general problems of the 2001 Toyota Sequoia - part 1

While driving my 2001 Sequoia sr5 with only 74,750 miles on freeways at speeds between 55 and 65 mph, the SUV's braking system activates unexpectedly and without cause. The vsc check engine lighting and warning sound illuminate. My SUV veered to the right, the steering wheel vibrated, and it went into a skid when the brakes were abruptly engaged, causing it to skid. My SUV abruptly decelerated as if it had lost power. This situation was hazardous for other vehicles who could not tell if they were applying the brakes due to the absence of visible brake lights to prevent a collision. Fortunately, I responded defensively and avoided collisions with other vehicles and roadside obstacles. This issue is a safety concern; if it occurs at the wrong moment, a tragedy can be avoided. I've seen more than a hundred complaints from other proprietors and a completed NHTSA investigation. Sequoia models from 2001 and subsequent years were recalled for the same issue. Before a life is lost, Toyota must address this issue in all model years.

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

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.

My complaint stems from the vehicle stability control (vsc) issue that commonly plagues the 2001-2001 Toyota Sequoia. As many others have filed complaints over this vsc issue, mine is no different. My Sequoia, a 4x4 sr5 with 160k miles, works flawlessly other than the vsc lights being constantly illuminated while driving. The results of the malfunction, possibly from the yaw rate sensor, present a momentarily loss of power and random unexplained steering events. The only way to temporary clear the vsc lights and the effects of the malfunction is to completely stop the vehicle, turn off the ignition and restart the vehicle. I fear a loss of control of the vehicle while my wife and kids are driving at highway speeds. I would like to see Toyota issue a formal recall or pay for a new yaw rate sensor and the consumer pays the labor. Other than the vsc issue, the Sequoia is a great vehicle overall.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While driving 35 mph, the traction control and vsc warning lights illuminated. Also, the front passenger side wheel seized and the vehicle started pulling to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the yaw sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.

Traction control malfunction. When in motion the car engages the brakes for no reason, intermittently applying the brakes causing the car to pull & swerve, and shudder. This happens when going straight, turning, or just driving down the road.

When operating at speed, the vehicle will suddenly shutter briefly, and pull to right. Seemingly a wheel locked up. Control of steering is lost. Vsc light comes on, and cannot be rest until restating the engine.

The vehicle skid control randomly engages for no reason. It causes lost of power and braking, causing steering to be very difficult.

My 2001 Sequoia was in an accident in November 2014. It was totaled but I decided to have it repaired as it was in great running condition prior to accident. It had been running fine to around may when the vsc went off while I was driving around a curve making me almost lose control of the car. The same thing would happen intermittently with a slight jerk of the car to the left. On June 25th there was a very violent jerk to the left while I was driving with my boys. Took it to a dealership on 6/27/15 and was told it was the yaw rate sensor. Dealership re-calibrated and it ran fine for 2 days. On 6/29/15 there was another violent jerk of the truck with the vsc lights coming on. I called the dealership and they instructed me to bring it back in. Took truck in on 6/30/15 and was told I would need to repair the yaw rate sensor since the recalibration did not work. I was given an estimate of $746. 29 for replacement and this was taking into account the $108 I spent on 6/27/15. Told the repairman I would investigate further and would get back with him. As I was pulling out of the dealership going less than 5 mph, the truck jerked violently again almost slamming me into the car in the left lane. With the high mileage of the truck I do not want to spend an absorbent amount of money for repairs. As these sensors have reportedly had reports of multiple malfunctions in the past based on my research, I am not even sure that having it replaced would even fix the problem and if it did, would I be faced with the same problem a few months down the road when the new sensor goes bad. I can not believe that Toyota or the government would allow this type of malfunction which is life-threatening to go on unresolved. Is it really going to take the loss of lives as in the case of the airbags before something is done? help!.

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.

When the gas peddle is depressed the car will not go! I've almost been in 2 accidents due to it!.

