The transmission in this 2002 Sequoia has been giving me signs of failure all summer. When the outside temp goes in the 90s car tack indicates engine racing but we aren't accelerating. Hot smell coming from bottom of car when first parking. Shifts rough between last to gears (told it was the 'lockup'). Tear down found a weak torque converter, clip broken and in pan, clutches totally burnt, etc.
vsc light, sputtering white smoke, engine died, metal grinding, would not even engage a gear. daughter was on the way to atlanta. thank goodness only a mile from home on quiet two lane.!! new transmission cost a bunch. been bragging to brother about toyota reliability... now eating crow.
Bought the car from a dealer 'certified' with extended warranty. However, that 'whichever comes first' clause bit us, as though we're under 100k miles (albeit just barely) we're past the term. So, paying cash to get repaired.
The guy in the shop said that the failure was not due to driving style, maintenance (or lack thereof), just a bum part. He thinks it started with the torque converter going first then pump, gear failure. Clearly not an uncommon problem, given the numbers of others who have had similar problems.
Pity. This is my 'new' car -- I also own '87 and '85 BMW's, both of which are near 200k miles, and neither of which have required anything this major.
We spent so much money purchasing this sequoia thinking it would at least last us another 10 more years. We are so disheartened and disappointed with the quality of vehicles Toyota has put out during this past decade. It makes us question whether we will ever purchase another Toyota again!
This is a F*ing crying shame. I have a 2002 Sequoia and the transmission just went after 124k miles. You spend over 44k for an auto and 8 years later you forking 4k out a new trans. I can't believe Toyota can not be held liable. If everyone who has this problem would come together and contact Prime Time, Date Line News, Diane Sawyer, etc this sh@t would come to a halt. This deserves some kind of refund.
- Greg H.,
Philadelphia, PA, US
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The transmission was just a bit slow to engage after reverse, then switch to drive. Didn't seem like a huge deal. I was planning on taking it in to have the regular transmission serviced. A few days later the check-engine light comes on and the tech says that we have a solenoid damaged. We take it to a transmission place and they pull the pan and see small chunks of metal that have caused the solenoid damage. They give me the option to rebuild the transmission for $3000. I had an extended warranty on the car, so the cheap warranty company opted to put in a used one for $2200, which failed 28K miles later. What a joke.
I have had such bad luck with this sequoia I am on my fourth compressor. I tried the lemon law and was rejected. Now my transmission went, I was driving home from work and came to a stop at a traffic light and the car died. It started up fine and when i put it into gear it died, tried that several times until I was able to get it to the dealer. Apparently I am not the only one with this problem. I am very frustrated.....
Man after drop a wad of cash for this car, i though it was going to be awhile before i would be on the side of the road on a hot a day watching cars go by. I'll cut to the chase, at first the car started to stall when shifting gears, then two weeks later i was at a stoplight and the car just died. i was able to start the car, but when i shift the car into any gear the car just died. After 2 hours, i made it to the Toyota shop they told me the transmission was gone and had came apart inside. the COST $4100 and three days. After going on the internet and doing some research i know that I'm not the only one with this problem. there are lot of us. Toyota needs to follow up on this issue.
I went to the dealer to complain that the transmission was slipping and they said they could not find anything wrong. Then 2 weeks later I try to back up in my garage and I hear a thud. I tried to restart the car but every time I put it in gear it stalls. I was able to put it into 4wheel low but it wanted to take off like a jet. I was able to get it to the dealership. It took a week to fix. Thank god it was covered under the extended warranty. I am still having trouble with it four days later after getting out of the shop it is going back.
Was driving to a 4 way stop took my foot off of the brakes and placed on the gas peddle and bam....stop. Placed the car in park cranked her back up and tried to place it into drive again...bam...had it towed to the Toyota dealership where they said it was metal shavings and will have to be replaced...dang...2 weeks before christmas....
Car died on me at a stop sign. Cranked car in park - put in drive - died again. Cranked car - put in neutral - stayed cranked. Went to drive - died again. Sat at intersection for 15 minutes and it finally stayed cranked in drive. Took to dealership - could not recreate - but suspected transmission. A couple of days after - roaring sound from under car when the car went into passing gear (overdrive).
Brunswick Toyota told me for 4 months that the problems I described couldn't be duplicated. I was stranded on various occasions. Each time the brakes were applied, the vehicle would stall. My children either missed or were late for their sports events. I had to cancel doctors appointments, and the regional office wouldn't return my phone calls; the service dept. Kept saying the problem couldn't be duplicated. And now, a 2 year old car has had to have a new battery last month, and now a new transmission. I'm supposed to feel safe in this very unreliable vehicle which was repaired by servicemen who told me to put more gas in it and turn off the 4-wheel drive button, on separate occassions. Do you know anyone who wants a Sequoia, because I sure don't...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The transmission in this 2002 Sequoia has been giving me signs of failure all summer. When the outside temp goes in the 90s car tack indicates engine racing but we aren't accelerating. Hot smell coming from bottom of car when first parking. Shifts rough between last to gears (told it was the 'lockup'). Tear down found a weak torque converter, clip broken and in pan, clutches totally burnt, etc.
Anyone want to start a class action suit?
- dgood, Reading, PA, US