10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,508 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 2003 Toyota Sequoia:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #98

May 252012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 97,187 miles
I just bought this used 2003 Toyota Sequoia on May 25, 2012. I noticed the warning lights indicating a defective traction control system and ABS system on my way home from the dealership. They assured me the system works fine and that it has something to do with the computer module. All the following warning lights are on at the same time: Trac, vsc off, and ABS lights. I also checked the vehicle history on the Toyota website and it is recorded that the Toyota dealer worked on this problem on 07/23/2009 when the car had 97,187 miles. I have done a lot of research on this and it seems 50,000 Sequoia's were recalled for this problem, however, my Sequoia's VIN was not on the list. Please help. In addition the lighting on the dashboard does not work.

- Bowling Green , OH, USA

problem #97

May 022012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle ABS, trac and vsc trac sensors are on and will not go away unless computers and sensors are replaced. Dealers have indicated the replacement of sensors and computers may not resolve the problem.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #96

Nov 012011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
ABS, vac, trac light on.

- Garland, TX, USA

problem #95

Aug 132006

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
Continuous problems with ABS vsc check engine lights. These lights have gone on several times through the last 9 years, 90,000 miles. We have brought this vehicle to Toyota dealers as well as mechanics many times. We have replaced the yaw rate sensor, oxygen sensor and were quoted a price of 2500 to replace another sensor/computer. Other times they cannot read the codes in order to make a diagnosis. A few months later the lights are back on. Many other 03 Sequoia owners have had similar problems. We feel that there is a major defect in these Sequoias that Toyota has not taken responsibility for. This is a safety issue/concern.they prefer to tell us the vehicle is not under warranty anymore.

- Paramus, NJ, USA

problem #94

Feb 182011

Sequoia 8-cyl

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

- Roxbury, MA, USA

problem #93

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 #92

Jul 152011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
It was raining, I was going around a turn,10 - 15 mph the back tire started to spin, the vsc trac, vsc off, and ABS lights came on, this is after the trk. Went to the dealer to check out a recall on the vsc. They said it wasn't under a recall, we parked the Sequoia and wont drive it until it's repaired, safety reasons, I moved it, tried to go over a curb on an angle and the right rear tire just was spinning on the asphalt road. This cant be good for the Sequoia, its 4 wheel drive, and its making a noise, in the drive train, clunking?? it slides in the rain (bad ) and wont stop on wet roads very well, it slides to a stop. I don't have alot of time to research the vsc problem, but it sounds like all the Sequoia's 03-05 have the same problem, for the cost of this trk. I hope Toyota will fix this problem.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #91

Apr 012005

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
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 #90

Aug 072011

Sequoia

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the dealer performed a diagnostic test and the result indicated a faulty vehicle stability control system. The dealer also stated that the vehicle stability control system needed to be replaced. The contact noticed a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 10V176000 (electronic stability control) and notified the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was manufacturer after the dates indicated in the recall. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #89

Mar 172003

Sequoia

  • 110,000 miles
My Toyota Sequoia 2003 is having ABS lights, brake light and vsc/trac lights on problem. Bought it brand new at the Toyota dealer in hayward, California. Vsc/trac light came on when I first bought the car(brand new from the lot); they replaced the steering angle sensor. These lights are on and off through out the years. Found out the there is a recall last year, 2010, but I did not get any notice. Took the car to the dealer June 30, 2011, paid for the check up, initiated the flashing of ECU to correct trouble code C1247, and they said that ECU needs to be replaced and would cost me $1500 minimum, maybe more to fix the vsc/trac/ABS/brake lights problems. My car is now 110.000 miles and according to Toyota -tim howe of 1800 331-4331 hot line number, they can not give any free service and parts due to over 100K miles on the car. This is not my fault, there were 50,000 2003 Toyota Sequoia have been affected with this kind of problem. The fact that I did not received any recall notice to them, it is just fair, Toyota should cover the repair whether the miles is less or over 100K miles. I maintain my car to the fullest best, just to name one record, I spent $2000 for valves adjustments and belts replacements at the same dealer. I think Toyota should cover this repair as per the recall issued on April 2010. This repair is a big amount of money on my part, considering my job is only temporary. Any assistance to give pressure to Toyota will be highly appreciated.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #88

May 012011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 133,750 miles
Vehicle violently stops or decelerates without driver hitting brakes

- Pacific Palisades, CA, USA

problem #87

Aug 202010

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
2003 Sequoia. Vsc/trac lights come on just driving down the road. Plus parking brake light. Have to shut car off to reset. The dealer said my computer is not part of the recall so I must pay out of pocket. Looked on-line and found dozens of sites and thousands of people with the same problem.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #86

