2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Toyota › Sequoia SR5 › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
107 complaints2 involved a crash1 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
When driving the back light an traction control light come in brake light stays on an it says codes c1203 c1223 c1247 also saying the ABS sensor on master cylinder open circuit also has a code fro 0DTC had it checked out on 7/1/2019
- Steering · Suspension · Wheels
"Ball joint failure" while travelling down freeway at 35-40 mph the passenger front tire had come off and caused the vehicle to drop. Lost steering, brakes and any control of the vehicle at this time. The vehicle skid into the guard rail spinning it around and sliding until it came to a stop. The arm came directly off the vehicle and IS still attached to the wheel.
- Structure › Body
Takata recall never informed my family about the recalls for the frame on toyota sequioas. Therefore for more investigation during repairs to my vehicle not long ago I saw holes in my frame and was very bad and had my worried about my vehicle. I was unable to take photos at the time but am willing to put my vehicle on a lift and take as many pictures as necessary
- Structure › Body
My toyota sequoia 4X4 limited has about 230000 miles. I was driving this vehicle down the highway and slowed down to take a turn and heard a large "thunk". I then continued to drive and later as I got up to about 60 vehicle started shaking violently. I pulled over and checked under heath and the…
My toyota sequoia 4X4 limited has about 230000 miles. I was driving this vehicle down the highway and slowed down to take a turn and heard a large "thunk". I then continued to drive and later as I got up to about 60 vehicle started shaking violently. I pulled over and checked under heath and the frame had separated due to rust at the stabilizer bar for the rear passenger side frame. I was going to drive it to the dealership and upon further inspection the frame IS just rust for the full rear section of the frame and has large holes due to rust. It IS definitely unsafe to drive. I found out that it had extended warranty to cover this issue till 2014. I reached out to toyota and they said there IS nothing they can do. Toyota knew there was an issue. I was unable to get any help. I just purchased the vehicle in may 2018 from a private party and toyota told me that the risk I take purchasing private party.
- Structure › Body
I live in northern ky and I was driving west on ky 20.I was driving straight all of a sudden the front of the vehicle pulls right and the back pulls left .when I got the vehicle to safely stop I noticed the rear frame of the vehicle broke in half. It broke because it rusted in half.this could of…
I live in northern ky and I was driving west on ky 20.I was driving straight all of a sudden the front of the vehicle pulls right and the back pulls left .when I got the vehicle to safely stop I noticed the rear frame of the vehicle broke in half. It broke because it rusted in half.this could of killed me.luckily no one was coming on the other side of the rd. My mechanic said the frame rusted in half. I bought this vehicle in 2015 im the second owner. I paid 6000 for the truck put 1200 in new wheels and another 2400 in safety and preventitive maintience at toyota. I would not exspect this to occure.especially when I had the vehicle safety inspected. No my options are to replace the frame or junk the vehicle.either way im out big money on a truck I love.i thank god my great neices and nephew was not in the truck when the frame rusted through and broke.they were in there the day before.im blessed we didnt get hurt that could have went very bad.i believe if I was on the interstate I would have got hurt or even killed.this vehicle rusting out that bad IS not safe.ive noticed manay others have complained about the frame rusting out too. This concerns me for many others that own this vehicle.
- Electronic stability control (esc)
Vsc, vsc traction, check engine light stay on. No other problem to drive. Lights seen from 89000 mile. changed brake system on 75000 mile including router and works fine.
- Service brakes
Defective ABS system since initial purchase. at first, an intermittent problem but now a safety hazard. brake light, vsc light &trac light constantly are on & now on several occasions going only 10 mph brakes are affected where there IS a loud grinding noise & brakes don't function properly. I…
Defective ABS system since initial purchase. at first, an intermittent problem but now a safety hazard. brake light, vsc light &trac light constantly are on & now on several occasions going only 10 mph brakes are affected where there IS a loud grinding noise & brakes don't function properly. I was told the yaw sensor would take care of this costing $880, but it didn't; now its the skid control another $875 which I agreed to & when calling to get status of my car, I'm told it didn't fix the issue & now it's the booster another $1,000 which I'm not paying. This should be a recall as this IS issue makes it a very unsafe vehicle to drive. my car IS still sitting in the shop and I don't know what to do at this point.
- Air bags
Takata recall
- Structure › Body
Underbody frame rusted.
- Electronic stability control (esc)
Vsc/trac lights have come on . I still drive the car ,it was happen 3RD times . I went to local mechanic because it IS out of guarantee .
- Unknown or other
Tailgate door will not open preventing me from getting items out off the cargo area.
- Suspension
The chassis IS very rusty and I want to change the shocks but I don't want to damage the car because I believe that chassis have to be fixed first and I don't know how much that cost or where to go to fixed
- Suspension
Frame IS rusting away at only 40K. Holes in frame.
- Air bags
2003 toyota sequoia. consumer writes in regards to remedy not available in a reasonable period of time to repair front passenger airbag inflator recall notice. *smd
- Service brakes · Suspension
The 2003 sequioa frame IS rust IS eating away the frame. we paid a lot of money for this vechicle. would toyota standby there vechicle and replace this frame or we have pay for replacement .
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes
Starting in december of 2014 my 2003 toyota sequoia has had the brake light coming on and when applying the breaks having shaking in the front end. I took my vehicle into toyota and they said it was the wheel speed sensor, ecu. They replaced the skid control ecu and the right rear speed sensor.…
Starting in december of 2014 my 2003 toyota sequoia has had the brake light coming on and when applying the breaks having shaking in the front end. I took my vehicle into toyota and they said it was the wheel speed sensor, ecu. They replaced the skid control ecu and the right rear speed sensor. Costing me 1196.90. Then in march the brake light started coming on and off again periodically. It IS now october 2015 and on the way home from church the brake lights and vsc and traction control , and engine lights keep coming on. I was turning and the engine stalled and nearly died in one of the busiest intersections. I have since parked it in the driveway and will have to get someone over here to look at it because I do not feel safe or comfortable driving this vehicle.
