10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
126,346 miles

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problem #134

Sep 142022

Sequoia

  • miles
While driving on a highway at about 60 mph, my vehicle made a loud grinding noise while the steering felt very difficult to control and then the VSC TRAC and TRAC OFF lights both came on. I got off the highway and pulled over to a parking lot to inspect the vehicle, but I did not see anything that would cause the vehicle to do that. After a few minutes, I restarted the vehicle and while driving on local roads to get home, the same thing happened again. I was extremely worried for the safety of my wife and children in the vehicle. After reading a few Toyota owners threads online, this seems to be a very familiar pattern with these Toyota Sequoias, and I strongly believe that this will result in very serious injuries or possible deaths if Toyota does not issue a recall to fix the problem causing such dangers for drivers. Please investigate the matter to save lives. Thank you!

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #133

Jun 152020

Sequoia

  • 220,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle speed control and traction control warning lights illuminated intermittently. In addition, the vehicle was shaking violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls under the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.

- Lake Hills, TX, USA

problem #132

Jul 252020

Sequoia

  • 99,860 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving, the traction control warning light, vsc track and an unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the brakes started to grind independently with an abnormal sound. Additionally, the steering wheel became difficult to steer with an alarm sounding inside the vehicle. The vehicle will loss power. The vehicle also jerked and pulled while accelerating. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to drive normal however after driving for a while the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V176000 (electronic stability control, traction control system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,860.

- Yuba City, CA, USA

problem #131

Jul 042019

Sequoia

  • 177,000 miles
I didn't realize what the lights meant being on when I bought it until I was attempting to drive 4hrs away and suddenly the steering started veering off to the other lane and swerving. I could not drive past 40mph on the interstate the rest of the way and almost crashed into other vehicles and off the side of the road. When you switch lanes the vehicle pulls you too far and it is very unsafe to drive especially with kids. I had to break the ABS fuse to get back home and even then it still veers off when trying to switch lanes and I can't go past 60 or so. I don't see how there are this many complaints and many accidents and almost accidents to not have everything associated with this malfunction to be considered not dangerous enough for a recall. I'm thankful my kids were not with me during that trip.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #130

Jul 182019

Sequoia

  • 175,000 miles
After driving roughly 40 minutes on a straight dry highway at a constant 70 mph, my vsc off and trac off lights suddenly came on for no reason, accompanied by a loud high-pitched alarm. The steering felt like it was dragging, was grinding, and pulled to the right. Felt like something was breaking apart. Very scary since I was in the left lane with no shoulder. I decreased my speed to about 60 and moved to the right hand lane. After several seconds, the alarm and grinding/dragging stopped just as mysteriously as it started before I'd even gotten to an exit. The lights stayed lit. Before I used the vehicle again, I inflated the tires from 32.5 to 35 psia, just in case that might have contributed. The next day, I drove on the highway for 40 minutes with no problem, but on the way back home, the same thing recurred after about 20 minutes, again at highway speeds on a straight section of dry road. This time the dragging and grinding was worse and the alarm lasted much longer. Again, it mysteriously stopped as I was preparing to exit the highway. Searching similar anecdotes seems to imply a known failure of the yaw sensor. That sensor has triggered the lights to come on from time to time ever since 2002, but it never caused the loud alarm or struggle to steer the vehicle before. This should definitely be a recall item. I think I'm going to have to disable the variable speed control and traction control features of the vehicle by removing the fuse just so I can keep driving it.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #129

Apr 152018

Sequoia

  • miles
The vsc trac, vsc off, brake light and ABS light are all on on the dash. This is known problem with 1st generation Toyota Sequoia's. Toyota issued a recall on the 03 models for this issue and provided a fix at their expense. The same issue occurs in other model years but there is no open recall for it. Dealership wants approximately $2,000 to replace the skid control ECU.

