2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Steering Problems

While driving my 2001 Sequoia SR5 with only 74,750 miles on freeways at speeds between 55 and 65 mph, the SUV's braking system activates unexpectedly and without cause. The VSC check engine lighting and warning sound illuminate. My SUV veered to the right, the steering wheel vibrated, and it went into a skid when the brakes were abruptly engaged, causing it to skid. My SUV abruptly decelerated as if it had lost power. This situation was hazardous for other vehicles who could not tell if they were applying the brakes due to the absence of visible brake lights to prevent a collision. Fortunately, I responded defensively and avoided collisions with other vehicles and roadside obstacles. This issue is a safety concern; if it occurs at the wrong moment, a tragedy can be avoided. I've seen more than a hundred complaints from other proprietors and a completed NHTSA investigation. Sequoia models from 2001 and subsequent years were recalled for the same issue. Before a life is lost, Toyota must address this issue in all model years.

I was coming off the highway goi g down the off ramp at a rate of speed in line with the speed limit, and the vsc/abs/brake lights all came on. The truck started making a grinding noise and was difficult to control. I pulled over and checked underneath. Everything was fine and there was no sign of an issue. I turned the truck off and on, and all the lights cleared; however, the lights turn on again when the vehicle is cold. Once it warms up, and you turn the car on and off, the clear. No codes on the scanner. Forums say this happens regularly with this make, model and year, but no one is sure what it is. Everything from emissions, to the brake sensor to the yaw rate sensor.

ABS kicks in while driving. It happens at a moderate speeds. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD since I am in the car with my kids and it causes the car to unexpectedly brake. The VSC light come on and blinks, there is a loud grinding sound. This was reproduced by mechanic. SAFETY HAZARD

Occasionally, while driving the vehicle the "vsc trac" automatically comes on causing the vehicle to brake and the steering is difficult to control.

VERY BAD RESTY FRAME AND KEEP FIXING SHOCKS BECAUSE THE FRAME IS BAD ON MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2001 CAUSE PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND SHOCKS

WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY AND LURCHED THE VEHICLE, THE VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND A WARNING BUZZER WENT OFF. AFTER LOOKING INTO THINGS, THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE 2001 AND 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT CAUSE THIS EXACT THING TO HAPPEN TO PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN AN EVALUATION DONE ON THIS MATTER AND IT WAS RULED THAT THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE DOES NOT WARRANT A RECALL. WHY THERE IS NO RECALL BEING ISSUED ON THE MULTIPLE FAILURE POINTS IN THE VEHICLE'S SYSTEM AND PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS FOR PARTS AND LABOR WHEN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN DIDN'T LAST? I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY FATHER TO FEEL MORE SAFE IN, AND THAT IS THE LAST THING THAT HE FEELS WHILE DRIVING IT. I AM NOW REQUIRED TO DRIVE OUR AFFECTED VEHICLE AND HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY PAYING ATTENTION SO THAT THE ABS SYSTEM DOESN'T SHOOT ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.

Mileage: 146,000

TOYOTA RUST ISSUE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA V8 SR5. USED TO TRANSPORT FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND CHILDREN, BUT NO LONGER SAFE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN SLOWING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. VEHICLE VEERS TO RIGHT AND LEFT UNCONTROLLABLY. TODAY, I ALMOST SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING AROUND 60 MPH AND SLOWED TO EXIT AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO LIFT DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED, BUT THAT'S WELL BEYOND THE COST I'M WILLING TO PAY. RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES AND TOYOTA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT -- IF NOT PAY TO HAVE NEW FRAMES DONE OR REIMBURSE PEOPLE FOR THE MANY WHO HAVE THESE ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 154,000 MILES AND IS OTHERWISE IN IMMACULATE SHAPE AND CONDITION DUE TO PROPER MAINTENANCE. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED QUICKLY BY TOYOTA. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR THE REASONS I'VE MENTIONED. EXCESSIVE RUST AND INABILITY TO CONTROL A VEHICLE IS NOT SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS LOW MILES FOR THE MAKE/MODEL, AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. PLEASE EXPEDITE SO I CAN RECOVER FINANCIALLY FROM THIS OR HAVE A VEHICLE THAT I CAN FEEL SAFE USING AGAIN WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Mileage: 154,760

