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.
I have had my rotors and brake pads changed a few times due to a conspicuous issue with my vehicle. At braking times during any slight "hard" stop, coming from either highway or street speeds the vehicle starts to vibrate on the front end. Tires seem to be wobbly and shake quite a bit. Nearly had a few accidents due to this phenomena. Have taken my vehicle in for servicing at reputable repair shops and have had rotors "cut" and new brake pads installed frequently. Have even had to buy new tires, even though not needed, based on dealer recommendation. Seems there is an issue with these Toyota vehicles after having done some research and spoken to a few other Sequoia owners. Catastrophic brake failure is a possibility on these vehicles. Will it take an injury or even a death to finally have someone delve into this issue?
Parking brake disintegrated into a pile of parts. I had had the brake replaced twice, and was determined to find out how this could have happened when I drive and brake normally. I had 6 mechanics look at it extensively until the last one figured it out. What we determined: 2003 Sequoia's brake design swivels the gripping "wings" (C-shaped) from one single pin (or point) to grip the center to hold the car in place. This design allows these two "wings" to catch on each other. Since this happens every time I release the parking brake and go in reverse, I am forced to go "forward", to unhitch these two pieces, in order to back up. (newer designs use two pins for the two brake "wings", so they do not catch on each other.) I have learned the only way around this was to always park in a place that I can pull forward. Since that is not usually possible, I am not able to set the parking brake most times. I end up relying on my engine to hold the car in gear to keep it from rolling...not a safe way to park! I do believe there was a recall on something like this, but they missed my 2003 model. This is a safety issue since my engine may not stay in gear one of these moments. Can anyone help?
ABS, vsc trac, and engine check lights on. Brought to the shop. Mechanic stated it's the computer need to be replaced for more than $1000 and up. Search internet and lots of owners have the same problems, can somebody do something about it please.
I have been having this issue with the electronic stability control with my truck for several months. I have taken it to the dealer 3 times and they have been unable to determine what the problem is. They first told me I had to replace my shocks and springs all the way around. That didn't fix the problem. As far as I can tell they don't have any fault codes to work with from the computer. I live on a windy road in the mountains. Everytime I go around a turn, which is all of my road, the traction control kicks on, the brake peddle pulses and the breaks grind until I come out of the turn and my wheels are straight. Just in time for the next turn. This is very dangerous. I can't stop my truck fast if a deer or other wildlife runs across the road. This happens all the time.
Going around a turn in the mountains at a slow speed, my traction control kicks in and there is a grinding noise, I loose the use of the brakes completely until the traction control turns off. I took it to the dealer and they told me my springs and shocks were bad. I replaced all 4 of the springs and shocks and the problem persists. This is very dangerous and scary.
- Malibu, CA, USA
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The vsc, and trac, and brake lights all lit up while coming into an intersection, where I heard a grinding clunking noise in the drive train, as I tried to stop the vehicle, coasted through the intersection, made others braking to avoid me as I steered away from them. This has happened intermittently over the years but this was the scariest, as it happened going into an intersection. It has happened backing out of our driveway several times, on the highway several times. Toyota doesn't want to tie this issue to the recall regarding the vsc ECU trac light recall from several years ago. I've tried unsuccessfully to escalate this issue with Toyota motor co.
We bought this 2003 Sequoia limited 2 wheel drive new, and it has been a good car over all. But the vsc tracs, brake lights have flashed on and off sporadically at different speeds, when driving and or when braking. They usually don't effect the car, but recently we have experienced them all coming on when braking, and we seem to loose power and the power steering is lost momentarily until we come to a stop, and shut it off for a few minutes. This happened most recently last week when coming into an intersection driving about 30mph, and all of the vsc, trac, and brake lights abruptly came on, there was a grinding noise, and it seemed to have lost electrical power, trying to come to a stop, I could not stop in time for the intersection, but was lucky enough to avoid being hit by cross traffic, it could have been a lot worse. It sounded like something fell apart underneath. I inspected it and saw nothing, but know that this is a major safety issue that Toyota should address and pay for being a recall item. I called the Toyota hotline and was given a case number for this issue, which was a recall in 2010. Took it to the dealer, and they weren't able to replicate the issue. Stated it was a bad computer, and some vsc module sensor" didn't state Toyota would cover the cost or help with the cost. Even though this has been a known issue with Toyota Sequoia's for years, and was a recall item. This is a safety issue that could result in a major accident. Why would Toyota not cover the cost to fix this if it is a recall item? I want it fixed but with the miles I have on it, don't want to spend much money on it, especially an item that is a recall problem with many like mine. What should I do? wait to have an accident, hire a lawyer, and sue" frustrated Toyota owner in Texas.
The vsc off/ trac off and check engine and brake light all came on. The brake started to jump and the car pulled hare to the left. I turn the car off and back on the problem went a way but the lights all came back on. However there are a lot of people having this problem with their Sequoia and I have seen no safety recall for this.
At random times, the vsc and brake lights will come on. When this happens, the brakes do not work properly. They severely grind and stopping is nearly impossible. The only solution is to completely turn the car off and restart. I have taken my vehicle to Toyota many time over the course of several years. This is very dangerous as I have children riding in the vehicle!! Toyota either said there is nothing wrong or that a sensor will need to be replaced which costs approximately $1600. This is a common issue with older Sequoias and should be a recall. It should be free of charge to the owner! I should not have to pay for something Toyota did not do right!
Street lights came on, svc, track off and ABS. That will cost around $1150. Plus taxes. That I think is not right because it's been many complains about this matter. And for this mileage it shouldn't be the time please we need help because if we get minimum wage than we won't be able to afford it. Please help.
