10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,873 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.

2005 Toyota Sequoia engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Toyota Sequoia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #85

Dec 222023

Sequoia

  • miles

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

After several years of fighting problems with, after braking to a brief stop, the loss of power/abs grinding when accelerating and turning right, now the ABS is completely dysfunctional. Both TRC lights will turn on and usually the parking brake, and when braking at speeds less than 10mph the abs will activate and prevent bring the truck to a stop without pumping them, on dry pavement. When the ABS light turns on, then braking is possible, but all pressure is gone from brake booster and brakes sound like they're grinding, not like the sound of abs engaging. Very dangerous to drive in snow as front brakes work but drive axle doesn't disengage when the brake pedal is depressed. Regular mechanic won't engage with diagnosing issues as he feels the problem is partly computer malfunction and Toyota won't allow for used part mismatching. ABS/ECU is failed.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #84

Nov 012021

Sequoia

  • miles
Malfunction indicator lights - Check engine, VSC off and TRAC off. The vehicle goes into limp mode. The issue is both a mechanical and engineering defect causing the override of the entire AIP system. Parts affected are Air injection pumps, Air switching valves, Air pump inlets/covers, Gaskets/connectors/clamps and Speed sensors.

- Niles, IL, USA

problem #83

Mar 152016

Sequoia

  • 156,000 miles
I get constant warning lights for brake, vsc and trac. This is a very common problem with the Sequoia. It shuts down those safety features.

- Phoenix, OR, USA

problem #82

Dec 142016

Sequoia

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. While driving various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. The VIN and failure mileage were unknown.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

problem #81

Feb 072017

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 151,000 miles
My vehicle will suddenly accelerate for no reason. This sudden "unintended acceleration of power" comes on with no notice. I have almost hit a person and have been in one car accident as a result. This unintended acceleration problem has occurred about 10 to 12 times. The unintended acceleration has occurred both in stationary & in motion; and both on a city street and highway. Turning has not been affected by unintended acceleration. Toyota has tested and provided the attached report to me but without any interpretation. My vehicle repair cost because of the unintended acceleration was $4,529.24. Toyota still has not responded to this dangerous and life threatening situation. The manufacturer could not duplicate the failure. Updated 10/04/2017

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

problem #80

May 012016

Sequoia

  • 109,000 miles
I experienced a problem with engine warning and vsc trac off lights going on. The check engine light also came on. My family and I were on a trip and our Sequoia all of a sudden lost power. It slowed down dramatically even though the engine was fine. It was a very dangerous situation because we were on an interstate where the speed is 70 mph. I also experienced all the brakes making a massive grinding noise while going slow into a restaurant. (the brakes have less than 3000 miles on them.) the parking brake light also comes on periodically.

- Sebastian, FL, USA

problem #79

Apr 142016

Sequoia

  • miles

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

I have vsc trac, vsc off, and check engine. If you give it a lot of fuel, it just sounds like it wants to go, but it doesn't translate into power in the rear end. I use my code reader and it showed codes P1441 and P1444. Says I may have: A) faulty vacuum switching valve (vsv) for air injection control circuit, B)faulty air switching valve number 2, or C)faulty vsv for air injection system. This is the second time this happened to my Sequoia, and this seems to be a recurring issues for Toyota Sequoia owners and in fact it is a recurring issues for other models as well. This cost me approximately $2200 last time and now 2 years later it is back for another $2200 to repair. It's all the over the internet about this vsc trac, vsc off, and check engine, it needs to be recalled!

- Torrance, CA, USA

problem #78

Jan 112016

Sequoia

  • 39,002 miles
Oyota Sequoia 2005 engine light on, vsc off light and trac vsc light on. These complaints are about this problems www.automotiveforums.com/T544406-sequoia_vsc_trac_problem.html, www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sequoia/2003/electrical/vsc_trac_lights_are_on.shtml, here are tons of other complaints on this problem and it is not limited to our year model. If all of the complaints were compiled in one area and presented to the ntsb, I'm sure that Toyota would be forced to deal with this issue and correct it. Its a big issue estimated cost for that around $ 2000 to $ 5000 I don`T know if U investigate or no.I am not going to get this issue repair until I will hear from you.please take it seriously

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #77

Nov 112015

Sequoia

  • 70,000 miles
When turning corners in motion, the traction control light illuminates causing a loss of braking and acceleration. There is now way to control the vehicles acceleration/deceleration until the light goes off. Typically last about 3-5 seconds. This happens frequently every time the vehicle is driven.

