2003 Toyota Sequoia complaints

HOW DO I REPORT SOMETHING THAT I FEEL NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED? I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. I ALSO HAVE A NUMBER OF ACQUAINTANCES THAT HAVE 2002 AND 2004 MODELS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO NOTED ON THE WEB PAGES WHERE SEQUOIA OWNERS GO TO ASK QUESTIONS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REAR WINDOW STOPS WORKING. IF ITS UP WHEN IT STOPS IT IS OK (THAT IS WHERE MINE STOPPED AT), BUT IF IT STOPS IN THE DOWN POSITION A PERSON HAS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR ($400- 500). THE MOTOR IN THE TAILGATE RUSTS AND IS COVERED UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE BULLETIN IS GOOD, BECAUSE THEY READILY FIX IT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IS IT WIDESPREAD ENOUGH TO ISSUE A RECALL? BECAUSE I DID NOT DISCOVER MINE UNTIL AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON WET ROADS, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - THE DECELERATION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT. *NM

TOYOTA SEQUOIA - CONSISTENT FAILURE OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO SUCCESSFUL REPAIR. WE ALSO HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH THE REAR WINDOW SEALS LEAKING AND CAUSING THE WINDOW MOTOR TO FAIL. *NM

BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE. *NM

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. FOR THE THIRD TIME NOW, THE VSC OFF AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS HAVE ILLUMINATED FOR NO REASON. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT AND EVERY TIME IT'S A DIFFERENT DIAGNOSE. I HAVE PURCHASED TOYOTA'S FOR THEIR RELIABILITY, BUT THIS ONE HAS ME THINKING OTHERWISE. I SAW ON AN EDMUNDS FORUM SITE THAT OTHER FOLKS HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE NHTSA GOV SITE. I THOUGHT IT IS A GOOD IDEA SINCE IT HAS TO DO WITH A BRAKE SYSTEM. FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THE FORUM SITES I THINK TOYOTA HAS A PROBLEM THEY DON'T WANT TO ADMIT. THAT IS UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT. *JB

EERILY SIMILAR TO ODI CASE ID NUMBER 10101730 OUR 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 4WD WITH THE FACTORY GY OPTION FOR DR/PASS CURTAIN & SIDE AIRBAGS WAS INVOLVED IN A BROADSIDE COLLISION IN THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE DOOR CAUSING THE SEQUOIA TO ROLL-OVER TWICE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE SEQUOIA WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH HAVING JUST EXITED AN ACTIVE SCHOOL ZONE AND WAS HIT PERPENDICULARLY BY A PASSENGER CAR AT UNKNOWN HIGH SPEED FROM A DISREGARDED STOP-SIGNED CROSS STREET. THE SEQUOIA WAS TRIPPED BY A CLOSE BY CURB, BEING IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, AND ROLLED TWICE BEFORE BEING STOPPED BY IMPACTING A NEARBY RESIDENTIAL PRIVACY FENCE ON THE CORNER. DESPITE THE FORWARD IMPACT INTO THE PRIVACY FENCE, THE SIDE IMPACT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE INTO THE DOOR, AND THE SUBSEQUENT 2 ROLLS OVER, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED; NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAGS NOR NEITHER THE DRIVERS SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS. FORTUNATELY THE DRIVER AND THE TWO SMALL CHILDREN BUCKLED IN THE BACK WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE STURDINESS OF THE SEQUOIA ITSELF. BACK AND NECK SORENESS, A COUPLE STITCHES IN MY HAND AND MULTIPLE OTHER MINOR GLASS CUTS FOR ME AND MULTIPLE MINOR GLASS CUTS AND A SPRAINED WRIST IN MY 8 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. MY 7 YEAR OLD SON WAS VIRTUALLY UNSCATHED. TOYOTA DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND SUFFICIENT TIME HAS NOT PASSED TO GAUGE THEIR RESPONSE. TOYOTA ITSELF HAS NO FACILITY ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR REPORTING SUCH INCIDENTS. *NM

VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT AND VSC OFF AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST POWER, STALLING COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. OCCURRED REPEATEDLY. UNDRIVEABLE AND UNSAFE. TOWED TO DEALER. NO SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTIC CODE EMERGED. MULTIPLE POSTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE DATING BACK TO 2003 ON MYCARSTATS.COM AND EDMUNDS WEBSITE TOYOTA FORUM. MY DEALER STATED THIS PROBLEM WAS "UNSAFE" INDEED. MY 4 CHILDREN AND HUSBAND WERE WITH ME WHEN IT OCCURRED. *JB

VSC/TRAC LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN TAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS CAUSING COMPLETE POWER LOSS OF VEHICLE OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO GRIND VEHICLE TO A HALT. HAD A VERY SERIOUS NEAR MISS ACCIDENT WHEN TURNING AT INTERSECTION. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND CAR BEHIND ME NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I HAVE LOCATED 3 TSB'S RELATED TO THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ENTIRE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 1500.00 TO ME. DEALER SAYS WARRANTY EXPIRED AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT BLAME FOR FAULTY PART.*JB

TOYOTA SEQUOIA BALL JOINT RECALL SVC PERFORMED, SUBSEQUENTLY VEHICLE TIRES SEVERELY SCALLOPING OUTER EDGES LEADING TO TREAD FRACTURE AND TIRE SPLITTING. DEALER SVC MGR MIKE LATHAM, MAITA TOYOTA OF SACRAMENTO, INSISTS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE ALTHOUGH HE ADMITS SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH TIRES; INSISTS THAT RECALL SVC CORRECTLY PERFORMED AND ALIGNMENT WITHIN SPECS. DEALER REFUSES ATTEMPT TO CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALER OFFERS TO SELL ME NEW TIRES; EFFECTIVELY ATTEMPTING TO RELEASE HAZARDOUS AND UNSAFE VEHICLE TO ME. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY BOTH IN MILEAGE AND TIME. DEALER STILL HAS VEHICLE. *NM

REAR LATCH MECHANISM ON 2003 SEQUOIA WITH 48000 MILES HAS RUSTED AND WILL NO LONGER KEEP LIFT GATE CLOSED, THUS ALLOWING EXHAUST INTO VEHICLE AND PRESENTING HAZARD OF LIFT GATE OPENING. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND SLOWING TO A STOP, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE AND VSC TRACTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE DURING NORMAL BRAKING ON NORMAL AND SNOW COVERED ROADS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR INSPECTION DUE TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. UPON INSPECTIONS, THE DEALERSHIP RESET THE COMPUTER TO MAKE THE LIGHTS GO OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, A RECALL NOTIFICATION WAS RECEIVED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V225000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM SUNNYVALE TOYOTA IN OCT OF 2002. IT IS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. FROM THE TIME I REACHED HOME FOUND MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. START WITH HUB CAPS NOT SEATED CORRECTLY, DEFECTIVE ROOF RACKS, ENTRY DOOR MOLDING WITH INKED PRINT ON THEM. WENT ON TO A DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR, PUNGENT AWFUL SMELL FROM THE AC, DEFECTIVE RADIO/ CD CHANGER. BRAKES ARE SPONGY AND DON'T RESPOND WELL. IF YOU PUMP IT ONCE IT WORKS WELL. THE VEHICLE REPEATEDLY VEERS TO THE RIGHT. THEY HAVE CHECKED IT AT LEAST 15 TIMES. THERE IS HAIR IN THE PAINT. I WENT THROUGH THE NCDS PROCESS AND ENDED UP WITH A JUDGMENT TO HAVE THEM REPAIR THE VEERING PROBLEM AND AIR CONDITIONING. TOYOTA NEVER COMPLIED AND NCDS CLOSED THE CASE WITHOUT MY CONSENT. I WORKED WITH TOYOTA AND THEY FINALLY WORKED ON THE TROUBLE. I GOT A NEW SET OF TIRES BUT THE VEERING RETURNED. WHAT HAPPENS IS THE TIRES WEAR MORE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. AS YOU ROTATE THE TROUBLE GOES AWAY UNTIL THE TIRE WEARS AND THE PROBLEM BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCES. NOW THE TIRES ARE BALD AND NCDS IS GIVING ME TROUBLE TO REOPEN THE CASE OR STAND BEHIND THE ARBITRATORS JUDGMENT. NOW EVEN THE DOOR MOLDING ARE COMING OFF EVEN WITH NO DAMAGE. *JB

