10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
128,162 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Toyota Sequoia brakes problems

brakes problem

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2001 Toyota Sequoia Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #84

Sep 222013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 112,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On multiple occasions, the vehicle has exhibited random activation of the vehicle stability control system at highway speeds on dry, smooth pavement. Each incident is characterized by: The activation of a brief audible warning beep, the vsc indicator light flashes along with the slippery surface light (two squiggly lines) and the vehicle suddenly begins randomly applying hard ABS braking to the wheels intermittently shifting from side to side, back to front, accompanied with a loud grinding noise that appears to emanate from the braking system. During these incidents, it is almost impossible to control the vehicle as it jerks from side to side and shakes violently. The only viable response is to reduce speed and pull to the side of the road as quickly as possible. To recover control, the vehicle ignition must be turned off and the vehicle restarted. Over the past year, this serious problem has recurred at least four times without warning and there is not predictable set of circumstances that seems to initiate an occurrence. My wife now refuses to drive this vehicle and I have dramatically reduced the usage this SUV for fear that another incident may result in a serious accident!

- Bradbury, CA, USA

problem #83

Apr 242014

Sequoia 6-cyl

  • 173,000 miles
Vsc trac, vsc off, trac, emergency brake & ABS lights are all illuminated. Seems like every Sequoia 2001 - 2005 has this problem. After lots of research it seems like it's a fault with the vsc computer and ECU computer which dealers want $2000 and up! these malfunctions in computers affect the vehicles ABS brakes, and stability control system which poses a threat to safety of driver and passengers.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #82

Sep 242014

Sequoia

  • 96,000 miles
While driving along at ~40mph, car jeered to the right and made a noise as if the anti-lock brakes were pumping on the right side of the vehicle. The vsc & trac lights came on. Vehicle then drove normally until the ignition was turned off. Once the vehicle was started, the same incident occurred repeatedly making it unsafe to operate. Took vehicle to the Toyota dealership and was told I needed a new yaw sensor - $558.

- Bluffton, SC, USA

problem #81

Sep 092014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 230,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle's traction control system malfunctioned while driving on dry flat pavement. Skid light and sound came on followed by vsc and trac control lights. Vehicle pulled hard to the right, made loud grinding noise, and was extremely difficult to control steering and braking. This continued for approximately one minute, stopped, and then did it again. This is a very dangerous situation which could potentially lead to fatal accident if it occurs at higher speeds. It happened few times, took it to dealer can not find issue but appears to be a very common problem with this make/model. I would like to see a recall.

- Frankfort , IL, USA

problem #80

Aug 302014

Sequoia

  • 122,086 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle as the ABS and skid control warning light illuminated. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,086.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #79

Sep 272009

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Appears cars stability system came on with application of brakes, noise on the brakes. Weather was clear. Vsc, track light came on. Happens every few weeks.

- Milpitas , CA, USA

problem #78

Sep 042014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 170,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It feels like its slipping and the warning siren goes off, trac & vcs lights start flashing and vehicle starts grinding sounds like metal on metal and loose control of car, can't brake, can't steer just have to wait for it to pass as you are rolling away. Very very scary - what if I was on a highway"?" not a happy Toyota owner right now!!!!there needs to be a recall on this, I see several complaints that sound just like mine on the internet and can't believe that Toyota hasn't done anything about it - are they waiting for some fatalities to happen. This is my 1st Toyota and I'm the original owner and up until now this has been an excellent vehicle to drive (14years). Now I'm afraid for my life...

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #77

Aug 242014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 169,000 miles
All of a sudden a grinding noise from front of vehicle, anti skid beeping, vsc light popped on. Very hard to steer and brakes not working well. Happened repeatedly. Pulled over, turned vehicle off. Engine on, drove off, 5 miles later, all over again, but more severe. Not safe at high speeds, more than 25 mph. This occurred in August, no snow, no rain, dry cement.

- Eaton, CO, USA

problem #76

Jul 152014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
Driving on hwy approx 65 mph. Vsc and trac lights came one. Grinding noise was heard as vehicle pulled. I was by myself thankfully. Extremely dangerous and glad my wife was not driving the vehicle at the time. Took it to the local dealer and had the stability control ECU replaced - $945. Would have been $1,200 but the dealer waived three of the five hours of labor. This should absolutely be a recall and is very unsafe. Purchased the vehicle used from Toyota dealer as a family vehicle because my wife and I had our first child. Very worried about the safety of the vehicle. Why is this not a safety recall? I have read many other complaints that were exactly like mine experience.

- Horseheads, NY, USA

problem #75

Jun 302014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 96,500 miles
I own a Toyota Sequoia 2001 limited. Like 6 months ago I experienced the problem the first time while driving on freeway around 60 mph uphill. Svc-trac off lights came on and some noise this happened in dry perfect driving conditions. After that, some times the lights came on with out noise. After shutting engine off and turned on again all lights were gone. I scanned to see if any code was stored but nothing. Until one day driving on main boulevard speed around 40 mph it happened again. This was the first time the car pulled me to the right and loud grinding noise happened at same time. This sound and shake of the vehicle last no more then 15 seconds. After that, it started to happen more often up to the time that it was happening every mile. The car was braking itself without warning, right front wheel and left rear wheel. I took it to the dealer they scanned and nothing, asked me if I could leave the car one more day. Next day they call me to say that yaw rate sensor was faulty. I replaced, sensor plus labor was $ 800. I have not felt that problem again. Toyota people seem they do not know what to do about this issue, but they know this is happening. At freeway speed this will cause a fatal accident. Why there is no recall on this problem it is the big question.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #74

Jul 062014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 212,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought my 2001 Toyota Sequoia 2 years ago (obviously used) and the vsc/trac lights have come on in the past but never really effected driving. They would go back off by themselves because the button on the dash didn't turn them off. Today I went to drive it and noticed the lights were on again. As I'm driving, I'm noticing that the vehicle is acting like I'm driving on water (almost like I'm in 4X4 mode) and it's shaking bad because the roads are dry. My husband disconnected the battery and reattached. The lights were off and drove fine on the test drive. Turned off vehicle and went to leave later, the lights were back on and it was doing the same thing. It keeps jerking and is very unsafe to drive. Looked for a Toyota recall but found nothing except a load of complaints online about this very same problem on this vehicle. It looks like it takes a lot of money to get repaired and when you're working just to pay your bills and support your family, you definitely don't have an extra $2000 laying around to fix something that should be under a recall. Not even sure what to do now since I still owe another year on this vehicle.

- Lehigh Acres, FL, USA

problem #73

Apr 252014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
TL * the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the vsc warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that when the failure occurred the steering wheel locked momentarily. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ECM needed to be reprogram. The vehicle was repaired and failure recurred shortly after the leaving the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the technician stated that the yaw rate sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000 and the current mileage was 144,000...updated 08/11/14

- Lindale, GA, USA

problem #72

May 242014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 189,000 miles
To whom it may concern, on May 24, 2014, I was traveling with my kids through interstate 15 South at approximately 65 miles per hour. My truck pulled me to the right in which I had to react fast and hold on to the steering wheel with both hands. Vsc-trac off light turned on with a beeping noise. I tried to break and my truck lost controlled and began making a grinding metal noise. I took my foot off the break and steered straight. This lasted about 10 seconds. I had my kids with me. If I hadn't reacted fast, we were going to be thrown off the freeway. I took it in to the mechanic and the computer scanner showed-no active faults. Vsc- is the vehicle stability control. The vsc auto engages and disengages. There's a button that turns off and off in the middle of the dashboard. I never touch this button. This vsc lights off and on and pulls the car without a warning. I called the dealership in escondido and spoke to mike in the service department. He said he's never heard anybody complain about this. I found out that there's a recall in the 2003 Toyota Sequoia. My truck has 189000 miles. I bought this car for safety for my children and it is very scary to have this happen to us. I have been researching this and there's other people having this happen to them but Toyota doesn't want to do a recall on this safety issue. There is a recall on the frame of 2001 Toyota Sequoia. Please assist us with this safety problem.

