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.

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

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

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

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

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.

NHTSA ID

11254191

Incident

Sep 9, 2019

Mileage

154,760 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11151602

Incident

Sep 21, 2018

Mileage

234,000 mi

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?

NHTSA ID

11151326

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

156,000 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

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPING

NHTSA ID

11006060

Incident

Apr 6, 2016

Mileage

200,000 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

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

NHTSA ID

10938634

Incident

Nov 16, 2016

Mileage

270,000 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

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

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.

NHTSA ID

10886256

Incident

Jul 18, 2014

Mileage

123,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10875376

Incident

May 31, 2016

Mileage

145,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10874845

Incident

May 14, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10874562

Incident

Jun 12, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10761804

Incident

Aug 31, 2015

Mileage

159,300 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10735958

Incident

Mar 7, 2014

Mileage

316,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10731062

Incident

May 2, 2015

Mileage

179,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10704096

Incident

Apr 6, 2015

Mileage

170,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10659828

Incident

Jun 9, 2013

Mileage

199,026 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10648921

Incident

Jun 5, 2014

Mileage

101,234 mi