2003 TOYOTYA SEQUOIA, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, PART OF THE VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL. SYSTEM ACTIVATED UNEXPECTEDLY AT VERY LOW SPEED AFTER WHICH SYSTEM TURNED ITSELF OFF. LOW SPEED PREVENTED INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT OF STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. *NM

REAR SEAT BELTS ON MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 ARE DEFECTIVE. THIS IS THE 2ND SEAT BELT REPLACED DUE TO IT LOCKING UP. *NM

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. *NM

VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN PUT IN TO GEAR. VSC TRAC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS LIGHT UP AND BUZZER SOUNDS. ONCE THE LIGHTS AND BUZZER GO OFF THE GRINDING STOPS BUT THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR FEELS VERY LOOSE, LIKE IT IS GOING TO LOSE CONTROL. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT 2 COMPUTERS , THE VSC COMPUTER AND THE TRANSLATOR COMPUTER, FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRENCE, AND THAT THE SOFTWARE USED IN THE COMPUTERS WAS BAD. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED AT 39K MILES AND THE WARRANTY WAS UP AT 36K. TOYOTA HAS BEEN NEGLIGENT IN THE FACT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THERE IS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THESE DEFECTS. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE INJURIES OR DEATH, OR POSSIBLY RE-OCCUR. *JB

DT: 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONSUMER STATED RECALL 05V225000 REPAIRS CONCERNING LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DONE. THERE HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE OUTER PART OF THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS DUE TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE WHETHER OR NOT THE TIRES WERE STILL WEARING OUT SINCE THE REPAIRS. AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THESE TIRES CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER.*AK *MR *JB

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN AUGUST 2005 REGARDING FRONT SUSPENSION: LOWER BALL JOINTS ON 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. SHE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE CONTACTED IN 2-4 WEEKS. SHE CALLED ON 9-20-05, AND WAS TOLD SHE WOULD BE CONTACTED WITHIN ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT CALLED AGAIN ON 10-6-05, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH HER ON 10-10-05 BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT IN YET. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OFF IN A TIMELY MANNER. SHE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE. BUT THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS RECALL PROBLEM CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR OUT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TREAD. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE CAUSED FROM THE RECALL, BUT THE CONSUMER FELT THAT IT WAS. IF IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL, THEN THE CONSUMER FELT THAT IT MAY BE DUE TO A DEFECT WITHIN THE TIRE OR ANOTHER DEFECT WITHIN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO ARBITRATION, BUT THIS COULD TAKE UP TO 60 DAYS. *AK

MY VSC & TRACK OFF LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF. I LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR AT ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM ABOUT ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY. TOYOTA ADVERTISES THIS BREAK SYSTEM AS A SAFETY FEATURE ON THEIR WEBSITE, YET DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROLLING THIS HAS FAILED & NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AT A COST OF $1300. MY CAR IS NOT YET 3 YEARS OLD BUT JUST OUT OF MILEAGE WARRANTY, SO THEY SAID THIS COST WAS UP TO ME TO PAY. MY MOTHER OWNS THE SAME MODEL & YEAR SEQUOIA & THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO HER CAR & THE SAME DEALERSHIP FIXED HER PROBLEM AT 36K MILES BUT WON'T FIX MINE @ 46K B/C I'M OUT OF WARRANTY. MY HUSBAND'S EMPLOYER HAD SAME PROBLEM AT 40K MILES ON HIS 2003 SEQUOIA & HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I KNOW PERSONALLY 5 FAMILIES WHO OWN SEQUOIAS & 4 OF US HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM. THE 5TH JUST BOUGHT THEIR CAR 4 MONTHS AGO, SO WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR THEIR PROBLEM TO OCCUR. I'M MEETING WITH THE DISTRICT FACTORY REP TOMORROW & WILL BRING UP THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT THE VSC COMPUTER FAILURE. *NM

