fluid service, inspect torque converter assembly for friction material failure; replacement may be warranted under warranty. Note: this is distinct from the 24V125 recall remedy.
Red or amber Hybrid System Warning light illuminates on instrument cluster; vehicle enters limp-home or reduced power mode without warning; vehicle may refuse to start or stalls mid-drive with 'Service Hybrid System' message; EV motor assist drops out unexpectedly reducing available torque; 12V battery drains excessively when hybrid system goes to fault; Integrated Motor Generator (eAxle) noise or whine under acceleration
A hybrid system failure that disables primary vehicle propulsion is a Safety and Drivability defect. The federal 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid warranty does not limit Song-Beverly rights — California lemon law may still apply to a vehicle that required repeated warranty repairs for HV system faults. Loss of motive power in traffic is a safety-impairing condition under Song-Beverly §1793.2.
Dealer reads HV fault codes and performs Toyota-prescribed diagnostic tree; remedy may include HV battery module replacement, inverter inspection, or hybrid ECU software update depending on stored DTC. Repairs covered under the 8-year/100,000-mile federal hybrid battery warranty (whichever comes first).
Power liftgate does not respond to key fob, interior button, or foot-kick sensor; liftgate opens partially then reverses without obstruction; liftgate closes on items or passengers due to sensor malfunction; third-row seat power folding mechanism does not respond; seat partially folds and stops without completing the motion; seat makes grinding or clicking noise during powered operation; warning chime sounds but seat or liftgate fails to move
Recurring failure of a power convenience system across two or more visits — with no permanent fix — can constitute substantial impairment of the vehicle's value under Song-Beverly, especially on a $75,000+ SUV where premium features are a core purchase motivator. Owners on higher trims who experience repeated power liftgate or seat failures should log each event and retain all repair orders.
Dealer performs liftgate and/or seat actuator ECU software update; recalibrates obstacle detection sensors. If hardware failure is confirmed, actuator motor or latch assembly replacement under warranty. Owner should confirm with dealer whether the repair order documents the specific actuator or sensor replaced — vague 'found and fixed' entries are insufficient for lemon-law documentation.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §1790 et seq.), if your 2023-2024 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid has a defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, and Toyota or its authorized dealers have been unable to repair it after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to a vehicle repurchase (refund) or replacement — at your option. This is a summary of your potential rights as of the date of this page; this is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this.
WHAT 'REASONABLE NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS' MEANS: California courts have generally found that two or more repair attempts for a safety defect, or four or more attempts for a non-safety defect, raises a presumption of lemon-law eligibility — if the defect substantially impairs your use, value, or safety. The neutral-rollaway defect (Recall 24V125000), the phantom braking issue, the rearview camera failure (Recall 25V657000), and any HV system failure that strands the vehicle all involve safety or substantial-use impairment.
WHAT YOU MAY RECOVER: A Song-Beverly repurchase includes the full purchase price, payments made, finance charges, registration, and incidental costs — minus an offset for mileage driven before the first repair attempt. You may also be entitled to attorney's fees if you prevail.
THE 30-DAY RULE: If your Sequoia has been out of service for 30 or more calendar days during the warranty period for warranty repairs, you may qualify for a lemon presumption even if the specific repair attempt count is not met. Day one begins on the day you leave the vehicle at the dealer for a covered warranty repair.
Note: California law is periodically amended; consult a licensed California attorney to evaluate your specific situation. The information above reflects California law as generally understood as of 2026.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
The Toyota Sequoia's most persistent issue — and the dealer's most common response — is 'cannot duplicate.' Here is what to do when that happens:
1. DOCUMENT BEFORE YOU GO. Before each dealer visit, write down: the exact date and time of the malfunction, your mileage at the event, road conditions, and what you observed. For screen freeze: note whether CarPlay was active. For phantom braking: note the speed, road type, and nearest overhead structure. This contemporaneous log is admissible evidence in a lemon-law case; a vague 'it just does that sometimes' is not.
2. REQUEST A WRITTEN REPAIR ORDER FOR EVERY VISIT — even if the dealer finds nothing. California Song-Beverly counts 'attempts to repair' regardless of whether a defect was reproduced. A repair order that says 'inspected per customer concern — no fault found' is still a repair attempt that counts toward the lemon-law threshold.
3. INSIST THE DEALER RECORD THE EXACT SYMPTOM. Vague entries like 'software update performed' do not link the visit to your specific complaint. Ask the service advisor to write: 'Customer reports backup camera does not display when in Reverse' or 'Customer reports vehicle rolls in Neutral without brakes applied.' That specificity matters.
4. ASK WHETHER THE APPLICABLE RECALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED. For the Sequoia, confirm that Recalls 23V468000, 24V125000, 24V640000, 25V657000, and (for 2024) 24V767000 have each been performed and documented in the repair order. An unperformed recall is a pending warranty obligation.
5. FOR PHANTOM AEB EVENTS: Take note of the GPS coordinates or cross streets where the false braking occurred. If the radar is misreading the same overpass repeatedly, a geo-located log can help a technician reproduce the condition. Request the technician check for stored ADAS DTCs even if no warning light is on — some radar faults log a freeze-frame DTC without illuminating the dash.
6. FOR SCREEN FREEZE: Note whether a reboot clears the condition or whether a full power cycle (engine off/on) is required. If the multimedia unit is replaced, get the old unit serial number from your repair order — that confirms hardware was actually swapped, not just a software update the dealer misclassified.
