This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While I was driving the vsc trac light came on, the vehicle started grinding while I was pressing the gas and brakes. The vehicle felt as if it was loosing power, I almost lost control of the steering wheel because car was losing power and control. The ABS light also came on and vehicle started shaking very badly. This happens several times while I'm driving vehicle. I have taken it to be serviced from the dealer but the problem still exists. I will talk with an attorney about these problems because I am very afraid of a serious accident while driving my wife and kids.
Traveling on the freeway at a speed of 55 miles the vcs trac control light came on and the brakes were applied with out me hitting the breaks, I lost control of the steering for a slight second, the truck swerved to the left, it almost cause me to hit a car on the left of me on the freeway. Once I turned the car off, the vcs trac lights turned off, then it happened again on the street at a lower speed of 45 mile the vcs trac light started to flash and the brakes were applied and the truck swerved to the left, the lights stayed on again until I turned off the truck.
I have a 2001 Toyota Sequoia with 120,000 miles on it and on 3/3/13 I had a very bad incident happen with the vehicle stability control (vsc). The problem happened twice within less than a mile. I was driving on sunny day on a straightaway about 35 mph both times when out of nowhere the vsc light came on and the steering wheel started to shake violently, the brakes pedal felt like something had broken with it, and it would not allowing me to stop the vehicle. The car for lack of a better way to word it was acting like it was possessed. At this point I have very little control over the vehicle and I had to do something asap. I was able to pull off to the side of the road on a very steep downward bank. I was losing control of the vehicle and I was very lucky to have not been on a major highway. I had 2 adults and 4 children in the vehicle when this happened and I feel luck that there was no accident and no one was hurt or killed! I am now at the point that I"M scarred to drive my vehicle. Think about this, what a horrible feeling to have to deal with and when will this happen again" so now I am at the point do I sell it because I don't trust it and pass on a problem to another person.
This was the first incident: As I was driving then suddenly the truck started to beep and moves back and forth and made a braking sound. And I went into the side and hit a small post and the seat belt tighten. Now my back has been hurting me since. And some lights were on. The vsc trac and trac off lights were on. Then after that one I have been driving very careful but it will still do the same thing. The beep starts and the swirling back and forth. But I have been driving slower too so I don't get out of control. This is very scary. After the I turn off the truck the lights are not on. But the thing is that it just happens. I have no I idea when or what time. I hope I can get help on fixing this problem. Thank you
- Sanger, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I own a 2001 Toyota Sequoia and experienced a loss of steering control on three separate occasions. The first incident occurred while driving through a shopping mall parking lot at 5 mph. Our vehicle shuddered and swerved to the right while a buzzer went off & then the vsc and trac off lights illuminated. The next two incidents occurred over the next few days while driving on the highway between 20-25 mph. On both occasions our vehicle lost control and veered to the right before I was able to gain control of the vehicle. This is a serious life safety defect that has been acknowledged by Toyota for the 2003 Sequoia's and by the vast amount of complaints should extend to earlier models as well. I recently took our Sequoia into a mechanic and their trouble shooting revealed that the skid control ECU would need to be replaced, costing over $3400.
Was driving down major interstate when the vsc warning came on with buzzer. Brakes felt like they were being ground down, engine decelerated, and could feel bumping and grinding on brake pedal. Pulled over and checked under car, found nothing. Got back on interstate and same thing happened only this time the system turned itself off. Can not turn the vsc off with the button provided. Research on internet reveals not an unique issue with Sequoia. Has also happened with Tundra and other Toyota with vsc system. No fix available as of 09/30/2012 that can be found.
Wife was pulling off from a stoplight when the traction control system light (skidding car icon) and warning buzzer came on and the vehicle started making a loud grinding sound, vibrating, and pulling to the right. She pulled the vehicle over, turned it off, and called me to come swap vehicles with her. When I started the car, of course, the symptoms had gone away. Several days later on a family trip, I was driving the vehicle on the interstate at 65-70 mph when the vehicle did the same thing she had described. We pulled over, the noise stopped, and then the vsc/trac and trac off came on. This should be a recall fix. Too many vehicles have had this problem, over several production years (2003's actually have a recall for a similar issue). However, reading various forums has made me think Toyota doesn't even know the root cause of this. But it's definitely a safety issue that needs to be checked out.
Today driving at 40mph my 2001 Sequoia suddenly jolted and brake with a terrible grinding noise, this while I was using the gas pedal! it was very scary and shocking that it could possibly do such an unsafe maneuver. My children & I were terrified as the beeping started and then a steady noise while the grinding persisted. I am so glad the car behind us did not plow into us, and still do not know how they did not. To everyone that has stated this: "people will be killed because of this", you are very correct. It is dangerous to have such a faulty system in a car on the road. We had is towed away, and frankly I know not what to do since reading all of these other incidents. Even if we have it fixed, it sounds like it will not cease. I had this happen twice in the last 2 days, but thought I'd run over a pothole or something. Today, it was smooth pavement and nice weather. We really need a recall to save lives!
Was driving down major interstate when the vsc warning came on with buzzer. Brakes felt like they were being ground down, engine decelerated, and could feel bumping and grinding on brake pedal. Pulled over and checked under car, found nothing. Got back on interstate and same thing happened only this time the system turned itself off. Can not turn the vsc off with the button provided. Research on internet reveals not an unique issue with Sequoia. Has also happened with Tundra and other Toyota with vsc system. No fix available as of 07/30/2012 that can be found.
Vehicle's traction control system malfunctioned while driving on dry flat pavement. Vsc and trac control lights came on, vehicle pulled hard to the right, made loud grinding noise, and was extremely difficult to control steering and braking. This continued for approximately one minute, stopped, and then did it again. This is a very dangerous situation which could potentially lead to fatal accident if it occurs at higher speeds. It happened with our children in the car and scared everyone. This is the second time it has happened to us, but appears to be a very common problem with this make/model. I would like to see a recall.
