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MotorBiscuit often covers the most common problems reported on popular used vehicle models. We do this to help inform car shoppers as they search for their best personal fit. While checking on NHTSA complaints for the Toyota Sequoia – one of this year’s fast-selling vehicles – I noticed something unusual. The 2024 somehow had more complaints filed against it than the version released six years prior. Here’s why.

According to new Toyota Sequoia owners, the full-sized SUV has a structural design flaw. They keep experiencing the trailer hitch cover coming off the rear bumper either while driving or in the car wash. One owner reported that they lost the hitch assembly itself in the middle of a car wash.

One driver experienced the issue only 900 miles into owning the SUV. Another says it happened within their first month of ownership. Yet another complained that the cover detached three times within 5,000 miles…and that they had to order a new cover each time.

All of the Toyota Sequoia owners who filed complaints on this problem expressed concern for nearby roadgoers. “This is an obvious design flaw and a hazard to other drivers, as it could hit them and cause an accident,” one owner lamented.

By now, the 2023 Sequoia has 13 complaints, but only two involve the rear hitch cover coming off. One owner said the dealership replaced the cover at 2,000 miles, but it still falls off. The other owner said theirs fell off “at interstate speed, endangering other drivers.”

As of today, neither the 2023 nor 2024 have any recalls or formal NHTSA investigations on record. With a total of 10 complaints, though, the 2024 model year already has more than the 2017 model year, which only had seven complaints filed with the NHTSA, all spread across varying vehicle systems.

Still, the newest Toyota Sequoia remains one of the fastest-selling cars in the U.S. today. Considering all, the model serves owners quite well. If you’re in the market for one, check out MotorBiscuit’s seamless car buying tool to compare prices and find the best deal near you.

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Editor-in-Chief

Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy joined the MotorBiscuit team as managing editor in 2021 and brings with her a bevy of automotive expertise. She’s an ASE-Certified Automotive Service Consultant and licensed car salesperson with over a decade of shop operations experience.

Sarah was the creator of “Shop Smarts” for MOTOR Magazine and was a contributor from 2013 to 2020. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015.

She has attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree in English from The Ohio State University.