Door Latch Problems of Toyota Sequoia

Toyota Sequoia owners have reported 15 problems related to door latch (under the latches/locks/linkage category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Toyota Sequoia based on all problems reported for the Sequoia.

1 Door Latch problem of the 2007 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 01/31/2025

The rear gate door or deck lid will not open. With either key, or any other method. Every time this occurs, I have to take to the body shop to open and pay $200 for them to open it. They have to climb to the back, dismantle the rear door panels from the inside and undo some mechanisms to open it finally. The shop stated that they have had this problem with these Sequoias many times.

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2 Door Latch problem of the 2006 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 02/02/2012

He rear door latch failed, making the door inoperable. Use of the door for entry and exit was impossible, creating a safety hazard. Repair of this latch failure is expensive ($400 - $700) and inconvenient. The design of the part and the material used (plastic) appears to be at fault. A heavier duty metal part is now available from after market parts dealers. The problem appears to be common and widespread judging from a discussion with a local Toyota dealer service center and judging from the number of complaints and information on the internet.

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3 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 01/01/2012

I went to exit my car one night and the drivers door handle snapped off in my hand leaving me to find another way to exit my vehicle other than the one that all people use to exit their vehicle the drivers door. Should I have been in an accident at the time I would have been trapped in my vehicle. Prior to that my rear lid handle stopped working. Toyota refused to fix it because the warranty is up and they feel this is not a safety issue. In contacting my local dealer I was told this happens all the time and was just laughed at I was told what do you expect it is only plastic.

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4 Door Latch problem of the 2001 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 01/03/2011

2001 Toyota Sequoia. Attorney writes on behalf of clients in regards to frame corrosion the dealer performed a 21 point inspection and noticed two holes caused by the corrosion on the frame, one in the rear and the other in the front. Also, the vehicle had been to the dealer three times to have the latch replaced in the rear of the truck.

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5 Door Latch problem of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 05/01/2007

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the two rear interior door handles cracked before falling completely off within a couple of days. The front passenger interior door handle cracked and fell off approximately one year later. The dealer was notified, but the failures were not corrected. The failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 05/21/08.

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6 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 04/13/2007

Drive interior door handle cracked making it impossible to open door from the inside of the vehicle. I called motor imports in honolulu, hawaii and they informed me that they would not cover the defective part. About one year earlier, the handle for the latch tailgate snapped. I had to go to a repair shop to replace both these parts because the dealer refused to replace for free. I am seriously concerned about safety. The tailgate may be the only escape route for rear passengers and there is no interior latch to open the tailgate. If the rear exterior latch breaks off, there is no way to open the tailgate. When my driver interior door handle snapped, I realize how dangerous this vehicle can be in an accident especially where exiting the vehicle is important such as a fire or in the water.

7 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 12/12/2006

Both passenger and driver side interior door handles have broken off from normal use. As a result we have to roll down the windows in order to exit the vehicle. As these are power windows this could be a potentially hazardous failure.

8 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 11/02/2006

Inside passenger door handle broke. Can not exit vehicle on passenger side.

9 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 09/20/2006

Door handle breaking: 2002 Toyota Sequoia (1) events leading up to the failure nothing abnormal. Housewife exiting vehicle after dropping kids off at school. (2) failure and its consequences the door handle snapped in half, rendering no exit from vehicle impossible, other than rolling down electric window, and reaching outside, opening with exterior handle. Although the immediate consequences in this case were minimal, if the plastic door handle were flawed on a large scale, it is probable that the door handle will break repeatedly, (also confirmed with technician, "we replace these all the time". ) the deadly combination of an accident, and subsequent high-stress conditions, potentially creating a life-threatening circumstance of an emergency exit, result in a significantly greater amount of force to be used than normal, I. E. Yanking the handle to get out. Bottom line, if a kindergarten teacher casually exiting a vehicle will snap it in half, what happens when a person is inhaling smoke surrounded by flames, trying to get their kids out? they will exert a tremendous amount of force on the handle to get out, snapping it in half, the window method will not work, or not come to mind. Issue a recall, or at a minimum, obtain from Toyota the number of door handles replaced in after-market parts. Unfortunately, Toyota postures itself that this is a warranty item. It is not. Human life is not a warranty item. This is a matter for the NHTSA to decide.

10 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 03/13/2006

2002 Sequoia rear latch does not work. This caused rear doors not to lock.

11 Door Latch problem of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 10/17/2005

The interior door handles on my 2002 Sequoia are both broken, one to the point that the door can only be opened from the outside after first rolling down the window. I had the same problems with the handles on my 1995 camry but figured that was due to it being outside all the time in the hot texas sun. My Sequoia though is garage kept. This is not no doubt a safety issue. I also have a 2005 camry and its interior door.

12 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 10/15/2004

1. Inside door handle snaps/breaks off at 30,000 miles. 3 separate handles have broken. Driver side has broken twice. Multiple times including 3 of 4 handles over a period of a few years. 2 when handle breaks off you can't exit the car. 3. Parts plus labor $70. 00 - I have old part.

13 Door Latch problem of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 10/15/2003

Door latch failure - pasanger door handle did not return to closed position resulting in latch failure. While the vehicle was in motion and making a left hand turn, the door opened.

14 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 06/15/2003

Plastic passenger side door handle failed in fatigue (crack), preventing door from being opened from the inside. Vehicle is 2002 Toyota camry. Dealer replaced handle without charge, but this is a dangerous condition.

15 Door Latch problem of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia

Failure Date: 09/20/2002

In September 2002 the owner went to open the door handle and it fell off in her hand. It was the driver's door handle that broke. Then the owner called the dealership and made appointment for repairs. T the dealership repaired the door handle without charge since the car was under warranty. Then, in June 2005 there was a passenger who got of out of the passenger side door and the door wouldn't close. The owner got it to close by using a bungee cord. In June while owner was driving on a main road the passenger's door opened. The owner did not know what caused the door to open. The dealership repaired the inside door latch for about $300. Then, last week the owner was trying to open the hatch back and couldn't get the hatchback door open. The owner called the manufacturer. Toyota will pay for the part, but the owner will pay for the labor. However, the owner was worried that the doors could open while driving. The owner signed a piece of paper in June of 2005 that stated the owner would be responsible for any damage or injuries caused by the doors coming open. Updated 03/07/07.


Other Common Latches/locks/linkage related problems of Toyota Sequoia


Safety Ratings of Sequoia Cars
Fuel Economy of Sequoia Vehicles
Sequoia Service Bulletins
Sequoia Safety Recalls
Sequoia Defect Investigations