Inquiry on 2009-2022 Sequoias

[GrizzlyClint]

TLDR; Please give me a rundown on the common issues for this generation Sequoia from you all the actual owners.

Hi folks, I currently have a Lexus GX460 so I'm active in the Lexus GX portion of this forum. The point of this post however is we will be selling my wife's 2019 ram 2500 Laramie and possibly buying either another Lexus GX or Sequoia of this generation. What I'd like to know is data regarding the real world usage of snow and ice off-road capabilities etc. I'm fairly familiar with the 5.7 engine but not specifically the Sequoia platform. Will be targeting probably a 2011 to 2017 model and it could have anywhere from 80,000 to 200,000 mi. Obviously I know my due diligence items to do and checking condition and service history etc. What I'm looking for with you all is common things specifically for these for me to check when I go take a look at these in person to evaluate current condition.

For example, the Lexus GX has issues with cam tower leaks, coolant valley plate gasket leaks below 2015, and etc. Thank you for your time.

 

[turbo8]

TLDR; Please give me a rundown on the common issues for this generation Sequoia from you all the actual owners.

Hi folks, I currently have a Lexus GX460 so I'm active in the Lexus GX portion of this forum. The point of this post however is we will be selling my wife's 2019 ram 2500 Laramie and possibly buying either another Lexus GX or Sequoia of this generation. What I'd like to know is data regarding the real world usage of snow and ice off-road capabilities etc. I'm fairly familiar with the 5.7 engine but not specifically the Sequoia platform. Will be targeting probably a 2011 to 2017 model and it could have anywhere from 80,000 to 200,000 mi. Obviously I know my due diligence items to do and checking condition and service history etc. What I'm looking for with you all is common things specifically for these for me to check when I go take a look at these in person to evaluate current condition.

For example, the Lexus GX has issues with cam tower leaks, coolant valley plate gasket leaks below 2015, and etc. Thank you for your time.

From a drivetrain standpoint, look for the multimode transfercase version. with that, it can be in these different transfercase modes:
2wd
4wd (open center diff)
4wd (locked center diff)
4 low (open center diff)
4 low (locked center diff)

 

[vtl]

Last few years (2020+ ?) don't have transmission cooler.

Rear diff is tiny compared to Tundra. Transfer case is also less durable. Though it is Torsen and has a lockable differential.

IMO, for a dedicated snow build you better go with Tundra. I have both Sequoia and Tundra, Tundra is more appropriate for serious snow adventures.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

From a drivetrain standpoint, look for the multimode transfercase version. with that, it can be in these different transfercase modes:
2wd
4wd (open center diff)
4wd (locked center diff)
4 low (open center diff)
4 low (locked center diff)

Good stuff thank you.

Last few years (2020+ ?) don't have transmission cooler.

Rear diff is tiny compared to Tundra. Transfer case is also less durable. Though it is Torsen and has a lockable differential.

IMO, for a dedicated snow build you better go with Tundra. I have both Sequoia and Tundra, Tundra is more appropriate for serious snow adventures.

Thank you for the reply. We don't need a serious snow rig, just something that'll be able to handle north Idaho winters better than my wife's current RAM (I know not saying much lol). If we want to have fun in the snow my GX is plenty. Lol

So the pre-2020's all have a trans cooler? We're definitely looking at 2011-2017 year models.

Also to add she wants an SUV and not another pickup truck.

 

[vtl]

Good stuff thank you.


Thank you for the reply. We don't need a serious snow rig, just something that'll be able to handle north Idaho winters better than my wife's current RAM (I know not saying much lol). If we want to have fun in the snow my GX is plenty. Lol

So the pre-2020's all have a trans cooler? We're definitely looking at 2011-2017 year models.

Also to add she wants an SUV and not another pickup truck.

Trans cooler is about $500 and half day to retrofit. I wouldn't scratch newer model years off the list just because of that. LED head lights are also very nice. If you like the stock head unit - 2020+ have wired android auto and carplay, which you can convert to wireless with adapter - I did that to wife's 22 Sequoia.

My wife is not looking back to her top of the line Volvo SUV, Sequoia is a much better vehicle. The only thing she misses is a heated steering wheel. But she sees her husband much more often now, since he is not wasting life laying under the ever broken Swede.

Sequoia is also much more ascetic than RAM or Lexus. Be ready that the plastic is harder, leather is fauxer, etc.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Trans cooler is about $500 and half day to retrofit. I wouldn't scratch newer model years off the list just because of that. LED head lights are also very nice. If you like the stock head unit - 2020+ have wired android auto and carplay, which you can convert to wireless with adapter - I did that to wife's 22 Sequoia.

