2003 Toyota Sequoia (and a number of Toyota mini-vans) are plagued with a defective and costly repair associated with the rear hatches on a number of Toyota vehicles. The handle that operated the hatch is very fragile and breaks frequently. This plastic handle breaks on a 1-2 year basis and the repair cost is over 400 dollars to replace the handle. Opening the hatch is not possible when this breakage occurs and anything that was placed in the rear of the vehicle will be difficult or impossible to retrieve. Also, when the hatch is closed and the latch is broken, none of these vehicles can gain access to their spare tire which is located underneath the vehicle and is removed using a tool that is only accessible when the hatch is open. So, when the hatch breaks, you are stuck on the road if you have a flat. This is completely unacceptable and seriously dangerous. It is one thing to change a tire - it is another to not be able to change a tire due to Toyota's ignorance. I have had 4 handles that have broken to the tune of 1600 dollars for a 1 dollar piece of plastic. Someone needs to slap Toyota around and get this on a recall list. Various U-tube and other forums go into the Toyota hatch problem. Please consider contacting Toyota and requiring them to fix their time bomb just waiting to either hurt or leave buyers on the side of the road for a cheap piece of plastic. Thanks for your assistance.

- Apex, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the interior door molding was bending and looked as if were melting or separating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that she would have to replace it. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 52,000.

- Miami , FL, USA

I have a 2003 Sequoia and the safety concern is on the plastic trim around the door frames on the interior of the vehicle. My vehicle rolled trim is coming loose around all four doors. Only one edge is coming loose but therefore leaving a razor sharp edge exposed. I have already had to doctor my daughter and grand daughter because of this safety issue. If safety is number 1 in the car industry then this needs to be reviewed. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fortoglethorpe, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated there was severe rust and corrosion deterioration on the frame of the vehicle. The dealer advised replacing the rear axles at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current was unknown.

- Pittsford, NY, USA

The rear latch of the vehicle rotted out and the tailgate opened while on the highway, also the two front door handles cracked on the inside at separate times not allowing you to get out of the vehicle from the inside. The new handles and latch were replaced.

- Hanover, MA, USA

Toyota Sequoia - consistent failure of the traction control system while driving. This issue has been addressed by the dealer multiple times to no successful repair. We also have had significant issues with the rear window seals leaking and causing the window motor to fail.

- Tampa, FL, USA

I purchased my vehicle from sunnyvale Toyota in Oct of 2002. It is a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. From the time I reached home found multiple problems. Start with hub caps not seated correctly, defective roof racks, entry door molding with inked print on them. Went on to a defective air conditioner compressor, pungent awful smell from the ac, defective radio/ cd changer. Brakes are spongy and don't respond well. If you pump it once it works well. The vehicle repeatedly veers to the right. They have checked it at least 15 times. There is hair in the paint. I went through the ncds process and ended up with a judgment to have them repair the veering problem and air conditioning. Toyota never complied and ncds closed the case without my consent. I worked with Toyota and they finally worked on the trouble. I got a new set of tires but the veering returned. What happens is the tires wear more on the outside of the front right tire. As you rotate the trouble goes away until the tire wears and the problem becomes more pronounces. Now the tires are bald and ncds is giving me trouble to reopen the case or stand behind the arbitrators judgment. Now even the door molding are coming off even with no damage.

- Sacramento, CA, USA