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.
Frame Replacement needed: I took my 2001 Toyota Sequoia (45,515 miles; always garaged) in for an Emissions & Safety Inspection. I was notified the excessive rust on the frame has cause damage to the lines for the brakes/bubbling on the lines, fuel line, power steering fluid lines and, eventually, other undercar items may soon fail. It is recommended that due to the excessive rusting/premature frame rotting, the SUV should be decommissioned and off the road. Toyota dealership actually suggested that it might be necessary for me to sign a waiver in order to take the vehicle out of the dealership. The waiver was to hold Toyota harmless should something result as a result of the defect. I was shocked at the request/I declined. Stated the severe rusting is from the front to the rear of the frame. Research shows the Toyota Corporation is fully aware of the excessive rusting on the Toyota Sequoia SUVs however no remedy has been in place to resolve the issue for current owners. I am advised to replace the fuel lines (approximately $1700 for parts and labor), however, upon replacement the excessive rusting to the frame may damage the other lines in the vehicle and the frame will need to be replaced as well (about $10,000). The 2nd technician stated he has done work on 20+ year old SUVs a lot, none with anywhere near this type of premature rusted frame. Stated he couldn't believe how bad it is. Said it flakes apart when you touch it anywhere. He stressed that I should not have my octogenarian mom, and 1st grader in the vehicle. This is our family vehicle. The 2001 Sequoia SUV was built on a tundra frame which had a structural recall (NHTSA action number: pe09049) for frames built in 2000 and 2001. The Sequoia was left out of this recall; a 2012 Spray Option was offered for the frame (I was told by "Israel" today / Brand Ambassador Department). I never received the notification. No dupport from Toyota. The frame, fuel lines need replacement. Pls help!
My truck would be perfect aside from the major corrosion located on the entire frame. I'm on borrowed time with my vehicle. Toyota should replace the frame before the bottom drops out. The cause of this would probably be cheap parts from the factory.
Toyota rust issue on my 2001 Toyota Sequoia R5. My vehicle was originally used to Transport children to and from practices and games twice a week. This past summer, I started driving it daily. I took my vehicle in for service because I kept hearing a knocking and my engine light was on. After taking it to the mechanic, we discovered it was an O2 sensor causing the engine light on, but also noticed extreme rust on the entire frame. The mechanic determined the vehicle was unsafe and recommended the entire frame be replaced as that knocking would cause the front half of the vehicle to separate from the back half and cause a serious issue. After talking to Toyota body shop, service department and a mechanic, I learned of a campaign that Toyota had issued. Toyota issued the campaign due to severe rust of its Toyota Tundra but failed to offer the same coverage for Toyota Sequoia issued for 2001. The campaign that was issued was for 2005-2008 Sequoia, however my Toyota was made in 2001. Currently, my vehicle which Transport my family, including young children has to sit until I can find $15,000-$17,500 to have it fixed by a Toyota dealership. At this point, I can not afford this, especially for a vehicle I purchased used last year. My mechanic and Toyota has deemed this vehicle unsafe. I'm requesting to have Toyota replace and fix the entire frame or buy the vehicle back from me so that I can purchase another vehicle that's safe, reliable and specious for my family. I would hope to have this issue expedited so I can continue transporting my family safely.
- Laurel, MD, USA
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The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that a rattling noise alerted him to look underneath the vehicle. The contact noticed that the frame was rusted. The contact called an unknown dealer located in palatine, Illinois and was informed that an unknown recall had expired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that there was extensive rust, corrosion, large spots, and holes on the frame. The vehicle was taken to a certified independent mechanic for inspection, but the contact was uncertain if the vehicle would pass. The vehicle was not included in a manufacturer recall for the frame. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not available.
Purchased vehicle in 2004. Complied with a Toyota inspection for possible rust on frame in 2012 and had vehicle sprayed with undercoating in 2013 (per Toyota instructions). Toyota knew there was a problem. By 2015 frame was still rusting and by 2018 rust is so bad that car will not pass inspection and being told frame is "conpletely rusted out" and "not safe to drive" by mechanics. Now scared to drive the vehicle and worried about the safety of myself and family as frame may collapse or components come off at any moment. Toyota refuses to take responsibility for the defect in Sequoia and Tacoma vehicles with this problem. Problem is widespread. Someone is going to die as a result when a massive frame failure happens while driving. Please assist with pressure on Toyota to fix this problem.
Our 2001 Toyota Sequoia had a limited service campaign recall in 2013-2014 for severe rust problems in the frame. We took it to the dealer we bought it from. They either would replace the frame or just under coat the frame. They told us we only needed the undercoating - not to replace the frame. Now the frame is completely rusted out. My understanding is that Toyota did a recall for the same problem in newer cars (I believe 2005-2008), but will not do anything for later model cars, yet it is exactly the same rust issue. Toyota was able to undercoat the frames, which did not fix the problem, rather than replacing the entire frame, which was much more expensive for them. This same problem also occurred with the Toyota Tacoma trucks.
One owner vehicle when I purchased January 2015. Was serviced at local Toyota and never said any issues with frame before the deadline to have frame replaced. After I purchased my machanic noticed the rusty frame and Toyota said after the deadline to get fixed but no one at Toyota said it was that bad. It continued to get worse and many other people with this vehicle are having the same issue. It now won't pass inspection B/C the frame is falling apart. This is my daily driver and should not have pieces of the frame crumbling apart. The rearend is about to fall out. This is a major safety issue known with a lot of these vehicles!!
Frame rusted out and needed extensive repairs. Class action suit by Toyota admitted problems but excluded my model year. They recalled my car in 2012 but treated frame and denied liability when it completely rusted out. I have paid over $15,000 in repairs related to this rust.
Frame badly rusting out. The Toyota dealer sprayed it out a few years ago but now rusted rear differential is leaking. The whole rear axle a single welded piece. This particular vehicle was purchased and used in Connecticut (ct), garaged and presently has 98K miles on it.
Extensive frame rust is causing large holes to develop in important structural locations. In some areas, two sides of the 4 sided frame remain. Vehicle is unsafe to drive or even lift.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle independently swerved without warning. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the frame of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control bracket was corroded and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was unavailable...updated 11/21/16
Toyota 2001 Sequoia frame rot May 20th, I was driving with, my daughter. The car shook back and forth. I drove to our mechanic. They called saying the frame was horribly rusted and was not drivable. Said it was a miracle myself and child were not in a devastating, catastrophic, deadly situation that day. Toyota refuses to do anything about it.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. When the contact attempted to change one of the tires, he was unable to remove the faulty tire. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to mount the vehicle for diagnostic testing because the entire frame was rotted out. There were no warning indicators. The dealer stated that it was dangerous to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not respond. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 171,289.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact lost control of the vehicle and nearly got into an accident. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was completely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was brought to the dealer in 2000 for frame inspection, and it was diagnosed that the frame was intact and did not require repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While driving, there was an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. The contact discovered extreme severe rust and deteriorating with big holes underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Garden City, NY, USA