2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance5533.1%
- Other / unspecified3822.9%
- Brakes2816.9%
- Body & structure95.4%
- Electrical95.4%
- Engine53.0%
- Suspension53.0%
- Airbags42.4%
- Powertrain (other)42.4%
- Fuel system31.8%
- Exterior lighting21.2%
- Steering21.2%
- Transmission10.6%
- Visibility10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING THE BACK LIGHT AN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME IN BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AN IT SAYS CODES C1203 C1223 C1247 ALSO SAYING THE ABS SENSOR ON MASTER CYLINDER OPEN CIRCUIT ALSO HAS A CODE FRO 0DTC HAD IT CHECKED OUT ON 7/1/2019
VSC, VSC TRACTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON. NO OTHER PROBLEM TO DRIVE. LIGHTS SEEN FROM 89000 MILE. CHANGED BRAKE SYSTEM ON 75000 MILE INCLUDING ROUTER AND WORKS FINE.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
"BALL JOINT FAILURE" WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN FREEWAY AT 35-40 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. LOST STEERING, BRAKES AND ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE GUARD RAIL SPINNING IT AROUND AND SLIDING UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP. THE ARM CAME DIRECTLY OFF THE VEHICLE AND IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL.
VCS OFF LIGHT, VCS TRAC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AND WILL NOT GO OFF. . *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM SINCE INITIAL PURCHASE. AT FIRST, AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT NOW A SAFETY HAZARD. BRAKE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT &TRAC LIGHT CONSTANTLY ARE ON & NOW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS GOING ONLY 10 MPH BRAKES ARE AFFECTED WHERE THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE & BRAKES DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. I WAS TOLD THE YAW SENSOR WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS COSTING $880, BUT IT DIDN'T; NOW ITS THE SKID CONTROL ANOTHER $875 WHICH I AGREED TO & WHEN CALLING TO GET STATUS OF MY CAR, I'M TOLD IT DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE & NOW IT'S THE BOOSTER ANOTHER $1,000 WHICH I'M NOT PAYING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS IS ISSUE MAKES IT A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE SHOP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT.
THE 2003 SEQUIOA FRAME IS RUST IS EATING AWAY THE FRAME. WE PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VECHICLE. WOULD TOYOTA STANDBY THERE VECHICLE AND REPLACE THIS FRAME OR WE HAVE PAY FOR REPLACEMENT .
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL NEVER INFORMED MY FAMILY ABOUT THE RECALLS FOR THE FRAME ON TOYOTA SEQUIOAS. THEREFORE FOR MORE INVESTIGATION DURING REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE NOT LONG AGO I SAW HOLES IN MY FRAME AND WAS VERY BAD AND HAD MY WORRIED ABOUT MY VEHICLE. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE PHOTOS AT THE TIME BUT AM WILLING TO PUT MY VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND TAKE AS MANY PICTURES AS NECESSARY
MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 4X4 LIMITED HAS ABOUT 230000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE A TURN AND HEARD A LARGE "THUNK". I THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND LATER AS I GOT UP TO ABOUT 60 VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER HEATH AND THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED DUE TO RUST AT THE STABILIZER BAR FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME. I WAS GOING TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FRAME IS JUST RUST FOR THE FULL REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME AND HAS LARGE HOLES DUE TO RUST. IT IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE TILL 2014. I REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. TOYOTA KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY HELP. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY 2018 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY AND TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT THE RISK I TAKE PURCHASING PRIVATE PARTY.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. *TR
TRAC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE LIGHT. THIS IS TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
"BALL JOINT FAILURE" WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN FREEWAY AT 35-40 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. LOST STEERING, BRAKES AND ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE GUARD RAIL SPINNING IT AROUND AND SLIDING UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP. THE ARM CAME DIRECTLY OFF THE VEHICLE AND IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL.
THE CHASSIS IS VERY RUSTY AND I WANT TO CHANGE THE SHOCKS BUT I DON'T WANT TO DAMAGE THE CAR BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT CHASSIS HAVE TO BE FIXED FIRST AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT COST OR WHERE TO GO TO FIXED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL
2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE IN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO REPAIR FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FAMILIAR ROAD LEAVING A CAR WASH GOING NO FASTER THEN 45 MPH, THE REAR END STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN WE WOULD TAKE OFF. WE TOOK IT TOO OUR MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE REAR END DIFFERENTIAL, HE CHANGED THE FLUID IN IT TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP BUT IT DID NOTHING, IF ANYTHING IT MADE IT WORSE. BUT HE DID SAY THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS ON THE PLUG WHICH WOULD INDICATE A GEAR GOING OUT. HE TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE IT TILL WE GET IT FIX BECAUSE IF IT WERE TO COMPLETELY GO OUT IT WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
