general problems of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia

So in few words when check engine light is happening then immediately traction control and skid control and maybe other safety features are automatically goes off, which almost made me crash with all my family during rain. I definitely don’t like it and I don’t think it’s a good idea if one of the non critical sensors broken then you have to die in crash. I think Toyota should check it because it’s doesn’t sound right.

The lock actuators in the doors are notorious for going on more than normal it's another very common issue with the seqouia. My driver one is bad right now. And clearly the window motors are faulty cuz I had 3 bad at once I fixed one but my sunroof and back tailgate window both do not work. It is also a very common problem.

I recently purchased my 2003 Toyota Sequoia sr5 4wd that had the manufacturer’s undercoating done as a result of the lsc in 2013. The coating has failed and water was able to seep in causing massive rust on the frame. It is a safety hazard to drive at this point.

I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia 167k miles that has major frame rust. This is now becoming a safety issue and Toyota needs to be held accountable!.

The latch hook/truck door release has a defect. It has been replaced 3 times after purchase of my vehicle , by the following Toyota dealerships (tejas Toyota in humble texas (2x); maund Toyota in austin, TX (1x). Each dealership service said it was/is manufacture defect with the latch hook and it stops “un latching when the vehicle the button is pressed to unlock and the handle can not open the hatchback” this time I was traveling out of state with my pet in the kennel and when we stopped for restroom break the latch would not open to retrieve the pet to let out the kennel. We were traveling with a vehicle full of items, which the entire inside of the vehicle had to be emptied I ordered to let all the seats down and try to maneuver to try to get my dog out of kennel I. Such a small confined space that was hard to open because it was in the side. It took over and hour to cut the cage at the top to retrieve my pet. The sad part is there was no warning because we were traveling a 13 hour trip, stopping every couple hours for breaks and stretches, and the couple hours before we open the hatchback just fine. This is more than a safety concern for the animal. This is also the ares for retrieving the spare tire underneath the vehicle when the spare has to be released. I have replaced the part 3 times and I am charged $600 cost for parts and labor, when Toyota is aware of the defect. I just had the part replaced 19 months ago and Toyota only gives a 12 warranty on the part. This is ludicrous when the manufacture is aware of the ongoing problem. I have purchased 4 prior Toyota’s and never had had this type of problem. My second safety issue is the case gage drops below the empty gage and stays there even though there is gas in the vehicle. The dealership said there was a recall years ago but I never received any notice. Please advise.

My gas gauge sensor consistently drops below the “e” marker when the truck has gas in it and especially when it is filled up. After driving about 50 miles or so, the gauge will move up some ; however, I have been relying on my dte monitor to let me know about gas. I have taken it to the dealer twice and both said “the gas tank needs to be dropped in order for repair” I was about to pay for the service but was told I had to make an appointment. However the service advise ask had I had it replaced before because there was a recall on that particular part several years ago. Please note I have never received any notice about a recall regarding the issue. Please advise.

The trunk latch/handle/lock. I have had it replaced 3 times by a Toyota dealership. There's is clearly a manufacture defect and there's needs to be a recall. The last time the Toyota dealership I. Austin texas replaces it I had a 12 month warranty. In exactly 14 months the same thing occurred again! this is ridiculous to say the least and I am tired of paying 600 (parts/labor) to repair, when Toyota is aware of the problem! note: when the handle breaks there is no access to the spare tire because you have to life the trunk to access the spare time. I have had my vehicle towed twice scorn tire issues because the spare could not be accessed. The last occurrence I was stranded on side of the road at 2am.

The handle on the trunk is broken and I am not able to open the trunk. It won't open with the key or the remote for the vehicle. 2003 Toyota Sequoia limited.

While driving in normal, dry conditions on public roadway, the frame of this 2003 Sequoia broke. The affected area is where the lower rear control arm from the back axle joins the main vehicle frame. The vehicles rocked violently from side to side and verged on being uncontrollable. No injuries occurred during the event but there was a potential for severe injury or death. Upon closer inspection and research the main frame of the vehicle is almost completely compromised from corrosion. After Toyota was contacted, owner was told vehicle had "rust treatment" in 2013, no further customer support offered. These vehicles are definitely unsafe and the corrosion treatment has only given owners a false sense of security. Operation of these "rust protected" vehicles leaves owners facing unseen risk of injury or death from frame failure. These vehicles should be repaired or removed from service to protect the general public.

My 2003 Sequoia failed inspection in state of penn for sever frame rust and Toyota customer service says recall for this problem expireed in 2014 and they are no longer doing anything to service this problem. I am currently at 180k miles and vehicles like to should last lot longer.

Toyota initially inspected the frame for rust and only sprayed rustproofing which came off after a single season. The frame is now completely rusted out and unsafe.

Tailgate door will not open preventing me from getting items out off the cargo area.

The trac light and vsc light are on which caused the check engine light to come on. I have had to replace the brakes and rotors at least every 3 months since this has occurred. I was driving one day and the truck somewhat decelerated to almost an sudden stop and those two above light engaged as well as the check engine light. These lights have been on since July 2017. I have called the toyato recall center and there are no recalls listed for this vehicle's VIN number. The toyato dealdhip wants to charge me 114. 00 for diagnostic testing which right now I can not afford. I am purchasing this vehicle used and I am still making payments on it on and every time I have brakes and rotors replaced it's abot $365. 00 a pop. Please advise. I have researched this issue and found it a very come defect on this particular vehicle and it needs to be around before an accident occurs and costs someone their life or others their lives.

Once again the rear latch system has failed and I am unable to open my rear hatch door. So I am unable to remove my spare tire. And can not acsess the failed charcoal canister Toyota is screwing up my life with all their failed parts preventing repair on other parts.

Recently my 2003 Sequoia started to shake on the left front tire, so I had it towed to a repair shop and the mechanic stated they could not repair my car because the problem that I was having was not due to the struts or shocks, but that the frame was so rusted and that was the cause of the problem. Advised me not to drive the car, but that I would either have to take it to a welding shop for repair, or look for another car. They concluded that the car was unsafe to drive any longer. The frame is so rusted, that I would be afraid to drive it. I spoke with a welding shop and he advised me to contact Toyota.

My car has 136,000 miles on it, and the issue is rust. The whole bottom frame of the car is completely taken by rust. Its a hazard to drive because it seems like the car will fall apart! please help make Toyota aware of this situation. The car has an abnormal amount of rust!!.

Replaced O2 sensor and was unable to obtain sticker due to frame is rusted. Have three teenage drivers using truck and is now unsafe. Have owned vehicle since 2007 and have serviced at woburn Toyota in woburn,MA. I have never got an email or mail from Toyota pertaining any issue. When asked about it said been out for a while!!!.

I went to Toyota on 2013 to have my car reflash (the vsc off, vsc trac and abs litghts for recall 10v176000) to remedy the situation, after doing so when I went to pick up my car the lights where still on and the service advisor told me I need to pay to have the car checked at the computer and since I didnt have the money to pay for it my car wasnt checked. The ligths are still on, call Toyota but they say there us nothing they can do. Since this was a problem originated by a faulty part I dont see why they dont want to take care of it. Besides the price tag for that repair is 2,000. 00 just for the part. Please help.

