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.
ABS system activates by itself driving on a flat, dry road. ABS/trac lights have intermittently illuminated for a few years (without ABS activation to the best of my knowledge, my wife drives the vehicle primarily), lights turn off when key is cycled, no codes present in the system when scanned previously. Last occurrence for me was at 45mph, again a flat dry road. Vsc/trac lights flash, a warning buzzer sounds, and the ABS creates a loud grinding noise as it activates. Vehicle pulled sharply to the left and up onto the center median. No accident due to a rounded curb and wide center median. However, if the center median were not there it could pull a vehicle into oncoming traffic on an undivided highway resulting in an accident.
The first time my ABS/vcs trac lights came on was after I had to brake hard on a downward hill. I accelerated to climb the other side of the hill and it was after doing that which the vcs trac and trac off lights first came on at around 168,000 miles. There was a fast beeping sound lasting for maybe 10 sec then it regained power. Now it will do it within just a few miles of our home. We have had several more occasions since this initial incident where there was a jerking/pulling of the right front tire. Also the air conditioning would come on and off like it was trying to surge. Also idles very low, below 500 RPM and then finally shuts off. This vehicle has become very dangerous to drive. We are not sure what to get fixed on it since we have read that other owners are being told that its anything from a yaw sensor, steering angle sensor, brake booster system, or a skid control computer issue. All of these are very pricey to get fixed and there are no guarantees that they will even correct the problem. Most have had the yaw sensor replaced and it did not correct the problem. Some of the mechanics we have talked to said that there could be brake dust or mud and road grime build up over the sensor making it malfunction and that it should be hosed off at an underbody carwash. We haven't tried this yet since we didn't put much faith in it until we discovered hearing again on youtube. The 2003 Toyota Sequoia vcs recall should be extended down to the 2002 models as well. We all are having the same issue that they did.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While driving 70 mph, the vsc track warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that there was a loud grinding noise under the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle started grinding and shook when braking. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,069. Updated 8/21/15 the consumer stated the alarm sounded, vsc and traction control lights illuminated. The vehicle veered to the right while driving in the left lane. Updated 08/27/15
Vsc/ABS/brake lights all illuminated on the dashboard. Vehicle is unable to pass state safety inspection due to brake light being illuminated. In this vehicle having the vsc operational is far more dangerous. Please order Toyota to perform a recall as there is abundant evidence that the vehicle stability control/ABS system on this vehicle is dangerous.
While driving on fwy, vsc light comes on, the brakes are being applied by the system, causing pulling of the steering into other lanes. Was able to pull over, and it stopped at 10 mph, turned off car and it re-set system, it happened 6 times on the way home, almost causing accidents as it jerks the steering immediately as it applies the brakes to gain stability again. It has happened intermittently ever since, even at slow speeds. It is in shop now, $3500 to fix it, it is a well documented problem on the net, this should be a recall. Someone will get killed, a cyclist in a shoulder, or car hitting another or losing control and rolling over. With all the complaints regarding the vsc system, how can you ignore it?
- Laguna Beach, CA, USA
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Now, before we changed the axle a new issue popped up as the ABS module caused the vsc system to engage at low speed below 10 mph. After 10 mph the system worked fine. During that engagement of the system I could have been killed by oncoming traffic or injured very badly. So, the mechanic went back to change out the left axle and did a diagnostic test on the sensors, which the left front was not reading and the right was intermittent. That was baffling to the mechanic, so we talked and changed both sensors and the left axle. He checked the vehicle and the vsc system still engaged at the low speed below 10 mph, most of the vibration was gone but some was still there at 70 mph, which he agreed with me that it could be possibly the drive shaft that ties into the 4 wheel drive system. So he decides to do the diagnostic test in the 4X2 mode and 4X4 mode on all the sensors on each wheel. In the 4X4 mode all the sensors checked and read fine. The 4X2 mode check of the system revealed a problem with in the system that tied to the ABS control module. So, as of now he has worked with me to really understand the problem with this vehicle type to try to get to the root cause. He has since not charged me for the sensors, until he can get the ABS module checked out through a certified repair manufacturer who works on these parts on a regular basis.
I bought this vehicle last week and after being on the road for approximately 30 minutes, the vehicle jerks to the right, the anti skid light starts beeping, something starts grinding under the hood, and then it all stops and the vsc trac, vsc off, and check engine lights all come on. After pulling over and turning off the engine and turning it back on, the vsc lights went off, but the check engine light remained on. After getting back on the road, the same thing happened again in a matter of minutes. Since then, the vehicle does the same exact thing every time I drive for more than about 20 minutes. Sometimes the transition is smooth and sometimes it takes up to 20-25 seconds for the noise under the hood to go away.
Driving on paved public road, dry road conditions in summertime at low speed,10-20 mph, the vsc and trac off warning lights on instrument panel light up with and audible bell type alarm at the same time the right front wheel makes a loud thump causing the vehicle to pull hard to the right and with very hard front end vibration. At which time there is no brake control, steering control or acceleration control for approximately 20 seconds that has caused a few near miss vehicle collisions with other vehicles or off the road towards an embankment. The Sequoia was taken to a Toyota dealership service center where the technician stated they can only clear the fault code in the vehicle's computer. Since the fault code has been cleared, 5 more episodes of the same identical senerios with both wet and dry road conditions but not standing water on the roadway, and also a couple of times during speeds between 60-70 mph. This is an intermittent anomaly, but happens 3-4 days in a row between instances.