REAR DIFFERENTIAL ROTTED TO THE POINT OF LEAKING. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS ONLINE, TOYOTA TUNDRAS AS WELL, WHICH HAVE THE SAME DIFFERENTIAL AND FRAME, ARE UNDER RECALL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
REPEATED INCIDENCES OF GAS PEDAL BEING STUCK AND UNABLE TO BE DEPRESSED TO GIVE THE VEHICLE FUEL AND ACCELERATE. ESSENTIALLY VEHICLE RANDOMLY LOCKS UP, TYPICALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AS ON A PARKING LOT OR LEAVING A DRIVEWAY OR PARING GARAGE. THE GAS PEDAL FEELS AS IF THERE IS SOMETHING BLOCKING IT FROM BEING UTILIZED WHILE THERE IS NOTHING PHYSICALLY OBSTRUCTING THE PEDAL. AFTER TAPPING AND THEN FRANTICALLY TRYING TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND BREAK IT FREE IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD NECESSITATING QUICK REACTION AND BREAKING. IT IS SCATTERED BUT RECURS PERIODICALLY WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL FOR THE TRACTION, SKID, STABILITY ISSUES AND AIRBAGS. SCHEDULED FOR RECALL SERVICES MENTIONED BUT DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH PEDAL. ONCE TOLD IT WAS CLEANED AND ADJUSTED BUT IS MOSTLY IGNORED AND I'M TREATED LIKE I'M NUTS. NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY BUT I'M AFRAID THAT SOMEONE MAY BE HURT. IT IS A FRIGHTENING EVENT AS YOU FEEL NOT IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND VULNERABLE. HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR TURNING ONTO BUSY STREET. EVEN GIVING AMPLE TIME FOR NORMAL TRAFFIC, THE INABILITY TO PROVIDE GAS TO THE VEHICLE LEFT US AT THE VEHICLES MERCY AND IN A VULNERABLE SPOT TO BE BRIAR SIDES BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT WAS NOT THE FLOOR MAT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR IN FRONT ME STOP AT THE FWY. I MADE PANIC STOP BUT MY ABS WONT ACTIVATE. I JUST BUMP A CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
ECU, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL , LIGHTS STAYING ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
BRAKE LIGHTS ON TOYOTA SEQUOIA COMES ON WITHOUT WARNING, STAYS ON TILL IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. HOWEVER, BRAKES SEEM TO WORK FINE, BUT VEHICLE SLOWS WHEN MAKING A TURN, INCLUDING MINOR TURN AT LOW SPEED AND THE ROLL OVER LIGHT COMES ON, WITH THE WHEELS HARDLY TURNING. VEHICLE IS 2003 BUT LESS THAN 50, 000 MILES (APPROX. 48,689). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
"BALL JOINT FAILURE" WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN FREEWAY AT 35-40 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. LOST STEERING, BRAKES AND ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE GUARD RAIL SPINNING IT AROUND AND SLIDING UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP. THE ARM CAME DIRECTLY OFF THE VEHICLE AND IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FAMILIAR TWO LANE ROAD WITH MANY CURVES AND NOT REACHING A SPEED ABOVE 45 MPH, I CAME UPON A CURVE, BRAKED, AND STEERED MY SEQUOIA APPROPRIATELY. I WAS DRIVING ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CURVE, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO TURN WITH THE CURVE, MY SEQUOIA HEADED TOWARD THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. AS IT VEERED TOWARD THE FENCE POSTS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, I COULD NOT SLOW IT DOWN OR STEER IT BACK TO MY LANE. NO MATTER HOW I PRESSED THE BRAKES, IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN BUT INSTEAD SPED UP. THE LAST I REMEMBER IS THE REALIZATION THAT I COULD DO NOTHING TO STOP OR STEER MY SEQUOIA. I ROLLED IT 3 1/2 TIMES (THROUGH THE FENCE AND THEN BACK THROUGH IT AGAIN IN ANOTHER SPOT). MANY THANKS TO GOD, MY 3 YEAR OLD MADE IT OUT WITH BUT ONE SMALL SCRATCH ON HIS ARM AND A HUGE FEAR. HOWEVER, IT TOOK THEM 1 1/2 HOURS TO GET ME OUT AND THEN I HAD TO BE CARE-FLIGHTED DUE TO FACIAL INJURIES, HEAD TRAUMA, AND DISFIGURED LEFT ARM. ALTHOUGH MY SEQUOIA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS ALONG WITH FRONT AIRBAGS NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I KNOW CERTAIN SENSORS HAVE TO BE ACTIVATED TO INFLATE AN AIRBAG SO I FEEL I NEED TO MENTION THAT THIS VEHICLE NO LONGER RESEMBLED A SEQUOIA. NO HEADLIGHTS REMAINED, ALL WINDOWS WERE GONE, THE DASH, HOOD AND ROOF COLLAPSED IN ON ME. IT TOOK ME FIVE WEEKS TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN AFTER FEELING SUCH HELPLESSNESS. LAST WEEK I RECEIVED A POST CARD ABOUT TOYOTA RECALLS THAT INVOLVED MY SEQUOIA SO I DECIDED TO LOOK IT UP. I GOT VERY SICK READING THE RECALLS AND INVESTIGATIONS THAT ARE RELATED TO WHAT I EXPERIENCED. IT IS VERY UPSETTING THAT I TRUSTED TOYOTA FOR MY FAMILY AND THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY $1,500 REPAIR PER DEALER. THE TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL LIGHT FLASHES ON THE DASH, WE FOUND OUT THE SEAL, RELAY AND ACTUATOR ARE ALL BAD $1,500 REPAIR I FOUND NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS ON THE INTERNET. TOYOTA REFUSES TO HELP STATING THE MILEAGE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS OCCURS DAILY (SINCE I NOW LIVE IN ARIZONA). THE VENT RECIRCULATE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY OVERIDES TO RECIRCULATE MODE IN MANUAL MODE WHEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES DIFFER. THIS CAUSES THE WINDOW FOGGING AND LIMITED VISIBILITY. THE RECIRCULATE WILL TURN ON EVEN IN FRONT WINDOW DEFROST MODE - A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR VISIBILITY SAFETY. TOYOTA SERVICE TECH STATED THE ONBOARD COMPUTERS FIRMWARE IS TO BLAME AND THERE IS NO FIX AVAILABLE. TOYOTA UNRESPONSIVE OTHERWISE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .