10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,784 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.

2003 Toyota Sequoia engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Toyota Sequoia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #86

Mar 032023

Sequoia

  • miles

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

Front end in rolled shacking. Tires wearing extremely fast and uneven image. Unable to drive

- Foresthill, CA, USA

problem #85

Jul 202022

Sequoia

  • miles
"VSC OFF, VSC TRAC, and ABS" indicators on the dash. YAW sensor failure which controls wheel speed which will cause vehicle to decelerate and possibly cause an accident. Toyota should issue a nationwide recall. Toyota is aware of the issue but has failed to issue a nationwide recall.

- Port Townsend, WA, USA

problem #84

Oct 062020

Sequoia

  • miles
As I came ro stop auto then pressed the accelerator the auto acted as if it didnt want to move but started out slow. This occured everytime I stopped and pressed to accell the auto. The auto was in motion, during turning.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #83

Jul 042012

Sequoia

  • 224,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The speed control, vcs, traction control, and SAS warning indicators remained illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, but no failure could be found. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a malfunction of the ECU tracking device failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V176000 (electronic stability control, traction control system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 224,000.

- Richmond Hill, GA, USA

problem #82

May 252016

Sequoia

  • 168,000 miles
When accelerating the slip control light comes on and the vehicle does not allow the driver to accelerate. The vehicle slows down to 35 miles per hour. This almost caused me to be hit by a driver approaching at a speed of 70 mph. The dealership says the the slip control module need to be replaced at $1,200 and the part is not covered under the vsc trac control recall. This is a problem with the 2003 model as the dealership says it has had to replace many of the skid conteol ECU. This will cause death and crashed as the driver can not speed up when there is oncoming traffic.

- Yukon, OK, USA

problem #81

Apr 012016

Sequoia

  • 167,000 miles
Hello, I have a 2003 Toyota sequioa where the engine light and the vcs lights are both on. I saw on your page some really helpful information on this make/model recall. I've reached out to Toyota customer service because there was a recall on this make/model but they said that my VIN number was not part of that recall, even though it's having the same issues?? the recall was that Toyota had to replace the skid control engine control unit (ECU) and upgrade program logic in its vehicle stability control (vcs) system. I took my vehicle in to get it inspected and they provided me with 3 codes: C1203 - engine control system communication circuit malfunction C1360 - vehicle skid control master pressure sensor malfunction P0420 - catalyst system efficiency below threshold these are all system issues. Can you help me?

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

problem #80

Jan 122016

Sequoia

  • 272,590 miles

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

While I was driving at an approximate speed of 40 mph, I noticed my brake, trac off, vsc trac, engine light all came on at once. I noticed that braking was not as responsive (increased braking distance; ABS doesn't seem to be engaging) and when speeding to over 50 mph, the vehicle feels as if it is slowing itself down. It is currently an expected heavy rainfall season where I am and having the vehicle in this state is very dangerous especially when the brakes are not working effectively or when it starts to slow itself down suddenly. After shutting the vehicle down and restarting it after about 2 hours, the lights mentioned are still illuminated except the brake light. After reading all the other similar complaints, I am surprised Toyota is not paying for all aspects of this defect associated with the vehicle and not driver misuse.

- Northridge, CA, USA

problem #79

Jan 012015

Sequoia

  • 217,995 miles
I purchased a used 2003 Toyota Sequoia in April 2014. Since that time, the vehicle stability control system vsc) activates randomly causing the anti-lock brakes to be applied at random. This was a minor annoyance at first but soon became a regular occurrence. When inclement weather hit in December 2014 this vehicle was unstable to drive in even light snow; even when I had it in 4 wheel drive. In January 2015, it was snowing and there was approximately 2 inches of snow on the road and the vehicle spun out of control into the opposite lane. It was late at night so there were no other cars on the road. The vehicle continued to slide intermittently on the rest of the drive home. The thing is that this vehicle has off-road tires and this combined with the 4 wheel drive system should make it extremely stable in any weather. In February 2015, my wife was driving with our children and the vehicle's brakes locked up in the middle of a two-way stop preventing it from moving forward. There were other vehicles approaching at a high rate of speed and they had to stop to prevent a collision. A question: What if there was snow on the road at that time? I April had my Sequoia looked at by vanderstyne Toyota in rochester NY and they found that the yaw rate senor had a short resulting in constant application of the vsc system and quoted me $660 to "fix" the issue. I proceeded to research this issue on the net and it appears to be widespread with owners of Toyota Sequoias, siennas and some 4 runners. And many of the owners who had the yaw rate sensor replaced continued to have the same issue. I will not have this work done if there is not a guarantee that it will fix it and the dealership would not guarantee this 100%. this is serious safety issue and I am in the process of filing a complaint with Toyota, BBB and the New York state attorney general office.

- Hilton , NY, USA

problem #78

Dec 012014

Sequoia

  • 70,000 miles
ABS, vsc trac, and engine check lights on. Brought to the shop. Mechanic stated it's the computer need to be replaced for more than $1000 and up. Search internet and lots of owners have the same problems, can somebody do something about it please.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #77

Dec 062014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 180,800 miles
As I was driving I notice my trac off, vsc trac, engine light all came on at once, also notice loss of power to my vehicle.

- Seguin, TX, USA

problem #76

Sep 012014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 153,000 miles

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

The vsc trak light comes on for no apparent reason and will remain on until I take the vehicle in to my mechanic. It worries me that there may be something more serious wrong with the vehicle. This has occurred for a number of years, over an over again. Can this be fixed permanently?

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #75

Oct 162014

Sequoia 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
I am experiencing the same vsc problems as I read in the other complaints, along with other electrical issues. Randomly (or so it seems) the vsc, brake lights, drive light and others will go on and off. It has been doing this for about a month now and every time I go to take it in for service, they aren't on and they "can't find anything wrong."

- Forest Ranch, CA, USA

problem #74

Sep 152014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 138,000 miles
First the check engine light came on, then the vsc off light followed immediately by the vsc trac light. The problem is intermittent, as the lights only stay on for a day or two then don't come back on until a few days later. I have checked the recall database for my vehicle and it is not included, although this problem has been recalled on other vehicles matching my vehicle's general description. I live in a very wet area of the country and rely on this system to work properly. From what I can read through online forums, Toyota needs to take a look at every vehicle that is experiencing this issue, as it appears to be significantly more widespread than first thought.

- Lake Oswego, OR, USA

problem #73

Sep 042014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
Going around a turn in the mountains at a slow speed, my traction control kicks in and there is a grinding noise, I loose the use of the brakes completely until the traction control turns off. I took it to the dealer and they told me my springs and shocks were bad. I replaced all 4 of the springs and shocks and the problem persists. This is very dangerous and scary.

- Malibu, CA, USA

problem #72

Jul 312014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 161,980 miles
The vsc, and trac, and brake lights all lit up while coming into an intersection, where I heard a grinding clunking noise in the drive train, as I tried to stop the vehicle, coasted through the intersection, made others braking to avoid me as I steered away from them. This has happened intermittently over the years but this was the scariest, as it happened going into an intersection. It has happened backing out of our driveway several times, on the highway several times. Toyota doesn't want to tie this issue to the recall regarding the vsc ECU trac light recall from several years ago. I've tried unsuccessfully to escalate this issue with Toyota motor co.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #71

Jul 312014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 161,980 miles
We bought this 2003 Sequoia limited 2 wheel drive new, and it has been a good car over all. But the vsc tracs, brake lights have flashed on and off sporadically at different speeds, when driving and or when braking. They usually don't effect the car, but recently we have experienced them all coming on when braking, and we seem to loose power and the power steering is lost momentarily until we come to a stop, and shut it off for a few minutes. This happened most recently last week when coming into an intersection driving about 30mph, and all of the vsc, trac, and brake lights abruptly came on, there was a grinding noise, and it seemed to have lost electrical power, trying to come to a stop, I could not stop in time for the intersection, but was lucky enough to avoid being hit by cross traffic, it could have been a lot worse. It sounded like something fell apart underneath. I inspected it and saw nothing, but know that this is a major safety issue that Toyota should address and pay for being a recall item. I called the Toyota hotline and was given a case number for this issue, which was a recall in 2010. Took it to the dealer, and they weren't able to replicate the issue. Stated it was a bad computer, and some vsc module sensor" didn't state Toyota would cover the cost or help with the cost. Even though this has been a known issue with Toyota Sequoia's for years, and was a recall item. This is a safety issue that could result in a major accident. Why would Toyota not cover the cost to fix this if it is a recall item? I want it fixed but with the miles I have on it, don't want to spend much money on it, especially an item that is a recall problem with many like mine. What should I do? wait to have an accident, hire a lawyer, and sue" frustrated Toyota owner in Texas.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #70

Jul 232014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 185,790 miles
The vsc off/ trac off and check engine and brake light all came on. The brake started to jump and the car pulled hare to the left. I turn the car off and back on the problem went a way but the lights all came back on. However there are a lot of people having this problem with their Sequoia and I have seen no safety recall for this.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #69

Jun 272014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
At random times, the vsc and brake lights will come on. When this happens, the brakes do not work properly. They severely grind and stopping is nearly impossible. The only solution is to completely turn the car off and restart. I have taken my vehicle to Toyota many time over the course of several years. This is very dangerous as I have children riding in the vehicle!! Toyota either said there is nothing wrong or that a sensor will need to be replaced which costs approximately $1600. This is a common issue with older Sequoias and should be a recall. It should be free of charge to the owner! I should not have to pay for something Toyota did not do right!

- Dacula, GA, USA

problem #68

Mar 062014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 99,103 miles
Vehicle almost lost control during a 25mph turn in light rain condition. The vehicle has brand new tires as well. This is a known issue with many Toyota Sequoia vehicles and Toyota refuses to acknowledge fault. The failure to announce a recall on the vsc pressure sensor unit will cause the vehicle to lose control, skid, loss of ABS and subsequently lead to crash.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #67

Jan 012014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 58,600 miles
Upon normal driving the vehicle would not accelerate accurately and quickly enough after making a left turn. The vehicle would also randomly illuminate 3 indicator lights when the brake pedal is depressed. The 3 indicators are brake, trac off, vsc off. Before these lights illuminate the vehicle's brake pedal would become very hard to press causing the brake pedal to require much more force applied to it thus causing a decrease in stopping distance which is a very serious safety issue.

- South Ozone Park, NY, USA

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