THE FRAME IS RUST AND I HAVE PROBLEM SOMETIME IN STERING SOSTN AND THE TRCTION CONTROL THE LIGHT IS ON SOMETIME AND I NEED TURN OFF MY SUV WHAIT A MINUTE AND TURN IN FOR THE LIGHT TURN OFF

Mileage: 234,000

DRIVING 45MPH ON STRAIGHT ROAD THE VEHICLE VSC ENGAGED PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT AND DECELERATING QUICKLY. I PULLED OVER, CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT THE 2 MILES TO DEALERSHIP. WITHIN 100' OF DEALERSHIP I CROSSED INTERSECTION AND CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED, ENGAGED THE ASSISTANCE AGAIN AND I WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY TRUCK THAT SWERVED AND ALMOST HIT PEDESTRIAN. DEALER SAID IT WAS A YAW STEERING SENSOR. PART WAS UNOBTAINABLE OR POSSIBLE WITHIN 8 WEEKS, AND NO AFTER MARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN. TOYOTA DECLARED PART OBSOLETE. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS WAS ALREADY AT THE NHTSA ATTENTION BUT THAT THEY CLOSED THE INVESTIGATION. HOW IS THIS ACCEPTABLE?

Mileage: 156,000

WHILE DRIVING GOING ANY SPEED LOW OR HIGH A VSC TRAC OFF LIGHT APPEARS ON THE GAGE CLUSTER AND STARTS A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND ABS LOCKS UP ON MY PASSENGER SIDE PULLING ME TO THE RIGHT ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR ANY PEDESTRIANS THAT MAY BE THERE.

Mileage: 98,650

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPING

Mileage: 200,000

WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT, DRY, LEVEL PAVEMENT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE VSC HAS BEEN ACTIVATING CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. AS THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT THERE IS A CHIME, THEN THE VSC AND TRAC SYSTEM SHUTS ITS SELF OFF AND THE "OFF" LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE VSC IS ON AGAIN AND THE CYCLE REPEATS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THE WHEEL WILL BE JERKED AGAIN. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 154,075

VSC TRAC LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, ACTIVATES BRAKES AND CAR PULLS AND SWERVES WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 270,000

INTERMITTENT VSC CONTROL WARNINGS, BREAKING ENGAGED WITH PULLING VEHICLE STEERING TO THE RIGHT. SOMETIMES WITH ONLY THE WARNING LIGHTS AND CHECK LIGHTS. FIRST OCCURRENCE DAY AFTER PURCHASE OF THIS USED VEHICLE (50 MILES). TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND COULD NOT FIND NOTHING WRONG, VERY SCARE . SPEED HAS BEEN BETWEEN 10 TO 65 MPH. HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING.

Mileage: 157,850

MY COMPLAINT STEMS FROM THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) ISSUE THAT COMMONLY PLAGUES THE 2001-2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. AS MANY OTHERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS OVER THIS VSC ISSUE, MINE IS NO DIFFERENT. MY SEQUOIA, A 4X4 SR5 WITH 160K MILES, WORKS FLAWLESSLY OTHER THAN THE VSC LIGHTS BEING CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE RESULTS OF THE MALFUNCTION, POSSIBLY FROM THE YAW RATE SENSOR, PRESENT A MOMENTARILY LOSS OF POWER AND RANDOM UNEXPLAINED STEERING EVENTS. THE ONLY WAY TO TEMPORARY CLEAR THE VSC LIGHTS AND THE EFFECTS OF THE MALFUNCTION IS TO COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE, TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. I FEAR A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA ISSUE A FORMAL RECALL OR PAY FOR A NEW YAW RATE SENSOR AND THE CONSUMER PAYS THE LABOR. OTHER THAN THE VSC ISSUE, THE SEQUOIA IS A GREAT VEHICLE OVERALL.

Mileage: 163,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WHILE BRAKING. THE VSC AND TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE MUST BE PULLED OVER TO A COMPLETE STOP, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE YAW RATE SENSOR, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 123,000

TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION. WHEN IN MOTION THE CAR ENGAGES THE BRAKES FOR NO REASON, INTERMITTENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL & SWERVE, AND SHUDDER. THIS HAPPENS WHEN GOING STRAIGHT, TURNING, OR JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.

Mileage: 145,000

REGARDLESS OF SPEED A WARNING BELL WILL SOUND, SEVERAL INSTRUMENT LIGHTS COME ON AND THE BRAKES ACTIVATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. I'VE EXPERIENCED THIS NUMEROUS TIMES WITH SEEMINGLY NO COMMON DENOMINATOR. NEITHER SPEED NOR STEERING INPUT SEEM TO BE THE TRIGGER FOR THIS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WITH NO SATISFACTION AND CONTACTED TOYOTA OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH NO SATISFACTION.

Mileage: 100,000

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY ROADS, THE VSC ANTI-SLIP COMES ON AND STARTS BRAKING, OCCASSIONALLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE, AND ENGAGES THE ABS WHICH MAKES THE CAR VIBRATE AND MAKES THE DRIVER QUESTION WHETHER THE BRAKES WORK OR NOT.

Mileage: 160,000

THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL RANDOMLY ENGAGES FOR NO REASON. IT CAUSES LOST OF POWER AND BRAKING, CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT.

Mileage: 159,300

STREET DRIVING, CLEAR DAY AND CAR DASH BOARD STARTS TO ALARM. DASHBOARD LIGHTS FOR VSC, ANTILOCK BRAKES GOES HAYWIRE. HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND VIBRATION FELT THROUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL, WITH LOSS OF POWER, AND PULL TO THE RIGHT ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY HAPPENING. ALARM BELLS ALL GOING OFF IN THE CAR. IT IS VERY LOUD NOISE FOR ALL OCCUPANTS. TERRIFYING OCCURRENCE WITH LOSS OF BRAKES AND POWER. FIRST EVENT LASTED APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS. PULLED OVER AND THE CAR SEEMED FINE. THIS HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT BUT OCCURRED AFTER CAR WAS WARM AND OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN ITS IS WARMER OUTSIDE AS WELL. NOW, 16 MOS LATER, THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND TOYOTA DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR AND CANNOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR SURE. WILL HAVE TO PARK THE CAR NOW SINCE THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.

Mileage: 316,000

MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA VIOLENTLY EXPERIENCED A VSC TRAC ERROR WHEN DRIVING NEXT TO A SEMI ON THE FREEWAY. IT ALMOST PULLED MY CAR INTO THE SEMI, AND THEN OFF THE ROAD AS THE WHEEL JERKED, BRAKES AND ENGINE RESPONSE CUT SIGNIFICANTLY. THIS HIGHWAY ISSUE HAPPENED LAST MONTH, AND JUST THIS WEEK, THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT, OCCURRING ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS WITH ABSOLUTELY NO TRIGGERS. THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIME SHAKES, AND SOMETIME PULLS SUDDENLY. IT OCCURS SOMETIMES DURING A SLOW TURN, BUT IS ALSO HAPPENING JUST DRIVING AT 25 MILES AN HOUR DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD.....UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF UPDATED 12/28/2015*JS

Mileage: 179,000

DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END DROPPED; THE VEHICLE JUST SEIZED. THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND THE TIRE BUCKLED ON THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO BRAKES OR STEERING. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST EXITED A MAJOR HIGHWAY ONTO A STRAIGHT SECONDARY ROAD WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I FEEL IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT; WHICH WOULD HAVE INCLUDED MULTIPLE OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL.. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS AND ROTORS, 4 NEW TIRES AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SIX MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION AND FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AROUND THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THE WAY HOME WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST AND SUB FRAME WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,026.

Mileage: 199,026

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND ITS TRAC/VCS CONTROL LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK AND THE WARNING SOUND CAME ON AS WELL. THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I TURNED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE OFF AND IT DROVE NORMAL. THIS SAME INCIDENT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EVEN AFTER I TOOK IT IN TO GET DIAGNOSED. I WAS TOLD BY A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN THAT HE COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 101,234

VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, TRAC, EMERGENCY BRAKE & ABS LIGHTS ARE ALL ILLUMINATED. SEEMS LIKE EVERY SEQUOIA 2001 - 2005 HAS THIS PROBLEM. AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A FAULT WITH THE VSC COMPUTER AND ECU COMPUTER WHICH DEALERS WANT $2000 AND UP! THESE MALFUNCTIONS IN COMPUTERS AFFECT THE VEHICLES ABS BRAKES, AND STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH POSES A THREAT TO SAFETY OF DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *TR

Mileage: 173,000

VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING ON DRY FLAT PAVEMENT. SKID LIGHT AND SOUND CAME ON FOLLOWED BY VSC AND TRAC CONTROL LIGHTS. VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT, MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE, AND WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS CONTINUED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE, STOPPED, AND THEN DID IT AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT HAPPENED FEW TIMES, TOOK IT TO DEALER CAN NOT FIND ISSUE BUT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 230,000

LOWER BALL JOINT WENT BAD. HAD IT FIXED THREE TIMES FIR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT STILL IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. I WAS TOLD BY AUTOMATIC THAT IT COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DAMAGE BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS IT SHOULD NOT KEEP WEARING OUT. *TR

Mileage: 167

ALL OF A SUDDEN A GRINDING NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE, ANTI SKID BEEPING, VSC LIGHT POPPED ON. VERY HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES NOT WORKING WELL. HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. PULLED OVER, TURNED VEHICLE OFF. ENGINE ON, DROVE OFF, 5 MILES LATER, ALL OVER AGAIN, BUT MORE SEVERE. NOT SAFE AT HIGH SPEEDS, MORE THAN 25 MPH. THIS OCCURRED IN AUGUST, NO SNOW, NO RAIN, DRY CEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 169,000

DRIVING AT 45 MPH + A GRINDING NOISE STARTS COMING FROM THE FRONT, NO BRAKE PEDAL, THEN A SHAKING SENSATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THE ABS/VCS LIGHTS START BLINKING. PULLED OVER AND THEN IT STOPPED. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 134,232

WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH PAVEMENT THE VSC/TRAC SYSTEM ENGAGES FOR NO REASON. SOUNDING OFF THE INTERNAL CHIME AND TURNING THE VSC/TRAC LIGHTS ON THE DASH. THE ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN AND GRINDS ON THE BRAKES. LOSS OF STEERING IS PRESENT AS THE VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 5 MONTHS MY 2001 SEQUOIA WILL SUDDENLY APPLY THE BRAKES STRONGLY WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES CAUSING THE STEERING TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THANKFULLY THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER BEGINNING TO DRIVE, SO THE SPEEDS HAVE BEEN MUNICIPAL SPEED, RATHER THAN HIGHWAY. AT THE SAME TIME, A WARNING BELL SOUNDS AND THE VSC AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON IN YELLOW. SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE VEHICLE, THE VSC AND ABS LIGHTS ARE ALREADY ON, SO THE SUDDEN BRAKING DOES NOT OCCUR. IF THE LIGHTS ARE OFF, I HAVE LEARNED TO PREPARE FOR THE SUDDEN BRAKING. I WILL TAKE THIS TO TOYOTA BEFORE THE SNOW FLIES HERE IN NORTHERN NY BECAUSE THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD, AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ROADS ARE SNOW AND ICE COVERED. *JS

Mileage: 142,000

THE VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON. THE SEQUOIA MADE A SCRUBBING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SKIDDED LEFT AND RIGHT A FEW TIMES. SCARY! THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. THEY WENT OFF LATER THAT NIGHT, BUT HAVE COME BACK ON AT LEAST THREE OTHER TIMES SINCE THEN. THE VEHICLE HAS SKIDDED ALL BUT ONE TIME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS BUT NO RECALLS OR HELP. THE SPEED DOES NOT MATTER AND THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THIS IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. HELP! *TR

Mileage: 48,000

WHILE DRIVING FORWARD FROM A STOPPED POSITION ON A FLAT, LEVEL, PAVED ROAD WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AT 72, THE VSC (VEHICLE SKID CONTROL) ACTIVATED AND NEARLY PULLED ME INTO THE LANE NEXT TO ME. THERE WERE NO POT HOLES OR ANYTHING IN THE ROAD THAT WOULD'VE CAUSED IT. IT STOPPED AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND THEN AGAIN, ABOUT TWO MINUTES LATER AT A 25MPH SPEED , THE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AGAIN AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKES OR STEERING WHILE THE SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATING. THE CAR IS GREAT SHAPE, ONE-OWNER, WELL MAINTAINED AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A HISTORY WITH TOYOTA AND THE VSC SYSTEM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT THE VSC PUT ME IN. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT A SPEED OF 55 MILES THE VCS TRAC CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH OUT ME HITTING THE BREAKS, I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING FOR A SLIGHT SECOND, THE TRUCK SWERVED TO THE LEFT, IT ALMOST CAUSE ME TO HIT A CAR ON THE LEFT OF ME ON THE FREEWAY. ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THE VCS TRAC LIGHTS TURNED OFF, THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE STREET AT A LOWER SPEED OF 45 MILE THE VCS TRAC LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE TRUCK SWERVED TO THE LEFT, THE LIGHTS STAYED ON AGAIN UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH. OUR VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SWERVED TO THE RIGHT WHILE A BUZZER WENT OFF & THEN THE VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE NEXT TWO INCIDENTS OCCURRED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 20-25 MPH. ON BOTH OCCASIONS OUR VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE RIGHT BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY TOYOTA FOR THE 2003 SEQUOIA'S AND BY THE VAST AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS SHOULD EXTEND TO EARLIER MODELS AS WELL. I RECENTLY TOOK OUR SEQUOIA INTO A MECHANIC AND THEIR TROUBLE SHOOTING REVEALED THAT THE SKID CONTROL ECU WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED, COSTING OVER $3400. *TR

Mileage: 107,901

WAS DRIVING DOWN MAJOR INTERSTATE WHEN THE VSC WARNING CAME ON WITH BUZZER. BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE BEING GROUND DOWN, ENGINE DECELERATED, AND COULD FEEL BUMPING AND GRINDING ON BRAKE PEDAL. PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER CAR, FOUND NOTHING. GOT BACK ON INTERSTATE AND SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THIS TIME THE SYSTEM TURNED ITSELF OFF. CAN NOT TURN THE VSC OFF WITH THE BUTTON PROVIDED. RESEARCH ON INTERNET REVEALS NOT AN UNIQUE ISSUE WITH SEQUOIA. HAS ALSO HAPPENED WITH TUNDRA AND OTHER TOYOTAS WITH VSC SYSTEM. NO FIX AVAILABLE AS OF 07/30/2012 THAT CAN BE FOUND. *TR

Mileage: 153,000

VEHICLE'S TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING ON DRY FLAT PAVEMENT. VSC AND TRAC CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON, VEHICLE PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT, MADE LOUD GRINDING NOISE, AND WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL STEERING AND BRAKING. THIS CONTINUED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE, STOPPED, AND THEN DID IT AGAIN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO FATAL ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURS AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT HAPPENED WITH OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND SCARED EVERYONE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO US, BUT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 164,359

THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND PULL THE TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACTION SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 212,132

PREMATURE RUSTING OF UNDERCARRIAGE FRAME THAT FAILS STATE INSPECTION. POSES SAFETY ISSUES AND A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE MAY OCCUR IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED. APPEARS TO BE ENDEMIC ESPECIALLY IN RUST BELT STATES. *TR

Mileage: 185,000

HAD JUST TURNED ONTO A ROAD AT 25 MPH AND VCS/TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON, STARTED BEEPING, MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WAS HARD TO STEER, PULLED OFF ROAD AS THINKING I HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING....VERY SCARED. NOW DOES IT APPROXIMATELY 2 X WEEKLY WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

RUSTED FRAME. *TR

RECENTLY, MY 01 SEQUOIA HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD METAL-LIKE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM THE ENGINE OR THE TIRES. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS SWERVING, THE VSC TRAC LIGHT AND VSC OFF LIGHT FLASHED AND BEEPED RAPIDLY, AND WORST THING OF ALL WAS THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK EITHER. THE MORE I PUT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, THE MORE THE METAL GRINDING NOISE WAS INTENSIFIED. FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO BE DROPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR THE TIRES WERE SCRAPED TO THE BONE. PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED IN APRIL, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING BECAUSE AS FAST AS IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE, IT QUICKLY WENT AWAY ALSO. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AGO, MY HUSBAND AND MY SON WERE IN MY CAR AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT LASTED LONGER AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO TRY HIS BEST TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS SWERVING AND SHAKING SO BAD, AND THE LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS BACK. WE KEPT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE FOR A WEEK IN HOPES THAT IT WILL "GO AWAY." TODAY, 5/16/12, AS I'M DRIVING AT 50MPH IT HAPPENED AGAIN.THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO CARS BEHIND ME, AND JUST A TRUCK A LITTLE WAYS AHEAD OF ME. BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55MPH, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. I PUT PRESSURE ON MY BRAKES TO NO AVAIL BECAUSE THE MORE I TRIED TO PUSH THE BRAKES, THE LOUDER THE NOISE WAS AND THE MORE THE CAR WAS SHAKING. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST TERRIFYING EVENTS IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I SAW THAT I WAS APPROACHING THE BACK OF THE TRUCK FAST AND I COULDN'T STOP, I TRIED TO PULL TO THE SIDE BUT THERE WERE NO ROOM BECAUSE THE SIDES WERE JUST GUARD RAILS. AT THAT POINT, I PUT MORE PRESSURE ON MY BRAKES BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANNA BE KILLED OR HURT ANYONE ELSE, SO MY CAR FINALLY STARTED TO SLOWED DOWN. THE SCARIEST PART WAS THAT I COULD NOT BRAKE. THE MORE I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE LOUDER THE NOISE, AND THE MORE THE CAR WAS SHAKING.

Mileage: 174,000

MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING MY BOY TO BASKETBALL PRACTICE. MY MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. HE SAID THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND PROBABLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL SEQUOIAS WITH THE SAME RUST ISSUES BUT DON'T EXPECT TOYOTA TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING TUNDRA AND TACOMA RUSTED FRAMES. AFTER VISITING CERTAIN WEBSITES LIKE EDMOND'S I'VE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEQUOIA OWNERS AND THAT TOYOTA IS NOT RESOLVING THE ISSUE. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM? IT'S TIME TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM AND FORCE TOYOTA TO REPLACE THESE ROTTED FRAMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACK WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL HAPHAZARDLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT WITHOUT THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THEN THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Mileage: 125,000

UPON HAVING VEHICLE INSPECTED BY ASE-CERT. TECH., I WAS INFORMED THAT 18"-24" OF THE VEHICLE'S LEFT MAIN FRAME RAIL WAS ROTTED/RUSTED THROUGH ALONG THE BOTTOM SURFACE. THE ROTTED SECTION IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CROSS-MEMBER ON THE LEFT SIDE, AS WELL AS SMALLER PERFORATIONS ON THE RIGHT MAIN FRAME RAIL IN THE SAME LOCATION (TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER). ALSO, THE FRAME RAIL IS ROTTED THROUGH AT THE JUNCTION WHERE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER SUPPORT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. TECHNICIANS HAVE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AS FRAME IS IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING, AS WELL AS SPARE TIRE FALLING OFF VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION. ITS BEEN BROUGHT TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT. FACTORY "TRUCK FRAME TEAM" WAS CONTACTED TO DISCUSS REPLACEMENT OF FRAME, AS DONE IN RESPONSE TO THE RUSTED FRAME EPIDEMIC ON TUNDRAS. THIS PRODUCED NO RESULTS OTHER THAN TOYOTA STATING THAT "THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH SEQUOIA FRAMES", AND "THERE IS NO PROGRAM TO REPLACE THEM". TOYOTA WILL *NOT* REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS FRAME, NOR OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH VEHICLE THAT IS IN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION, WITH A BOOK VALUES OF $9000.00-$10,000.00, NOW MADE WORTHLESS AND UN-DRIVABLE DUE TO THE RUSTED FRAME. THERE ARE MANY DOZENS OF OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING DANGEROUSLY RUSTED/ROTTED FRAMES ON 2001-2003 SEQUOIAS WITH RUST DAMAGE ALL IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATIONS, ON THIS NHTSA WEBSITE (SEE LISTINGS), BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT ADMIT TO THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN/MATERIAL DEFECT, AS THEY HAVE WITH THE TUNDRA, WHICH USES A NEARLY IDENTICAL FRAME FROM SAME MANUFACTURER AND ASSEMBLED IN THE SAME FACTORY. NEITHER HAS THE NHTSA YET INITIATED ANY SORT OF INTERVENTION ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS. EARLY SEQUOIA OWNERS IN NORTHERN US/CANADA WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE FRAMES INSPECTED BY QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN, AND REPORT THOSE FINDINGS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THURSDAY MAY 20TH 2001 BALL JOINT FAILED ON LEFT FRONT, DOING 35MPH. WHEEL CAME OFF. RECALL STARTING WITH SEQUOIAS MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2001. MINE WAS MANUFACTURED MAY 2001. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL SO THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT AND THE DEALER WANTS $4800 FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY CITED ON THE ESTIMATE THAT REASON FOR FAILURE IS "UNKNOWN". THEY STATED THE RIGHT SIDE BALL JOINT IS FINE BUT THEY SUGGEST REPLACING IT FOR ANOTHER $500. I WAS COULD HAVE HAD A CAR FULL OF TEENAGERS GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT THE TIME, MY DAUGHTER WANTED ME TO DRIVE CARPOOL FOR A FIELD TRIP, LUCKILY I COULDN'T DRIVE FOR THEM. *TR

Mileage: 212,000

HAVING ISSUES WITH STOPPING A 2001 SEQUOIA DUE TO UNDERSIZED BRAKING EQUIPMENT. THE ISSUE IS WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED THE SEQUOIAS TIRES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. I HAVE REPLACED THE PADS AND HAD THE ROTORS TURNED. THIS IS KNOW ISSUE WITH THE SEQUOIA FOR TOYOTA. TSB ISSUE AND BRAKING SYSTEM FIXED AS LONG AS THE CAR IS UNDER 36000 MILES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ALL DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE NEAR MISSES DUE TO THE INCONSISTENT BREAKING. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP (TOYOTA OF CONCORDE IN NC THEY WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE TS"S ARE OUT THERE. IT IS AN ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE THAT WHEN COUPLED WITH ISSUES WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL THAT IS GOING TO SERIOUSLY INJURE OR KILL PEOPLE. AS STATED THE BRAKE ISSUE HAS CAUSE NEAR MISSES IN OUR SUV AND OTHER. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 40MPH WHILE I WAS DOING 65. MECHANIC SAID THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I ESCAPED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE BRAKES HAD BECAME LOOSED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO HANDLE. THE CAR STARTED JERKING, AND ALMOST RAN OVER. I WENT TO LLEHMAN TOYOTA ON 441 NORTH MIAMI BEACH, THEY CHARGED ME 1800 DOLLARS TO FIX THE CENSOR, AND THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY. NOW, THE SAME PROBLEM REPEATS. *TR

Mileage: 860,000

PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 14,647 MILES ON BRAND NEW VEHICLE. EXTREME PULL TO THE RIGHT, SHIMMIE, VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AND BRAKING, LOSS OF VSC ABILITIES. REPEATEDLY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TIRES AND BRAKES BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTION. TIRES ARE WEARING TO THE METAL IN UNCONVENTIONAL MANNER. TOYOTA REPEATEDLY DISREGARDED AND DISMISSED MY CONCERNS, TELLING ME "THE ROADS IN AZ SLANT TO THE RIGHT, HENCE YOUR VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT". AFTER TWO YEARS OF FIGHTING WITH THEM REGARDING THIS, THEY NOW ADMIT TO CALIPER/DRUM PROBLEM BUT MAINTAIN I HAVE TO PAY TO CORRECT IT BECAUSE NOW I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH PROBLEMS BEGAN AT 14K MILES, THEY CONTEND THIS IS MY PROBLEM AND NOT THEIRS. THESE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS FORM REQUESTS A # OF FAILURES; I DO NOT HAVE A NUMBER TO GIVE YOU, AS THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT, CHRONIC PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT CEASED. I HAVE HAD 4 SETS OF TIRES AND REPLACED THE BRAKES 4 TIMES.*AK

Mileage: 14,000

ENGINE STOPPED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. EFI1 FUSE WAS BURNED OUT, REPLACED, AND BURNED OUT AGAIN UPON CRANKING.