10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
9 / 0
Average Mileage:
133,265 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Apr 142010

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
A couple of years back while driving at highway speed the 2002 Toyota Sequoia I was driving suddenly had the ESC engage with out warning the brakes engaged and the SUV made a grinding noise and the vsc trac light lit up... I took it to my dealer and $4000 later it was repaired: The repairs included replacing the ABS computer and new brakes and rotors....now its June 2012 and its doing it again but now it engages randomly regardless of speed or terrain... I have done some research on my vehicle and have found out that Toyota has issued a recall on the same problem but only on the year models 2003-2005...I called my dealer to report the problem and they confirmed my year model is not included in the recall... this is unacceptable please get Toyota to own up to its responsibility and repair the defect...I never should have paid for the repair the first time but there is no way in [xxx] I am paying again for the same defect.... information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Comfort , TX, USA

problem #55

May 132012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
Was driving on the interstate in the left hand lane. Tried to merge into the right hand lane and noticed a car in my blind spot so I went back into the left lane. However, my vsc/ABS lights went on, the car beeped, made a heavy grinding noise, and then, with much force, veered hard to the right. I tried to steer it back to the left hand lane, the other drivers saw me wrestling with my steering wheel and the car started to fishtail so fortunately they stayed well behind me. The car became impossible to control and steer and braking did not help. Despite my best efforts to control the car, apply the brakes, steer out of the skidding and fishtailing, my car then went over into the right lane, over to the shoulder, and then the wheel sunk into the grass next to the shoulder where the vehicle rolled over several times. My son and I were airlifted to the trauma unit. I suffered 2 broken vertebrae in the C area of my neck and a compressed disc in the T region of my spine, concussion, cuts, bruises, glass embedded near my eye, as well as a splenic aneurysm. My son had a concussion, wound on the head that required stitches, cuts, bruises and a sprained ankle. My son and I were both unconscious at the accident scene.my two daughters had minor cuts, sprains, and bruises. We were fortunate to have come out of this alive and not to have hit anyone else. I am still in a neck brace and undergoing medical treatment. Toyota needs to recall this model as soon as possible. We could have all been killed. Unfortunately, my car was totaled and there was no black box in this model. I will never buy a car from Toyota again. However, for the safety of others, I do hope they recall this model as I would hate for others to suffer what we had to suffer, or worse. Updated 10/19/12 updated 10/23/2012

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #54

Jun 162009

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
The traction control, vsc light is illuminated intermittently over the past few years. I am scared that if I need to avoid a impeding accident that because the vsc system not working that I may not be able to successfully avoid a potentially fatal accident. I am also scared that the vehicle may rollover when doing a fast turn to avoid an accident. Based on my research, I have found that this is a common problem among these vehicles and that there was a 2003 recall for this problem. There are a lot of problems with the 2002 vehicles and it needs to get fixed. Must we first have an accident to win rights to be accommodated. Does Toyota not want to make good on it's product and satisfy all owners/customers. I worry every time I drive my vehicle and thank god each time I reach my destination without incident.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #53

May 112012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 121,000 miles
While driving during normal dry conditions, vsc alarm started to go off followed by loss of control of brakes. Was able to pull over without incident and at about 10 mph the alarm shutoff and the amber trac off light and vsc trac light annunciated and all driving conditions were normal again. I'm guessing at this point the system was disabled in the trac off mode. I'm in the process of bringing the car to the dealer for a diagnostic however I've read numerous items online of people having this problem and Toyota doesn't seem to help (recall). It is quite expensive also.

- Senoia, GA, USA

problem #52

May 022012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 129,002 miles
We just bought this 2002 Toyota Sequoia to use for towing as well as to carry our family around in. We had our choice between an Expedition, a Tahoe and this Sequoia. Knowing the reliability of a Toyota we were confident this was a good choice for our family. We have had the car approximately 3 weeks and as my husband was towing a full loaded trailer down a major interstate the vsc light flashed on and off a few times. Thinking it was probably nothing he came home, mentioned it to me and started looking up information. What we found was incredible! this seems to be a huge problem that Toyota is unwilling to acknowledge or fix or even have a fix for. Later that day my husband was pulling into the driveway, suddenly the vsc trac light came back on, the car made a loud beeping noise and abruptly lurched to the right! immediately after coming in, I started calling Toyota dealerships. I was told this was a common problem however it could cost up to $4500 to fix! the service adviser then went on to tell me step by step what they would do to fix the problem. First, by changing the yaw rate sensor than the skid control computer and if that didn't work the steering sensor, than the brake booster and finally the master cylinder. However, I then learned that "maybe" after doing all these repairs that it "might" fix the problem! we then drove the car to our mechanic, which is quite a ways away, and as we were nearing our destination (I was driving this time) I was pressing the brake to slow down in traffic and all of a sudden the car lurched to the right, the lights started flicking on again and the car made a beeping noise! the mechanic said the car was pulling several different codes so he wasn't sure what was wrong with it and it would be trial and error to fix it. Toyota--you know something is wrong. Fix it before someone gets hurt!