- Mokelumne Hill, CA, USA

problem #128

May 192017

Sequoia

  • 181,479 miles
My father and I were leaving frys electronics on Friday May 19, 2017. As we turned from the fry's parking lot to head on the 60 fwy all of a sudden the vsc started beeping and just as we we picking up speed(50mph) the truck started to swerve while at the same time a grinding sound went off my father pushed the vsc off switch but did not have any effect on what was happening. When the beeping had stopped both vsc off and vsc lights had stayed on and the vehicle seemed to be running ok and ever since that day whenever we use the Sequoia the lights come on and stay on during the trip on occasions it doesn't turn on after about 5 mins the beeping goes on and vehicle engine immediately slows and grinding sound goes on and causes vehicle to swerve and my father is a bit elderly so as a son I am putting in this complaint in hopes of some assistance in repairs this malfunction. My parents are retired and do not have an good income, is there any possible way Toyota can fix this malfunction which seems to be quite a problem amoungst Sequoia owners thank you for your time and patience I will await a response thank you. I would also like to apologize to the reader for the lack of my letter skills and hope I was able to express the problem for you to understand

- Pico Rivera, CA, USA

problem #127

May 142017

Sequoia

  • 150,315 miles
2002 Sequoia SR5 milage 150322. Been reading complaints on traction control that trac off and vac trac lights turn on and inside cab starts beeping and grinding noise comes from driver side wheel and looses RPM's.thats what happening to my truck also. Used code scanner at its saying its the yaw sensor why haven't this issue been recalled.needs to be recalled. It's dangerous!!! was driving 35 mph and the street light turned red. I pressed the break and truck syarted to beep, shake, and grind, started pumping breaks truck wouldn't stop and when it did was to late had already passed the red light. I've could of caused an accident and sevierly been injured or could of injured somebody else. Lucky my family wasn't in the truck at the time it happened.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #126

Jan 022017

Sequoia

  • 130,000 miles
We have had the vsc/trac flashing warning lights come on, with a grinding noise and beeping alarms as we drive the vehicle on the road and/or on the freeway. The steering wheel vibrates and the vehicle slows down. Incident lasts approximately 10-20 seconds. Once it stops the vsc/trac light comes on until you stop driving. This occurs randomly when we are driving the vehicle on the road or on the freeway. We never know when it will happen when driving the vehicle. We are no longer driving the vehicle on long distance road trips or on the highway because we are afraid that we will get into an accident. We feel it is a health and safety issue that Toyota must address immediately.

- San Lorenzo, CA, USA

problem #125

Oct 272016

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 295,000 miles
Complaint - electronic stability control, steering, vehicle speed control while driving my 2002 Toyota Sequoia while turning on city street & highway I encountered two significant safety issues the traction control system comes on while driving at various speeds, the vsc and traction warning lights ABS & engine lights are illuminated as the vehicle pulled to the left/right. When the issue occurred, the vehicle makes a grinding sound and pulls very hard to the left/right. The vehicle loses acceleration and feels like the anti-lock braking mechanism is being engaged. The jerking pull resulted in crossing multiple lanes of the highway before control of the vehicle was regained. This is going to cause deaths known issues with other Sequoias.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #124

Nov 062015

Sequoia

  • miles
The brakes of the car, and we I drive I can't drive more than 80 miles pr hour because it checks.I fixed the brakes and the light stay on for ever now every time I have to remember to take the foot brake.

- Westn, FL, USA

problem #123

Jul 012016

Sequoia

  • 190,000 miles
While driving my 2002 Toyota Sequoia, I encountered two significant safety issues that were recalled as part of a prior nhsta campaign (10V-176). While my Toyota is manufactured within the same window of a recall, my VIN was not included. Nhsta has opened an active investigation (PE16006) in response to other owners with the same issues. Issue #1: traction control system on several occasions, the vehicle would not accelerate properly from a stopped position. The code based on the vcs warning light indicated an issue with the center position of the steering angle sensor (SAS). The sensor was replaced and the ECU programming was updated to resolve the safety issue. Issue #2: electronic stability control on multiple occasions, the vehicle lost control while driving due to an issue with a faulty yaw rate sensor. While driving at various speeds, the vsc and traction warning lights illuminated as the vehicle pulled to the right. When the issue occurred, the vehicle makes a grinding sound and pulls very hard to the right. The vehicle loses acceleration and feels like the anti-lock braking mechanism is being engaged. The jerking pull resulted in crossing multiple lanes of the highway before control of the vehicle was regained. The mechanic experienced the same issue, and had to pull over to regain composure after almost getting into an accident. The faulty yaw sensor was replaced to repair the defect. After experiencing the issues with the Toyota sensors that almost caused an accident, I had the faulty sensors replaced. I have requested reimbursement from Toyota but was denied. The repair was for the safety issues which are under recall for the same model year (April 2002 ' April 2003), as my vehicle is manufactured in May 2002. The repairs included the defective steering sensor and the yaw stability sensor required to safely drive the vehicle.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #122

