general problems of the 2004 Toyota Sequoia - part 2

2004 Toyota Sequoia. The rear door (hatch) external door handle fails mid way during normal operation leading the door to continuously be ajar during vehicle operation. Door handle is disabled and there is no other way to open/close door (there is no internal handle). Total failure. Local Toyota dealer service department stated that this part fails often on Toyota Sequoias and Toyota siennas. Search of internet website reveals failure is due to use of "cheap plastic parts" on this essential piece of vehicle equipment.

The entire frame is rusting including the rear differential, suspension and other structural component. The dealer sprayed on a liquid tar but now that is falling off with the rust which was sprayed over.

I have a 2004 Sequoia and I have had problems with the vsc, trac, abs, and brake lights randomly coming on for the last 3 years. I only have 105,000 miles. The brake light comes on and off regularly (mostly on more than off). However with the other lights it is very random. Upon braking, I will experience a loud grinding sound, the car jerks/whiplash motion, the car is hard to stop and manage and then all the lights come on after this occurs. It all happens within 3-5 seconds total but the lights stay on until the car is turned off. It may do it 2-3 more times or might not do it again for a week or even as long as a month. I simply was coasting from a fast food speaker to the window to pay and I experienced it and it almost pushed me into the car in front of me. It has done it when breaking coming up to a red or yellow light. I let off the brake when it does it and press again and it may do it 2-3 times until I come to a complete stop or might not do it again once I release the brake the first time. It is difficult to detect because it occurs at different times, different places, different braking speeds and might not do it again for a while. For 3 years I have put up with this. I go to the dealer and nothing can be proven unless lights on at that time. When I went to the first place I could get to before they went off they hooked it up to a machine and 6 possible problems came up. I have read this is a common problem for 2003-2004 models and you fix one thing and thats not the issue. I have been told it is a computer/brake communication flaw. I do not understand with the complaints of the same problem from individuals even on the national transportation board page that this is not considered a recall. We have to spend thousands of dollars to guess when it is clearly a computer or maintenance issue and definitely a safety hazard. Some lose vehicle power with it.

Rear window works at random and will not go down.

Brake light is coming on and staying on for no reason while vehicle is running and moving. Toyota service unable to duplicate or diag problem. Brake light has been comes on randomly for years.

I purchased a new 2004 Toyota Sequoia limited in 2004. The frame started rusting early. By 2013 the were perforations in the frame. I took it to loresen Toyota in CT and asked for a frame inspection and replacement by warrantee. I was told that only 2005 models and more recent were eligible for frame replacement. They sprayed rust coating on top of the rust as their only attempt at remediation. This did nothing. I took my car in for a muffler last week and was told the frame was too dangerous to be on the road. I called Toyota cuatomer service again and was told that even though I was the original owner and had reported the problem four years ago, they wouldn't replace the frame even though they had replaced the frame on many similar Sequoias with the same problem. Now my car is worthless. Toyota has admitted to a severe frame rust problem on many of it's nearly identical other suvs and trucks but won't admit to the same systemic fault here. Please look into this problem effecting many Toyota ownwers. I have received about a dozen warnings about my vehicle's airbag defects but haven't heard a word from them about the far more dangerous frame deterioration problem. Please add my case to the others writing of this irresponsible and unsafe policy of Toyota north America. Thank you.