ON MY 2003 SEQUOIA WITH 50K MILES, I BELIEVE I HAVE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! ON TURNS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT TURNS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO FAST MOVING TRAFFIC I EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WITH NO ACCELERATION. I CAN PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESS IT TO THE FLOOR, BUT I JUST COAST SLOWLY INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAIT TO BE POSSIBLY REAR ENDED. THIS HAPPENS IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. MY SKID/TRACTION LIGHTS BLINK FOR A SECOND OR TWO, THEN I RE-GAIN ENGINE POWER ANOTHER SECOND OR SO AFTER THAT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED MY STEERING HAS BECOME VERY STIFF WHEN DRIVING IN VERY SLOW SITUATIONS 2-4 MPH (PARKING LOTS, DRIVEWAY ETC.), I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED. THANK YOU, DAVE FRAZEE - STRONGSVILLE, OHIO. *NM

DT: THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FRACTURED WITH VERY MINOR FORCE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR HANDLE, THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO DID NOT HAVE PART IN STOCK. THE PART ITSELF WAS PLASTIC, NO METAL REINFORCEMENT. HOWEVER, CONSUMERS FELT THE PART SHOULD BE METAL. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER DID CONTACT TOYOTA'S COMPLAINT LINE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE COMPANY. *AK

MY 2003 SEQUOIA HAS 31,000 MILES AND ALREADY THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, BACK BRAKES REPLACED ONCE AND THE ROTARS RESURFACED THREE TIMES. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY FRIEND WHO HAD A 2001 MODEL HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN IN AND THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM REPLACED DUE TO A TSB. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERS THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TSB ONLY AFFECTED THE YEARS 2000 & 2001. HOWEVER, THE 2003 SEEMS TO HAVE PROBLEMS, TOO! I'VE NEVER HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT 6700 MILES THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME MY FRONT BRAKES HAD PREMATURE WEARING AND ACCUSED ME OF BRAKING TOO HARD BUT AGREED TO HAVE TO HAVE THEM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ROOTERS WERE MACHINED. THE SECOND TIME THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND AT 17,500 MILES OUR FRONT BRAKES WERE TOUCHING METAL TO METAL. THE ROTERS WERE ALSO RESURFACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $500.00. AT THAT TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER CONVINCED US THAT THIS WAS NORMAL I'VE HAD OTHER MECHANICS SAY IT IS NOT. AT 30,000 MILES I WAS INFROMED THAT MY FRONT AND BACK BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ROTERS AGAIN WERE RESURFACED. WE WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND PAID $400. I'VE READ THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE SEQUOIA IS INADEQUATE, TUNDRAS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND THE CALIPERS ARE TOO SMALL THUS CAUSING WARPING AND THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY.

DT: BRAKE SYSTEM WILL GRAB AND THROW CAR INTO SKID, BUT PARTS ARE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. THE SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT SHUT IT OFF. CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP, AND FOUND OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WAS BAD, AND REPLACED IT. ALSO, COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER WAS REPLACED ALSO. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT CONFIRM WHAT FAILED FIRST, WHY EITHER FAILED, OR WHY HE COULD NOT FIND ANY TROUBLE OVER ONE YEAR AGO, WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED BLINDING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE DRIVERS DO NOT HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS ACTIVE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. ALSO THE DASH CONTROL WILL NOT SHUT OFF VSC (VEHICLE SKID CONTROL), NOR ANY OTHER FUSE, SWITCH, WIRE, OR OTHER VSC'S.*SB

THE VSC AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON OUR TOYOTA SEQOUIA 2003( 4WD LTD, 9000 MILES) COMES ON WITHOUT WARNING AND GOES OFF USUALLY WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. THE CARS SEEM TO HANDLE FINE BUT I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY.