7. TRACK CUMULATIVE DAYS OUT OF SERVICE. If your Sequoia has been at a dealer for 30 or more cumulative days since delivery for warranty repairs, you may qualify for a Song-Beverly refund or replacement regardless of the number of repair attempts.
The 2023-2024 Toyota Sequoia represents a genuinely ambitious redesign — the i-Force MAX twin-turbo hybrid is more capable on paper than any Sequoia engine before it. But the V35A platform arrived with a recall cadence that should give buyers pause: six recall campaigns in the first two model years, covering propulsion, safety electronics, tires, and structural components. The transmission neutral-rollaway recall alone covered hundreds of thousands of vehicles across Tundra and Sequoia combined — suggesting a systemic software development gap, not an isolated defect. Consumer Reports' 'less reliable than average' finding for the 2024 model year is consistent with what the recall record suggests: this is a vehicle whose engineering ambition outpaced its quality verification at launch. Owners who have experienced repeated dealer visits for any of these issues should not accept 'can't duplicate' as a final answer from their dealer — and should understand that California law may give them meaningful options.
— The Margarian Law team
If your 2023 or 2024 Toyota Sequoia has been to the dealer two or more times for the same problem — or has been out of service for 30 or more days — you may have options under California's lemon law. Margarian Law has handled thousands of lemon-law cases and offers a free, confidential case review with no obligation. Call us or submit your information online to find out if your Sequoia qualifies.
NHTSA Recall 24V125000 (February 2024) addresses this exactly: a software error in the 10-speed automatic transmission control ECU allows the Sequoia Hybrid to move unexpectedly when placed in Neutral with the brakes released. Toyota's remedy is a dealer-performed transmission ECU software update at no charge. The recall covers 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid, 2022-2024 Tundra, and Lexus LX600. If your dealer has not yet performed this update, contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331 to schedule it. If you visited the dealer for this symptom before the recall was issued — or if the problem returned after the software update — document those visits carefully: each counts as a repair attempt under California's Song-Beverly lemon law. []
NHTSA Recall 25V657000 (October 2025) directly covers this defect: a software error in the Toyota Audio Multimedia system causes the rearview camera image to fail to display when the vehicle is placed in Reverse. The screen may stay black or show the forward camera instead. Federal safety regulations require a working backup camera (FMVSS 111), so this is a regulatory non-compliance defect. Toyota's remedy is a free multimedia software update at any Toyota dealer. If your Sequoia showed this symptom before October 2025 and you visited the dealer for it, those visits count as lemon-law repair attempts in California. A vehicle that goes 30+ cumulative days at the dealer for warranty repairs — including this issue — may also qualify for repurchase under Song-Beverly. []
Whether a specific Sequoia qualifies as a lemon depends on your repair history, not the vehicle model alone. However, the 2023-2024 Sequoia has accumulated six federal safety recalls in its first two model years — covering neutral rollaway, backup camera failure, spare tire detachment, tow hitch cover ejection, tire sidewall damage, and load label errors — and Consumer Reports rates the 2024 model 'less reliable than average.' Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, your vehicle may qualify for a refund or replacement if Toyota or its dealers have been unable to repair a warranted defect after a reasonable number of attempts. If you have had two or more visits for a safety defect, or four or more for any defect, or 30+ cumulative out-of-service days, contact a California lemon-law attorney for a free case review. []
There is no standalone recall for the 14-inch multimedia screen freeze as of this page's review date, but Toyota has issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the Toyota Audio Multimedia system covering screen freeze, black screen, and spontaneous reboot — conditions that also underlie the rearview camera software recall (25V657000). Toyota filed 54 TSBs for the 2023 Sequoia alone, reflecting extensive known software issues. The dealer remedy is a multimedia ECU software update; if the freeze recurs after an update, the hardware unit may need replacement under warranty. Under California lemon law, two or more visits for infotainment freeze — without a permanent fix — can support a Song-Beverly claim, because repeated failure of a system controlling climate, navigation, and safety alerts substantially impairs the vehicle's value. []
This is a documented pattern with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) Pre-Collision System on the 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid. The millimeter-wave radar sensor may misread stationary metal structures — freeway overpasses, highway sign gantries, bridge underpasses — as in-path obstacles and trigger a full emergency brake application at speed. Toyota has issued calibration and firmware TSBs for the TSS 3.0 radar on the V35A platform. At the dealer, request specifically that the PCS radar and forward camera be updated to current firmware. Log the GPS location and speed of each phantom-braking event before your dealer visit — a documented pattern of recurring events at the same overpass can help a technician reproduce and diagnose the fault. Phantom braking at highway speed is a safety defect that supports lemon-law eligibility if it cannot be permanently resolved. []
The 2023-2024 Toyota Sequoia Hybrid has up to six NHTSA recall campaigns, depending on model year: (1) 23V468000 — spare tire carrier chain weld failure / tire detachment (2023 only); (2) 24V125000 — transmission ECU neutral rollaway / unexpected movement (2023-2024); (3) 24V548000 — inaccurate GST accessory load labels (2023-2024, regional); (4) 24V640000 — tow hitch cover detachment / road hazard (2023-2024); (5) 24V767000 — tire inner sidewall damage / sudden blowout (2024 only); and (6) 25V657000 — rearview camera display failure in reverse (2023-2024). To confirm which recalls apply to your specific VIN and whether they have been completed, visit NHTSA.gov or call Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. []
Skip to content