While driving at 60 mph the vehicle pulled sharply to the right and its trac/vcs control lights began to blink and the warning sound came on as well. The vehicle made a grinding sound and I pulled over to the side of the road. I shut the car off and waited a few minutes. I turned on the vehicle and the indicator lights were off and it drove normal. This same incident continues to happen even after I took it in to get diagnosed. I was told by a Toyota technician that he could not find the problem.

Vehicle had experienced intermittent stability/traction control trouble lights in cold weather. While driving in sub freezing weather on wet heavily salted nearly clear (possible slight slush from snow dusting) interstate along a straight smooth slight upgrade stretch, the vehicle without diver action (steering, braking, or acceleration) experienced a rear end swerve to the right and inability to control. Result was leaving the right side of the roadway down a 25-30 foot embankment (no guardrail) and a vehicle roll (one time, ending up wheels down, still running). Travel was at or below that of traffic. No other vehicles experienced difficulty on the same stretch of road. It is believed that a sudden random actuation of the stability/traction control system initiated the event. This appears to be a generic issue with the Toyota system spanning several models and years.

Driving at 45 mph + a grinding noise starts coming from the front, no brake pedal, then a shaking sensation on the steering wheel, the abs/vcs lights start blinking. Pulled over and then it stopped. Very dangerous situation.

While driving on a smooth pavement the vsc/trac system engages for no reason. Sounding off the internal chime and turning the vsc/trac lights on the dash. The abs system kicks in and grinds on the brakes. Loss of steering is present as the vehicle pulls to one side.

While driving forward from a stopped position on a flat, level, paved road with the outside temperature at 72, the vsc (vehicle skid control) activated and nearly pulled me into the lane next to me. There were no pot holes or anything in the road that would've caused it. It stopped after a few seconds and then again, about two minutes later at a 25mph speed , the system activated again and I had no control of the brakes or steering while the system was activating. The car is great shape, one-owner, well maintained and there seems to be a history with Toyota and the vsc system. Very dangerous situations that the vsc put me in.

The vsc trac lights have came on and will not go off.

Traveling on the freeway at a speed of 55 miles the vcs trac control light came on and the brakes were applied with out me hitting the breaks, I lost control of the steering for a slight second, the truck swerved to the left, it almost cause me to hit a car on the left of me on the freeway. Once I turned the car off, the vcs trac lights turned off, then it happened again on the street at a lower speed of 45 mile the vcs trac light started to flash and the brakes were applied and the truck swerved to the left, the lights stayed on again until I turned off the truck.

I own a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 65 mph on the freeway all of a sudden the vsc trac turns on and my steering wheel jerked to the right almost hiding the vehicle on the right lane. . I noticed a grinding noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The traction light illuminated. Its very hard to slow down. Its if I hit a puddle of water but this was on a sunny and clear day. This happened numerous of times. Now the truck just sits in my driveway due to the scare of driving it and someone getting killed.

I own a 2001 Toyota Sequoia and experienced a loss of steering control on three separate occasions. The first incident occurred while driving through a shopping mall parking lot at 5 mph. Our vehicle shuddered and swerved to the right while a buzzer went off & then the vsc and trac off lights illuminated. The next two incidents occurred over the next few days while driving on the highway between 20-25 mph. On both occasions our vehicle lost control and veered to the right before I was able to gain control of the vehicle. This is a serious life safety defect that has been acknowledged by Toyota for the 2003 Sequoia's and by the vast amount of complaints should extend to earlier models as well. I recently took our Sequoia into a mechanic and their trouble shooting revealed that the skid control ecu would need to be replaced, costing over $3400.

This was the first incident: as I was driving then suddenly the truck started to beep and moves back and forth and made a braking sound. And I went into the side and hit a small post and the seat belt tighten. Now my back has been hurting me since. And some lights were on. The vsc trac and trac off lights were on. Then after that one I have been driving very careful but it will still do the same thing. The beep starts and the swirling back and forth. But I have been driving slower too so I don't get out of control. This is very scary. After the I turn off the truck the lights are not on. But the thing is that it just happens. I have no I idea when or what time. I hope I can get help on fixing this problem. Thank you.

Last year my car while traveling at a speed of 50 mph just collapsed. My ball joints fell completely off. My the grace of god I wasn't killed because I was on the interstate. I have since had it repaired but not by a Toyota dealer. At the time as now, all my lights were lit vsc trac, abs etc. I have had this problem throughout having this Toyota and it has been very costly. Now as we speak my car is at a dealer and I can only imagine they will tell me it's the faulty computer chip. I will also have them check for rust since I'm hearing of all these cases of rust. My car has been in tip top shape due to my husbands knowledge of cars. However, some of these reports appear to be incidents beyond our control. I'm lucky to be alive. I guess if I had been killed Toyota would still be denying their product is faulty. I would like Toyota to step up and pay for some of these issues I've had and if my car needs this expensive computer chip. . Abs is engaging my brakes they pay for it. This is the second time I've made a report and I haven't heard anything from Toyota. . .

Was driving down major interstate when the vsc warning came on with buzzer. Brakes felt like they were being ground down, engine decelerated, and could feel bumping and grinding on brake pedal. Pulled over and checked under car, found nothing. Got back on interstate and same thing happened only this time the system turned itself off. Can not turn the vsc off with the button provided. Research on internet reveals not an unique issue with Sequoia. Has also happened with tundra and other Toyotas with vsc system. No fix available as of 09/30/2012 that can be found.

Today driving at 40mph my 2001 Sequoia suddenly jolted and brake with a terrible grinding noise, this while I was using the gas pedal! it was very scary and shocking that it could possibly do such an unsafe maneuver. My children & I were terrified as the beeping started and then a steady noise while the grinding persisted. I am so glad the car behind us did not plow into us, and still do not know how they did not. To everyone that has stated this: "people will be killed because of this", you are very correct. It is dangerous to have such a faulty system in a car on the road. We had is towed away, and frankly I know not what to do since reading all of these other incidents. Even if we have it fixed, it sounds like it will not cease. I had this happen twice in the last 2 days, but thought I'd run over a pothole or something. Today, it was smooth pavement and nice weather. We really need a recall to save lives!.

Wife was pulling off from a stoplight when the traction control system light (skidding car icon) and warning buzzer came on and the vehicle started making a loud grinding sound, vibrating, and pulling to the right. She pulled the vehicle over, turned it off, and called me to come swap vehicles with her. When I started the car, of course, the symptoms had gone away. Several days later on a family trip, I was driving the vehicle on the interstate at 65-70 mph when the vehicle did the same thing she had described. We pulled over, the noise stopped, and then the vsc/trac and trac off came on. This should be a recall fix. Too many vehicles have had this problem, over several production years (2003's actually have a recall for a similar issue). However, reading various forums has made me think Toyota doesn't even know the root cause of this. But it's definitely a safety issue that needs to be checked out.

Vehicle's traction control system malfunctioned while driving on dry flat pavement. Vsc and trac control lights came on, vehicle pulled hard to the right, made loud grinding noise, and was extremely difficult to control steering and braking. This continued for approximately one minute, stopped, and then did it again. This is a very dangerous situation which could potentially lead to fatal accident if it occurs at higher speeds. It happened with our children in the car and scared everyone. This is the second time it has happened to us, but appears to be a very common problem with this make/model. I would like to see a recall.

Two days ago, I happened to be on my way home on a back road and only going around 40 mph when my stability control light, vsc trac, and trac off light came on and my car started making a beeping noise and I could not control my vehicle. This is for a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. I have seen many complaints since on different forums about this same problem. What can be done about this problem? I am very disappointed with Toyota and hope that there will be a recall on this problem or they could be facing some lawsuits if these kind of problems persist and someone gets injured or even killed because of negligence on Toyota's part. As for me and my family, we have owned Toyota vehicles for years, my great uncle was even asked to be in a Toyota commercial because of the devotion our family has had to Toyota. I really hope they do the right thing because there will be challenges made against their company if not.