- Alexander City, AL, USA

problem #76

Oct 222015

Sequoia

  • 15 miles
Was driving and vehicle slowed down to about 35 40 mph and would not accelerate pass 40. Was in motion on a city street

- Midway, GA, USA

problem #75

Sep 012015

Sequoia

  • 145,575 miles

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

While driving at 35 mph, the check engine light, vsc off light, vsc trac light, and the emergency brake light all came on at once, and the vehicle stopped accelerating, and I experienced a dramatic decrease in vehicle power. I drove the vehicle home noticing a drastic change in acceleration as the Sequoia would not accelerate normally; it would accelerate at a significantly reduced rate, topping out at 35mph on the flats, 30 mph on an incline, I was able to reach 70mph going down hill on a highway. Since that day, during start up, the engine makes a high-pitch vacuum noise, which drops off and normal engine sound returns. All dashboard lights are normal, until 10-15 seconds after start, when the vsc off/vsc trac/brake lights all illuminate, and remain on until the engine is turned off and the poor acceleration and decrease power are now the norm. This is a very dangerous safety issue should this happen to someone accelerating out of an intersection, or needing more power on a highway.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #74

Aug 032015

Sequoia

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the brake warning light illuminated. In addition, the vsc track off and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Walhalla, SC, USA

problem #73

May 112015

Sequoia

  • miles
Within the first two weeks, after purchasing the vehicle, the "brake" light, "vsc trac" light, and "trac off" light came on and there was a terrible grinding sound when attempting to stop. It was very hard to stop but luckily I was in a parking lot when it happened the first time. The "brake" light has continued to come on multiple times per week since may of 2015 and the other two lights still come on occasionally. In fact, on my 800 foot drive back from picking up my lunch today, the "brake" light was on. Each time the other 2 come on, it causes the breaks to grind and it is very hard to stop. There was just over 120,000 miles on the vehicle at purchase. I have read numerous forums online stating issues with this model, 2004, and 2003 models for the same issue but Toyota has refused to do a recall and expects customers to pay for something is obviously an issue throughout these particular models. I think something needs to be done about this issue. I believe it is a safety concern Toyota needs to be responsible for!!!

- Ringgold, GA, USA

problem #72

Jun 172015

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 467,345 miles
I bought a Toyota Sequoia 2005 back in 2005 at rice Toyota dealer in greensboro. Today, when I was driving on the street and turned on the left light signal with less than 15 mph while using the brake, I heard a very loud grinding noise and that instantly I saw all 3 signs ( trac off, vsc trac, brake ) on at the same time. I am almost out of breath and scared to death. The signs (trac off, vsc trac, brake ) once in a while appeared in the past and disappeared by themselve and I did not have any serious problems in the past, but today the car just acted like a dead car at that momentarily. I was so scared and scared.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #71

Feb 012015

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 117,500 miles
When slowing to a stop, my Sequoia periodically grinds when braking and the vsc sensor, ABS sensor and trac sensor light turn on and stay on.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #70

Feb 102014

Sequoia

  • 190,000 miles
We noticed that our frame had severe rust last winter. (2/14) we always did the regular recommended maintenance. We purchased this new in '05. I'm sure others haven't reported this as they haven't looked for this problem not expecting it from such an expensive vehicle that you would expect to be very reliable. We did put in a claim to Toyota last February and we were told that it wasn't a problem that they had many complaints on. I know there were recalls in the past with Toyota vehicles that had the tubular frames. This also has a tubular frame. We also have the same problem with vsc and tracking that many others on this site have complained about.

- Hardwick, MA, USA

problem #69

Nov 222014

Sequoia

  • 165,000 miles
When accelerating from low speed or stops the Sequoia activates the vsc and the traction control system and refuses to accelerate. Happens consistently but not consistently enough to know when to expect it. The traction control/skid control light activates for around 5 seconds and then vehicle returns to normal operation. It can be nerveracking. From all my investigation it seems identical to the problems that led to the 2003 Sequoia recall. I do believe that this is a significant safety issue. Again from my research this is a very common problem among many model years of Sequoias.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #68

Nov 032013

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
Car had very little power when pressing gas pedal. Took to Toyota dealership where they indicated the "air injection pump" required replacement. I performed the required repair and it was $3,000. I've also seen this is a common problem with this model vehicle.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #67

Nov 012009

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
When turning and accelerating (for example, turning out of a parking lot and entering traffic) the traction/skid control will engage - the skid control light turns on - and cut throttle for approximately 3 seconds. During this time the vehicle slows down and is not responsive to pressing on the gas pedal. This has happened approximately 10-15 times on this vehicle. I was not aware this was an inherent Sequoia problem until I read other complaints online - which is why I did not report this earlier.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #66

Oct 042014

Sequoia 8-cyl

  • 119,000 miles
Vsc trac, ABS and brake alerts light up on dash board, noise when vehicle is initially turned on, the noise disappears after a few minutes but the alerts stay on. The vehicle also loses power (but the engine keeps running, just no power to accelerate) if I make a quick turn, loss of power lasts for a few seconds then turns back on.

- Brea, CA, USA

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