2001 Toyota Sequoia Body & structure Problems

I own a 2001 Toyota Sequoia SR5, which I purchased new in Colorado and moved to Virginia in 2004. I received a Toyota Limited Service Campaign Program notice in 2013 about excessive corrosion on the frame. Alexandria Toyota inspected the vehicle and applied a Corrosion-Resistant Compound to the frame. They also replaced the spare tire carrier assembly due to rusting. Over the years, I've had mechanics mention the rust on the frame but Toyota never issued a recall on the 2001 Sequoia. In November 2024, the following dashboard lights remained on while driving: Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) OFF, VSC TRAC and Brake Lights. I took it to Steven’s Auto Clinic in Alexandria. They found low brake fluid levels were causing the brake system failure. The brake pipes are leaking due to heavy rust. In addition, rust was destroying the under carriage. The brake system and frame would require extensive maintenance. They warned me NOT to drive the car. They refilled the brake fluid to allow me to take the car home. Reading the Complaints under Structure on the NHTSA website, dozens of customers over the years mention serious rusting on the frame of their 2001 Sequoias. I believe Toyota had a recall to replace the frame on the Tundra but never included the 2001 Sequoia even though it was built on the Tundra frame. I now have a vehicle I can’t drive, due to safety concerns, and I can’t sell, except for parts. The Sequoia should have been included in the Tundra recall. Toyota needs to be held accountable. I can provide any paperwork for my 2001 Sequoia including the Limited Service Campaign Program notice and the repair order from Stephen’s Auto Clinic if necessary. I can also provide the vehicle for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11638521

Incident

Nov 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for a diagnostic test; however, the dealer declined to perform the diagnostic test, stating that the sub frame was unstable, and an unknown recall campaign had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated the dealer informed him there was a recall for the sub frame, however, the recall had expired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11579250

Incident

Jan 23, 2023

Rear axle is rusted to the point where differential fluid is leaking out of the body. There is extreme rust in general which has led to the failure of multiple components such as the oil pressure sending unit. Check engine light is on. This hasn't been verified by a shop or agency, only by me. These issues were discovered shortly after purchase this year.

NHTSA ID

11564516

Incident

Jan 7, 2024

Frame Replacement needed: I took my 2001 Toyota Sequoia (45,515 miles; always garaged) in for an Emissions & Safety Inspection. I was notified the excessive rust on the frame has cause damage to the lines for the brakes/bubbling on the lines, fuel line, power steering fluid lines and, eventually, other undercar items may soon fail. It is recommended that due to the excessive rusting/premature frame rotting, the SUV should be decommissioned and off the road. Toyota dealership actually suggested that it might be necessary for me to sign a waiver in order to take the vehicle out of the dealership. The waiver was to hold Toyota harmless should something result as a result of the defect. I was shocked at the request/I declined. Stated the severe rusting is from the front to the rear of the frame. Research shows the Toyota Corporation is fully aware of the excessive rusting on the Toyota Sequoia SUVs however no remedy has been in place to resolve the issue for current owners. I am advised to replace the fuel lines (approximately $1700 for parts and labor), however, upon replacement the excessive rusting to the frame may damage the other lines in the vehicle and the frame will need to be replaced as well (about $10,000). The 2nd technician stated he has done work on 20+ year old SUVs a lot, none with anywhere near this type of premature rusted frame. Stated he couldn't believe how bad it is. Said it flakes apart when you touch it anywhere. He stressed that I should not have my octogenarian mom, and 1st grader in the vehicle. This is our family vehicle. The 2001 Sequoia SUV was built on a tundra frame which had a structural recall (NHTSA action number: pe09049) for frames built in 2000 and 2001. The Sequoia was left out of this recall; a 2012 Spray Option was offered for the frame (I was told by "Israel" today / Brand Ambassador Department). I never received the notification. No dupport from Toyota. The frame, fuel lines need replacement. Pls help!

NHTSA ID

11439589

Incident

Nov 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle, she noticed rust and corrosion on the undercarriage of the entire vehicle. The contact stated that she had received a manufacturer recall notification and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who sprayed the undercarriage with a rust coating inhibitor to prevent the undercarriage from rusting however, the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer Millennium Toyota (257 N. Franklin St, Hempstead, NY 11550, (516) 874-2581) who inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11423588

Incident

Apr 1, 2013

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY TRUCK WOULD BE PERFECT ASIDE FROM THE MAJOR CORROSION LOCATED ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. I'M ON BORROWED TIME WITH MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THE FRAME BEFORE THE BOTTOM DROPS OUT. THE CAUSE OF THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE CHEAP PARTS FROM THE FACTORY.

