2001 Toyota Sequoia Brakes 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

No accident. Just frame issues. If you can. Can I please get a voucher for frame repair. I really like this SUV. Thank you!

NHTSA ID

11574187

Incident

Feb 27, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11537179

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11483918

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

INAPPROPRIATE stability braking, A noticable swerve to the right accompanied by a grinding noise ant the ASC and Traction control warning lights.

NHTSA ID

11465663

Incident

May 11, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11427798

Incident

Aug 4, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11422224

Incident

Jun 24, 2021

The vehicle engages braking in one front wheel for no apparent reason. The traction and vsc lights come on. This can occur at low speed or at high speed. It can make the vehicle unstable. The vehicle is available for inspection. I am taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. There was no accident.

NHTSA ID

11419891

Incident

Jun 6, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES APPLIED FORCEFULLY AND INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT AND SEVERAL OTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

NHTSA ID

11383892

Incident

Dec 16, 2020

Mileage

240,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11338950

Incident

Jul 12, 2020

Mileage

146,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTROL, ABS, VCS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND STABILITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON IN ORDER TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GROOVE TOYOTA (5460 S BROADWAY, ENGLEWOOD, CO 80113, (303) 800-9063) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURES RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,056.

NHTSA ID

11277094

Incident

Oct 30, 2019

Mileage

100,056 mi

ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY THE CAR MADE GRINDING NOISE AND PULLED TO LEFT AS WELL AS SUDDENL BRAKING. IT WAS ALMOST A DISASTER BUT CAR IN NEXT LANE VEERED AWAY AND I PULLED ONTO SHOULDER. I HAD BEEN TOLD THE YAW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT WAS NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE I SAW NHTSA DID NOT FEEL IT WAS A DANGEROUS FAILURE, BUT IT READ AS MORE OF AN INCONVENIENT PROBLEM SO I WAS COMFORTABLE TRUSTING THEM AND DROVE IT AFTER THE DEALER HAD SAID IT COULDN'T GET THE PART. WHY WAS TOYOTA ABLE TO DECLARE A PART OBSOLETE THAT OBVIOUSLY IS IMPORTANT TO MY SAFELY OPERATING THE VEHICLE? HOW CAN. THE NHTSA POSSIBLY THINK THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE?

NHTSA ID

11154296

Incident

Nov 4, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHILE TURNING, AND A HARD VIBRATION OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND CONTACTED COOS BAY TOYOTA (2001 N BAYSHORE DRIVE, COOS BAY, OREGON 97420, (541) 267-3121) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11120623

Incident

Aug 16, 2018

Mileage

190,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WHERE APPLYING THEMSELVES, VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND VIBRATING AND SLOWING DOWN AND THE VSC TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON. IT SCARED ME AND I ALMOST HAD A PANIC ATTACK. I PULLED OFF TAYLOR ROAD(CITY STREET) AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECKED TO SEE IF I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I RESTARTED TO CAR AND THE LIGHTS REMAIN ON AND I TOOK THE CAR HOME. MY WIFE IS NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ID

11089535

Incident

Apr 19, 2018

Mileage

101,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VSC (ANTI-SKID) SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES ENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAMS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

NHTSA ID

11033818

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

188,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11032813

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

98,650 mi

WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 60 MPH, THE SKID CONTROL LIGHT AND VSC TRAC CAN GO OFF; ALARM SOUNDS...VEHICLE SHAKE AND GRINDING COMING FROM BRAKES. BRAKES AND DO NOT WORK WELL WHEN THIS OCCURS. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS NOW OCCURRING VERY FREQUENTLY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SHUT THE CAR OFF.... AND RESTART THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11025126

Incident

Sep 22, 2017

Mileage

171,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VSC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JERRY'S TOYOTA (8001 BELAIR RD, BALTIMORE, MD 21236, (410) 661-5700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,038.

NHTSA ID

11006128

Incident

Jul 18, 2017

Mileage

204,038 mi

WHILE DRIVING OUR 01 SEQUOIA SR5 WITH ONLY 85,000 MILES ON SIDE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 5MPH TO 70 MPH, THE SUV'S BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY ENGAGES FOR NO REASON WHILE THE VEH. IS IN MOTION. THE VSC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON ALONG WITH THE ALERTING SOUND. WHEN THE BRAKES ENGAGE, THE VEH. VEERS TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE VEH. GOES INTO A SKID DUE TO THE BRAKES BEING SUDDENLY ENGAGED. THE VEH. ALSO DECELERATES SUDDENLY AS IF IT HAS LOST POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR OTHER DRIVERS WHO CAN'T TELL IF YOU ARE BRAKING BECAUSE THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS TO BE SEEN TO PREVENT A COLLISION. THANKFULLY WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACT DEFENSIVELY AND AVOID COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEH.'S. AND ROADSIDE OBJECTS. WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM LIKE THE YAW RATE SENSOR BEING REPLACED. THE COST OF THE PART IS $568.00 WITHOUT THE INSTALL COST.THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF IT OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME, A PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY IS GOING TO OCCUR. I HAVE SEEN WELL OVER 50 COMPLAINTS ON THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS AND A CLOSED NHTSA INVESTIGATION ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. THEY RECALLED THE 2003 SEQUOIA FOR THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS IN ALL MODEL YEARS BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST. SEE 2003 RECALL INFO BELOW: 2003 SEQUOIA RECALL #10V176000 RECALL DATE 04/30/2010 COMPONENT ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL READ MORE AT HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/RECALLS/TOYOTA-SEQUOIA-2003/#QJWYC1MK25OVHGFX.99 READ MORE AT HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/RECALLS/TOYOTA-SEQUOIA-2003/#QJWYC1MK25OVHGFX.99

NHTSA ID

10983018

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

Mileage

84,800 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10960260

Incident

Mar 11, 2017

Mileage

154,075 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10953882

Incident

Mar 1, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

MY 2001 SEQUOIA, SUDDENLY SHOWING THE VSC LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME! THERE IS A VERY ROUGH FEELING WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR LIKE SOMETHING IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS VERY WRONG. THERE IS A TWICE BEEP AND THE CAR, WILL SUDDENLY PULL TO THE LEFT MOMENTARILY AND THEN RELEASE ITSELF BUT THE LIGHTS NEVER GO OUT UNLESS CAR IS OFF. I CAN FEEL THE BRAKES LIKE SHAKING.I S SCARY AND THIS HAPPEN LIKE 4 TIMES.THE LAST IS IN THE HIGHWAY.IS MAKE A NOISE LIKE A SCRATCH METAL.I KNOW I'M NOT THE FIRST ONE .PLEASE TOYOTA FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10917967

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

156,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10914008

Incident

Sep 12, 2016

Mileage

157,850 mi

HAPPENED YESTERDAY 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 HOURS . VSC TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES FOR NO REASON. DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON FREEWAY, THE TRUCK APPLIES THE BREAKS SHARPLY, TRAC LIGHT COMES ON WITH A WARNING BEEP, MAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND CAN'T USE THE BREAKS OR STERING. BARELY MADE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A BUSY FREEWAY. IT WAS TERRIFYING SPECIALLY WHEN YOUR LITTLE KID IS IN THE TRUCK. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BIG ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

10911337

Incident

Oct 2, 2016

Mileage

189,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10908032

Incident

Sep 16, 2016

Mileage

163,000 mi