Two days ago, I happened to be on my way home on a back road and only going around 40 mph when my stability control light, vsc trac, and trac off light came on and my car started making a beeping noise and I could not control my vehicle. This is for a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. I have seen many complaints since on different forums about this same problem. What can be done about this problem? I am very disappointed with Toyota and hope that there will be a recall on this problem or they could be facing some lawsuits if these kind of problems persist and someone gets injured or even killed because of negligence on Toyota's part. As for me and my family, we have owned Toyota vehicles for years, my great uncle was even asked to be in a Toyota commercial because of the devotion our family has had to Toyota. I really hope they do the right thing because there will be challenges made against their company if not.
Had just turned onto a road at 25 mph and vcs/trac lights came on, started beeping, made a grinding noise and was hard to steer, pulled off road as thinking I had ran over something....very scared. Now does it approximately 2 X weekly with no rhyme or reason.
Recently had new tires installed, while accelerating up freeway on ramp I could feel power being taken away, looked down and skid control light was lit up. Asked mechanic about it and recommended zero point calibration to rest sensors for steering yaw and pitch. After zpc vsc trac and vsc off lights were on. Code pulled C1231 steering angle. Zpc again. Code and lights still, code will not clear with Toyota intelligent 2 scanner. Monitoring steering sensor with scanner show both positive and negative numbers with zero at wheels straight. Mechanic want to change out spendy vsc cpu and translate cpu and says that is no guarantee to fix. I am driving it with lights one due to unable to pay $2K for something out of know where and no part physically broke to promote. In looking around I see this is not an isolated issue.
Was driving out my driveway, not going fast at all...turned on a major street and suddenly, a picture of the skidding car appeared and then the trac/vsc lights came on with a horrendous noise. Took car to the local Toyota dealership and of course they couldn't find anything wrong with it after relinquishing $100 diagnostic fee. The light and noise from the vsc engaging or disengaging is really loud and has happened every day since the initial issue. Does this present a problem? I'm afraid to drive my car but is very much needed for work and recreational activities. I've searched online and it appears that this is an ongoing issue that Toyota is aware of but fail to do a recall.
Vehicle: Toyota Sequoia 2001 4WD ltd temperature: 87 degrees F conditions: Sunny & clear - no rain/water present - no obvious slippery conditions surface: Paved surface road accessories active: Air conditioning was on & radio was on while traveling at approximately 35 mph in a straight line the traction control light illuminated (vehicle symbol that includes 3 wavy lines) and sounded an audible signal immediately followed by the "vsc trac" & "vsc off" lights illuminating. To memory, the accelerator pedal was being pressed as normal. When the above dashboard lights illuminated a negative sensation could be felt through the steering wheel, but the vehicle did not veer off course. Next, the emergency flasher hazard light was turned on, the A/C & radio were turned off and the four main windows were lowered to their full down positions by the driver and the vehicle was driven to a side street approximately 1/8 mile ahead, stopped and parked. The driver kept the vehicle running. The vehicle was then inspected by the driver for signs of obvious mechanical failure. The brake, driveline and suspension components did not show any obvious signs of failure. The owner's manual was checked and it did not indicate that the vehicle could not be driven in the current state. The vehicle's A/C system was switched back on (the radio was left off) and the vehicle was then driven approximately 10 miles, parked and turned off. After approximately 4 hours of the vehicle being parked & not running the vehicle was restarted. The previous dashboard lights at first did not illuminate. After approximately 1/4 mile of driving the "vsc trac" & "vsc off" lights illuminated again upon depressing the brake pedal. Vehicle was driven approximately 50 miles, parked and turned off. There were no unusual mechanical sensations felt or heard during either 10 or 50 mile drives.
Vsc light was coming on intermittently. Vehicle(Sequoia) was still under warranty so the dealership replaced the skid control ECU. The vsc light started coming back on intermittently approximately one year later. Since the vehicle was out of warranty Toyota said it would cost approximately $2400 to fix. Since the lights only came on intermittently without any other problems and I didn't have the money to spare I didn't get the repairs done. While having my rotors turned at the dealership the mechanic said they noticed the vsc light was on. They said they worked on my vehicle for 3 hrs(at no charge-just doing me a favor)) to try and remedy the vsc light problem. When I left the dealership I got on the highway and not 2 miles down the road the warning lights and ABS lights were coming on, I started hearing warning beeps, the car started vibrating violently and pulled to the right. Scared the heck out of me! I pulled over and had the car towed back to the dealership. Of course the dealership said it was skid control ECU and would cost $2400 to fix the problem. I have taken excellent care of this car and would fix it if I didn't think it would happen again. Because of necessity I have been driving the car and dealing with the daily scare but lately it has been getting so bad that I will probably have to trade it in before it causes an accident.
ABS, trac control, and vsc light come on intermittently all at the same time. There is a total loss of ABS and traction control - very scary on icy roads. Problem comes and goes. Cannot seem to get a fault code. Based on the postings I see, this is a known problem.
The "vsc off" and vsc skid lights came on and has remained on to the present date. When the lights came on all vsc functions stopped. Vehicle was taken to the dealership. Repair was not under any warranty. An estimate of approximately $2200 was given to replace the vehicles ECU. No repair was made. Occasionally the vehicle would lose power under moderate acceleration for a brief period (usually less than 2 seconds) as if something has cut power 20-30%. I suspect it was the vsc system trying to cut on or engage. This has not happened for some time. Vehicle now has 178000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Decatur, GA, USA