I have my A/C on and the brake light turns on and trac and vsc lights come on. This has been heaping since 60000 miles and there was a recall on it but not on mine. They do test and can't find the problem. When I turn the car off they come off.
Vehicle almost lost control during a 25mph turn in light rain condition. The vehicle has brand new tires as well. This is a known issue with many Toyota Sequoia vehicles and Toyota refuses to acknowledge fault. The failure to announce a recall on the vsc pressure sensor unit will cause the vehicle to lose control, skid, loss of ABS and subsequently lead to crash.
Upon normal driving the vehicle would not accelerate accurately and quickly enough after making a left turn. The vehicle would also randomly illuminate 3 indicator lights when the brake pedal is depressed. The 3 indicators are brake, trac off, vsc off. Before these lights illuminate the vehicle's brake pedal would become very hard to press causing the brake pedal to require much more force applied to it thus causing a decrease in stopping distance which is a very serious safety issue.
While driving, brake light illuminates - has been happening for past month. On 10/19/13, trying to stop at a light and when stepped on brakes, the ABS light, tcs light, and brake lights all illuminated and the brakes failed - started pulsating. Pavement was dry and did not step on brakes hard or fast - just slowing down for light. Had to pull over to side to avoid hitting car. Took to dealer said was ABS computer and not in recall. Extended warranty does not cover ABS computer. Service was not performed. Looking to replace computer cheaper. Dealer service check in lady said this is an issue with our year/make, yet there is no recall for failing brakes??
I was driving down the highway and my vsc trac lights came on along with my engine light. When I got home, I looked at my vehicle manual to determine what had happened. I attempted to remedy the problem as suggested by Toyota, unfortunately, nothing changed. Approximately 2 weeks later my brake light intermittently turned on & off. Less than 5 months earlier, I had my all of my brakes replaced, so I can't imagine that my brakes are faulty. I became alarmed by these electronic miscues - so I went online to explore whether this was a common thread with other Sequoia owners. I discovered very quickly that there are many people who have had problems with their vsc / engine / and brake lights becoming activated. I was hoping this problem might be covered under a recall, but it appears that it is not. I am hoping for a remedy that won't have extensive costs to me.
Toyota Sequoia 2003 - within months of taking new car delivery, vsc ABS and trac lights would blink intermittently and on occasion the auto would decelerate. As the issue was intermittent, dealership was unwilling/unable to diagnose. Trouble would continue with less frequent deceleration but more frequent warning light illumination until, after a few years, the warning lights stayed on and involuntary deceleration seemed to cease. Two different factory dealerships provided two different diagnoses. One said yaw sensor and other sensors need replacement (out of warranty); the other, more recently said that brake booster and actuator need replacement (out of warranty). Vehicle continues to brake normally and ABS does function keeping the SUV steerable during panic stops. Traction and stability control issues were not tested by this driver. Search of internet based user groups shows this problem common in earlier year Sequoia/Tundra models. Costs of repairs range from $1600 for yaw sensors to $3700 for brake booster and actuators. Toyota usa is unresponsive unless repairs are undertaken and makes no warranty of cooperation should repairs prove ineffective or unnecessary. This appears to be an ongoing issue with this and other 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 and limited models.
Concern started with a vsc and traction control warning lights in instrument cluster coming on and off in an intermittent fashion without pattern or external cause. The warning lights would not remain on but instead would glow for a brief bit of time and then extinguish. The vehicle did exhibit a spontaneous deceleration on several occasions while operating at low speed (less than 20 mph) and on level, smooth ground. The episodes were brief and normal brake operation return immediately once speed dropped to approximately 5 mph. In the decades that I have operated this automobile, the warning lights went from lighting intermittently to being illuminated continuously; the spontaneous breaking has seemingly ceased since these lights have remained on. Dealership and factory were informed of this concern with each service visit. Dealership response was that they were unwilling or unable to diagnose an intermittent concern. Once the lights remained on, I was initially informed that they suspected a defective yaw sensor and more recently, malfunctioning brake booster components; warranty period had lapsed and no extension was offered. Attempts to correctly diagnose and repair this concern have dragged on for 10 years with dealership and factory position that repairs, be they diagnostic (the yaw sensor replacement) or definitive (booster and brake system), were not warranty issues despite their intermittent presentation during the warranty period. My periodic practical testing of the brakes demonstrates that the ABS system functions properly despite warning light indications to the contrary. Current dealership estimated cost to replace brake booster and actuators is $3800 with a 12 month warranty. Toyota usa's position is this is not a warranty issue as of April 2013.
Vsc traction and ABS control warning lights stay lit. Lights would go on and off and now stay lit all the time so have no warning if ABS system is functional or has other issues. Lost the ability to turn traction control on/off. Took vehicle in for service at dealer, 3-26-07, and was informed it was a manufacturing defect with an internal component, yaw rate sensor. Reported to Toyota and requested assistance in repairing as this appeared to be a manufacturing defect. Toyota denied claim. Have seen vehicles produced 1 month earlier are now under recall for similar issues NHTSA campaign # 10V176000. Dealer cost to repair at time was $1433. Have experienced braking oddities on occasions.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vsc trac, vsc and the ABS warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned that when she attempted to engage the brakes, the brake seized, causing the vehicle to slide across the pavement. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the sensor position for the steering angle sensor needed to be replaced and the electronic control unit needed to be updated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V176000 (electronic stability control, traction control system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Aloha, OR, USA