WE PURCHASED A 2003 SEQUOIA IN AUGUST OF 2003. THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED WAS THE HOOD LATCH CAME OFF NO BIGGIE A $10 REPLACEMENT EVERYTHING A OK. NEXT CAME THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE IT ALWAYS READ LOW. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS FIXED, THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY SENDER, NO CHARGE TO ME. ON A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE I ASKED FOR THE ALARM TO BE CHECK BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS SILENT. TO MY SURPRISE THE HORN HAD COME OFF LUCKY FOR ME IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY SO IT WAS REPLACED. ALL THIS TIME THE VSC/ TRAC OFF LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE DEALER CAN'T COME UP WITH A PROBLEM AND THEY SAY JUST RESTART THE CAR AND THEY SHOULD COME OFF. NOW THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM MY DASH AND THE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON AGAIN SO OFF TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE SOUND AND THE LIGHTS WELL MAYBE ITS MY BRAKES AND I HAVE TO GET THOSE REPLACED. I DECIDED TO WAIT ON THAT. OK NOW SINCE MY KIDS LIKE TO RIDE WITH THE BACK WINDOWS DOWN AND I CAN'T STAND THE PRESSURE AND SOUND IN THE CAR. (IT SOUND AS IF I'M IN A HELICOPTER) I DECIDE TO ROLL THE BACK WINDOW DOWN TO STABALIZE THE PRESSURE AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW IT DOESN'T WORK AND NOW MY VSC / TRAC OFF AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ALL ON "ALL THE TIME" . NOW I'M AT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN (EVERYONE THERE KNOWS ME BY NAME NOW) . THE VSC/ TRAC OFF AND ABS LIGHT WELL THAT WAS A SENSOR THAT NEEDED REPLACING AND THE WINDOW WELL GUESS WHAT THAT WAS THE GRINDING SOUND I HAD HEARD BEFORE . THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BE READY TO PAY ABOUT $800 IN PAR

LAST MONTH, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) FEATURE OF MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA FAILED. AS A RESULT, A SAFETY FEATURE (THE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO HELP MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN A SKID SITUATION) WHICH WAS A REASON I PURCHASED THIS PARTICULAR SUV WAS NOT ENGAGED (I.E., THE SKID PROTECTION FEATURE WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL). THE FAILURE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE RESULTED FROM AN OPEN MODULE IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT THAT GOVERNS THE VSC SYSTEM. THE CONTROLLER WAS REPLACED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP.*AK

THE INNER PART OF THE TIRES WORE OUT MORE THAN THE OUTER PORTION. AS A RESULT, WHEN DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. *JB (UNEVEN TIRE WEAR) *SC

DURING A 40 MPH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THEN, CONSUMER AGAIN APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND WILL NOT MOVE. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/TRAC LIGHT, AND ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM RECURRED AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE RPM'S AND HAD NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE RPM'S DROPPED AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL WITH THE ACCELERATION. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

PUT MY SEQUOIA IN PARK AND SHUT OFF .I GOT OUT TO GO INTO GAS STATION, AS I SHUT THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE, THE CAR JERKED AND BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND PROCEEDED TO GO IN REVERSE BACK. I WENT TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE I HAD GOTTEN IT INTO THE PARK POSITION AND IT WAS. I COULDN'T STOP IT AND BY THAT TIME IT WAS TOO LATE FOR ME TO GET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. IT ENDED UP PINNING MY LEGS BETWEEN A CONCRETE BARRIER THAT PROTECTS THE GAS PUMPS AND THE DOOR OF MY VEHICLE. EVENTUALLY, IT FOLDED THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BACKWARDS MAKING IT PARALLEL TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND RELEASED ME TO FALL TO THE GROUND. IT THEN CONTINUED IN REVERSE UNTIL IT FINALLY HIT A PARKED CAR AND STOPPED. ALL OF THE WITNESSES, INCLUDING THE ACTUAL POLICE OFFICER NOTED IN THEIR STATEMENTS THAT THEY FOUND THE CAR IN PARK. AT THIS POINT, TOYOTA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AND A NEUTRAL PARTY WHO QUICKLY CHECKED THE SEQUOIA SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STAYING IN PARK SO THERE WOULD PROBABLY BE NOTHING FURTHER DONE. *AK

