5.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,602 miles

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problem #5

Dec 122002

Sequoia 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,000 miles
2002 Toyota Sequoia. The brake rotors and pads wore out quickly. This caused shaking in the steering and extended stopping distance. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership on 12-12-2002, and they replaced the caliper assembly, the front calipers, back plate, and bearings. This problem occurred again on 8-5-2004. However, warranty expired. Consumer took vehicle took vehicle to dealer because the front end vibrated again and there was a grinding noise. The dealer replaced the brakes pads and machined the rotors. The third time was on 7-29-05, the rotors, calipers, and pads were completely worn out. The vehicle is currently being repaired at the dealership. There is tsb BR0052 on this issue. When consumer contacted the manufacturer, they said that they would send an attention notice about the tsb to the dealership. They told consumer when he got to the dealership that he should talk to the customer service representative, who was unavailable at the time he contacted the dealership. As of now the consumer has not been able contact the customer service representative.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 222004

Sequoia 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
Problem with 02 Sequoia where brakes vibrate the car, and stopping ability is diminished. Problem to occurs when brakes become heated. (driving down a long hill in second gear, using the brakes to keep the vehicle under control when I would get to the bottom of the hill, the vehicle would vibrate and the brakes would loose some stopping ability. I would be unable to make an emergency stop in this condition. I took it to the dealer on 9/22/04 who stated that the rotors were warped & the pads bad. Not covered under warranty. I explained that this vehicle is for long trips & vacations. Little use of brakes in these driving conditions. I explained that I have another vehicle with over 236,000 miles, and that I know how to use my brakes. (95 Nissan pathfinder with original rotors) he then stated that the Sequoia is a much heavier vehicle and to compare them isn't the same, and it will take more to stop the Sequoia. I agreed but stated that the Sequoia should have a brake capable of stopping it, especially since I am supposed to be able to tow a load of up to 6000 lbs. I contacted Toyota corporate. The person there stated there was a tsb for this & the Tundra concerning the brakes, and the dealer should have corrected it. I informed her that the dealer had written no tsbS on the workorder highlighted in yellow. She told me the dealer will correct the problem. After 3 days I contacted Toyota again, and they put me on hold. They said the svc manager had been out & would call later. Later the dealer called and stated that out of good will he would correct the problem. The following day I went in to have it fixed. Went from 4 bad rotors & brakes, to only 2 rotors were bad. They resurfaced the front rotors. After the repair was made, I took it to a hill that I have to drive down in 2nd gear, a few miles long. At the bottom of the hill, the brakes start loosing their stopping abilities. The vibrations were gone, but the heating & stopping problem remains.

- Mineral Point, PA, USA

problem #3

Nov 242003

Sequoia 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
Excessive wear on front brake pads. At 35000 miles the front brakes were worn down to 10%; the rear pads were only worn down to 70%. the dealer did not think this is a problem, but it would appear that the rear brakes are doing no work to stop the car. I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia, SR5, 4X4.

- Bainbridge Island, WA, USA

problem #2

Apr 112003

Sequoia 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,010 miles
Brakes/seal I brought the truck in for 15,000 mile checkup. This is from the repair report: "oil leak from rear axle seal was leaking. Removed both side axle shaft assemblies due to one side was leaking worse than the other. Replaced axle seals on axle housing inside. Also needed to replace rear pads and turn rear rotors due to grease build up on surfaces from axle seals leaking." This caused lubricant/fluid to coat the break pads providing no friction; no rear breaks. I spoke to dealer at colonial Toyota and they mentioned that they had heard of similar incidents but had never worked on one before. Also said it was a factory defect that could be fixed.

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #1

Sep 012002

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
At approximately 8000 miles and just 3 months since new, the front whells started to vibrate during braking and dark soot deposits seen on front wheel rims. Vehicle taken to dealer for service check and was told rotors were warped from overheating and was a known problem. Dealer installed brake upgrade package (larger design brake calipers and pads) and turned brake rotors offered free of charge by toyoya. Vehicle has since been driven for 3 months with new upgrade package installed and front wheels are again vibrating same as original design problem.

- El Cajon, CA, USA