Dec 172010

Sequoia

  • 18,740 miles
My wife and I own a 2003 Toyota Sequoia, which we purchased new in 2003. We use it sparingly, so it only had 18,743 original miles on it as of December 23, 2010 (a date referred to again below). The vehicle has been regularly maintained by copeland Toyota, brockton, MA, and was trouble-free until recently. On November 23, 2010, I was pulling into a parking space with my wife in the vehicle. I had come to almost a complete stop in the parking space with my foot on the brake pedal, when the engine revved and the vehicle lurched forward into the next parking space in front of me (fortunately unoccupied). On December 17, 2010, again with my wife in the vehicle, I had backed out of my driveway onto the street and had the vehicle at almost a complete stop with my foot on the brake pedal when the engine revved and the vehicle lurched backwards up a hill behind me. On both occasions I was able to apply pressure on the brake pedal to finally stop the vehicle. I checked the floor mat, as did the Toyota dealer, and found no problem with it. I took the vehicle to the Toyota dealer on December 20, 2010. The service advisor professed to not knowing what caused the lurching, said there was no related recall on this particular vehicle, and told me that their diagnostic computer showed codes in the system indicating a faulty vehicle stability control engine control unit (vsc ECU). It took the dealer four days to get Toyota to "release" a replacement ECU, which was installed on December 23, 2010 at a cost (materials and labor) of $650. This was clearly a dangerous situation; we were fortunate that it occurred where it did.

- Stoughton, MA, USA

problem #85

Dec 152010

Sequoia

  • 65,747 miles
Skid control activated at low speed with grinding noise, mileage 66,000; warning lights for traction control, ABS, parking brake, stability control all activated. Took into dealer where supposedly repaired, drove 5 miles and happened again. Back at the dealer now, waiting to see who pays. This happened in 2004 at very low mileage and the faulty skid control ECU unit was replaced, not reprogrammed, at my insistence, having been aware of the factory service bulletin.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #84

Dec 022010

Sequoia

  • 104,000 miles
After years of intermittent problems with the ABS/vsc/trac lights coming on, I brought my car in for the recall requiring a software update. The update was preformed, and then the dealer says the yaw sensor needs to be replaced or the lights will not go off. After researching this online, it appears that thousands of Sequoia owners have this problem. Unless I submit to the dealer's extortion of $700, I have a faulty ABS system because of the yaw sensor that has a high failure rate. This should be recalled.

- El Dorado Hills, CA, USA

problem #83

Oct 252010

Sequoia

  • 89,250 miles
Brought my 2003 Toyota Sequoia into the dealership to address a safety recall to upgrade program logic in its vehicle stability control (vsc) system. After the work was completed, the car was returned to me with both my vsc lights and the ABS light permanently illuminated. The dealer put it back on the testing station and determined that now my deceleration sensor (yaw rate sensor) is faulty and needs to be replaced. This component is an integral part of the entire vsc system, and is a very expensive repair. I am now facing a huge bill which amounted from bringing in the car to address a safety recall. Dealer is not willing to assume any responsibility. Toyota customer service says there is nothing they will do about the situation, and I need to resolve it with the dealer. The vehicle skid control system helps provide integrated control of the systems such as anti-lock brake system, traction control, engine control, etc. This system automatically controls the brakes and engine to help prevent the vehicle from skidding when cornering on a slippery road or surface or operating steering wheel abruptly. Mine is faulty, and neither Toyota nor the dealership care.

- Glen Cove, NY, USA

problem #82

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 #81

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 #80

Aug 052010

Sequoia

  • 71,000 miles
I had my brakes looked at by dealer due to pulsating and not feeling like they should. They said nothing was wrong. A few months later, the vsc, ABS, trac light goes on and stays on. Safety recall A0G reflects problems with the vsc/ECU which also works simultaneously with the deceleration sensor/circuit. The dealer "pederson Toyota" has told me that I needed to replace the deceleration sensor costing $99.50 - diagnostic, $445 - part, and $99.50 - labor. I feel that Toyota has had so many complaints regarding this exact issue, they need to do something about this. Deceleration is a huge safety issue and my vehicle does not stop as it should. Also, the decelerations sensor/circuit they are telling me needs to be changed is part of the vsc/ECU that is recalled. All three parts work together and not one of them can do their job without the other. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Windsor, CO, USA

problem #79

Aug 032010

(reported on)

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
2003 Toyota Sequoia. Consumer states extreme shaking and vibrations the consumer stated there are four active recalls on the vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealer for the front suspension recall, but he believes the problem still exists as there is an extreme shaking and vibration coming from the vehicle. Also, the vehicle was taken to a different dealer for the traction control recall, but the trac off, vsc trac and ABS lights are still on, the consumer was told it could be a myriad of things which could have caused the lights to remain on.

- Austin, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »