general problems of the 2001 Toyota Sequoia - part 1

While I was traveling on the highway at 70 mph, the right front brake locked up momentarily and lurched the vehicle, the vsc and traction control light started flashing and a warning buzzer went off. After looking into things, there are known issues with the 2001 and 2002 Toyota Sequoia that cause this exact thing to happen to plenty of other people. I understand that there has already been an evaluation done on this matter and it was ruled that the severity of the issue does not warrant a recall. Why there is no recall being issued on the multiple failure points in the vehicle's system and people are required to spend thousands of dollars in repairs for parts and labor when the manufacturer's design didn't last? I purchased this vehicle for my father to feel more safe in, and that is the last thing that he feels while driving it. I am now required to drive our affected vehicle and have to be constantly paying attention so that the abs system doesn't shoot me into another vehicle.

The vehicle stabilization control turns itself on at random times while driving. Has no correlation to driving conditions, type of roadway, or speed vehicle is moving. There is a beep and then a pull on the steering while a loud grinding noise and sensation occurs. It has gotten so bad, the car is not driveable because you cannot stop. Mechanic has tried to repair but is unable to root the cause. The last time was so bad, my husband thought he was going to crash on the highway exit ramp.

Was driving straight on a city street with no adverse weather conditions (rain, wet road, etc. ) had accelerated up to about 35mph when suddenly the trac off, vsc, and skid lights illuminated (possibly flashing) and a warning beeping sound went off. There was a loud grinding metal on metal sound and the car was shuttering (vibrating). I immediately begin to depress the breaks, and while the car did begin to slow further than it already was, I did not feel like I could have come to a complete stop as if I had total control of the breaks. I looked ahead to see where I could pull into to get off the road when the lights/warning sound went off and the vehicle resumed normal operation. This was after about 5-10 seconds. I drove for a couple of minutes to a gas station to get gas. The vehicle seemed fine. I was only about 5 more minutes to home so I continued driving. During that 5 minute drive it happened a second time. The exact same behavior, I was already slowing down approaching a red light and was traveling probably 15-20mph when it happened. After about 5 seconds the behavior stopped and the vehicle resumed normal operation. I was only about 30 seconds from home. Continued home and haven't driven the vehicle since. This is a major safety issue to have your break system activate uncontrollable. It was terrifying at 35 mph, I can't image what might happen at 65mph. A few seconds of research shows hundreds of other complaints of the same problem. Some people have reported pulling the fuse for the abs system to disable it, because not having it is safer than your breaking system uncontrollably going off on you. This needs to be recalled by the manufacturer and fixed before there is a fatal accident!.

Twice, once in Nov. 2019 and again n Mar,. 2020, the electronic skid control has engaged without warning and without reason, causing me to nearly lose control of the car. Both occasions occurred on interstate 40 near raleigh , nc. The weather was clear and the road conditions were dry, solid (no sand or gravel) surface. When the system engaged at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle was pulled to the right nearly uncontrollably, the abs system engaged (grinding metal-on-metal sound0, and the engine speed was reduced. In addition, the trac and vsc icons lit up on the dash and the re was a beeping sound. This is a dangerous situation. Had there been a vehicle in the lane to my right, I could not have avoided hitting them. Fortunately, no other vehicles were involved and there was no accident, but this was purely luck. After the first event I took my vehicle to mark jacobson Toyota in durham, nc on Nov 14, 2019 ( I have the service receipt. ) they stated that they "could not reproduce the problem" and said that they did a "zero point calibration. " I have not had the vehicle serviced after the second episode since it happened just yesterday. A survey of the internet reveals multiple other first generation Sequoia owners reporting the same thing, but there is no reported solution to the problem. The only "fix" that works consistently is to remove the abs system fuse; hardly a solution, since it doesn't make sense to me to disable a critical automotive safety system. Nevertheless, given the severity of the problem with the abs system energized, I can understand that disabling the abs system is the lesser of two evils. I would be grateful for you help in finding a safe solution to this dangerous situation.

While driving into my driveway, on the freeway or on city roads, I suddenly hear beeping sound, grinding noise, momentary deceleration and then the vsc off and vsc trac lights in the instrument panel turns on. Sometimes this happens when the vehicle is idling and stationary. I am afraid that I might get into an accident because of the sudden deceleration especially when I am driving on the freeway on the way to the office 5 days a week. The local Toyota dealership told me that there was a recall for this covering 2003 Sequoia models but did not include 2001 Sequoia models. I believe that Toyota should include 2001 models in the recall before people get into accidents because of this problem.

Toyota rust issue on my 2001 Toyota Sequoia v8 sr5. Used to transport friends and family and children, but no longer safe due to excessive rust and inability to control the vehicle when slowing at higher speeds. Vehicle veers to right and left uncontrollably. Today, I almost sideswiped another vehicle on the highway. I was going around 60 mph and slowed to exit and almost lost control of my vehicle and ended up in a ditch. I took it to a mechanic and was told the vehicle is unsafe to lift due to excessive rust. Recommended to have the frame replaced, but that's well beyond the cost I'm willing to pay. Research tells me that this is a consistent problem for these vehicles and Toyota should do something about it -- if not pay to have new frames done or reimburse people for the many who have these issues. This vehicle has only 154,000 miles and is otherwise in immaculate shape and condition due to proper maintenance. This problem should be resolved quickly by Toyota. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle for the reasons I've mentioned. Excessive rust and inability to control a vehicle is not something I should have to deal with on a vehicle that has low miles for the make/model, and has been meticulously maintained. Please expedite so I can recover financially from this or have a vehicle that I can feel safe using again with my friends and family.

Driving down the road trac, vsc trac lights come on and the vehicle breaks hard and jerks the steering wheel to the right.

Driving 45mph on straight road the vehicle vsc engaged pulling hard to the right and decelerating quickly. I pulled over, called dealership and was told to drive it the 2 miles to dealership. Within 100� of dealership I crossed intersection and car suddenly decelerated, engaged the assistance again and I was almost struck by truck that swerved and almost hit pedestrian. Dealer said it was a yaw steering sensor. Part was unobtainable or possible within 8 weeks, and no after market parts available. Mechanic recommended vehicle not be driven. Toyota declared part obsolete. I researched and found this was already at the NHTSA attention but that they closed the investigation. How is this acceptable?.

The frame is rust and I have problem sometime in stering sost�n and the trction control the light is on sometime and I need turn off my SUV whait a minute and turn in for the light turn off.

The traction control pulls the vehicle to the right at any speed. I almost crashed today.

Tsc off and tsc trac warning lights come on and abs system actuates while in motion.

While driving the vehicle the brakes where applying themselves, vehicle started shaking and vibrating and slowing down and the vsc trac lights came on. It scared me and I almost had a panic attack. I pulled off taylor road(city street) and turned the car off and checked to see if I had a flat tire. I restarted to car and the lights remain on and I took the car home. My wife is now scared to drive it.

While driving going any speed low or high a vsc trac off light appears on the gage cluster and starts a high pitched noise and abs locks up on my passenger side pulling me to the right almost hitting another car or any pedestrians that may be there.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While driving 70 mph, the vsc (anti-skid) system malfunctioned. The contact stated that the brakes engaged automatically and the vehicle pulled to the left and the right. A dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there were no customer care programs for the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.

While driving our 01 Sequoia sr5 with only 85,000 miles on side streets and highways at speeds ranging from 5mph to 70 mph, the SUV's braking system suddenly engages for no reason while the veh. Is in motion. The vsc, check engine lights come on along with the alerting sound. When the brakes engage, the veh. Veers to the right, the steering wheel vibrates and the veh. Goes into a skid due to the brakes being suddenly engaged. The veh. Also decelerates suddenly as if it has lost power. This is dangerous for other drivers who can't tell if you are braking because there are no brake lights to be seen to prevent a collision. Thankfully we have been able to react defensively and avoid collisions with other veh. 's. And roadside objects. We have seen several suggestions as to the fix for this problem like the yaw rate sensor being replaced. The cost of the part is $568. 00 without the install cost. This problem is a safety issue and if it occurs at the wrong time, a preventable tragedy is going to occur. I have seen well over 50 complaints on this from other owners and a closed NHTSA investigation on this exact issue. They recalled the 2003 Sequoia for the same issue. Toyota needs to fix this in all model years before a life is lost. . Read more...

While driving on flat, dry, level pavement at freeway speeds the vsc has been activating causing the steering wheel to jerk to the right. As the steering wheel pulls the vehicle to the right there is a chime, then the vsc and trac system shuts its self off and the "off" light stays illuminated until the engine is shut off. Upon restart, the vsc is on again and the cycle repeats. The check engine light is not on. There is no way to predict when the wheel will be jerked again. Seems very dangerous.