NHTSA ID

11413073

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Mileage

30,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11376995

Incident

Nov 28, 2020

CORROSION ON CHASSIS

NHTSA ID

11289861

Incident

Dec 18, 2019

TOYOTA RUST ISSUE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA R5. MY VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO AND FROM PRACTICES AND GAMES TWICE A WEEK. THIS PAST SUMMER, I STARTED DRIVING IT DAILY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE I KEPT HEARING A KNOCKING AND MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC, WE DISCOVERED IT WAS AN O2 SENSOR CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT ALSO NOTICED EXTREME RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND RECOMMENDED THE ENTIRE FRAME BE REPLACED AS THAT KNOCKING WOULD CAUSE THE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BACK HALF AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ISSUE. AFTER TALKING TO TOYOTA BODY SHOP, SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND A MECHANIC, I LEARNED OF A CAMPAIGN THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED. TOYOTA ISSUED THE CAMPAIGN DUE TO SEVERE RUST OF ITS TOYOTA TUNDRA BUT FAILED TO OFFER THE SAME COVERAGE FOR TOYOTA SEQUOIA ISSUED FOR 2001. THE CAMPAIGN THAT WAS ISSUED WAS FOR 2005-2008 SEQUOIA, HOWEVER MY TOYOTA WAS MADE IN 2001. CURRENTLY, MY VEHICLE WHICH TRANSPORTS MY FAMILY, INCLUDING YOUNG CHILDREN HAS TO SIT UNTIL I CAN FIND $15,000-$17,500 TO HAVE IT FIXED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AT THIS POINT, I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS, ESPECIALLY FOR A VEHICLE I PURCHASED USED LAST YEAR. MY MECHANIC AND TOYOTA HAS DEEMED THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE. I'M REQUESTING TO HAVE TOYOTA REPLACE AND FIX THE ENTIRE FRAME OR BUY THE VEHICLE BACK FROM ME SO THAT I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT'S SAFE, RELIABLE AND SPECIOUS FOR MY FAMILY. I WOULD HOPE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE EXPEDITED SO I CAN CONTINUE TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11244282

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RATTLING NOISE ALERTED HIM TO LOOK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER LOCATED IN PALATINE, ILLINOIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.

NHTSA ID

11217876

Incident

May 14, 2019

Mileage

176,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, LARGE SPOTS, AND HOLES ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11217834

Incident

Jun 4, 2019

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2004. COMPLIED WITH A TOYOTA INSPECTION FOR POSSIBLE RUST ON FRAME IN 2012 AND HAD VEHICLE SPRAYED WITH UNDERCOATING IN 2013 (PER TOYOTA INSTRUCTIONS). TOYOTA KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. BY 2015 FRAME WAS STILL RUSTING AND BY 2018 RUST IS SO BAD THAT CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND BEING TOLD FRAME IS "CONPLETELY RUSTED OUT" AND "NOT SAFE TO DRIVE" BY MECHANICS. NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND FAMILY AS FRAME MAY COLLAPSE OR COMPONENTS COME OFF AT ANY MOMENT. TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT IN SEQUOIA AND TACOMA VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE AS A RESULT WHEN A MASSIVE FRAME FAILURE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE ASSIST WITH PRESSURE ON TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11208391

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

FRAME IS RUSTING IN HALF BEHIND THE FRONT TIRES.

NHTSA ID

11202980

Incident

Apr 3, 2019

Mileage

317,000 mi

OUR 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAD A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN RECALL IN 2013-2014 FOR SEVERE RUST PROBLEMS IN THE FRAME. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY EITHER WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME OR JUST UNDER COAT THE FRAME. THEY TOLD US WE ONLY NEEDED THE UNDERCOATING - NOT TO REPLACE THE FRAME. NOW THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TOYOTA DID A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN NEWER CARS (I BELIEVE 2005-2008), BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR LATER MODEL CARS, YET IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME RUST ISSUE. TOYOTA WAS ABLE TO UNDERCOAT THE FRAMES, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, RATHER THAN REPLACING THE ENTIRE FRAME, WHICH WAS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THEM. THIS SAME PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED WITH THE TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS.

NHTSA ID

11144716

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

ONE OWNER VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED JANUARY 2015. WAS SERVICED AT LOCAL TOYOTA AND NEVER SAID ANY ISSUES WITH FRAME BEFORE THE DEADLINE TO HAVE FRAME REPLACED. AFTER I PURCHASED MY MACHANIC NOTICED THE RUSTY FRAME AND TOYOTA SAID AFTER THE DEADLINE TO GET FIXED BUT NO ONE AT TOYOTA SAID IT WAS THAT BAD. IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT NOW WON'T PASS INSPECTION B/C THE FRAME IS FALLING APART. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PIECES OF THE FRAME CRUMBLING APART. THE REAREND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE KNOWN WITH A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES!!

NHTSA ID

11121997

Incident

Feb 28, 2018

FRAME RUSTED OUT WITH HOLES THROUGHOUT THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID

11079601

Incident

Mar 2, 2015

FRAME RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. CLASS ACTION SUIT BY TOYOTA ADMITTED PROBLEMS BUT EXCLUDED MY MODEL YEAR. THEY RECALLED MY CAR IN 2012 BUT TREATED FRAME AND DENIED LIABILITY WHEN IT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAVE PAID OVER $15,000 IN REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS RUST.

NHTSA ID

11020368

Incident

Jan 16, 2017

FRAME BADLY RUSTING OUT. THE TOYOTA DEALER SPRAYED IT OUT A FEW YEARS AGO BUT NOW RUSTED REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING. THE WHOLE REAR AXLE A SINGLE WELDED PIECE. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND USED IN CONNECTICUT (CT), GARAGED AND PRESENTLY HAS 98K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

10993014

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

98,000 mi

FRAME RUST ON 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA - VIN#[XXX]. TOYOTA CASE # [XXX]. ON MAR. 7, 2013 THIS VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE OK AND THEN TREATED WITH A RUST INHIBITOR AS PART OF A TOYOTA RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE DEALER DOING THIS SERVICE WAS TOYOTA OF SCRANTON, IN PA. 3 1/2 YEARS AND 11,000 MILES LATER THIS VEHICLE FAILED THE PA STATE INSPECTION DUE TOP SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST THROUGH. THERE ARE LARGE HOLES IN THE FRAME AND IN SOME AREAS IN THE REAR VERY LITTLE SOLID METAL REMAINING IN THE FRAME. THE TRAILER HITCH IS ATTACHED TO THE DAMAGED FRAME MAKING AN ACCIDENT WHEN TOWING A TRAILER HIGHLY LIKELY. THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE HAS GONE FROM $5,000 TO 500 AND I WILL SELL THE VEHICLE FOR SCRAP AND PARTS. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, EXCEPT FOR THE ROTTED FRAME. I BELIEVE THERE ARE NOW THOUSANDS OF UNSAFE TOYOTA SEQUOIA, TUNDRA, AND TACOMA VEHICLES OPERATING ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT SIMPLY BECAUSE THE YEARLY STATE INSPECTION SHOWED THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. I OFTEN PULL A 5000# SKI BOAT, AND 2 HORSE TRAILER BEHIND MY SEQUOIA. I WILL NOT RISK THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, MY HORSES, AND FELLOW MOTORISTS BY DRIVING THIS CAR. BUT, HOW MANY DRIVERS ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE? HOW MANY BELIEVE THE TOYOTA RECALL WAS EFFECTIVE AND THEIR VEHICLES ARE SAFE? I BELIEVE TOYOTA KNEW THE RUST TREATMENT WAS SIMPLY A WAY TO BUY SOME TIME AND THEY ARE NOW REJECTING CASES "THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS EXPIRED" WAS WHAT [XXX] MY TOYOTA CASE MANAGER'S TOLD ME. SHE DIDN'T OFFER ANY HELP, NO BUYBACK, NO FRAME REPLACEMENT, AND SHE DIDN'T SAY I SHOULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOW PUTTING THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AT RISK, AND ALL WHO SHARE THE ROADS WITH THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. THE ISSUE WILL BE MOST ACUTE IN THE AREAS OF THE US WHERE HIGHWAYS ARE SALTED AND TREATED FOR WINTER DRIVING. DRIVER'S IN UPSTATE NY, NH, MAINE, MI, WI, MN, ETC. ARE AT HIGH RISK AND TOYOTA KNOWS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

NHTSA ID

10920107

Incident

Oct 20, 2016

EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST IS CAUSING LARGE HOLES TO DEVELOP IN IMPORTANT STRUCTURAL LOCATIONS. IN SOME AREAS, TWO SIDES OF THE 4 SIDED FRAME REMAIN. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR EVEN LIFT.

NHTSA ID

10910146

Incident

May 1, 2012

Mileage

84,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWERVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE...UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF

NHTSA ID

10892085

Incident

Jul 18, 2016

Mileage

170,000 mi

TOYOTA 2001 SEQUOIA FRAME ROT MAY 20TH, I WAS DRIVING WITH, MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR SHOOK BACK AND FORTH. I DROVE TO OUR MECHANIC. THEY CALLED SAYING THE FRAME WAS HORRIBLY RUSTED AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. SAID IT WAS A MIRACLE MYSELF AND CHILD WERE NOT IN A DEVASTATING, CATASTROPHIC, DEADLY SITUATION THAT DAY. TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID

10870776

Incident

May 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE ONE OF THE TIRES, HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE FAULTY TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO MOUNT THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BECAUSE THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,289.

NHTSA ID

10836626

Incident

Jun 30, 2015

Mileage

171,289 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER IN 2000 FOR FRAME INSPECTION, AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS INTACT AND DID NOT REQUIRE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10825449

Incident

Feb 9, 2016

Mileage

250,000 mi

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN RIBBLE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE TOYOTA SEQUOIA SAFETY CONCERNS. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT FRAME RUSTING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10805741

Incident

Sep 1, 2015