10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 93,345 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.
Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times but can not get these lights to stay off. Since lights have been on, when driving on a muddy, wet, icy or slippery road way, my steering locks up, the brakes stop working and there is complete loss of vehicle control. All without warning. This is an extreme hazard and very dangerous. This has been on going since 2017 and is still a major problem. It started at around 200,000 miles.
- Foresthill, CA, USA
UNKNOWN I'm unsure of what is causing it but it is a very common issue with the 03-04 sequoia. The brake light will come on like on mine and apparently it's a failure in one of the brake components. It's either the brake booster or the master cylinder in most cases is starting to g out. I've done research on this issue and it's a very common problem costing people thousands to get fixed. I feel like if it's that huge of a problem like I've seen with sequoia owners than it's needs to be addressed in a better manner
- Milledgeville, GA, USA
"VSC OFF, VSC TRAC, and ABS" indicators on the dash. YAW sensor failure which controls wheel speed which will cause vehicle to decelerate and possibly cause an accident. Toyota should issue a nationwide recall. Toyota is aware of the issue but has failed to issue a nationwide recall.
- Port Townsend, WA, USA
I took my Sequoia to have an airbag recall fixed and a recall that has something to do with the skid control module before I took it to have these recalls done my 2 vsc lights (vsc off light and vsc trac light) on the dash were on and so was the engine light I thought maybe the skid control recall would fix the vsc light but now both of the vsc lights are still on and my brake light is now also coming on when I start my vehicle when this happens my brake power is diminished and my vehicle shakes bad when hitting my brakes to slow down to make a turn or just to slow down in general at a stop light or stop sign this happens on the highway or wherever I'm driving my vehicle at the time but as long as the vsc lights and the brake light aren't all lit up on my dashboard at the same time my brakes aren't as diminished but both of the vsc lights stay on and my vehicle still shakes when I'm slowing down to make a turn. Also when both of the vsc lights are on along with the brake light my vehicle wants to spin the back tires when I'm taking off from a dead stop I have to let off the gas completely for a second then proceed.
- Millers Creek, NC, USA
Trac off vsc trac off lights illuminate. Seems to be faulty sensor. Brake light periodically comes on with no issue with brakes. Brakes have been replaced and everything checked. On 2 occasions when the brake light is on, the antiskid control activates when the car is going less than 30 mph slowing down for a turn. The car is hard to control and shakes. After the car is turned off for awhile the brake light does not illuminate the next time you drive but will come back on randomly. Trac off and vsc trac lights illuminate are on.
- Oviedo, FL, USA
Takata recall. The parking light would come on intermittently, and we had it looked at by a Toyota dealer. They recommended to replace the ECU, which we did. This didn't fix it. The car got worse and started shaking when I drove and when I stopped it would shake and make a grinding noise. We had it looked at and the braking system serviced. The problem is still there. This is a common problem with this year and a dangerous flaw in these vehicles.
- Huntingburg, IN, USA
While executing a slow speed left turn(10-15mph) I braked lightly to execute another left turn when the parking brake and traction control lights lit up on my dashboard along with diminished brake power and a grinding noise. I applied them again a little more aggressive to stop my vehicle..same response. I coasted to about 2-3mph and the lights were still showing but I recovered brake power. At my destination(3 blocks away) I turned off the vehicle. On my return trip back home, there was no sign of dash warning lights and I had full braking power. @home I immediately called Toyota usa and they did not acknowledge any ongoing problem. After going on an online forum I discovered numerous complaints about the same problem...some of them actually going to Toyota for the problem, and some of those stated the problem returned..my son ran an obdii diagnostic to find numerous codes for the ABS ans ECU and brakebooster system.fixes range from low brake fluid to a complete replacement of said systems costing thousands of dollrs. I feel this is a serious safety issue that Toyota should address. [dateline problem happened 6-27-19...]I have no choice now but to warily trust Toyota to run a diagnostic on my vehicle for solutions....please help
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
I have had persistent problems with the front brakes rotors warping. New ones do not last very long before they warp. My vehicle has approximately 155,000 miles. My I have asked my trusted service mechanics to use Toyota parts. The dealership parts department told my mechanics that they do not recommend replacing the rotor with a the original Toyota part as they have been warping. They recommend up sizing the rotors, which is what Toyota has done on some vehicle. I have talked to a Toyota service department about replacing the front rotors and brakes. They gave me a quote but said they would not give any warranty on brakes. I talked to Toyota's 800 number they said there were no recalls or eligible upgrades and that my vehicle was not part of the campaign they had for the brakes. They would not elaborate if any of the 2003 Sequoias were part of the campaign. They gave me a case number. My primary concern is that the brakes or brake components are undersized which is manifested by the repeat warping of the rotors. The undersized brakes could be a hazard under certain circumstances.