- Salton City, CA, USA

problem #71

May 042014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
Driving into little rock Arkansas dry warm conditions and at 70 mph my car vibrated loudly and veered to the right hard. Pulled over on side of highway and trac and ABS lights came on and did not go back off until I shut the car off only to come back on after 5 miles down the road. This could have been bad if I would have been in another lane with another car beside me. Very scary!! don't know what to do I have owed this car since it had 64000 miles when I bought it no problems at all. I seen a recall for the 2003 year models for the same problems, but nothing for my year model. Help me get my SUV fixed. I want to trust it again.

- Monticello, AR, USA

problem #70

Jan 152013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 83,500 miles
1.on dry pavement circular entrance/exit ramps the vehicle skid control system kicks in at about 35-40 mph which is not only alarming but possibly dangerous if someone is tailgating. I'm assuming this is something related to pulling G forces since it's never done this in a straight line. 2.I tested under both 2wd and 4WD and it behaved the same. 3.when I kicked in the vsc off button under 4WD before entering the ramp, the vsc did not kick in, so that seems to be working. See numerous other identical complaints at this link: www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sequoia/2001/brakes/electronic_stability_control.shtml.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #69

Jan 012004

Sequoia

  • 125,000 miles
Vsc light illumination/failures initially appeared at 42,000 miles, very intermittent and seemingly random. Frequency increased after 75,000 miles; ABS light appeared later. 1. vsc off light illuminated (variable speed control) initially at intermittent time while driving, now illuminated full-time. 2. vsc trac light illuminated (variable speed control) initially at intermittent time while driving, now illuminated full-time. 3. ABS light illuminated (anti lock brakes) initially at intermittent time while driving, now illuminated full-time. ABS now inoperable. Tested to validate inoperable status - full brake lockup, no ABS operation. Variable speed control now inoperable. Spun out twice recently in slow speed right hand off-camber turn on wet pavement.

- Waterford, VA, USA

problem #68

Oct 282013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
While driving down the highway the skid control light will flash and engage causing the vehicle to pull violently to the right and slow the vehicle down. Then after 1-10 seconds it will stop and the skid control light will stay on. It scares you every time it happens, most especially at high speeds. If you do not have a good grip on the wheel you will be in the other lane before you know whats happening. Extremely dangerous.

- Galesville, WI, USA

problem #67

Dec 172013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 139,500 miles
Vehicle had experienced intermittent stability/traction control trouble lights in cold weather. While driving in sub freezing weather on wet heavily salted nearly clear (possible slight slush from snow dusting) interstate along a straight smooth slight upgrade stretch, the vehicle without diver action (steering, braking, or acceleration) experienced a rear end swerve to the right and inability to control. Result was leaving the right side of the roadway down a 25-30 foot embankment (no guardrail) and a vehicle roll (one time, ending up wheels down, still running). Travel was at or below that of traffic. No other vehicles experienced difficulty on the same stretch of road. It is believed that a sudden random actuation of the stability/traction control system initiated the event. This appears to be a generic issue with the Toyota system spanning several models and years.

- Signal Mountain, TN, USA

problem #66

Oct 102012

Sequoia

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle shook violently as the vsc warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the yaw rate sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000 and the current mileage was 192,000. The VIN was not available.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #65

Apr 012013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 142,000 miles
Multiple times over the past 5 months my 2001 Sequoia will suddenly apply the brakes strongly while driving, sometimes causing the steering to pull to the right. Thankfully this seems to happen shortly after beginning to drive, so the speeds have been municipal speed, rather than highway. At the same time, a warning bell sounds and the vsc and ABS lights come on in yellow. Sometimes when I start the vehicle, the vsc and ABS lights are already on, so the sudden braking does not occur. If the lights are off, I have learned to prepare for the sudden braking. I will take this to Toyota before the snow flies here in northern NY because this is a definite safety hazard, and could cause an accident when the roads are snow and ice covered.

- Carthage, NY, USA

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