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #51

Apr 132012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 101,150 miles
Started the vehicle and the vsc and the trac off lights illuminated and would not turn off. Took to authorized Toyota service center. Was indicated that this is a common issue with Toyota Sequoia and that there has been a service recall on 2003 models but not for 2002. Appears to be a common problem across model years.

- Mt Pleasant, SC, USA

problem #50

Jun 062009

Sequoia

  • miles
Same problem like everyone else I've read about. The traction control, vsc, brake light, and ABS light on. Dealership says no recall but they recalled all 2003 models for the same issue. Vehicle lights are off when vehicle is started, after 2-3 miles all the lights come on then the car is hard to handle due to traction control making the car unstable. This has been occurring for quite a while now. The vsc/trac light on my 2002 Toyota Sequoia comes on after driving for a few minutes. When this occurs it feels like the vehicle looses power and goes into "anti lock" mode. It's a scary feeling when driving at highway speeds. Once the vsc warning lights come on the vehicle drives normally, will do it again and again. The dealership said that it cost $800 dollars to repair. I can't afford to have the repair made and feel I should not have to. If the 2003 model has been recalled for the same problem and so many other 2002 Sequoia owners have reported the same problem, why shouldn't our trucks also qualify for recall and dealer repair at no cost to us. Must we first have an accident to win rights to be accommodated. Does Toyota not want to make good on it's product and satisfy all ownere/customers. I worry every time I drive my vehicle and thank god each time I reach my destination without incident.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #49

Nov 112011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 139,000 miles
Driving at 60 mph the vsc lights came on and the vehicle went to the right by itself.I slow down, and then the skid traction lights came on and a loud noise was coming out of the front....I think that if I was driving faster I could of have an accident...the same thing happened yesterday...

- Pasadena, TX, USA

problem #48

Jul 152010

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 147,000 miles
To start, I want to stress that I do not understand why there is no recall for this problem. The vsc trac, ABS, skid control and brake lights all came on and stayed on as of the above date. Prior to that date, the vsc trac and skid lights would come on for no reason, but would go off upon turning off and restarting the car. When the lights came on and stayed on, I read the owner's manual and based on that information, was worried the brakes would not work, so I called the dealer. When I spoke to someone in the dealer's repair shop about the problem before I brought the car in, he said that the warning lights meant that my ABS system was gone and it would cost $2,000 to fix. He said that it was not covered by warranty or a recall. So, I took it to the nearest auto repair shop to my home, that I had used previously. They checked the warning lights with the computer diagnostic and could not find anything wrong. Then, I took it to the dealer, and they checked the warning lights and said that the problem was low voltage with the battery. I had recently bought a new battery, so I took the car back to the first place, which checked the battery and said it was fine. So I received conflicting messages from the dealer. However, since other owners with my year/model Toyota have had safety problems with the same issue and Toyota has the same problem with the 2003 model and they have issued a recall, I believe it is a safety issue. I can't understand why no recall has been issued for the 2002 year. Please look at all of the complaints about this exact issue from so many consumers (and I'm sure plenty of others who did not take the time to report it) and act before someone is seriously injured or killed!!!!!!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #47

Dec 222011

Sequoia

  • miles
My 2002 Sequoia keeps making a grinding noise when I hit the gas from a stop light and the stability control keeps coming on and there is a loss of power and I cant do nothing until he stability control quits what its doing. Point blank Toyota needs to do something with all these 2002 Sequoias and there failing traction control system. There are peoples lives at stake and I've done had all the wheel sensors cleaned and the system reset and the problem is still there. What if it was your kids that had to drive an uncontrollable vehicle you would do everything you could to see what the problem was or if it can be fixed. Were spending lots of money fixing these Sequoias and it needs to stop. All im asking is please just to consider recalling these dangerous vehicles.

- Chipley, FL, USA

problem #46

Apr 052011

Sequoia

  • 102,111 miles
My 2002 Toyota Sequoia has a defective sensor for the vsc, brake system. I see where the 2003 Sequoia is covered, but not the 2002's. please tell me why this is the case, when the same problem is occurring.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #45

Dec 022011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 45 miles
I have a Sequoia 2002. No previous history of big mechanical or electrical problems. Recently I experience an incident were I lost control of the vehicle while driving in the highway. The mechanic told me I have a problem with the yaw rate sensor and that it was very costly to repair. I have found out that this is a common problem that many Sequoia owners have experience. I understand my vehicle is way past warranty period but let me tell you, in security issues warranties does not expires and Toyota should provide for repairs or recall or whatever resources they have to correct this problem.

