10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
155,092 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2002 Toyota Sequoia brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 Toyota Sequoia Owner Comments (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #54

Oct 012015

Sequoia

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Identical problem as described by many others. Vsc-trac and trac-off lights randomly illuminated on dry, level pavement when brakes were applied, causing a loud grinding noise (much louder than normal application of anti-lock brakes), and car pulled and would not stop no matter how hard the brake pedal was pressed. First couple times, brakes were applied to slow the vehicle in traffic, so the failure to fully stop wasn't noticed. This now happens consistently whenever I drive and does not matter how fast or slow I am going. These failures clearly put vehicles at risk of accidents, and it is difficult to understand why the 2003 Sequoias were recalled for vsc issues, but not the 2002, when the parts being replaced fit both years. I have only had the vehicle for 2 years with 140,000 miles.

- Kaneohe, HI, USA

problem #53

Feb 022015

Sequoia

  • 2,300,000 miles
2002 Toyota Sequoia vsc trac sensor lights turning on and off and hearing grinding noise when it auto-engage and disengage in motion.

- Stafford, TX, USA

problem #52

Aug 112015

Sequoia

  • 183,139 miles
This has happened about 10 times when the skid light will come on and the vehicle will go left to right and the brakes do not stop the vehicle. Then the vsc off & vsc trac off lights will come on. This has happened at speeds from 15 - 60 mph at times you loose control of the vehicle at the higher speeds for a few seconds. If this ever happens in heavy traffic it will cause an accident. Vehicle has been taken to a Toyota specialist mechanic and they are still replacing parts. I understand that Toyota recalled all 2003 Sequoia's for this problem. My wife now refuses to drive the vehicle until it is fixed properly.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #51

May 142015

Sequoia

  • 168,040 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The first time my ABS/vcs trac lights came on was after I had to brake hard on a downward hill. I accelerated to climb the other side of the hill and it was after doing that which the vcs trac and trac off lights first came on at around 168,000 miles. There was a fast beeping sound lasting for maybe 10 sec then it regained power. Now it will do it within just a few miles of our home. We have had several more occasions since this initial incident where there was a jerking/pulling of the right front tire. Also the air conditioning would come on and off like it was trying to surge. Also idles very low, below 500 RPM and then finally shuts off. This vehicle has become very dangerous to drive. We are not sure what to get fixed on it since we have read that other owners are being told that its anything from a yaw sensor, steering angle sensor, brake booster system, or a skid control computer issue. All of these are very pricey to get fixed and there are no guarantees that they will even correct the problem. Most have had the yaw sensor replaced and it did not correct the problem. Some of the mechanics we have talked to said that there could be brake dust or mud and road grime build up over the sensor making it malfunction and that it should be hosed off at an underbody carwash. We haven't tried this yet since we didn't put much faith in it until we discovered hearing again on youtube. The 2003 Toyota Sequoia vcs recall should be extended down to the 2002 models as well. We all are having the same issue that they did.

- Edgefield, SC, USA

problem #50

Apr 242015

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 81,069 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While driving 70 mph, the vsc track warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that there was a loud grinding noise under the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle started grinding and shook when braking. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,069. Updated 8/21/15 the consumer stated the alarm sounded, vsc and traction control lights illuminated. The vehicle veered to the right while driving in the left lane. Updated 08/27/15

- Missouri City , TX, USA

problem #49

Sep 282014

Sequoia

  • 138,000 miles
While driving on fwy, vsc light comes on, the brakes are being applied by the system, causing pulling of the steering into other lanes. Was able to pull over, and it stopped at 10 mph, turned off car and it re-set system, it happened 6 times on the way home, almost causing accidents as it jerks the steering immediately as it applies the brakes to gain stability again. It has happened intermittently ever since, even at slow speeds. It is in shop now, $3500 to fix it, it is a well documented problem on the net, this should be a recall. Someone will get killed, a cyclist in a shoulder, or car hitting another or losing control and rolling over. With all the complaints regarding the vsc system, how can you ignore it?

- Laguna Beach, CA, USA

problem #48

Apr 252015

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 264,585 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle was being driven on a dry paved road. The vsc and traction warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle pulled hard to the right, nearly causing an accident. The steering wheel becomes difficult to steer, the vehicle loses power, and the brakes inadvertently engage, making a terrible grinding noise. The problem happens at least once, each time the vehicle is restarted. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V176000 (traction control system) for the 2003 Toyota Sequoia - this failure is most likely related.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #47

Apr 162015

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 197,000 miles
After driving 45 miles then driving in a busy town then back 45 miles to home town I was going 55 mph and all the sudden I lost power, a dinging noise happened and I lost breakage, the vcs off and vcs track light came on, the vehicle start driving rough. I then went home. Then after a few hour I had to go get my son I started the vehicle and noticed the lights were off, after only going 3 miles and with my son in the vehicle it made the ding noise lost power lights vcs off vcs trak lights came back on, very scary, hope they recall it soon, my Sequoia was made August 2002.

- Beaver Dam, KY, USA

problem #46

May 242012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
Vsc light came on and has not gone off..dealership says its the computer and that 2003 and later have bee recalled for this problem but not 2002 "?" vsc not able to activate at all.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

problem #45

Dec 142014

Sequoia

  • 121,463 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vsc, ABS, trac, and brake warning lights sporadically illuminated. As a result, the vehicle pulsated and veered to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting the same failure as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10V176000 (electronic stability control, traction control system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the SAS sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,463.

- Boynton Beach , FL, USA

problem #44

Oct 012014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 196,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At stop and starting to accelerate vehicle hesitates while trying to go into intersection. Stalls for a few seconds vsc light comes on and once system gains control it lets me actually accelerate and proceed. Dangerous due to oncoming traffic and the hesitation time of not knowing how long until I regain control.

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #43

Aug 012007

Sequoia

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle stability control and the traction control light remained illuminated. Also, the contact mentioned that while driving during inclement weather, the brakes made a loud grinding noise and did not engage in a timely manner. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #42

Feb 112009

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 41,000 miles
In Feb. 2009, while driving to work, the brakes on my Sequoia began to lock and the engine started making a loud grinding sound and sensor lights began to blink uncontrollably. I could not control the car steering and was lucky that I was able to pull over the side of the road. This problem continued and I took it to my Toyota dealer who charged me $2700 and blamed the problem on rats. After picking up my car from the dealership the problem continued a few weeks later and the same dealership still insisted that it was rats and charged me an additional $2300. Yet this problem persisted so I took it to a local mechanic who has no ties with Toyota and he replaced a computer sensor. The problem went away for at least two years until recently during a recent rain storm it started to act up again. Driving this car has been unpredictable and scary at best. I came into several close calls with other vehicles on the road while driving when my car would loose all ability to steer and my brakes would lock during several instances. The experience has been a mind game and has taken a toll in my confidence in driving because I believed my dealership when they told me it was not the car, but because of rats, which I now know after reading other customers complaints on line that it was the way the car was manufactured. I lost a lot of faith in my Toyota dealership here in guam. I need your help to tell these people to recall my car to fix it even though it is 12 years old. I spent a lot of money when I invested in this car and I don't have the money to buy a new vehicle at this time. I am afraid an accident will occur to customers like me unless Toyota admits they have a problem with their vehicles.

- Hagatna, GU, USA

problem #41

Aug 012011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while traveling 75 mph, the brakes and steering wheel seized. The contact also mentioned that the traction control warning light illuminated. The failure was experienced multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who stated that the rotors and brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 09/18/14 the consumer stated the failure concerning the vehicle is identical to the failure described in the 2004-2005 model year vehicles. Updated 2/3/2015

- Perry , GA, USA

problem #40

Aug 052014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 182,988 miles
The skid control lights come on for no reason the whole car shakes and there is a thumping and grinding noise from the vehicle along with the beeping warning sound. It happens at different speeds sometimes when breaking or turning and losing power. This last a few seconds then the vsc light comes on and the vsc off light and all is ok while lights are on.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #39

Aug 152014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 146,000 miles
Last month, while traveling home from summer vacation on flat ground, at approximately 60 mph, the vsc, trac lights came on in the dash. There was a terrible grinding noise from under the car and beeping inside the car. The car pulled hard to the right and decelerated abruptly in the middle of a busy highway. Thank goodness I was able to pull into the turn lane and limp into a gas station. This occurred three more times over the next 500 miles until I got home. I took it to the dealer, they replaced the yaw sensor. Only 3 days after that, it happened again. Took it to the dealer, they replaced two brake sensors and a master cylinder. Today, five days after that, it happened again. This time, thankfully at only 25 mph with no traffic. This is a very scary, dangerous problem that Toyota should not be ignoring. It has been recalled in the 2003 model, and should be in the 2002 model as well!

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #38

May 312014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
First incident: On the freeway car all of a sudden made a beeping sound (similar to no seat belt sound) vehicle lost power almost like it downshifted. Vsc, trac off lights all came on and the car wouldn't brake! I had to consistently pump on the brake and pull the emergency brake to slow it down. Brakes were grinding and it felt as if it was trying to lock but yet skipping (clunk, clunk, cluck). Pulled off to the side, turned off engine, and then resumed. I had to pull over 5 separate times due to the same issue. Luckily I allowed myself a huge space in between myself and other cars. If not, there would had been a for sure accident. Car continues with the same problems. I've done a whole lot of researching in regards to this vehicle and it seems that it's a ECU issue. I am aware that Toyota has recalled all 2003 model Sequoia's on up but not 2002 on under. This is a huge safety concern of mine and even if I purchased a new ECU there is not guarantee that it's been addressed or fixed for this model. According to the Toyota rep. I just got off the phone with 30 minutes ago. Please help! and thank you in advance.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #37

Jul 022014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 181,000 miles
While traveling down the interstate at 65 mph on a flat, even surface under good weather conditions, the vehicle stability control unexpectedly engaged, the vsc trac and trac off lights illuminated. The vehicle's brakes engaged, the steering began to pull to the right, a grinding noise occurred, and the vehicle became very difficult to control. This is not the first time this has happened. The last time was approximately 3 weeks ago (also highway travel at 65+mph). Before that, it had been a while. This seems to be a completely random occurrence. However, this poses a serious problem and with two small children, it is extremely concerning. Based on what I've read, this is common in this model year vehicle. Not sure why a recall has not been made.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #36

Jan 082010

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
Makes a grinding noise, brakes on one side and pulls to one side. Skid indicator light, trac off light, and vsc light all come on and stay on. Vehicle decelerates momentarily, then resumes normal driving. Lights stay on until you turn off the vehicle.

- Griffin, GA, USA

problem #35

Jun 132014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 226,111 miles
On interstate twice doing the posted speed 75mph I heard a grinding, vsc antilock brake lights come on, vehicle suddenly pulls to the right. Luckily I gained control and avoided a major accident. Have had brakes checked and now told its the sensor. Very costly repairs. Toyota should have a recall on this issue. Could cause a deadly accident.

- Denison, TX, USA

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