2.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,487 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 1 of 2)

problem #40

Jun 072023

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 222,715 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound and hesitated to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal a second time, and the vehicle stopped. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and depressing the brake pedal. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Sumter, SC, USA

problem #39

Jan 092013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 143,900 miles
I was driving on the freeway on a dry day, traveling at 65 mph and noticed the trac control, ABS, and brake lights all illuminate. I thought this was interesting. As I drove at steady 65mph I noticed the vehicle become unstable, I could feel the rear end being very wish-washy, to the point I had to slow the vehicle down to about 55 mph so that it would feel more stable. I drive this same stretch of freeway often and have never had the truck act like this until the lights became illuminated. I took the truck to my mechanic, they performed some diagnostic testing and did some investigating and found nothing wrong, no tripped codes or anything else pointing to something needing to be replaced. While they worked on the vehicle they had at some point disconnected the battery, resetting the computer, this seemed to solve the problem until last week, 9/23/2013 when the lights same lights illuminated again. This second time I never noticed the rear-end being slippery as I did in the first case. Thank goodness. I was on a long trip 600 miles from home. I worried that when these lights are illuminated that if I'm required to do a quick stop or maneuver to avoid something I may end up in a really bad situation. But with the lights being illuminated twice in a year span I'm beginning to think that this could be an ongoing problem. I'm don't like the unpredictability of when the lights illuminate.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #38

Jul 302013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 158,000 miles
I was traveling on the highway at approximately 70mph when what sounded to be the right front ABS come on jerking my vehicle to the right nearly colliding with the vehicle next to me. Immediately after the brake locking up, which lasted for about a second, the vehicle skid control "off" light came on and a loud beeping noise was heard. I parked, shopped, and the lights were off when returning to the vehicle. Then the incident happened once more in the five mile drive home from the market on the highway almost causing a vehicle to crash into the rear of mine and pulling me nearly uncontrollably into the wall.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #37

May 012011

Sequoia

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the anti lock brake and vcs lights illuminated. The vehicle also decelerated into limp mode. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that a sensor for one of the rear tires was faulty. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the booster assembly and master cylinder were replaced; however, the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a third time and the contact was informed that a brake line failed. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #36

Oct 132011

Sequoia

  • 89,000 miles
The front brake rotors needed replacing the mechanic called me indicating the calipers also needed replacing due to rust. Also the entire frame of the vehicle is rusted he indicated other Toyota customers had the same problem frame corrosion. I called Toyota and filed a complaint, I found out Toyota had replaced Tundra frames (same frame as the Sequoia) but they would not take responsibility for my problem. The vehicle has only 89,000 miles and is very well maintained. The frame is in very bad shape I feel it is unsafe to drive. I understand other Toyota Sequoia owners have the same problem. I am very disappointed in a very expensive vehicle. Another reason to buy american!

- Lincoln University, PA, USA

problem #35

Jun 062009

Sequoia

  • miles
Same problem like everyone else I've read about. The traction control, vsc, brake light, and ABS light on. Dealership says no recall but they recalled all 2003 models for the same issue. Vehicle lights are off when vehicle is started, after 2-3 miles all the lights come on then the car is hard to handle due to traction control making the car unstable. This has been occurring for quite a while now. The vsc/trac light on my 2002 Toyota Sequoia comes on after driving for a few minutes. When this occurs it feels like the vehicle looses power and goes into "anti lock" mode. It's a scary feeling when driving at highway speeds. Once the vsc warning lights come on the vehicle drives normally, will do it again and again. The dealership said that it cost $800 dollars to repair. I can't afford to have the repair made and feel I should not have to. If the 2003 model has been recalled for the same problem and so many other 2002 Sequoia owners have reported the same problem, why shouldn't our trucks also qualify for recall and dealer repair at no cost to us. Must we first have an accident to win rights to be accommodated. Does Toyota not want to make good on it's product and satisfy all ownere/customers. I worry every time I drive my vehicle and thank god each time I reach my destination without incident.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #34

Feb 012012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 99,000 miles

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

I was accelerating onto the freeway today and it felt as if the left brakes came on along with a screeching sound and it made me swerve left. I was able to avoid swerving into merging traffic but I nearly crashed. Over the last week the vsc off lights have started going on and off and and after reviewing some literature on line it seems that hundreds of others have had the same type of problem. The 2003 Sequoia was actually recalled for this same thing. Very dangerous and now I will have to contact the dealer to see about it getting fixed before someone is killed. I have two young children and this really pisses me off. Even if there is not a recall I should have been made aware of the danger I was putting myself in. I have been happy with my truck for 8 years but after this incident and seeing what others have gone through I will never buy another Toyota!!!

