Brake Grinding Noise problems of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia

Seven problems related to brake grinding noise have been reported for the 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia based on all problems reported for the 2003 Sequoia.

1 Brake Grinding Noise problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2019

Takata recall. The parking light would come on intermittently, and we had it looked at by a Toyota dealer. They recommended to replace the ecu, which we did. This didn't fix it. The car got worse and started shaking when I drove and when I stopped it would shake and make a grinding noise. We had it looked at and the braking system serviced. The problem is still there. This is a common problem with this year and a dangerous flaw in these vehicles.

2 Brake Grinding Noise problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2014

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 breaks 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.

3 Brake Grinding Noise problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2013

The Toyota Sequoia went nose down and started to make a grinding noise pulling hard to the right. Loss of power happened and I had no control. I tried to accelerate but it seemed like there was no response. It has done this three times. I feel like I will hit someone or someone will hit me!.

4 Brake Grinding Noise problem

Failure Date: 08/08/2009

I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia that has been regularly serviced at a Toyota dealership and has had no abs brake issues until this incident. Abruptly as I was driving, all the vsc/trac lights on the dashboard came on, there was a grinding noise under the car and the car came to a halt. I took the car to the dealer the next day (as it happened on a Sunday) and was told this was a known defect in Sequoias, but as the car was past it's warranty period it would cost me $1800 to fix. If this is a known defect that has the capability of causing a serious accident because of the abruptness of the issue while driving, I don't understand why this is not a recall issue. Will it take someone having a fatal crash because of this to get some action on this issue?.

5 Brake Grinding Noise problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2009

The contact owns 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 25 mph on normal road conditions and applying pressure to the brake pedal there was a grinding noise and the vehicle began shaking. The vehicle began pulling to the right and failed to slow down. The entire warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The driver applied continuous force to the brake pedal in order to decrease the speed of the vehicle. An authorized dealer stated that the failure was contributed to the anti-lock brake system. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The contact had concerns of the safety hazard. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 110,000. The current mileage was 116,000.

6 Brake Grinding Noise problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2007

2003 Toyota Sequoia with 64000 miles. Vsc/abd lights came on and did come off. The brakes failed on one occasion and quickly came back, but made metal grinding noise. Car was brought to dealer, and was out of warranty. I wa s being told o replace the computer system. They said since there was a TSB, that they might be able to cover 1/2 the cost. There should be a recall on this problem.

7 Brake Grinding Noise problem

Failure Date: 10/25/2005

Vehicle makes a loud grinding noise from the front of the car when put in to gear. Vsc trac and vsc off lights light up and buzzer sounds. Once the lights and buzzer go off the grinding stops but the lights remain on. When driving the car feels very loose, like it is going to lose control. I brought the vehicle in to the dealership and they said that 2 computers , the vsc computer and the translator computer, failed. The dealership said that there have been many instances of this occurrence, and that the software used in the computers was bad. All of this happened at 39k miles and the warranty was up at 36k. Toyota has been negligent in the fact that this is a known manufacturers defect and there is no recall or warranty for these defects. I am not sure if this issue can cause injuries or death, or possibly re-occur.




Safety Ratings of Sequoia Cars
Fuel Economy of Sequoia Vehicles
Sequoia Service Bulletins
Sequoia Safety Recalls
Sequoia Defect Investigations