WE PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2WD, IN MAY OF 2003. AT FIRST THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD WAS THE ROTTEN EGG SMELL, NOW IT'S TIRE PROBLEMS. STARTING IN FEBRUARY 2004 MY HUSBAND HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE TRUCK BACK EVERY TWO WEEKS. AT FIRST THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE NEXT TIME THEY SAID THAT IT WAS THE TIRES, SO THEY REPLACE ALL OF THE TIRES.WE HAD TO PAY ABOUT $150.00 FOR THE TIRES.THE DEALERSHIP CHANGE FROM DUNLOP TIRE TO BF GOODRICH WHICH IS A HARDER TIRE, NOW THEY WE ARE BACK WITH THE DUNLOP TIRES WHICH IS A SOFTER TIRE. ALL THEY ARE DOING IS COVERING UP THE PROBLEM. AFTER CHANGING THE TIRES 3 TIMES, THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE DRIVE SHIFT. THEY CLAIM THEY ORDERED THE PART IT TOOK THREE WEEKS TO GET IT IN. AFTER GETTING IT IN THE SERVICE MANAGER AT REINHARDT HERE IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT THE SHOP MANAGER DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK, BUT WHEN YOU ARE GOING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE TRUCK START TO SHAKES.NOW WERE ARE ON THE 4TH SET OF TIRES WHAT IS THAT. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS FOR THE PAPER TO HAVE THE TRUCK INSPECTED AGAIN. IT TOOK ABOUT A MONTH TO GET THEM.YOU CAN CALL THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. I FEEL IF WE HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINT WE CAN GET A RECALL. JH MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA. *AK

SUBSTANDARD TIRES ON 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. *MR THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A ROUGH FEEL WHILE IN MOTION. THE TIRES WERE SAID TO BE DEFECTIVE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITH DUNLOP GRANDTEK AT20 TIRES. THERE WAS UNEVEN TIRE WEAR IN THE INNER AND OUTER TREAD WEARING AT A FASTER RATE THAN THE CENTER OF ALL THE TIRES. ALL OF THE TIRES WERE CLOSE TO REACHING THE WEAR BAR ON THE INNER AND OUTER EDGE OF THE TIRE. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE TIRES WEREN'T ADEQUATE FOR THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB

BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS - ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON REQUIRING THAT I PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE IGNITION OFF TO RESET THE LIGHTS. ERROR CODES IN THE COMPUTER HAVE RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE BOOSTER / MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT, BRAKE FLUID SENSOR CHECK, BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH ADJUSTMENT. BRAKING ON THIS VEHICLE IS INCONSISTANT WITH OVERALL CONCERNS REGARDING BRAKE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. *AK

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.*AK

SEAT BELT - DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR BOLT CAME COMPLETELY LOOSE AND WAS HANGING FREE. AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP REPAIR. *LA

ON APRIL 14, 2004 CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. UPON TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITH GREAT FORCE. DRIVER LOST CONTROL, AND HIT A SCHOOL. *AK

2003 SR5 SEQUOIA WITH 4700 MI, AND TWO ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS: 1. SURGING FROM A STOP AND WHEN ACCELERATING OUT OF A TURN. 2. A DEAD ACCELERATOR FOR A PERIOD OF SIX TO TEN SECONDS WHEN ACCELERATING OUT OF A TURN. THE ENGINE DOES NOT DIE IT JUST REMAINS AT AN IDLE FOR THE SIX TO TEN SECONDS WHILE THE DRIVER IS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THESE TWO PROBLEMS ARE NOT CONSTANT THEY JUST HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME. THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER SO FAR RESULTS IN THE RESPONSE "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM". THE FIRST FAILURE DATE IS THE DAY WE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME AND CONTINUES TO NOW.

