Page 7 of 12 · complaints 301–350 of 565

2003 Toyota Sequoia complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 21, 201088,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF WHEN DEPRESSED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL SENSOR BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN LEAVING THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE ONCE BEFORE BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 6/19/10 *CN UPDATED 07/22/10*JB

Suspension › Front
Filed May 20, 2010134,000 milesCO

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA FROM COLORADO SPRINGS TOYOTA. IN NOVEMBER 2008 I NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND AND REPLACED A LEFT FRONT SWAY BAR STABILIZER LINK WHICH HAD BROKEN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ITEM AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. ON APRIL 10TH, 2010 I WAS ON A CROSS COUNTRY TRIP WHEN THE TOYOTA DEVELOPED A VERY STRONG VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO NOT RESPOND SAFELY TO A NEED FOR QUICK MANEUVERING. I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY TOYOTA UPON MY RETURN HOME AND THE RIGHT SIDE SWAY BAR LINK WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS VERY AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND TREATED IT LIKE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA BEFORE SOME ONE ELSE IS KILLED. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed May 19, 2010103,300 milesVA

I HAD FILLED A COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE VSC TRAC LIGHT/VSC LIGHT/ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AS A RESULT OF ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE SWITCH. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT MY VIN # IS NOT ONE FOR RECALL AND THAT THEY ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE ISSUES. ON THIS SITE IT STATES THAT THE ISSUE IS CLOSED AND TOYOTA IS RECALLING THEM. WHAT IS THE STATUS? THANKS *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 30, 201060,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME FORCE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER CRASHING INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND HITTING A WALL. THERE WAS FRONT END DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR NECK INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 7/20/10 *CN UPDATED 07/23/10*JB

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 28, 201095,000 milesID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN SNOWY WEATHER AT 28 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, SKIDDED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A FIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BODY WAS REPAIRED. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000.

Traction Control System
Filed Apr 25, 201091,250 miles00

VSC AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON IN 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. DEALERS REQUEST THAT THE SENSOR OR ECU BE REPLACED OUT-OF-POCKET ($700 - $2000). A LOT OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED BY 2001-2003 SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA CUSTOMERS BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 13, 2010100,000 milesVA

VSC TRAC AND VSC AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND SOMETIMES CAN BE RESET BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON. LOSS OF POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES. LATELY THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON A REGULAR BASIS. *TR

Structure
Filed Mar 12, 2010100,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION DETERIORATION ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE REAR AXLES AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 10, 201060,000 milesPA

INSIDE DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF ON THREE OF THE DOORS. THE ONLY DOOR THAT STILL WORKS IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND WALK AROUND OPENING EVERYONE ELSE'S DOOR SO THEY CAN GET OUT OF THE CAR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, FIRE, ETC WHERE I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN ALL THE DOORS IN TIME. I AM THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED BY THE DESIGN FLAW THAT LEAD TO THIS SITUATION. TOYOTA WANTS OVER 200 PER DOOR TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. ANYTIME A PASSENGER IS TRAPPED INSIDE A CAR IT CAN BECOME A DANGEROUS SITUATION VERY QUICKLY. THE SECOND PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WITH THE SEQUOIA INVOLVES THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. IT WAS FIXED ONE TIME UNDER A TSB, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE RETURNED. I DO NOT FEEL LIKE SPENDING 100 FOR A DIAGNOSIS TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNOW IS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 8, 201030,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HIS VSC LIGHT ANDTHE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW FAST HE IS GOING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGEWAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 3, 2010108,000 milesCA

THE VSC TRACK AND ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AT EXACTLY 108,000 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY RELIABLE VEHICLE EXCEPT WHEN IT SEEMS THE COMPUTER PARTS ARE PROGRAMMED TO FAIL. I USE TO COMMUTE IN HEAVY SLOW TRAFFIC IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN USING THE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM.. THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL GO OFF AFTER THE KEY IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN HOWEVER THE VSC/TRACK LIGHT STILL ON APPEAR T BE A COMPUTER DEFECT. I SEE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS COULD LEAD TO VEHICLE TIPPING BIG PROBLEM MAYBE THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO TOYOTAS VEHICLES SUPER ACCELERATING JUST A THOUGHT! *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Mar 2, 201086,120 milesNC

VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WITHOUT WARNING AND THE 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA JERKED TO A SLOWER SPEED WHILE MAKING A LOUD AND GRINDING SOUND. IT WAS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD AND THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS LUCKY TO AVOID RUNNING INTO ME. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 2, 2010IL

TOYOTA SEQUOIA REAR DOOR LATCH BROKE. CAN'T OPEN IT FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. TWO PREVIOUS DOOR HANDLES BROKE LAST YEAR. DRIVER DOOR AND PASSENGER DOOR. BACK DOORS ARE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE LASTED. THREE DOOR HANDLES FAILED ON ONE CAR WITHIN ONE YEAR. ON A TRUCK NONETHELESS, SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE STURDY. WHAT IF THEY BROKE UPON FALLING IN AN EMERGENCY? *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Feb 24, 201065,000 milesMA

WE OWN A TOYATA SEQUOIA LTD 2003 MODEL YEAR. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER REGARDING BRAKING ISSUE. IF WE EVER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, FOR SOME REASON THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WILL START TO LOCK UP, THAT WOULD SHAKE THE SUV AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER. THE DEALER NEVER DETERMINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN THOUGH WE ENDED UP PAYING FOR REPAIRS THAT NEVER MADE A DIFFERENCE. EVENTUALLY WE STOPPED USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON OUR VEHICLE, THAT ALSO STOPPED THE RIGHT SIDE WHEELS FROM LOCKING UP. DURING THIS PERIOD THE CAR PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY ALSO CRASHED INTO OUR GARAGE AND BROKE THE GARAGE DOORS. WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES ON AND IN PARK, MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WE THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, THE SUV HAD CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE; EVEN THOUGH THE SUV WAS IN PARK POSITION GEAR AND WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Feb 24, 201085,000 milesCA

MY COMPLAINT IS THE ABS/TRAC CONTROL SYSTEM IN MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA. IT ENGAGED WITHOUT ANY REASON AND I LOST POWER WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A HOT DAY ON THE FREEWAY. I HAD TO PULL OVER. THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE REPORTING THIS ISSUE ON MANY WEBSITES. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FOR YOU GUYS TO TAKE ANY ACTIONS. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 18, 201020,000 milesCA

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA VSC/TRAC COMPUTER PROBLEMS CAUSING UNNECESSARY BRAKING. ALSO BREAKING OF REAR DOOR LATCH AND INABILITY TO OPEN REAR DOOR. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 15, 201025,253 milesIL

MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM). THE VSC COMPUTER CONTINUES TO BREAK LEAVING THE CAR WITH NO TRACTION CONTROL. ON SNOWY AND ICY ROADS THE CAR WILL SPIN OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE AND NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE VSC TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR IN 4WD ALL THE TIME TO KEEP IT FROM SLIDING ON SNOWY OR WET STREETS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE. THERE ARE PAGES UPON PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET DESCRIBING THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO WARRANTY THE PROBLEM OR CONDUCT A RECALL. THE PART ITSELF IS APPROXIMATELY $1600. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE VSC COMPUTER REPLACED ONCE ON THE VEHICLE AND NOW THE NEW COMPUTER IS BROKEN AGAIN. IT WAS FIRST REPLACED ON 1/24/07 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 25,253 MILES ON IT. IT BROKE AGAIN ON 5/19/09 WITH 38,995 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 43,000 MILES ON IT AND THE VSC IS STILL INOPERABLE. I DON'T TRUST DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY WIFE OR CHILD. BUT UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE TO SPEND $2K TO FIX A VEHICLE JUST TO TRADE IT IN. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAVE TOLD ME I HAVE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLE NO LONGER BEING ON WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAS 43,000 MILES AND THEY VSC HAS BROKEN TWICE. I HAVE GROWN INCREASING CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY ESPECIALLY SINCE I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST. NOTHING HAS BEEN

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 14, 20104 miles00

ABS AND VSC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 13, 2010103,000 milesOR

VSC AND TRAC WARNING LIGHTS TURN ON ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHEN DRIVING. SKID CONTROL LIGHTS FLASH, INDICATING COMPUTER-CONTROLLED BRAKING WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT SLOW SPEED ON NORMAL, DRY PAVEMENT. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 13, 2010118,500 milesPA

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM TOYOTA ON11/21/2009. THE NEXT DAY THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. IT STAYED ON EVERY TIME I STARTED THE VEHICLE FOR 2 DAYS THEN IT WENT OUT. THEN IT WOULD INTERMITTENLY COME ON AND RESET WHEN I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. TOOK IT BACK TO TOYOTA AND THEY FOUND FAULT CODE C1310. THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW BRAKE POWER BOOSTER INSIDE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER A WEEK OF ARGUING WITH THEM THEY CHANGED IT. WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I CALLED THEM BACK AND THEY CHECKED AGAIN AND SAID CODE C1310 HAD TRIGGERED BUT THIS TIME IT WAS THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER AND IT WAS NOT COVERED AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX IT FOR ME. I CHECKED THE OWNERS FORUMS FOR SEQUOIA'S AND THIS APPARENTLY IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IGNORES. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME AS LONG AS THE LIGHT IS ON I WILL NOT HAVE ABS AND MY ANTI-SKID CONTROL WILL NOT FUNCTION.

Traction Control System
Filed Feb 5, 201089,500 milesCA

TOOK VEHICLE TO GET A CALIF. SMOG CHECK. SMOG TEST WAS PERFORMED AND AFTER TEST PASSED, VEHICLE KEPT REPORTING TRAK CONTROL ON CONSOLE DISPLAY AND GRINDING SOUNDS CLICKING SOUNDS AND SHORT "SHAKING" ON THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ~15 SECONDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Feb 1, 201059,100 milesCA

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED. PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER. INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH "VSC TRAC", "TRAC OFF" AND "ABS" LIGHTS GOING ON (USUALLY IF TIRES WERE ON SLIPPERY SURFACE). LIGHTS USUALLY WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT INCIDENT. TWO YEARS AGO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY REPLACED ECU COMPUTER AND TRANSLATE COMPUTER WHEN CAR DIED AFTER THESE LIGHTS WENT ON. NOW LIGHTS ARE ON AGAIN AND NOT GOING OFF. WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. DEALER CHARGED ME $160 TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LED THEM TO TELL ME IT'LL COST $2,300 TO DO WHAT AMOUNTS TO "EXPLORATORY SURGERY", AND BY THE WAY, MY AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AND THEY CAN'T RESET THEM WITHOUT ME PAYING SAID $2,300 AND POSSIBLY MUCH MORE AS THEY USE A TRIAL AND ERROR APPROACH TO "FIXING" WHATEVER PROBLEM THERE IS (CAR SEEMS TO BE DRIVING OK AT THE MOMENT WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS ON.) A QUICK SEARCH OF THE INTERNET SHOWED DOZENS AND DOZENS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, SOME WITH VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS (THAT I HAVE NOT HAD YET). VERY DISCONCERTING, ESPECIALLY SINCE I ALSO OWN A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY! DEALERSHIP VERY OPAQUE ABOUT THE PROBLEM - THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A CLUE WHAT THE PROBLEM REALLY IS AT ROOT. FROM MY BASIC RESEARCH, IT SEEMS IRREFUTABLE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS DESIGN PROBLEM IN 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIAS THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO TOYOTA FOR MANY YEARS. FIRST, ARE YOU AWARE OF THIS SITUATION, AND SECOND, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO EXCEPT PAY TO SUPPOSEDLY "FIX" THE CAR? HERE IS JUST ONE SAMPLE OF A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 18, 2010CA

SKID CONTROL SYSTEM IS FAULTY. IT WAS ENGAGED ON A HOT DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT FREEWAY. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OVER. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHTS ARE NOW ON AND WON'T TURN OFF. *TR

Traction Control SystemCrash
Filed Jan 5, 201092,575 milesCA

THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF WHILE TRYING TO PARK IN FRONT OF MY RESIDENCE HITTING A PARK VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND THE PARK ONE THE ACCELERATOR JUST ENGAGED ITSELF THE ABS,TRACTION AND VSC LIGHTS CAR MAKING STRANGE NOISES ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SLIGHT VIBRATION ON STEERING WHEEL LEFT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 20, 2009118,756 milesOH

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA VEHICLE SKID CONTROL SYSTEM APPLIES BRAKES WHILE ACCELERATING. VEHICLE WILL COME TO A STOP AND LOOSE POWER WHILE ACCELERATING. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Dec 15, 2009NV

CONTROL PANEL DASH 'BRAKE' ICON KEEPS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE BRAKE ICON ON THE DASH PANEL NOT TO ILLUMINATE IS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATES AGAIN AFTER DRIVING AFTER DRIVING ANYWHERE BETWEEN A COUPLE OF MILES TO THOUSANDS OF MILES. A COUPLE OF TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME THE BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATED, I DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY PLUGGED IN A COMPUTER ANALYZER WHILE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE COMPUTER DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS (NO ERROR CODES). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I HAD 20,000 MILES. I AM NOW AT 128,000 MILES. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Dec 15, 2009NV

CONTROL PANEL DASH 'BRAKE' ICON KEEPS COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE BRAKE ICON ON THE DASH PANEL NOT TO ILLUMINATE IS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATES AGAIN AFTER DRIVING ANYWHERE BETWEEN A COUPLE OF MILES TO THOUSANDS OF MILES. A COUPLE OF TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME THE BRAKE ICON ILLUMINATED, I DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY PLUGGED IN A COMPUTER ANALYZER WHILE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE COMPUTER DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS (NO ERROR CODES). THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I HAD 20000 MILES. I AM NOW AT 128,000 MILES. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Dec 9, 2009120,000 milesVA

FOR THE PAST 6MONTHS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND SHUT OFF RANDOMLY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO ANSWER FOR WHY, BUT THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. NOW THE VSC TRAC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THERE IS NO DANGER AGAIN BUT THAT IT WILL COST 1600 TO FIX. IF I DO NOTHING THEN IT WILL BE FINE TOO. NONE OF IT MAKES COMPLETE SENSE. *TR

Suspension
Filed Dec 7, 2009IL

THE RUST RECALL FOR THE 2000-2003 TOYOTA TUNDRAS SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA'S FOR THEY ARE BUILT ON THE SAME CHASIS. I HAVE A LOT OF VISIBLE RUST ON MY 2003 SEQUOIA AND AM GETTING WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING MY KIDS IN THE TRUCK. WE DO LIVE IN ILLINOIS WHICH IS ONE OF THE STATES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Nov 23, 200973,100 milesTX

ABS, VSC/TRAC LIGHTS ARE "ON" ALL CAME UP AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS A RAINY DAY IN HOUSTON, TX. HAD TO RUN 55MPH AT 65MPH SPEED LIMIT DUE TO RAIN FOR SAFETY PRE-CAUTION. AT THE TIME I REACHED MY WORK PLACE (APPROX 10MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE), ALL 3-LIGHTS (ABS, VSC, TRAC) TURNED ON. I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, ACQUIRED IT FROM TOYOTA DEALER 15 OCTOBER 2009. WITH THIS INCIDENT, GOT CURIOUS OF ANY RECALLS, COMPLAINTS OR ISSUES WITH 2003 SEQUOIA. UNFORTUNATELY, I JUST REALIZED THAT I AM AMONG OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Nov 17, 200912,000 milesNJ

MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR. THE FRONT END SUSPENSION MAKES NOISES WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 40 - 60 MPH. ALSO SHOWING ARE SIGNS OF IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT TWO TIRES EQUALLY, THE INSIDE TREADS ARE WEARING CAUSING ME TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED EARLY. SINCE I HAVE NOTICE THE TIRE WEAR, MY SEQUOIA HAS HAD AN ALIGNMENT, BUT THERE ARE STILL SIGNS OF TIRE WEAR. WHAT CAN I DO TO RESOLVE THE FRONT END AND TIRE WEAR PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 16, 200955,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE BRAKE AND VEHICLE SKID CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, ONE YEAR LATER THE FAILURE RESURFACED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM AT AN EXPENSE OF $2500.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATE 12/14/09 *CN UPDATED 12/16/09*JB

Traction Control System
Filed Nov 16, 200985,000 milesCA

THE SKID AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHTS TURN ON FOR NO REASON AND THEN THE SYSTEM IS DISABLED ALL TOGETHER. I SPENT A $1000 ON IT AND IT CAME BACK AGAIN. AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGR WITH 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, I AM CERTAIN IT IS A MARGINAL DESIGN AND TOYOTA IS WASTING PEOPLE'S TIME AND MONEY. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 9, 2009134,000 milesTN

THE VSC TRAC AND ASB LIGHT HAVE COME ON MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED 4X4. THE DEALER WANTS $2000.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 6, 2009108,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE VSC, TRAC OFF, AND ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108000.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 3, 2009163,244 milesTX

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA - HAS SKID/TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR FAILURE (VSC TRAC) WHICH EFFECTS THE ABS - THERE'S NONE NOW. WE WENT THROUGH THIS NOVEMBER 2008 AND PAID EXTENSIVELY FOR THE REPAIR ARE RELIVING IT AGAIN NOW. TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS COMMON AND WILL COST US $2K TO FIX. I AM FINDING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THIS IS A TOYOTA PROBLEM AND NEEDS A RECALL - NOT A CONSUMER ONLY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR CAR ON OUR TRIP TO RELATIVES AT CHRISTMAS. $2K EATS UP XMAS BUDGET! TOYOTA ADMITS IT'S COMMON - THEY NEED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! MANY REPORTING LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING AND INABILITY TO BRAKE. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 30, 200984,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNINGS. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE MILEAGES WERE 84,000. UPDATED 12/9/09 *CN UPDATED 12/10/09.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 29, 2009110,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE ENTIRE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER APPLIED CONTINUOUS FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO DECREASE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY HAZARD. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Traction Control System
Filed Oct 26, 200982,450 milesIN

VECH. SKID CONTROL ALARM AND REACTION TAKES PLACE WITHOUT WARNING OR JUSTIFICATION. VEHICLE BRAKES COME ON WITH WARNING AND CAR SHAKES BECAUSE THE BRAKES WHICH ARE AUTOMATICALLY BEING APPLIED AND BRAKE ANTI SKID SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. THIS HAPPENED WHEN TRAVELING APPROX 45 MPH. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENT REACTION OF THE VECH. THIS HAS HAPPEN MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AND TOYOTA WANTS ME TO PAY $2,100 TO CORRECT THEIR ENGINEERING ERROR. SHOULD I SUBMIT A BILL FOR MENTAL ANGUISH? *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 28, 200940,000 milesFL

I'VE OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SINCE IT WAS NEW, AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND STABILITY CONTROL. THE SYSTEMS HAVE FAILED REPEATED FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE CONTINUOUSLY ON, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKES HAVE GONE OFF WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ( AND NOT BRAKING ). THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SAYS I NEED A NEW $2,000 COMPUTER FOR THE BRAKE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IS FAULTY AND UNSAFE, AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS FLAW IN THEIR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Sep 23, 200980,000 milesCA

MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA'S TRAC SYSTEM IS FAILING WHICH IS CAUSING MY CAR TO BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR HAS BEEN RELIABLE UNTIL NOW. WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-40MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR JUST BRAKED BY ITSELF WITHOUT ME STEPPING ON THE BRAKES. SOON AFTER I NOTICED THAT THE TRAC AND ABS LIGHTS WERE ALL ON INSIDE MY DASH. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME BUT MY FAMILY WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE WE WERE ALMOST STRUCK FROM BEHIND . THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UNDER THIS CONDITION . I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING IT BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I DON'T WANT TO GET KILLED DRIVING IT . I AM BEING TOLD THAT IT'S $2000-3000 JOB . I BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE I WANTED A SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR BUT IT HAS NOW BECOME AN UNSAFE CAR AND A HEADACHE. I AM BEING TOLD THAT I NEED A SKID BOOSTER, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE MODULE. I THINK IT'S ALL PART OF THE ABS PUMP ASSEMBLY. MY MFG WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND MY VEHICLE DOES HAVE ABOUT 78K MILES ON IT WHICH PUTS ME IN A BAD SPOT . PLEASE HELP! *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 22, 200968,000 milesTX

THE TRAC/VSC LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE ILLUMINATED AND MY CAR'S BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, AT THIS TIME MY VEHICLE SKIDDED A FEW FEET TO THE RIGHT AND I HIT THE CURB. THIS WAS IS A SCHOOL ZONE AND LUCKILY NO CHILDREN WERE HIT. INTERNET SEARCHES SAY THAT IT IS A FAULTY SKID CONTROL ECU THAT WILL COST $1500 TO $2000 TO REPLACE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS AND WILL BE FORCED TO UNSAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 15, 2009151,128 milesCA

SEPT 09 - VCS & TRAC LIGHTS WOULD COME ON RANDOMLY FOR LAST 6 MONTHS. FINALLY YESTERDAY THEY FAILED COMPLETELY. LIGHTS CAME ON, BRAKES STARTING VIBRATING, THROTTLE CONTROL WAS IMPAIRED. DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING VS COMPUTER. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME VS SYSTEM HAS HAD A PROBLEM. IN 07 THE DEALER REPLACED THE YAW SENSOR ASS. WHEN THIS HAPPENED VCS AND TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON, LOSS OF BRAKING AND ACCELERATING CONTROL. FORTUNATELY WHEN THEY FAILED SPEED WAS LOW THERE FORE IT WAS EASY TO COME TO A STOP. I HAVE REQUESTED OLD PART RETURNED TO ME. *TR

Traction Control System
Filed Sep 15, 200938,000 milesCO

WE OWN A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) SYSTEMS IS FAILING. THIS FIRST OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS. THE SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY ACTIVATE WHILE MOVING LOSING ALL POWER AND MOST OF THE STEERING CONTROL. WE REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER FOR APPROX $2000, WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR SPORADICALLY BUT NOW OCCURS CONSTANTLY. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 10, 2009105,881 milesWI

TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 VSC LIGHTS ON AND OFF FOR ENTIRE DURATION OF OWNING THE VEHICLE...WAS "FIXED" AT AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALER EARLY ON IN OWNERSHIP AND SINCE WILL RANDOMLY GO ON AND OFF. MOST RECENTLY WILL BE OFF WITH START OF VEHICLE AND WITH ACCELERATION OR TURNING WILL SET OF ABS LIGHT AND BEEP, LOOSE POWER AND THEN THE VSC LIGHTS WILL BE ON, WHEN YOU LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. SOME DEALERSHIPS SAID TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM, DON'T FEEL SAFE WHEN THE MOST RECENT EVENTS CAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER. I DON'T WANT TO BE GOING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENS! *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 10, 200984,000 milesCA

THE DASH VSC TRAC & ABS SKID CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ON MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2WD HAVE BEEN ON CONSTANTLY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THEY FIRST APPEARED WHEN I STARTED MY ENGINE BEFORE I EVEN PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. THIS IS MY SECOND SUCH FAILURE OF THIS SYSTEM. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS JUST WEEKS AFTER THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE TO REPAIR WAS ABOUT $2100. AFTER SOME COMPLAINING, THE DEALER SPLIT THE COST WITH ME. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER OR, BY GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE DEFECT AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS AND/OR DEATH RESULTING FROM THE DEFECTIVE COMPUTER SYSTEM CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOCK UP AND LOSE POWER. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 3, 200985,000 milesOH

FOR THE PAST YEAR INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON, IF I TURNED OFF VEHICLE, RESTARTED THEN THE LIGHT STAYS OFF UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. NOW WITH 80,000 MILES ON 2003 SEQUOIA VSC OFF, VSC TRAC & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON GOING ABOUT 30 MPG. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FOUND OUT THERE IS A 'SERVICE BULLETIN' DATING BACK TO 2003 THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF COMPUTER FAILURE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. COMPUTER CODES ARE C1223, C1203 AND C1247. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SPENDING $1700 FOR FIX WHEN MOST COMPLAINTS SAY THAT IT JUST RE-OCCURS. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS PROMPTLY. I DRIVE 5 CHILDREN TO AN FROM SCHOOL ON HIGHWAY EVERY DAY. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 30, 200980,000 milesGA

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAS HAD NO ABS BRAKE ISSUES UNTIL THIS INCIDENT. ABRUPTLY AS I WAS DRIVING, ALL THE VSC/TRAC LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE UNDER THE CAR AND THE CAR CAME TO A HALT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY (AS IT HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY) AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN SEQUOIAS, BUT AS THE CAR WAS PAST IT'S WARRANTY PERIOD IT WOULD COST ME $1800 TO FIX. IF THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT HAS THE CAPABILITY OF CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ABRUPTNESS OF THE ISSUE WHILE DRIVING, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE HAVING A FATAL CRASH BECAUSE OF THIS TO GET SOME ACTION ON THIS ISSUE? *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 28, 200980,000 milesWI

FOR THE PAST YEAR INTERMITTENTLY BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON, IF I TURNED OFF VEHICLE, RESTARTED THEN THE LIGHT STAYS OFF UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. NOW WITH 80,000 MILES ON 2003 SEQUOIA VSC OFF, VSC TRAC & CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON GOING ABOUT 30 MPG. TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE FOUND OUT THERE IS A 'SERVICE BULLETIN' DATING BACK TO 2003 THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF COMPUTER FAILURE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THIS WEBSITE I'VE FOUND OVER 200 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS EXACT ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA OR ANY REGULATORY GOVERNMENT AGENCY ISSUING A RECALL SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHY?? WHAT IS THE WAIT? DOES A TRAGEDY NEED TO OCCUR? HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE LOGGED? I'M WAITING FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF ANY 'GOOD WILL' ACTION WILL BE TAKEN SINCE THE REPORTS I'VE READ HAVE INDICATED THE REPAIR/FIX COST IS BETWEEN $1,600.00-$2,200.00 FOR THE CONSUMER WHICH OBVIOUSLY SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE 2003. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 27, 2009112,312 milesCO

UNCONTROLLED STOPPING OF VEHICLE WITH OUT BRAKING; DRIVING ON CITY ROADS CAR BRAKED ON ITS OWN TO THE POINT THE CAR HALTED, AND I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR BE HIT BY CARS BEHIND ME; HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN A 3 MILE STRETCH WHILE DRIVING KIDS HOME FROM SCHOOL.; SKID CONTROL ECU WAS REPLACED, ALSO FAULTY DECELERATION SENSOR, FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, OLD PARTS HELD BY INSTALLER. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Toyota Sequoia → · Every Sequoia year → · How the figures are calculated →