Had just turned onto a road at 25 mph and vcs/trac lights came on, started beeping, made a grinding noise and was hard to steer, pulled off road as thinking I had ran over something. . . . Very scared. Now does it approximately 2 x weekly with no rhyme or reason.

Was driving out my driveway, not going fast at all. . . Turned on a major street and suddenly, a picture of the skidding car appeared and then the trac/vsc lights came on with a horrendous noise. Took car to the local Toyota dealership and of course they couldn't find anything wrong with it after relinquishing $100. 00 diagnostic fee. The light and noise from the vsc engaging or disengaging is really loud and has happened every day since the initial issue. Does this present a problem? I'm afraid to drive my car but is very much needed for work and recreational activities. I've searched online and it appears that this is an ongoing issue that Toyota is aware of but fail to do a recall.

Vehicle: Toyota Sequoia 2001 4wd ltd temperature: 87 degrees f conditions: sunny & clear - no rain/water present - no obvious slippery conditions surface: paved surface road accessories active: air conditioning was on & radio was on while traveling at approximately 35 mph in a straight line the traction control light illuminated (vehicle symbol that includes 3 wavy lines) and sounded an audible signal immediately followed by the "vsc trac" & "vsc off" lights illuminating. To memory, the accelerator pedal was being pressed as normal. When the above dashboard lights illuminated a negative sensation could be felt through the steering wheel, but the vehicle did not veer off course. Next, the emergency flasher hazard light was turned on, the a/c & radio were turned off and the four main windows were lowered to their full down positions by the driver and the vehicle was driven to a side street approximately 1/8 mile ahead, stopped and parked. The driver kept the vehicle running. The vehicle was then inspected by the driver for signs of obvious mechanical failure. The brake, driveline and suspension components did not show any obvious signs of failure. The owner's manual was checked and it did not indicate that the vehicle could not be driven in the current state. The vehicle's a/c system was switched back on (the radio was left off) and the vehicle was then driven approximately 10 miles, parked and turned off. After approximately 4 hours of the vehicle being parked & not running the vehicle was restarted. The previous dashboard lights at first did not illuminate. After approximately 1/4 mile of driving the "vsc trac" & "vsc off" lights illuminated again upon depressing the brake pedal. Vehicle was driven approximately 50 miles, parked and turned off. There were no unusual mechanical sensations felt or heard during either 10 or 50 mile drives.

Recently had new tires installed, while accelerating up freeway on ramp I could feel power being taken away, looked down and skid control light was lit up. Asked mechanic about it and recommended zero point calibration to rest sensors for steering yaw and pitch. After zpc vsc trac and vsc off lights were on. Code pulled c1231 steering angle. Zpc again. Code and lights still, code will not clear with Toyota intelligent 2 scanner. Monitoring steering sensor with scanner show both positive and negative numbers with zero at wheels straight. Mechanic want to change out spendy vsc cpu and translate cpu and says that is no guarantee to fix. I am driving it with lights one due to unable to pay $2k for something out of know where and no part physically broke to promote. In looking around I see this is not an isolated issue.

Abs, trac control, and vsc light come on intermittently all at the same time. There is a total loss of abs and traction control - very scary on icy roads. Problem comes and goes. Cannot seem to get a fault code. Based on the postings I see, this is a known problem.

The Sequoia vsc trac,vsc off sensor lights turning on and off and hearing grinding noise,and lose power. And the roll over system light come on.

Was driving down major interstate when the vsc warning came on with buzzer. Brakes felt like they were being ground down, engine decelerated, and could feel bumping and grinding on brake pedal. Pulled over and checked under car, found nothing. Got back on interstate and same thing happened only this time the system turned itself off. Can not turn the vsc off with the button provided. Research on internet reveals not an unique issue with Sequoia. Has also happened with tundra and other Toyotas with vsc system. No fix available as of 07/30/2012 that can be found.