My wife is not looking back to her top of the line Volvo SUV, Sequoia is a much better vehicle. The only thing she misses is a heated steering wheel. But she sees her husband much more often now, since he is not wasting life laying under the ever broken Swede.

Sequoia is also much more ascetic than RAM or Lexus. Be ready that the plastic is harder, leather is fauxer, etc.

We have a price range that is keeping us in the 2011-2017 year range. I'd love to get the last year made for this generation, but that's not in the cards.

 

[vtl]

We have a price range that is keeping us in the 2011-2017 year range. I'd love to get the last year made for this generation, but that's not in the cards.

They are all good, reliable, spacious vehicles. 2022 Sequoia is still Gen 2 to the roots. I wouldn't think twice of getting a 10 years old one, with meager 200k miles. It is only all that salt we put on the roads around Boston. Rust proofing the frame before the first winter is crucial for longevity.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

They are all good, reliable, spacious vehicles. 2022 Sequoia is still Gen 2 to the roots. I wouldn't think twice of getting a 10 years old one, with meager 200k miles. It is only all that salt we put on the roads around Boston. Rust proofing the frame before the first winter is crucial for longevity.

Agree. The same can be said about the Lexus GX. Mine has almost 206k miles but mechanically it is in phenomenal shape. With its good service history and current condition plus no rust I wouldn't hesitate to buy one with over 200k miles. I know the Sequoia and Tundra are the same way. Hence why were considering one. This era Toyota product is the last of the indestructible bulletproof vehicles in my opinion.

My wife loves the idea about the interior space over my GX.

 

[vtl]

My wife loves the idea about the interior space over my GX.

Gen 2 Sequoia is the only vehicle where I prefer to sit in the second row. It's unbelievably spacious over there. And those giant windows! Still remember that glorious site seeing of Newfoundland's mountainous part with me sitting behind the wife, legs fully stretched and crossed, beer in hand, it was plain awesome.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

Gen 2 Sequoia is the only vehicle where I prefer to sit in the second row. It's unbelievably spacious over there. And those giant windows! Still remember that glorious site seeing of Newfoundland's mountainous part with me sitting behind the wife, legs fully stretched and crossed, beer in hand, it was plain awesome.

Being from North Idaho I can certainly appreciate the love of large windows for viewing mountains.

 

[jsloden]

We purchased my wife a 2012 model about three years ago. I've only had three issues with it. I had to replace the valley pan gasket which is a common problem, it's white so the paint has been slowly flaking off so I'll have to have it painted at some point. It also had an extended cranking problem for a while. As it turns out, it's a common problem with the flex fuel models. The computer gets mixed up and thinks you're running ethanol when you're not and it gets flooded. There is an easy fix though. I purchased a programmer from amazon and you can reset the fuel density values and you're done. The programmer was about $100. I have to do this about once a year. Other than these issues it has been a great vehicle. It's got about 240k on it now and I'm gonna keep driving it until the wheels fall off. We've driven all across the country in it. From New York, to LA, to key west. You also have a 7500lb tow rating. You couldn't pay me to drive one of the new ones. By new I mean 23 and up. Just not a fan of the turbo v6.

 

[GrizzlyClint]

We purchased my wife a 2012 model about three years ago. I've only had three issues with it. I had to replace the valley pan gasket which is a common problem, it's white so the paint has been slowly flaking off so I'll have to have it painted at some point. It also had an extended cranking problem for a while. As it turns out, it's a common problem with the flex fuel models. The computer gets mixed up and thinks you're running ethanol when you're not and it gets flooded. There is an easy fix though. I purchased a programmer from amazon and you can reset the fuel density values and you're done. The programmer was about $100. I have to do this about once a year. Other than these issues it has been a great vehicle. It's got about 240k on it now and I'm gonna keep driving it until the wheels fall off. We've driven all across the country in it. From New York, to LA, to key west. You also have a 7500lb tow rating. You couldn't pay me to drive one of the new ones. By new I mean 23 and up. Just not a fan of the turbo v6.

Thank you for sharing. This is exactly the kind of info I need. FYI, the coolant valley plate gasket is pretty common on the 2010-2015 Lexus GX as well. I believe thr 1UR and 3UR share this common issue up until Toyota changed the gasket material around 2015~2016.

 

[jsloden]

Thank you for sharing. This is exactly the kind of info I need. FYI, the coolant valley plate gasket is pretty common on the 2010-2015 Lexus GX as well. I believe thr 1UR and 3UR share this common issue up until Toyota changed the gasket material around 2015~2016.

Well, there actually isn't a gasket. You just use the toyota sealant.

 

[kbahus]

The front seats of the Sequoia definitely don’t go back far enough, the cockpit is cramped compared to my Tundra. That might be my biggest gripe actually, everything else is pretty great.