- Portland , OR, USA

problem #33

Aug 222007

Sequoia

  • 40,000 miles
Headlight relay goes out causing headlights to shutoff while driving. For the 2nd time in a year. Part was replaced with a new part. Rear door will not latch and rattles. Rear latch assembly was replaced. It does not shut or seal so carbon monoxide enters the cabin. This has happened 3 times. Brake calipers seize up front driver and passenger side, rear driver side.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #32

Jan 052012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
The vehicle was examined at our local Toyota dealer on 1/5/2012 because of making a grinding noise and shaking with acceleration at speeds above 20 mph. It was found to have extensive rust damage to the frame with a large rust hole in the right front area at the sway bar bushing bracket. The rear differential housing was rusted and leaking fluid, the right and left sway bars were broken, both front brake calipers were stuck and the rotors badly rusted. Repairs for the frame alone were estimated at over $10,000 with more than that amount to take care of the other issues. This Sequoia has been well maintained on a regular schedule, washed regularly and kept at night in a garage. The body and interior are in excellent condition. The car has only 76,000 miles on the odometer. It was quite a shock to go from a car we relied upon to carry us safely in winter weather to one which has had to be abandoned for scrap. I understand that frame rust issues have been a serious problem for many Toyota models including the Tacoma and Tundra resulting in recalls. The Sequoia needs to be added to this list.

- Elkview, WV, USA

problem #31

Jul 152010

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 147,000 miles
To start, I want to stress that I do not understand why there is no recall for this problem. The vsc trac, ABS, skid control and brake lights all came on and stayed on as of the above date. Prior to that date, the vsc trac and skid lights would come on for no reason, but would go off upon turning off and restarting the car. When the lights came on and stayed on, I read the owner's manual and based on that information, was worried the brakes would not work, so I called the dealer. When I spoke to someone in the dealer's repair shop about the problem before I brought the car in, he said that the warning lights meant that my ABS system was gone and it would cost $2,000 to fix. He said that it was not covered by warranty or a recall. So, I took it to the nearest auto repair shop to my home, that I had used previously. They checked the warning lights with the computer diagnostic and could not find anything wrong. Then, I took it to the dealer, and they checked the warning lights and said that the problem was low voltage with the battery. I had recently bought a new battery, so I took the car back to the first place, which checked the battery and said it was fine. So I received conflicting messages from the dealer. However, since other owners with my year/model Toyota have had safety problems with the same issue and Toyota has the same problem with the 2003 model and they have issued a recall, I believe it is a safety issue. I can't understand why no recall has been issued for the 2002 year. Please look at all of the complaints about this exact issue from so many consumers (and I'm sure plenty of others who did not take the time to report it) and act before someone is seriously injured or killed!!!!!!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #30

Apr 052011

Sequoia

  • 102,111 miles

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

My 2002 Toyota Sequoia has a defective sensor for the vsc, brake system. I see where the 2003 Sequoia is covered, but not the 2002's. please tell me why this is the case, when the same problem is occurring.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #29

Oct 102011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 96,500 miles
In stop and go traffic at launch vehicle ABS engaged without warning repeatedly with loud grinding noises and the ABS light, traction light and vehicle stability control light all came up. Stopped vehicle, turned off engine, waited a few minutes and all lights were gone upon restart. However this problem worsened considerably and more often through the October and November 2011 months, to the point of occurring every time the vehicle is driven as the date of this writing, December 3rd 2011. New worsened symptoms now include flashing vsc (vehicle stability control) at launch from a stop, which cuts engine power and compromises accurate steering. Sometimes the ABS, trac and vsc lights come up immediately, sometimes only after repeated intrusive activations of ABS/trac/vsc. All these warning lights also stayed on once for two entire days after leaving the vehicle rest overnight. All these dangerous random interventions of the ABS/trac/vsc electronics started after the front rotors and pads were changed by a professional mechanic (A1-unity body, 1420 howe St in vancouver, bc, Canada). The vehicle was federally and provincially inspected for Canadian importation by the same mechanic before these problems started to happen. It was deemed to be in exceptional mechanical and working condition for its age and mileage. However the vehicle is now longer safe to drive because of this ABS/trac/vsc defect, despite it being otherwise perfectly drivable. Toyota must issue the same recalls that they posted for defective trac and vsc for the 2003 year Sequoia models for the 2002 Sequoia models. Sequoia vehicles haven't received any hardware or software updates as far as ABS/trac/vsc systems are concerned between 2001 and 2003, proof being that subsequent model years from 2001 all experience the same defects for the same reasons. 2001-2002 Sequoia vsc recalls need to be issued now!

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #28

Mar 092009

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
02 Toyota Sequoia purchased new. Very common complaint. The vsc/ABS/traction control lights brake issue.. after reading over numerous posts, forums, complaints, etc determined there isn't a repair and that fishing for a possible repair would be a huge cost.. as time progresses it increases in severity and problems. Now front brakes are constantly grinding! it results in very poor performance, extreme danger and an extremely bad grinding/dragging noise. Recently replaced both front calipers, pads, replaced the brake fluid, bleed the system and still no better. At this point the car is un-drive-able. It is no longer safe as I don't know what to do next. This is such an incredibly disappointing situation that Toyota refuses to address. It is disgusting that Toyota reacts to news reports and sadly a fatality to initiate a massive recall due to floor mats obstructing gas pedals, but when there is a major issue such as the faulty braking system they completely ignore the issue. Toyota does not act as if customer is number one. Their motto the next customer is number 1...those whom have already purchased are locked in and we won't do anything unless we are forced. I pray that no one is injured or dies as a result of this. It's only a matter of time! instead of allocating a huge sum of your budget to pay your attorney's why not step up and do the right thing and actually resolve this issue? 4 recalls for this model and year is pitiful. The number of major or re-occurring problems with this car are so extensive that you should be ashamed. I guess it's difficult to associate with the little people when you're sitting on top of the mountain, but remember what got you to that point, your reputation through customer service. We have no problem kicking you off the mountain. Hopefully someone will wake up.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #27

Jul 252011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 89,851 miles
2002 Toyota Sequoia brake slippery and shake the vehicle, then both vsc and trac off warning lights are on.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #26

Jan 022011

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 98,900 miles
I have owned my 2002 Toyota Sequoia since January of 2002. Since then we have had numerous problems with the brakes and now the vsc/ABS skid control. For starters the front brake pads and rotors had to be changed and re-surfaced with approximately 30,000 miles on the vehicle. Then the same thing again with approximately 60,000 miles. Before the second repair I did some research and saw there was a tsb for larger calipers and rotors on the vehicle. This is a classic case of cost cutting and under-engineering to increase profit margins. I went to my local Toyota dealership and ask for the repair to be done by Toyota at their expense. They would not do this for me. Now with approximately 99,000 miles on the car I have a failure of the vsc/ABS skid control. This is going to be a very expensive repair. I want Toyota to finally own up to my situation. The vsc/ABS problem is very frequent among my year model and deserves a recall. Once this system is de-activated by failure the Sequoia becomes less manuverable and more dangerous to its occupants and all those cars it shares the road with. Please join me and do what you can to make Toyota make both the underpowered rotors and calipers and the ABS skid control system mandatory recall items for the 02 Sequoia.

- Bedford, TX, USA

problem #25

Jan 052010

Sequoia 4WD 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia limited that has an error message on safety equipment. Vehicle stability control (vsc) and ABS (anti-lock-brake) system lights are constantly on, causing me concern. I see Toyota initiated a recall on the 2003 model for this concern, yet not on my model year? I see numerous blogs with this concern as I search for solutions. This was a very expensive vehicle that I purchased due to the reputation of this company for building safe automobiles, I am disappointed in Toyota's lack of response. Please help if you have the ability/authority. Thank you

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #24

Apr 202010

Sequoia

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the brakes would not engage. The dealer advised the central computer system would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. The current mileage was 50,000.

- Lihue, HI, USA

problem #23

Oct 172006

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
2002 Toyota Sequoia the consumer stated a noise was coming from the brakes and the problem was never fixed.

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #22

Feb 122010

Sequoia

  • 38,949 miles
I purchased a new 2002 Toyota Sequoia in April of 2002. In January of 2004, I was on the New Jersey turnpike and when I went to stop my vehicle, my brake pedal went all the way to the floor and I was luckily able to get into the shoulder and finally get the vehicle stopped without hitting anyone. It appeared to me that the master cylinder might have malfunctioned. The truck was towed to a Toyota dealer and they could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. When I picked up the vehicle, it appeared as though the brake pedal was back into its normal position but the dealer could not explain why. During the week of February 12, 2010 this same problem occurred twice and I was almost involved in two separate accidents. I took the truck to the Toyota dealer and once again the computer and other indicator lights were not showing any problems. After several hours of sitting there the brakes returned to their normal position just like before. I then took the mechanic for a ride in a back lot of the dealership and was able to make them fail once again. After this occurrence, the brakes never returned to their normal positions. I left the truck at the dealership for them to investigate. The mechanic said that there were no known problems in this area and he said after talking to several Toyota engineers that it could be a number of things: 1)master cylinder 2)brake booster 3)brake actuator 4)computer the mechanic and the engineers felt that is was probably the brake actuator so I went ahead with the repair. But they were not 100% sure that this was the problem. But they did agree that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The brakes of course are working. I talked to several other mechanics and they have said that Toyota knows that these actuators are bad but are not doing anything about it. They also mentioned that the vsc/ECU computer modules are a defect as well.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #21

Dec 102009

Sequoia

  • 68,000 miles
2002 Sequoia limited. Vsc off, vsc trac, ABS lights on. Vehicle makes crunching noise in engine compartment (ABS / vsc) and brakes engage while trying to accelerate. Continues for approx 5 seconds. Unable to accelerate.

- Folsom, CA, USA

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