VSC LLIGHTS IN MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAVE COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES, THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAR 4 TIMES, IT SEEMS THAT THEY EITHER DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, OR TOYOTA IS UNWILLING TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE CAR. THE VSC LIGHT SEEMS TO NOW COME ON IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, AND WILL THEN SHUT OFF IF THE CAR IS RESTARTED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND NOW WAITING TO SEE IF ANY ACTIONS ARE TAKEN. *JB

2003 TOYOTA SEQUIOA, VSC LIGHTS/VSC TRACKING LIGHTS COME ON AND MAKE GRINDING NOISE ONCE IT IS TRIGGERED IT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE MUST BE RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, AND NOW THIS THIRD TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS, AND IS STAYING ILLUMINATED. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED FOR THE 3RD TIME IN FOUR MONTHS. IT IS RIDICULOUS. CHECKERED FLAG TOYOTA, VA. BEACH, VA. IS THE DEALER WITH WHO HAS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER BEGAN TO SMELL A SULFUR/ROTTEN EGG ODOR. THE SMELL SEEMED ENHANCED BY SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE AND BY OPERATION OF THE SUNROOF. *PH *MR

LEFT REAR TIRE (BRIDGESTONE TIRE MODEL DUELER H/T 840 BLEW) OUT WHEN DRIVING 65 MP ON FREE WAY. *CB

VSC/TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON DASH WHEN VEHICLE IS SIMPLY SITTING IN A PARKING SPACE, PULLING OUT OF PAVED DRY RELATIVELY FLAT DRIVEWAY, AND DRIVING BELOW 20 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT. PROBLEM IS ONGOING WHERE THE VSC/TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT COMES ON ALMOST EVERYDAY. FIRST TIME TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD IT WOULD RESET ITSELF WHEN SUV IS RESTARTED. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SECOND TIME A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, WAS TOLD AN ERROR WAS FOUND AND THEY RESET IT. STILL EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AND HAVE SCHEDULED A THIRD APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP FOR JANUARY 13, 2004 TO TRY TO GET PROBLEM RESOLVED AGAIN.*AK

FIRST OIL GAUGE. WHEN I DRIVE THE SUV BETWEEN 60 TO 75 MPH, THE OIL GAUGE POINT TO ZERO. DEALER UNABLE TO FIX IT. SECOND. THERE ARE COOLANT PIPE ROUTED UNDER VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY PROTECTION. IT IS A GREAT CHANGE BROKEN BY MINOR ROAD HAZARD. MY 2003 4WD SR5 SEQUOIA WAS BROKEN AT 12/19/2003. IT TOOK DEALER 3 DAYS TO REPLACE THE 1 METER LENGTH PIPE, BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR DEALER TO PLACE THE PIPE AT ORIGINAL POSITION. THIS IS BAD DESIGN. NO PROTECTION AND NOT EASY REPLACE. I CHECK OTHER BIG SUV AT MARKET. THEY ALL USE PLASTIC SHIELD TO PROTECT SIMILAR PIPE UNDER THEIR SUV. I CONSIDER THIS IS SAFETY DEFECT. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL IT. *LA

INADEQUATE BRAKING, INTERIOR NOISES, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE. *AK

I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND NOTICED LOW OIL PRESSURE READINGS, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THANK GOD THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM DO TO A FAULTY OIL SWITCH REPLACED IT NO QUESTIONED ASKED, I ALSO WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS, I LEFT THEM ON A COUPLE OF TIMES AND NOTICED THERE WAS NO WARNING BELL DO THEY HAVE THEM TO INSTALL? I WOULD HATE TO GET STRANDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *AK