Brake Sensor problems of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia

Vehicle almost lost control during a 25mph turn in light rain condition. The vehicle has brand new tires as well. This is a known issue with many Toyota Sequoia vehicles and Toyota refuses to acknowledge fault. The failure to announce a recall on the vsc pressure sensor unit will cause the vehicle to lose control, skid, loss of abs and subsequently lead to crash.

This occurred approximately April 2010, upon receiving a recall notice from Toyota on brakes, I took the vehicle into the Toyota dealership. They fixed the recall notice and I ended up having to pay for a test to find out what was causing the vsc light to come on. The dealership said that there was nothing that they could do for me except replace the yaw sensor for almost $800 dollars. This was the sensor for $685 and then the labor. To this date (07/14/2013) Toyota has done nothing to fix the issue. I have read numerous issues with this item. I guess it will take someone else being killed for them to get their act together and fix it.

Veh. Toyota Sequoia 2003,the vehicle skid control (vsc) and traction control (track) lights remain on also the eng. Light. And the diagnose system doesn't have any code related to the abs. Because of this the anti lock brake syst. Doesn't work. The codes shown are related to the oxygen sensor and m. A. F. Sensor, we change all 4 oxg. Sensor and the maf and still the same condition. The Sequoia has 47,000 miles.

Brake system will grab and throw car into skid, but parts are failing intermittently. The switch on the dashboard does not shut it off. Consumer had no control of vehicle. It has been in the repair shop, and found out steering angle sensor was bad, and replaced it. Also, computer was defective. The vehicle's computer was replaced also. The technician could not confirm what failed first, why either failed, or why he could not find any trouble over one year ago, when consumer noticed blinding lights on the dashboard. The consumer feels that this is a safety hazard because drivers do not have control over this active 4 wheel drive system. Also the dash control will not shut off vsc (vehicle skid control), nor any other fuse, switch, wire, or other vsc's.

Concern started with a vsc and traction control warning lights in instrument cluster coming on and off in an intermittent fashion without pattern or external cause. The warning lights would not remain on but instead would glow for a brief bit of time and then extinguish. The vehicle did exhibit a spontaneous deceleration on several occasions while operating at low speed (less than 20 mph) and on level, smooth ground. The episodes were brief and normal brake operation return immediately once speed dropped to approximately 5 mph. In the decades that I have operated this automobile, the warning lights went from lighting intermittently to being illuminated continuously; the spontaneous breaking has seemingly ceased since these lights have remained on. Dealership and factory were informed of this concern with each service visit. Dealership response was that they were unwilling or unable to diagnose an intermittent concern. Once the lights remained on, I was initially informed that they suspected a defective yaw sensor and more recently, malfunctioning brake booster components; warranty period had lapsed and no extension was offered. Attempts to correctly diagnose and repair this concern have dragged on for 10 years with dealership and factory position that repairs, be they diagnostic (the yaw sensor replacement) or definitive (booster and brake system), were not warranty issues despite their intermittent presentation during the warranty period. My periodic practical testing of the brakes demonstrates that the abs system functions properly despite warning light indications to the contrary. Current dealership estimated cost to replace brake booster and actuators is $3800 with a 12 month warranty. Toyota USA's position is this is not a warranty issue as of April 2013.