Sep 172016

Sequoia

  • 322,000 miles
When I entered the freeway, my vsc trak and vsc off lights came on, and the vehicle pulled to the right suddenly. I exited the freeway, and inspected my vehicle, to find nothing visible. I re-entered the freeway, traveled approx 100 miles, with no issue. Then, the same evening, I exited the toll road near my home, when the vsc trak and vsc off lights flashed and beeped, and brakes locked up on and off violently, as if the vehicle was possessed. I managed to get it home, as I was only about a mile from there, where I parked it, and had it towed to a shop. The mechanic was able to pull a code...the yaw sensor. But, the mechanic said that he could not guarantee that this would fix the problem. This happens while driving straight, after turning left or right, at any speed, and with no warning or visible reason for doing so. This poses a huge safety issue, especially while driving on the freeways at higher speeds. This issue could cause a deadly disaster at high speeds, and with many other vehicles on the road. This is definitely not an issue to ignore or take lightly.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #121

Mar 222016

Sequoia

  • 176,707 miles
The vsc trac & vsc off light blinks on and off causing car to cut on and off.when tis happen the car was in motion. I just purcased car the dealer said to replace the accelerator pedal position sensor of course it is not covered under warranty and because it happened right after 30 days of purchase it falls on me.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #120

Dec 152015

Sequoia

  • 247,000 miles
I have a problem with my trac and vsc light coming on while driving. The stability light would blink and beep and both the trac off and vsc light would come on. The brakes would also seem like it's grinding when the stability light is blinking and beeping. I have the exact same problem as this guy on this video https://youtu.be/vgearn4nito

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #119

Feb 172016

Sequoia

  • 215,000 miles
The vsc/ABS indicator lights appear intermittently without any warning. The car beeps, makes a heavy grinding noise and the ABS brakes are automatically engaged without any action by the driver regardless of the speed, or whether driving on a highway or city street. The car will fishtail. 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. This defect in the same model for the 2002 vehicles seems to be widespread. Must we first have an accident to win rights to be accommodated. Does Toyota not want to make good on its 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. This is the only vehicle we have to drive our severely disabled 10 year old daughter and cannot afford a new vehicle. We are really scared! see other identical consumer complaints at www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sequoia/2002/brakes/electronic_stability_control-4.shtml

- Weston, FL, USA

problem #118

Oct 012015

Sequoia

  • 140,000 miles
Identical problem as described by many others. Vsc-trac and trac-off lights randomly illuminated on dry, level pavement when brakes were applied, causing a loud grinding noise (much louder than normal application of anti-lock brakes), and car pulled and would not stop no matter how hard the brake pedal was pressed. First couple times, brakes were applied to slow the vehicle in traffic, so the failure to fully stop wasn't noticed. This now happens consistently whenever I drive and does not matter how fast or slow I am going. These failures clearly put vehicles at risk of accidents, and it is difficult to understand why the 2003 Sequoias were recalled for vsc issues, but not the 2002, when the parts being replaced fit both years. I have only had the vehicle for 2 years with 140,000 miles.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

problem #117

Jul 152014

Sequoia

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle jerked and veered to the left as the vsc warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the yaw rate sensor needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #116

May 142015

Sequoia

  • 168,040 miles
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.

- Edgefield, SC, USA

problem #115

Aug 132014

Sequoia

  • 107,500 miles
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.

- Prattville , AL, USA

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