RoadVitals

2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Aug 18, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 107 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 18, 2015

TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED, NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. STAYED ON FOR 2 DAYS THEN DISAPPEARED AGAIN. TWO MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD BECOME ILLUMINATED, PUT IT IN PARK TO LOAD PASSENGERS, AND WHEN RETURNED TO DRIVE, THE VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND A GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD WHEN APPLYING BRAKES - ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. TURNED THE CAR OFF, CHECKED FLUIDS AND FUSES, WHEN RESTARTED ONLY BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND CAR APPEARED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY. TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA TODAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AS THE BRAKE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS A CONCERN - AND AM TOLD THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN ALL MY RESEARCH ON THIS, I'M VERY CONCERNED AS IT APPEARS TO BE QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM, AND ON A SEARCH OF MY VIN IT SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL (ALTHOUGH I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALER THAT MY ECU WAS 'FLASHED TO THE UPDATED PROGRAMMING') CURRENT COST QUOTED IS $1,508 - BUT WAS ALSO TOLD THAT ONCE THE BOOSTER IS INSTALLED THEY HAVE TO RE-RUN THEIR CHECK AND IT MAY NOT BE THE ONLY PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AS WE OWN 2 OTHER TOYOTAS, AND PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A DAILY DRIVER TO TAKE OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, EVERYTHING I'VE SEEN REGARDING THESE ISSUES LEAVES ME VERY CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY.

NHTSA ID
10749564
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
120,533 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 26, 2014

THE VSC AND TRAC LIGHTS STARTED COMING AFTER A CLUCKING SOUND HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN IT GOES AWAY. BUT IT COMES BACK INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AS WE WILL NEED TO GO ON A LONG FAMILY TRIP IN A FEW WEEKS. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10661046
Incident
Dec 27, 2011
Mileage
101,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 4, 2012

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 SEQUOIA AND HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS LIGHTS ALWAYS REMAIN ON. MY MECHANIC RAN THE CODES AND HAS ADVISED ME THAT I NEED A NEW DECELERATION SENSOR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND SO WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS FAULTY SENSOR AND ASK THAT TOYOTA GIVE A RESPONSE TO WHY SO MANY VEHICLES OF THIS ERA HAVE THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487377
Incident
Dec 29, 2011
Mileage
126,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 30, 2012

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. (CEL) LIGHT ON. ALSO (TRAC OFF) LIGHT ON AS WELL AS (VSC TRAC) LIGHT ON. SOMETIMES BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT STAY ON FOR DAYS . I HAD TRUCK IN SHOP 3 WKS AGO WITH THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID IT WAS OXYGEN SENSOR 2 (I BELIEVE) HAD IS REPLACED AND LIGHT WENT OFF. LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN 2 WEEKS LATER. CAR SPUTTERS WHEN ACCELERATING. DOESN'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO 2 MONTHS PRIOR I HAD THE CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. FLUIDS, FILTERS, TIRES ROTATED, ECT AS USUAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10478018
Incident
Sep 20, 2012
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 31, 2011

THERE WERE NO PARTICULAR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 'S 'YAW SENSOR'. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN THE VCS AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHAKE/SHIFT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO INJURY OR INCIDENT OTHER THAN NEEDING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOT TO HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRS COMPLETED. REPAIR REQUIRED THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW YAW SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE OLD PARTS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FROM THE DEALER FOR US TO RETAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10403872
Incident
May 28, 2011
Mileage
94,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2011

IN DECEMBER 2010 WE TOOK OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 TO FIX THE DEFECTS MENTIONED IN THE EA09006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER VICKSBURG TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VICKSBURG, MS. AT THE MOMENT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE ECU COULD NOT REFLASH. HOWEVER, THE ECU WAS NOT REPLACED AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. A WEEK AGO, ONCE AGAIN, THE VSC ECU LIGHTS TURNED ON. AGAIN WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ECU IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND I HAVE TO INCUR AN EXPENSE OF $ 650 TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK WITH TOYOTA, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THE NEW PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL 1. TOYOTA EVADED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE THE UNIT SO THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER CORRECTED RECALL 2. IF THE RECALL REQUIRED THE UNIT WAS REPLACED BY A NEW ONE COULD NOT REFLASH THE UNIT. TOYOTA IS PUTTING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THOSE CLOSE TO OUR VEHICLE DRIVERS WHEN DRIVEN 3. WE HOPE THAT THE NHTSA CAN PROTECT OUR LIVES AND THOSE WHO FACE THESE PROBLEMS OF LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10389737
Incident
Mar 9, 2011
Mileage
110,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2011

IN DECEMBER 2010 WE TOOK OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 TO FIX THE DEFECTS MENTIONED IN THE EA09006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER VICKSBURG TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VICKSBURG, MS. AT THE MOMENT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE ECU COULD NOT REFLASH. HOWEVER, THE ECU WAS NOT REPLACED AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. A WEEK AGO, ONCE AGAIN, THE VSC ECU LIGHTS TURNED ON. AGAIN WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ECU IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND I HAVE TO INCUR AN EXPENSE OF $ 650 TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK WITH TOYOTA, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THE NEW PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL 1. TOYOTA EVADED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE THE UNIT SO THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER CORRECTED RECALL 2. IF THE RECALL REQUIRED THE UNIT WAS REPLACED BY A NEW ONE COULD NOT REFLASH THE UNIT. TOYOTA IS PUTTING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THOSE CLOSE TO OUR VEHICLE DRIVERS WHEN DRIVEN 3. WE HOPE THAT THE NHTSA CAN PROTECT OUR LIVES AND THOSE WHO FACE THESE PROBLEMS OF LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10389735
Incident
Mar 5, 2011
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 6, 2010

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT IS FAILING TO REPORT THE PROPER OIL INFORMATION. IT FLUCTUATES AT RANDOM TIMES DROPPING TO THE LOW MARK AND WILL REMAIN THERE FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. IF THIS SENDING UNIT DOES NOT INFORM ME OF THE TRUE REPRESENTATION OF OIL PRESSURE, IT COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE MY VEHICLE ENGINE AND HOPE THAT TOYOTA RECALLS THIS PART BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF BLOGS FROM OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10369304
Incident
Dec 1, 2010
Mileage
37,500 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 28, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VSC/ABS/BRAKE CONTROLLER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES IN WHICH THE TECHNICIANS CONCLUDED THAT THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM SENSOR FAILED. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE TRANSLATE COMPUTER, THE ECU, THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INVESTIGATING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,322 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VSC/BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON, SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS AND THEN REGAINS POWER AGAIN. THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER AND BRAKE POWER BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/16/09

NHTSA ID
10285530
Incident
Nov 7, 2003
Mileage
9,322 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .