Two problems related to vehicle shudder have been reported for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia based on all problems reported for the 2002 Sequoia.
2002 Sequoia purchased used, vsc trac desengages without warning at any time, slowing down the vehicle and making grinding noice in the suspension or breaks, it will reset again after park and shutting the engine off, this problem had happen at least 10 times in about one year that I am driving it, due to the unexpected desengage of the vsc trac at any time slowing down the vehicle with out warning and no break light it is a safety concern, I have look in the internet and this problem is very common with this vehicles equiped with the vsc trac, I have called Toyota and there is no recalls for the issue, I believe it it is a malfunction of the system it should be take care unless they are waiting for something drastic to happen, hope I can get some where with this complaint, this is a second Toyota at home and I like to keep both cars for as long as I can. This particular problem does happen at any time in the street at 20 miles higway at 50 some times at 60 miles, during straight ride or turning left or right, please advise I should not have to incurre expences on a factory defective issue.
On 6/21/2010, my 2002 Toyota Sequoia srs 2-wheel drive model at 74k miles had failure with its automatic transmission while running on highway. The automatic transmission repeatedly failed to properly engage the overdrive gears, resulted in significant dropping of engine rpm, caused sudden drop of vehicle speed, caused vehicle vibration and loud clanking sounds, and resulted in difficult driving condition. This was partially correctable only by taking the vehicle off the overdrive mode. Although no vehicle accident nor injury resulted from this mechanical failure, I noted that many discussion boards listed this same problem for 2000-2002 Toyota Sequoia and tundra. The problem was attributed to od planetary gears and sun gear in the automatic transmission. This pattern of defect should be addressed with the manufacture to prevent any further potential dangerous incidents. In my opinion, Toyota should issue a safety recall for these vehicles with this pattern of issues for its automatic transmissions. My vehicle was never used for tow and had mostly highway miles.