In motion at highway or city roads: vehicle while running fine , all of sudden goes off course , looses stability, looses all power , acceleration comes down automatically , and hear a grinding noise ,and vsc trac and vsc off lights come on . A real dangerous situation when vehicle looses stability control.

Vsc trac light comes on while driving, activates brakes and car pulls and swerves while driving.

Intermittent vsc control warnings, breaking engaged with pulling vehicle steering to the right. Sometimes with only the warning lights and check lights. First occurrence day after purchase of this used vehicle (50 miles). Took back to dealership and could not find nothing wrong, very scare . Speed has been between 10 to 65 mph. Highway and city driving.

My 2001 Sequoia (151,000 mi) which has been garaged and maintained meticulously is suddenly showing the vsc lights and brake lights at the same time! there is a very rough feeling when I'm driving the car like something in the undercarriage is very wrong. There is a "clunking" noise as slow as 5 mph at all times and all speeds. At high speeds, the car will suddenly pull to the left momentarily and then release itself but the lights never go out unless car is off. I have read the 138 complaints at the dot. Gov site about this exact problem and thus far, Toyota corp is ignoring the complaints. Where is the recall for this problem. I know alot of owners who haven't even investigated why it's happening in thier truck too. How can they do business like this ??? this is a life threatening problem for Toyota !!! I will stop at nothing to have Toyota repair their problem on their product. Just fix your problem Toyota and I will call off the dogs. . . Simple stuff.

I am hearing a rattling sound that sounds as if it is coming from the transfer case. I had recently (10 days) replaced all the shocks with bilstein and replaced the tires with pirelli atr p265/76r-16. The problem appears more pronounced in a turn and over more rough road (nothing crazy, asphalt highway). I do not notice the sound at highway speeds. I suspect that this condition may be associated with the atc or vsc system. I tried to disconnect the vsc system however I still would occasionally get the noise. This is similar to a problem I had 6 years ago: while in motion, entering a downhill turn, the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably. My first thought was that the entire wheel assembly was shearing off. The condition was more common in a turn, but could be induced in a bump. I had recently installed new tires and a suspension so the dealership suggested that the slightly oversized tire (p265/75r-16) was he cause. I replaced the brand new pirelli tires with the factory size michellin's however the problem continued. I had the vehicle re-inspected and the technicians stated that the problem was a worn rack & pinion assembly. I paid to have a new assembly installed; though the vehicle was supposed to have been test driven it exhibited the same symptoms when I drove it. After returning to the dealer I had the head mechanic test drive with me; he stated that this was a normal vsc operating condition. I insisted to speak with someone higher up and happened to connect with a Toyota factory engineer from japan. After a test drive he concluded the problem was probably something in the vsc system. After further inspection they discovered a sensor was bad. I had to pay for this repair as well. Now, I am beginning to have the same problems, coincidentally, after a tire replacement using a pirelli p265-75r-16 and new bilstein shocks.

While driving down the road about 30-45 mph the vehicle suddenly jerked to the left as if someone else turned the steering wheel. If I hadn't moved fast it would have been a major accident in the neighboring lane. There was a beep at the same time and the trac light and vsc trac light went on. Upon further testing the yaw rate sensor had a fail code of c1234 and the code c1363 booster pedal force switch vault was also affected. Our yaw rate sensor needed replacing. I hear a recall is in the works for this. If ao I want a refund please. It was very scary and dangerous.

While driving on dry roads, the vsc anti-slip comes on and starts braking, occassionally causing the vehicle to pull to one side, and engages the abs which makes the car vibrate and makes the driver question whether the brakes work or not.

The vsc trac, vsc off, brake and abs lights came on and are stay on until the engine is shut down. Sometimes the lights come on as soon as startup. Sometimes when idling. Suspension is very stiff, and steering seems affected as well as engine seems to lug when driving and the lights come on.

Regardless of speed a warning bell will sound, several instrument lights come on and the brakes activate causing the vehicle to pull to the right. I've experienced this numerous times with seemingly no common denominator. Neither speed nor steering input seem to be the trigger for this. I've taken it to my local Toyota dealership with no satisfaction and contacted Toyota of America customer service with no satisfaction.

My 2001 sequioa, suddenly showing the vsc lights and brake lights at the same time! there is a very rough feeling when I'm driving the car like something in the undercarriage is very wrong. There is a twice beep and the car, will suddenly pull to the left momentarily and then release itself but the lights never go out unless car is off. I,I can feel the brakes like shaking. I s scary and this happen like 4 times. The last is in the highway. Is make a noise like a scratch metal. I know I'm not the first one . Please Toyota fix the problem.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. When vehicle was started, the vehicle stability control, traction control, and abs warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Right front brake locks up without warning and anti skid light and alarm come on. After a few seconds the vcs trac light and the vcs off light comes on and stays on and car drives fine until its turned of then this happens again .

Tuesday, November 10, 2015, I was driving down interstate 37 toward corpus christi, TX, and out of the blue my well maintained vehicle had a hard shake/shimmy in the rear end. It rocked my rearend left to right. Very scary. Luckily I had both hands on the wheel. The traction control sensor went off. I braked, thinking maybe I had had a tire go flat quickly. Very scary at 75 mph. Also very lucky that not semi's or vehicles were near me. I turned the Sequoia off and got out to check the tires. There was no problem. I got back in and restarted the vehicle, the traction control lights had gone off, so I started to accelerate back into traffic. . . And the Sequoia went crazy again, rear end shaking, traction control lights going off. It was 8 pm, dark. I was too scared to try driving again, so I called for a tow. I have done some research on similar problems and found there were many. Some people say it is an electronic control sensor. Each wheel has one and maybe one went out causing that wheel to rotate differently from the others, jerking the car around. This is very dangerous! I had been in san antonio, TX rush hour traffic just 3 hours before and had this jerking that caused swerving happened on the downtown highways, someone could have been killed. People should be warned and Toyota should recall vehicles affected, because from my research, there are a lot of affected Sequoias.

Tl-the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle traction warning indicator illuminated and a warning alarm sounded as the skid control system engaged without being prompted. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. There was also an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle as the steering wheel pull to the right. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to slow down until the vehicle's skid control system disengaged without being prompted. Th failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Sg.

While traveling 74-75mph in my 2001 Toyota Sequoia on a dry highway passing a slower semi-truck on a straightaway, there was a sudden loud grinding noise, the vsc and traction control lights flashed followed by a series of high-pitched beeps. The SUV lost partial control, automatically slowing a little as it pulled slightly to the right, scarily close to the big rig. However, the scariest part was that driver input controlled nothing for several seconds. I pulled to the side of the highway. The drivers manual said it was safe to continue driving the vehicle. This happened 3 other times on the remaining 700 miles of my trip. Each time after an incident the SUV did fine as long as the "vsc and traction control off" lights were on. But after the vehicle stopped, they would reset and turn off. The problem would occur again and the lights would turn back on. Toyota claimed no responsibility. They replaced the skid control computer at a cost to me of $1123. 36. I have not driven enough miles to see if this solved the problem. A simple internet search showed 23 pages of 2001 Sequoia owners with the exact same problem and even a recall for 2003 models with the same safety defect. Please investigate this problem before there are injuries or fatalities.

Was driving 60mph & car had loud noise from under car. Dealer says it might be skid control module or yaw control? it is dangerous to drive but dealer can not tell me if repair will work. Might be a different sensor. When this occurs, I can turn off engine & retart, then drive again. Often, the vsc lights stay light up on dashboard. Dealer put computer on car for locating repair codes. But dealer is still not sure what will fix vehicle.

My 2001 Toyota Sequoia violently experienced a vsc trac error when driving next to a semi on the freeway. It almost pulled my car into the semi, and then off the road as the wheel jerked, brakes and engine response cut significantly. This highway issue happened last month, and just this week, the problem has become more frequent, occurring on neighborhood streets with absolutely no triggers. The steering wheel sometime shakes, and sometime pulls suddenly. It occurs sometimes during a slow turn, but is also happening just driving at 25 miles an hour down a straight road.

While driving at slow speed the vehicle suddenly swerved to the left, I was startled, it's good I was able to control the steering wheel and did not hit anybody . I was just plain lucky that there was no vehicle on my left but what if it happened on a rainy day?.

The traction control on my 01 Sequoia comes on without warning at around 10 mph . This has caused several close calls to accidents. I took it to a local dealer who asks me to keep it over night because they couldn't figure out what the problem. The next day they call me and tell more that the skid control ecu and the translate ecu are malfunctioning. They tell me because if the year and mileage of my vehicle to replace them it would be at my cost $2500 if my cost. How can they tell you that something then manufacture is faulty then try to charge me to replace it. Now I am forced to drive an unsafe vehicle with four children as I commute daily because I cannot afford the repair or to buy a new vehicle.