10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,798 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.

2003 Toyota Sequoia brakes problems

brakes problem

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2003 Toyota Sequoia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Sep 032013

Sequoia

  • 148,000 miles

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

Received Toyota factory recall for corrosion-resistant compound due to excessive frame rust. Called local dealer and also factory Toyota for appointment. Took the vehicle in to the dealership. One day later received phone call that my vehicle was safe and that they had sprayed this coating on the vehicle. I picked up vehicle and this corrosive chemical is dripping of the vehicle and is not drying. Concerned for environment and also, I have no idea of how vehicle was inspected assuring that the frame is safe.

- Nisswa, MN, USA

problem #37

Jan 112010

Sequoia

  • 66,253 miles
Vsc and vsc of lights are oncodes C1223 ABS control system malfunction, C1231 steering angle sensor, and C1247 stroke sensor indicates needs the skid control ECU T 2.0 replaced skid control ECU 08/01/2010 check engine light found P0031 af sensor B1S1 T1.0 parts replaced. 6/01/2013 again vsc trac off service engine light on and dealership wants $1400 for new computer.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #36

May 052011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
Vsc traction control & antilock brake light on. Vehicle skid on wet surface while making turns at normal speed.

- Green Brook, NJ, USA

problem #35

Mar 012012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 78,220 miles

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

Vsc trac vsc off ABS warning lights are on, took it to the dealer and had the brake booster replaced the warning lights returned, searching the net many other Toyota owners have seen this problem, this should be a recall since braking is a safety issue.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #34

Feb 182011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
ABS, vcs trac light, brake light on/off.

- Roxbury, MA, USA

problem #33

Feb 062012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 50,808 miles
During my work commute this morning the "vsc trac" and "vsc off" lights came on at the same time and stayed on.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #32

Apr 012005

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles

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

A few months after we purchased the vehicle in December 2004 we noticed that the traction lights are coming on periodically. We took the car to Toyota service to check the issue and been charged hundreds of dollars for diagnosis and sensor replacement. However the problem was not solved and even got worst: The traction and brake lights were continuously on now. In 2010 we received a notice about a recall with regard to the above issue and brought the car to Toyota dealership located at 4248 morse rd., columbus, oh 43230. The car was serviced but a few hours afterwards all the lights were on again. When we returned to the same dealership with the same complaint we were told that the recall was on the vehicle computer adjustment, which was done, and that and any additional services will be charged in full. We looked up the recall document and realized that it is clearly specified under remedy that: If the reflash cannot be completed on a particular vehicle, the ECU will be replaced with a new one. This service will be performed free of charge. Since the manufacturer dealership is refusing to comply with the recall requirements we would like to bring the issue to your attention and seek your intervention.

- New Albany, OH, USA

problem #31

Aug 172010

Sequoia

  • 76,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle in 2007 with 43,000 miles. Since then I have driven 30,000 miles in 4 years. When I first pick this car it looked great. The day I picked it up it had a dent in the back, and the dvd player didnt work and was replaced. There was a water leak that Toyota had to repair and remove an odor associated with it. Later, I brought it in to have my gas tank level indicator repaired but was told that it was time consuming and basically was advised that the dashboard had to be taken out so, I didnt get it done. I replaced my battery, constantly had my oil changed, as the paint started to peel on my left front fender. Tie rods were replaced that had broken, which was covered by the platinum coverage that I purchased for $1000. Ive had a vsc logic relay replaced and trim repaired that was lifting off. Now my coverage on the platinum plan was over 4-10-2010 on the 17th of August my rear window would not go down, about three days later the brake light came on. On the 19th the 4 wheel drive control initiated and when its initiated to go off the center will continue to be engaged, blinking. Even till today when the vehicle is started up you have to dis-engage the 4 wheel drive. So I took it to Toyota. Thats when this final horror began. I had my oil changed (Sunday), and the next day (Monday) I took it back for service. After they ran a diagnostic trend heres what I was told: The rear window motor was bad and needed replacing even though they know of the problems associated with the rear windows. $690 master cylinder assembly.1165.00 ccnter differential.2134.00 serpentine belt and tensioner.492.00

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #30

Oct 012010

Sequoia

  • 97,000 miles
I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. Recently, the ABS, vsc and vsc trak lights have come on the dash and stay on. These systems are safety-related in that they control the braking and vehicle control when in an emergency situation. In the event of slippery conditions, the failure of this system would make a bad situation worse, by not allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle.

- Erie, CO, USA

problem #29

May 172010

Sequoia

  • 105,000 miles
I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The vcs and ABS lights have come on. The ABS system is not working. The Toyota dealer wants $3800 to replace vcs ECU. My vehicle was not covered under the recent recall but it should have been. The brakes currently work but feel different when braking.

- Kearney, MO, USA

problem #28

May 172010

Sequoia 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

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

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 updated 07/22/10

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #27

Nov 152009

Sequoia

  • 118,756 miles
2003 Toyota Sequoia vehicle skid control system applies brakes while accelerating. Vehicle will come to a stop and loose power while accelerating.

- Dalton, OH, USA

problem #26

Oct 012009

Sequoia

  • 108,000 miles
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.

- Auberry, CA, USA

problem #25

Aug 052009

Sequoia

  • 84,000 miles
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.

- Placentia, CA, USA

problem #24

Aug 082009

Sequoia

  • 80,000 miles
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?

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #23

Jul 082009

Sequoia

  • 99,001 miles
My ABS, vehicle skid control and trac control system has failed. Trouble codes indicate system failure and will require new ABS, trac and anti skid ECU. I have not had the repair done yet. I am concerned about the safety without these features. I am aware that there are several people having this same issue.

- Springville, UT, USA

problem #22

May 242009

Sequoia

  • 85,000 miles
I have had an issue with my 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The ABS and vsc trac lights came on. I have searched online to find out about this problem and have found it to be a habitual problem. On the morning of May 24 I had a collision with a deer. All four brakes locked up and I went into a skid and hit the deer. The things that I have read is its a electrical problem but it is not. Toyota has an issue here that puts its owners in an unsafe situation. This needs to be fixed. If there were habitual seat belt issues or airbag issues this would be taken care of. This is a major safety issue because I though I had working ABS brakes and due to some kind of design failure I did not.

- Afton, IA, USA

problem #21

Apr 132006

Sequoia

  • 50,000 miles
In April 2006 at 50,000 miles at an inspection it was recommended to replace front & rear rotors as they were rusted & could effect the safety of occupants as the brakes may not respond appropriately. Hello, I am in Chicago! rust should be expected here, but not to the point of safety. Solution - spent money replacing all brakes & pads, then move South.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #20

Feb 242009

Sequoia

  • 52,000 miles
Vehicle traction control, vehicle skid control, anti brake system lights come on when I first turn the car on. The brakes are nearly impossible to push in. After car is warmed up for 15 minutes seem to work fine. The dealership wants me to spend over $1000 for new part.

- Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

problem #19

Dec 162008

Sequoia

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving between 5-10 mph on normal road conditions, the contact heard a noise and felt excessive vibration when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure occurs whenever the vehicle is in operation. The traction control and vsc warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel and remained lit until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the failure was related to the anti-skid computer system and recommended that it be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 63,000.

- North Hills, CA, USA

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