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes
Two months after purchasing the vehicle, vsc and trac off lights became illuminated, no other symptoms. stayed on for 2 days then disappeared again. two months later the brake light had become illuminated, put it in park to load passengers, and when returned to drive, the vsc and trac off lights…
Two months after purchasing the vehicle, vsc and trac off lights became illuminated, no other symptoms. stayed on for 2 days then disappeared again. two months later the brake light had become illuminated, put it in park to load passengers, and when returned to drive, the vsc and trac off lights were illuminated and a grinding sound was heard when applying brakes - along with the vehicle pulling to the right. turned the car off, checked fluids and fuses, when restarted only brake light was illuminated and car appeared to be driving normally. took it in to toyota today to have the problem checked out as the brake light IS still on, and the grinding noise was a concern - and am told the brake booster needs to be replaced. in all my research on this, I'm very concerned as it appears to be quite a common problem, and on a search of my vin it says that my vehicle IS not affected by the recall (although I was told at the dealer that my ecu was 'flashed to the updated programming') current cost quoted IS $1,508 - but was also told that once the booster IS installed they have to re-run their check and it may not be the only problem. this IS very disappointing as we own 2 other toyotas, and purchased this car as a daily driver to take our children to school, everything I've seen regarding these issues leaves me very concerned for their safety.
- Engine
After coming to stop or slowing down, when turning car does not accelerate. For about 7-10 seconds which IS a safety hazard when pulling out into traffic. vehicle has been doing this intermittently about twice a week. also have had problem with ABS light staying off and on since purchasing…
After coming to stop or slowing down, when turning car does not accelerate. For about 7-10 seconds which IS a safety hazard when pulling out into traffic. vehicle has been doing this intermittently about twice a week. also have had problem with ABS light staying off and on since purchasing vehicle. taken to dealership and unable to find anything wrong. taken to dealership to fix problem with acceleration but recurred after visit 4 times. vehicle has 135,000 miles. Mileage IS approximation. *Tr
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia SR5. While driving approximately 30 mph, an abnormal noise was heard and the brakes became unresponsive. The contact had to depress the brake pedal rapidly until the vehicle responded. The vsc track and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was…
TL* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia SR5. While driving approximately 30 mph, an abnormal noise was heard and the brakes became unresponsive. The contact had to depress the brake pedal rapidly until the vehicle responded. The vsc track and brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vsc system needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Service brakes
I received a recall notice from toyota for undercarriage rusting. I took my vehicle to the dealership for treatment. They kept the vehicle overnight and I picked it up the next day. six months later (i'm not sure exactly when it happened because we have more than one vehicle), while driving the…
I received a recall notice from toyota for undercarriage rusting. I took my vehicle to the dealership for treatment. They kept the vehicle overnight and I picked it up the next day. six months later (i'm not sure exactly when it happened because we have more than one vehicle), while driving the sequoia, which I never had problems with before, I smelled something burning as I drove the vehicle and thought that with the new treatment it was just burning off the excess. however, the vehicle began to shake, I looked under the vehicle and noticed that the brake rotors had rusted to the point that I could rub my hand on them and rub the metal off. I called the dealer to ask them what the vehicle had been treated with because in all the years that I had the vehicle the rotors had never rusted. I was told "it wasn't caused by what they did" and that they "see rusted rotors all the time", but was never told what chemicals were used in the treatment. I have to pay to have the entire brake assembly replaced on all wheels to make the vehicle safe again. I'm to believe that it IS just a coincidence that the first and only time that this happened IS within six months of the "undercarriage rust treatment" that I was told had to be applied to prevent rust by toyota. I believe the rust inhibitor treatment IS fraudulent and causes other problems with the vehicles such as mine. *tr
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Vehicle speed control
I was on the freeway and started to change lanes, when I saw a damaged area on the freeway drove over it and the light for trac control light, vsc light, and ABS light were all on. Then I exited to check for any visible problems nothing that I could notice. So I stated to research about this and…
I was on the freeway and started to change lanes, when I saw a damaged area on the freeway drove over it and the light for trac control light, vsc light, and ABS light were all on. Then I exited to check for any visible problems nothing that I could notice. So I stated to research about this and found forums to see what I can find out. This IS a big problem from what I see. Do your part to get things done with this dangerous problems. *tr
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
The vsc and trac lights started coming after a clucking sound heard from underneath the car followed by a loss of power. after turning the car off and back on again it goes away. but it comes back intermittently. the problem needs to be fixed. I am concerned about the safety of my family as we will need to go on a long family trip in a few weeks. please help. *tr
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Vehicle speed control
While driving I came to a stop and when put my foot back on the gas the vsc trac light came on and also the skid light. It made a grinding noise, then when I hit the gas it would not accelerate. this IS a scary feeling!!! What can be done about this?!! Seems to me it's more then just me exprencing this!!! *tr
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Vehicle speed control
I was driving and all of a sudden my check engine, vsc off, and the vsc trac lights came on and they won't turn off. Took it in to toyota dealer service the following date and they said it was an intermittent problem with the ecu and skid ecu computer board and that it may fix it? IS there a recall on this issue would like to know. *tr
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Traction control system · Vehicle speed control
Vcs off light, vcs trac light and check engine light all came on at the same time and will not go off. . *tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10253223This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.
- 10207946POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.
- 10197476Replacement vin plates.
- 10197473Product general information.
- 10190460Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10145776Update on Technician Certification Requirements.
- 10062051Summary to be provided on a future date.