- Greenwood Village, CO, USA
My vsc/vtc lights have been on since I have owned my vehicle. I also have a brake light that comes on constantly. I am only able to reset the brake light by turning off my vehicle and restarting. I have replaced all 4 rotors, calipers and fuel lines more than 3 times since buying the truck new. Brake pads are changed in the front tires continuously! there is a serious problem with the brake system in this truck! I was told by many mechanics that the only way to get the skid control / traction control lights to turn off is to have Toyota figure out what is wrong with the brake system in the Sequoia's. also, I believe there should be another way to open the back hatch to this vehicle other than the plastic handle on the outside which breaks repeatedly!! if there were an emergency on the inside of the truck and the only exit were the rear of the vehicle, there is no way to open the rear tail gate from inside!!! once that stupid plastic handle on the outside of the vehicle breaks, you cannot open the rear hatch on the Sequoia!! it becomes a death trap in the third row seating area!!
- Haverhill, MA, USA
Vsc, check engine, brake lights keep coming on. No traction control when button pushed. Driving highway speed traction control beeps when not even appropriate. Have had several times trying to brake, no brakes light comes on almost crashed due to no brakes! I have researched recall my VIN# not listed. This is ridiculous! unsafe! Toyota needs to recall more vehicles. Not a happy Toyota consumer!
- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving 55 mph, the contact approached a stop light and the emergency brake indicator illuminated and the vehicle would not stop. The brake pedal extended to the floorboard. The contact pumped the brake pedal and was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and turned it off. When the vehicle was restarted, the contact regained control. The vehicle was driven to the dealer (frontier Toyota, 23621 creekside rd, valencia, ca 91355), but no failure could be found and the vehicle was deemed to be in good standing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred a total of four times in the past eleven years regarding the emergency brake illumination and the vehicle not being able to stop. There were no recalls associated with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 135,000.
- Valencia, CA, USA
2003 Sequoia vsc recall.
- Destin, FL, USA
I have a 2003 Sequoia with 253,000 miles on it. About a month ago, while driving on a flat, dry road at about 30 miles per hour and slowing for an upcoming stoplight, my vsc off, vsc trac and check engine lights all suddenly came on. Apparently this is a known issue with this year vehicle. I am struggling now to figure out how L will afford to take this car in for repair and L am angered at being put in this position. This was an expensive, luxury SUV when we bought it and the manufacturer should own up to this bad part. If I'd wanted a crappy made car, L wouldn't have wasted $40K on this one.
- Mocksville, NC, USA
I went outside and turned the car on and noticed that the ABS, vsc off, and vsc trac dashboard lights came on and did not turn off. I drove the vehicle around the block and the lights remained on. This is a known manufacturer defect with the computer that controls the ABS / vsc trac system on the 2003 Sequoia. I have had the computer modules replaced for this issue before and 60,000 miles later the same parts have gone out again. It is unsafe to drive an SUV with the vehicle skid control and ABS systems not functioning.
- Salem, OR, USA
My vehicle has an issue with the ABS skid control. When the mechanic ran the check it came back with error codes C1203, C1223, C1247. I purchased hated this vehicle because I have a growing family and I needed the third row seating.the problem with the braking system happens when I have to stop quickly, which is a a safety concern. I believe there is an issue with the computer and the skid control or anti locking brakes.
- Venice, FL, USA
I just had to spend over 1,200 to have this repaired as my local Toyota dealership insisted it was routine ear and tear. My breaks would not work, and I just had new ones put on 09/2015, and the vsp light kept coming on and off. The car jumps, and something has not been right. I almost hit someone and had to use the emergency break to stop!
- Orange, CA, USA
While I was driving at an approximate speed of 40 mph, I noticed my brake, trac off, vsc trac, engine light all came on at once. I noticed that braking was not as responsive (increased braking distance; ABS doesn't seem to be engaging) and when speeding to over 50 mph, the vehicle feels as if it is slowing itself down. It is currently an expected heavy rainfall season where I am and having the vehicle in this state is very dangerous especially when the brakes are not working effectively or when it starts to slow itself down suddenly. After shutting the vehicle down and restarting it after about 2 hours, the lights mentioned are still illuminated except the brake light. After reading all the other similar complaints, I am surprised Toyota is not paying for all aspects of this defect associated with the vehicle and not driver misuse.
- Northridge, CA, USA
Vehicle stability control (vsc), traction control (trac), and antilock brake system (ABS) dash lights continuously illuminated indicating that all systems are off or malfunctioning. Can confirm that the trac, vsc, and ABS are inactive all or most of the time. The ABS intervenes at random under normal braking conditions without cause at low speed (less than 20mph) and makes braking difficult and inconsistent in conditions where ABS is not normally needed. In that situation the brake pedal becomes hard to depress and braking force is inconsistently applied with little control given to the operator in turn extending the braking distance without due cause or warning. After much research online I have found numerous reports stating identical and/or similar observations and experiences. It is my opinion that the problem lies in the vsc control module, a known problematic component on this generation of Sequoia and more specifically model year 2003 vehicles. A recall for the vsc system was issued in April/May 2010 upgrading the control logic of the vsc system in certain model year 2003 vehicles. Let it be known that the vehicle in question had the recall work done in June of 2011 which did not remedy the issue as it has been either intermittent or constant since then.
- Apple Valley, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While operating the vehicle, the traction off, vsc, and brake sensor lights illuminated. When depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop and the braking distance was extended. The contact also indicated that the vehicle would sometimes hesitate to accelerate. The cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.
- San Jose, CA, USA
- Foresthill, CA, USA