I was exiting the freeway, while coasting vehicles electronic stability control came on suddenly causing me to veer right, luckily there was nobody next to me. Conditions did not warrant the ESC to come on since pavement was dry and I was coasting. Please address Toyota about this issue or there will be injuries or deaths.
This has occurred several times: Grinding noise, car pulls to the right and vsc and trac lights come on indicating vsc and trac are disengaged. Can drive ok after this occurs. However, when car is turned off and started again the warning lights go out and it's impossible to predict when it will occur again. There was a recall issued in 2010 for the 2003 model Sequoia with this same issue, however this recall for some reason did not cover the 2002 which is having the same problem! please have Toyota expand the recall to include other years as this is a common problem in Sequoias!!!..updated 10/26/16 updated 10/16/217
The vehicle was being driven on a dry paved road. The vsc and traction warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle pulled hard to the right, nearly causing an accident. The steering wheel becomes difficult to steer, the vehicle loses power, and the brakes inadvertently engage, making a terrible grinding noise. The problem happens at least once, each time the vehicle is restarted. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V176000 (traction control system) for the 2003 Toyota Sequoia - this failure is most likely related.
After driving 45 miles then driving in a busy town then back 45 miles to home town I was going 55 mph and all the sudden I lost power, a dinging noise happened and I lost breakage, the vcs off and vcs track light came on, the vehicle start driving rough. I then went home. Then after a few hour I had to go get my son I started the vehicle and noticed the lights were off, after only going 3 miles and with my son in the vehicle it made the ding noise lost power lights vcs off vcs trak lights came back on, very scary, hope they recall it soon, my Sequoia was made August 2002.
The vsc randomly activated twice within 10-15 minutes while traveling on a dry, clean interstate freeway at about 70 mph, causing the vehicle to swerve considerably. There were no external circumstances that appeared to cause this incident. Weather conditions: Clear skies, sunshine, 80 degrees, dry, level roads. After the second incident, we were able to get the vehicle to a nearby dealership. We since learned the 2003 Sequoia apparently had a recall regarding this same situation.
Noticed problem with vehicle traction when driving at low speed in wet or snowy weather. Problem with acceleration and traction when accelerating. Heard a ratcheting sound and no traction when trying to accelerate from a stopped position on a wet road. After some research it sounds very similar to earlier recall with NHTSA campaign id: 10V17600 for Toyota Sequoia vehicles manufactured between April 1, 2002 through April 17, 2003. Called Toyota service line on 11/9/2010 and they informed us that this recall doesn't apply to our vehicle since our vehicle was apparently manufactured on 3/8/2002 (a few weeks earlier than the recall covers). We live in a very dry climate with very little to no precipitation but noticed it again after rainfall. Filed a case# [xxx]on 12/10/13 with Toyota with no response. Please help! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate after a complete stop. The accelerator pedal was applied and the vehicle jerked into gear. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the euc needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V176000 (electronic stability control, traction control system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 291,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vsc, ABS, trac, and brake warning lights sporadically illuminated. As a result, the vehicle pulsated and veered to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting the same failure as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10V176000 (electronic stability control, traction control system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the SAS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,463.
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle stability control and the traction control light remained illuminated. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving during inclement weather, the brakes made a loud grinding noise and did not engage in a timely manner. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
In Feb. 2009, while driving to work, the brakes on my Sequoia began to lock and the engine started making a loud grinding sound and sensor lights began to blink uncontrollably. I could not control the car steering and was lucky that I was able to pull over the side of the road. This problem continued and I took it to my Toyota dealer who charged me $2700 and blamed the problem on rats. After picking up my car from the dealership the problem continued a few weeks later and the same dealership still insisted that it was rats and charged me an additional $2300. Yet this problem persisted so I took it to a local mechanic who has no ties with Toyota and he replaced a computer sensor. The problem went away for at least two years until recently during a recent rain storm it started to act up again. Driving this car has been unpredictable and scary at best. I came into several close calls with other vehicles on the road while driving when my car would loose all ability to steer and my brakes would lock during several instances. The experience has been a mind game and has taken a toll in my confidence in driving because I believed my dealership when they told me it was not the car, but because of rats, which I now know after reading other customers complaints on line that it was the way the car was manufactured. I lost a lot of faith in my Toyota dealership here in guam. I need your help to tell these people to recall my car to fix it even though it is 12 years old. I spent a lot of money when I invested in this car and I don't have the money to buy a new vehicle at this time. I am afraid an accident will occur to customers like me unless Toyota admits they have a problem with their vehicles.
Traction system intermittently turns on with no pattern-wet or dry surface, speed, turning. Have had all oxygen sensors replaced, check engine light resolved but traction still engages, seizes the engine. Evap. System fixed, tires, wheel bearings checked, thermostat fixed. Still traction is kicking on. Extremely dangerous for me and my three young children. I am afraid to drive, even around town. Toyota what are you going to do about this and all the other similar complaints on 2002 Sequoias. Do you need a fatality on record prior to acting" how am I supposed to get to work to pay for repairs? how will my children get to school and daycare" please help.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- St Marys, GA, USA