I purchased a used 2003 Toyota Sequoia in April 2014. Since that time, the vehicle stability control system vsc) activates randomly causing the anti-lock brakes to be applied at random. This was a minor annoyance at first but soon became a regular occurrence. When inclement weather hit in December 2014 this vehicle was unstable to drive in even light snow; even when I had it in 4 wheel drive. In January 2015, it was snowing and there was approximately 2 inches of snow on the road and the vehicle spun out of control into the opposite lane. It was late at night so there were no other cars on the road. The vehicle continued to slide intermittently on the rest of the drive home. The thing is that this vehicle has off-road tires and this combined with the 4 wheel drive system should make it extremely stable in any weather. In February 2015, my wife was driving with our children and the vehicle's brakes locked up in the middle of a two-way stop preventing it from moving forward. There were other vehicles approaching at a high rate of speed and they had to stop to prevent a collision. A question: what if there was snow on the road at that time? I April had my Sequoia looked at by vanderstyne Toyota in rochester NY and they found that the yaw rate senor had a short resulting in constant application of the vsc system and quoted me $660. 00 to "fix" the issue. I proceeded to research this issue on the net and it appears to be widespread with owners of Toyota Sequoias, siennas and some 4 runners. And many of the owners who had the yaw rate sensor replaced continued to have the same issue. I will not have this work done if there is not a guarantee that it will fix it and the dealership would not guarantee this 100%. This is serious safety issue and I am in the process of filing a complaint with Toyota, bbb and the new york state attorney general office.

After coming to stop or slowing down, when turning car does not accelerate. For about 7-10 seconds which is a safety hazard when pulling out into traffic. Vehicle has been doing this intermittently about twice a week. Also have had problem with abs light staying off and on since purchasing vehicle. Taken to dealership and unable to find anything wrong. Taken to dealership to fix problem with acceleration but recurred after visit 4 times. Vehicle has 135,000 miles. Mileage is approximation.

I am experiencing the same vsc problems as I read in the other complaints, along with other electrical issues. Randomly (or so it seems) the vsc, break lights, drive light and others will go on and off. It has been doing this for about a month now and every time I go to take it in for service, they aren't on and they "can't find anything wrong. ".

The vsc trak light comes on for no apparent reason and will remain on until I take the vehicle in to my mechanic. It worries me that there may be something more serious wrong with the vehicle. This has occurred for a number of years, over an over again. Can this be fixed permanently?.

We had a steering leak, so we brought our vehicle for repairs. The mechanics discovered that our frame had advanced and unsafe levels of erosion and breakdown, far beyond the age and considered care of the vehicle. We found there was a frame recall on our make and model, but Toyota is saying it expired two weeks before (July 31st). We were never notified once about this or any other recall for the Sequoia, but receive other notices for our other Toyota regularly. Toyota is doing nothing to assist in repair or trade in (we purchased as a certified pre-owned Toyota from a Toyota dealership, mcgee in hanover MA three years ago) and we are left with a family vehicle that we owe $6k on, yet has no sale or trade in value due to it's compromised state, and one we can't drive our children in. We invested numerous repairs due to the vehicles age recently ($2k this winter, along with new tires, etc), anticpitating this, like other Toyotas we have owned, would get us a couple more years. After opening a case with Toyota and reaching out to the dealership, we are left frustrated and with no options, and stress and cost are accumulating as we deal with car rentals, etc. Due to the fact that we don't have a car and cannot afford total replacement at this time. Sincerely, molly & joe thienel woodstock, CT.

2003 Toyota Sequoia limited frame recall issues. Bought new from del Toyota in pennsylvania (dealer # 9001) have had several unrelated/possible related recalls since purchase. July: received mailing from Toyota in reference to possible frame recall. Set up dealership appt. 7/24/ dropped off car @ dealership for recall review, provided with rental for 2 days, after they forgot about us in the waiting area. In 24h dealership notified no rust & will apply rust protectant coating. 24h later: notified by dealership: found a hole on cross member that holds the trans on left side. Spoke with head of maintenance regarding issue & resolution. Outcome: frame replaced @ no cost but, if certain parts are broken durning the removals or installation the cost is our responsibility. The frame will take 1-2 month to order. Told that they will not offer a rental during that time & the vehicle is safe to drive "I wouldn't let you leave if it wasn't safe. " initiated a Toyota claim number, should be contacted by case manager within 24 business hours. No contact yet. Upon researching like issues with the same make/model/year. A large majority of people are handed a very large bill after the frame installation & are continuing to have issues stemming from the frame replacement. The costs are not being covered by Toyota. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle in fear that I will crash/be injured or cause someone else to crash/be injured. Very disappointed that Toyota is not standing behind their recall/service.