- Caguas, PR, USA

problem #44

Dec 092011

Sequoia

  • 188,750 miles
Vsc light, trac off light and check engine light all came on at the same time. I took vehicle to autozone and they checked the computer with the result error 5 cylinder misfire, for the check engine light, the other 2 warning lights they could not give me any advice on.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #43

Oct 102011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 96,500 miles
In stop and go traffic at launch vehicle ABS engaged without warning repeatedly with loud grinding noises and the ABS light, traction light and vehicle stability control light all came up. Stopped vehicle, turned off engine, waited a few minutes and all lights were gone upon restart. However this problem worsened considerably and more often through the October and November 2011 months, to the point of occurring every time the vehicle is driven as the date of this writing, December 3rd 2011. New worsened symptoms now include flashing vsc (vehicle stability control) at launch from a stop, which cuts engine power and compromises accurate steering. Sometimes the ABS, trac and vsc lights come up immediately, sometimes only after repeated intrusive activations of ABS/trac/vsc. All these warning lights also stayed on once for two entire days after leaving the vehicle rest overnight. All these dangerous random interventions of the ABS/trac/vsc electronics started after the front rotors and pads were changed by a professional mechanic (A1-unity body, 1420 howe St in vancouver, bc, Canada). The vehicle was federally and provincially inspected for Canadian importation by the same mechanic before these problems started to happen. It was deemed to be in exceptional mechanical and working condition for its age and mileage. However the vehicle is now longer safe to drive because of this ABS/trac/vsc defect, despite it being otherwise perfectly drivable. Toyota must issue the same recalls that they posted for defective trac and vsc for the 2003 year Sequoia models for the 2002 Sequoia models. Sequoia vehicles haven't received any hardware or software updates as far as ABS/trac/vsc systems are concerned between 2001 and 2003, proof being that subsequent model years from 2001 all experience the same defects for the same reasons. 2001-2002 Sequoia vsc recalls need to be issued now!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #42

Nov 012010

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 285,000 miles
Vsc/ABS/skid light comes on intermittently, at differing speeds, at random intervals, accompanied by grinding noise and braking action. During some of these random occurrences, especially when driving at highway speeds, the action can pull the car quickly and forcefully to the right and on a few occasions this has almost resulted in loss of control. I read on edmunds.com and other sites (including www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/1gen-Sequoia/76829-file-complaint-NHTSA-regarding-vsc-ABS/) that this is a well-known, and well documented problem! why haven't you mandated a recall for this dangerous situation"???!!! I'm concerned that my wife may be driving down the interstate and the problem will suddenly and violently pull the car to the right, and she will hit another car or lose control and crash. How many crashes, injuries, and, heaven forbid, deaths, will have to happen before you act"

- Spotsylvania, VA, USA

problem #41

Jul 142011

Sequoia

  • 108,000 miles
The vehicle is a Toyota Sequoia 2002 2 wheel drive, and I have had three incidents so far. The first time was driving in the high way at a steady speed of 65 mph when the car all of the sudden jerked to the left and a beeping went off and the track off and vsc track came on. The problem is that there is no warning at all and it just happen in a matter of seconds. My concern is that I use this vehicle just when my family is with me. I wonder if accidents with fatalities need to occur before somebody do something about it.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #40

Jul 222011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 117,000 miles
Same problem like everyone else, traction control, vsc, brake light, and ABS light on. Dealership says no recall but they recalled all 2003 models for the same issue. ABS computer module. Part# 89541-0C050. Vehicle lights are off when vehicle is started, after 2-3 miles all the lights come on then the car is hard to handle due to traction control making the car unstabable. Also with ABS light on, braking is very bad. Constant fight to keep the vehicle straight during braking.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #39

Jun 272010

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
2002 Toyota Sequoia vsc/ traction control system started to malfunction in June 2011 vehicle has 128,000 miles. Took it to the dealership and they said that it needs a new yaw rate sensor @800.00dollars. Also that there is a chance that this doesn't fix the problem the SUV may need an ECU at a cost of an additional $900. That's crazy!!!! this has happened at all different range of speeds. Happening more often lately and seems very dangerous when activates and makes the vehicle unstable.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #38

Jun 082011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
I have experienced chilling and dangerous malfunctions of the ABS, vsc/track system in my (owned since new) 2002 Sequoia. The "vsc/vsc track" lights illuminate and a disconnect alarm (beeping tone) is initiated. The system failure pulls the car abruptly off course. Immediate correction must be made to stay on the road. This has happened several times within the past 6 months with the system automatically re-setting itself after turning off the key and re-starting the engine. Today's incident was the most violent and the system does not re-set. Probably a good thing. Looking at user complaints on the internet causes one to wonder why the public has not been protected by the NHTSA requiring a recall. My experience has been Toyota dealerships are turning their backs on this issue. For safety sake, this should not be ignored!! I find it hard to believe that we can spend time and money to preserve a salamander in this country and yet ignore a highway safety issue such as this. The complaints on this issue have been many and around for a while. So many of us out here are reaching out to you for help. Please help by considering a recall on these vehicles. Very truly yours, ...an experienced auto mechanic, licensed and experienced (a&P) aircraft mechanic, gulfstream 550 safety & standards Pilot.

- The Woodlands, TX, USA

problem #37

Dec 152002

Sequoia 4WD 8-cyl

  • 50 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at an unknown speed the vehicle stability control activated at a low speed for a few seconds. He stated that his vehicle would not accelerate as quickly as he thought which increased the risk of a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure. He was advised that his vehicle was not covered under warranty nor were there any related recalls. He was also informed that the vehicle was performing as normal. The contact referenced recall NHTSA campaign id number: 10V176000, traction control system that was a recall for the 2003 vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50 and the current mileage was 130,000. Updated 3/7/11 updated 03/141//

- Olympia, WA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »