10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
82,142 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2003 Toyota Sequoia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

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 #27

Jul 012017

Sequoia

  • miles
Abnormal rust all over underside of vehicle including frame, structural components, brake lines, steering components -?? etc. FRAME and steering/suspension components rusting out. Rear differential rusting out. Cab mounts rusting out. Spare tire hardware rusting out. Transmission cooler lines about to burst from corrosion. Rear tow assembly rusting out. Entire underside is rotting out. Known issue which has plagued hundreds of owners, but Toyota has not recalled this model year. Extremely dangerous; one brake line has already gone out resulting in a loss of braking. Toyota applied an undercoating circa 2013 but they just sprayed over an already rusted frame and other components without proper preparation which actually accelerated the corrosion and rot. Deceptive and unethical business practices. Vehicle cost over $50,000 new in 2003 and only has just over 120,000 miles on it. This should NOT be happening. Please help. Please investigate.

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #26

Nov 172021

Sequoia

  • miles
Hello, I am writing to you to have an investigation started on 2003 Toyota Sequoia, I own one and there has been concerns with the Frame of the vehicle rotting out, there was Warranty Enhancement Program sent out in United States to cover frames of 2001 to 2004 Toyota Sequoias which replaced severely rusted out frames at the dealership. I use this vehicle for my family and I do not want to endanger the lives of them and the people around the community where the frame may break due to rust and cause a severe accident. Please take a look at the details below and get back to me. Subject: Limited Service Campaign (LSC) CSD Certain 2001 through 2004 Model Year Sequoia Vehicles Frame Inspection I am located in Canada would like NHSTA to investigate and see if this program can be administered to vehicles in Canada since I have severe rotting of the frame and I have had to have it welded many times to not compromise the safety of the vehicle

- Northville, MI, USA

problem #25

Apr 242021

Sequoia

  • miles

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

Unknown

- Bainbridge, GA, USA

problem #24

Aug 282021

Sequoia

  • miles
The latch hook/truck door release has a defect. It has been replaced 3 times after purchase of my vehicle, by the following Toyota dealerships (Tejas Toyota in Humble Texas (2x); Maund Toyota in Austin, Tx (1x). Each dealership service said it was/is manufacture defect with the latch hook and it stops -??un latching when the vehicle the button is pressed to unlock and the handle can not open the hatchback-?? This time I was traveling out of state with my pet in the kennel and when we stopped for restroom break the latch would not open to retrieve the pet to let out the kennel. We were traveling with a vehicle full of items, which the entire inside of the vehicle had to be emptied I ordered to let all the seats down and try to maneuver to try to get my dog out of kennel I. Such a small confined space that was hard to open because it was in the side. It took over and hour to cut the cage at the top to retrieve my pet. The sad part is there was no warning because we were traveling a 13 hour trip, stopping every couple hours for breaks and stretches, and the couple hours before we open the hatchback just fine. This is more than a safety concern for the animal. This is also the ares for retrieving the spare tire underneath the vehicle when the spare has to be released. I have replaced the part 3 times and I am charged $600 cost for parts and labor, when Toyota is aware of the defect. I just had the part replaced 19 months ago and Toyota only gives a 12 warranty on the part. This is ludicrous when the manufacture is aware of the ongoing problem. I have purchased 4 prior Toyota-??s and never had had this type of problem. My second safety issue is the case gage drops below the empty gage and stays there even though there is gas in the vehicle. The dealership said there was a recall years ago but I never received any notice. Please advise.

- Houston, TX, USA

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problem #23

Apr 132020

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 235,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while having a tire replaced on the vehicle, the technician noticed that the driver's and passenger's side underneath the vehicle was extremely corroded. The technician deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. No dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.

- Amery, WI, USA

problem #22

Feb 012019

Sequoia

  • 200,000 miles

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

When driving about 45 or 60 mph the steering wheel shakes real bad an vibrates feels like I got a flat tire or feels like I'm gonna have a tire come off when I bought it also consumes a lot of gas ust to get real good gas mileage but now not so good juust to fill up twice a week but now sometimes 3 to 5 timeswhich is weird didn't know I had a recall warranty I have had to replace a lot of things especially in the emissions part for car bought new fuel line solenoids, purge solenoid, now it says I need a new valve vent solenoid. There is a vacuum leak other than that runs good doesn't over heat or break unless I needed to but uses a lot of ga shakes real bad I don't wanna drivemorethan 70 mph all the tires are at 41 psi

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #21

Aug 062019

Sequoia

  • miles
Took vehicle to local Toyota dealership due to steering issue - when I would hit a bump I would loose control of the steering. Inspection showed the vehicle under body and frame has completely rusted, there are sever holes and the trailing arm has separated from the frame. I am not the original owner, but Toyota had a recall on the frame during the prior ownership and the vehicle was serviced multiple times at a Toyota dealership during the recall and the problem was not addressed. Toyota refuses to offer any assistance at this time.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #20

Apr 012004

Sequoia

  • 15 miles
The frame on the car is rusting away with only 40K miles on it. It was garage kept.

- Doylestown, PA, USA

problem #19

Apr 182018

Sequoia

  • 300,401 miles
2003 Toyota Sequoia limited 4X4 failed Massachusetts inspection this month for a severely rusted frame with severe perforation. Additionally, the rear suspension and trailing arms may break off at any time. The vehicle was recalled and had a coating applied several years ago - this only masked the problem. The vehicle was always garaged. The engine and body of the vehicle are in good condition. The vehicle has 300,000 miles and runs well. The Toyota dealer deemed the vehicle "not repairable." The vehicle was also deemed unsafe and advised to take off the road.

- Westford, MA, USA

problem #18

Oct 112017

Sequoia

  • 200,000 miles

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

So many problems with this vehicle, and a major problem not only with this vehicle but other years and models as well the paint bubbling and coming off the vehicle especially hood area and top of vehicle, has to be bad paint Toyota is using

- Moundville, AL, USA

problem #17

Dec 172016

Sequoia

  • 198,000 miles
Replaced O2 sensor and was unable to obtain sticker due to frame is rusted. Have three teenage drivers using truck and is now unsafe. Have owned vehicle since 2007 and have serviced at woburn Toyota in woburn, MA. I have never got an email or mail from Toyota pertaining any issue. When asked about it said been out for a while!!!

- Wilmington, MA, USA

problem #16

Apr 292016

Sequoia

  • miles
I purchase this 2003 Toyota Sequoia in 2003 brand new and at the moment the frame is rusting at an alarming rate. I would like to know if the manufacturer (Toyota) is making any plans to rectifying this problem?

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #15

Aug 032015

Sequoia

  • 225,000 miles
The vehicle was making noises while driving that we could not identify. My daughter was driving it to pick up a friend and when she turned into the driveway, the right rear axle disconnected from the frame. The overall frame is entirely rusted out. Pretty big safety issue. Thankfully, she was not driving faster when this occurred.

- Westminster, MA, USA

problem #14

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 #13

Jan 222013

Sequoia

  • 107,433 miles
Received a letter from Toyota for a limited service campaign, for rusting of the frame. I took my Toyota to koons Toyota in annapolis, md. They called me the next day and said it failed for rust. There was a hole in my frame and Toyota would replace the frame at no cost to me. Then they called me to tell me it would cost $6,400 to replace everything under the vehicle, because it was so rusted out that when they took the parts off they would crumble. Two days later they called and told me it would cost $6,900 to replace parts. They called last night and said it would cost me $7,845 and they could not guarantee the price would not be higher.they sent me pictures of my frame and there is a large hole in the frame. My question is shouldn't I get my truck back in working condition without me paying for anything? I contacted Toyota in ca. And talked to the rust specialist, and he said they would not pay for my parts. My husband and I are retired and live on a fixed income. We can not afford to pay for the parts. The truck has been paid for once, why should I take out a loan for a truck that has been paid for. The dealer also asked us to come pick up my truck if I would not authorize to pay for the parts. When I picked up my truck today, they said if anything happened to the truck while I was driving it home, they would not be responsible, because I didn't get it fixed. Please make Toyota recall these rusted trucks back. The rusted frame also includes Tundra, because they use the same frame. Thank you.

- Lothian, MD, USA

problem #12

Mar 082011

Sequoia

  • 146,300 miles
Problem one: "brake" warning light comes on at random but then doesn't come back on at next restart of car. Brake fluid and all mechanics are ok. Braking doesn't seem to be affected but I am worried that there will be an ABS failure that I'll ignore because of this faulty warning light. Sometimes the stability control activates for no reason at low speed. Problem two: Frame is nearly rusted out. There is a recall for the similar Tundra, and supposedly a recall for these particular Sequoias in some states, but nothing comes up for my vehicle in Indiana. Vehicle, purchased from Toyota dealer oxmoor Toyota a year ago, is unsafe to drive.

- Depauw, IN, USA

problem #11

Aug 102012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 133,432 miles
Frame is completely rusted and cracked in various areas.

- Clintondale, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 212012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
I took the Sequoia to a mechanic to repair a clunking noise in the front and squeaking noise in the back. Upon examination, the mechanic noticed unusually advanced rust and corrosion for a vehicle of its age. For safety reasons, the mechanic warned against driving the vehicle until repairs were made. Mechanic had to cut out front passenger control arm bolts, rear shock mounts, and other hardware due to the corrosion. Mechanic noted that future repairs will require the same cutting and replacement of new hardware. This corrosion issue may be related to the 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra recall of 2009, since the Sequoia shares the chassis and manufacturing facility with the Tundra.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #9

Apr 092012

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • miles
There is an extreme amount of rust on the frame of my wife's 2003 Sequoia. The rust is just flaking off in huge chunks which is more than just the under coat of paint, its actual chunks of disintegrated/corroded metal. I can not believe the Tundra frames which were produced on the same manufacturing line and used the same metal as the Sequoia were recalled but the Sequoia's are not. Most of the frame damage seems to be isolated to the rear of the car.

- Ft Mitchell, KY, USA

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