The vsc control system has never worked correctly. . . Its been nothing but a problem from the time we bought it.

Vcs off light, vcs trac light and check engine light all came on at the same time and will not go off. Understand there is a danger of crash due to this condition.

Srs.

As I drive,when I come to a stop sign are red light an d put my feet back on the gas the vsctrac light comes on and also the skid light,it makes a grinding noise when u hit the gas. Its a scary feeling!!! what can I do about that?!! seems to me it's more then just me exprence this!!!.

Vsc traction and abs control warning lights stay lit. Lights would go on and off and now stay lit all the time so have no warning if abs system is functional or has other issues. Lost the ability to turn traction control on/off. Took vehicle in for service at dealer, 3-26-07, and was informed it was a manufacturing defect with an internal component, yaw rate sensor. Reported to Toyota and requested assistance in repairing as this appeared to be a manufacturing defect. Toyota denied claim. Have seen vehicles produced 1 month earlier are now under recall for similar issues nhsta campaign # 10v176000. Dealer cost to repair at time was $1433. Have experienced braking oddities on occasions.

We have had to replace the rear lock assembly and various other parts associated with it 4 times due to rusting. Due to the part rusting it will no longer latch the door closed. The door can either pop open and thus cause a issue! when it won't lock inorder to drive the car it has to be bungee corded shut. Which isn't safe either. We have spent almost $3000 on these repairs from 2005 until today. Researching the web has revealed this is an issue with the Sequoia system. Toyota doesn't feel it is a concern when their 1-800 number is called and the issue reported. I feel this issue is a concern and Toyota needs to fix this assembly issue.

Shortly after purchasing my Toyota Sequoia in 2003, there was a recall on the vehicle stability (vsc) system and the trac system. I had the recall repaired at that time. In 2010, there was a recall again on the same system and I again had it repaired in 2011. Shortly after that, the incident occurred again. I again brought my vehicle into the dealer but was told the Sequoia did not have any open recalls on it and the repairs were for me to handle. At that time, I did not get the repair fixed because of the cost Toyota was charging for the repair. I explained to the dealer it was the very same defect that kept reoccurring and was told that there was no recall. I was esentially sent away. I recently (8/31/15) paid for a diagnostic to be preformed on my Sequoia and the codes for the issue came up again. Nhtsa campaign #10v176000 the Toyota codes that came up are c1203,c1223,c1244,c1247. I spoke with Toyota and they acknowledge the recall and that my Sequoia is included but insist, that because of the year of my vehicle, I am no longer eligible to be reimbersed for this recall. The then offered me money off purchasing a new Toyota instead of honoring and standing by their product. I am not in the market to by a new vehicle at this time and am seeking that Toyota absorb the cost of the recall to repair the safety issues.

The frame on the car is rusting away with only 40k miles on it. It was garage kept.

My vsc/vtc lights have been on since I have owned my vehicle. I also have a brake light that comes on constantly. I am only able to reset the brake light by turning off my vehicle and restarting. I have replaced all 4 rotors, calipers and fuel lines more than 3 times since buying the truck new. Brake pads are changed in the front tires continuously! there is a serious problem with the brake system in this truck! I was told by many mechanics that the only way to get the skid control / traction control lights to turn off is to have Toyota figure out what is wrong with the brake system in the Sequoia's. Also, I believe there should be another way to open the back hatch to this vehicle other than the plastic handle on the outside which breaks repeatedly!! if there were an emergency on the inside of the truck and the only exit were the rear of the vehicle, there is no way to open the rear tail gate from inside!!! once that stupid plastic handle on the outside of the vehicle breaks, you cannot open the rear hatch on the Sequoia!! it becomes a death trap in the third row seating area!!.

Sunroof shattered while driving 30 mph down a quiet street.