Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Toyota Sequoia submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 48 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.
The 25 most recent of 48, in the owner's own words
Complete failure and separation of the lower ball joint. Caused the wheel to fall off, damaging the front fender and jamming the front door making the door stuck closed. Fortunate we did not crash into anything and kill anyone. A very close call.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front driver’s side wheel bearing fracture causing the tire to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the front wheel bearing was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
I have changed tires 2 times but I did not know that my sequoia has a recalled from the suspension and it seems to me that all the suspension is out eventhough that I replaced the struts upper and lower balljoint side arm rod tide even the racquet pinion may be out please help with the nesessary repair driving it like that I’m putting my family at having a accident cause the tire do not wear properly sincerely Joseluis saldana
Recently I took the vehicle in to investigate a clunking noise. I was informed by the shop that the frame had completely rusted through, causing the rear stabilizer arm to become detached. I also had a front stabilizer link fail twice in a year, presumably from the frame excessively flexing. Upon further investigation, I came to learn that Toyota is quite aware of this very issue, they’ve issued recalls where insufficient measures may have been taken to temporarily stop the rusting, and that many many other Sequoia owners have the same exact problems that I’m having, and Toyota refuses to take responsibility for this premature failure and provide some sort of relief. Given the frequency and number of complaints, I’m kind of shocked that NHTSA hasn’t banned these vehicles from the roadways. Seems like a serious accident waiting to happen. It’s not like the facts are in question in this case. There must be hundreds or thousands of examples. If you do a web search for “2001-2004 toyota sequoia rust corrosion on frame” you’ll find a bunch of examples, as well as accounts of Toyota’s numerous refusals to stand behind their mistakes. I still have the vehicle, and would gladly help you with any investigation. I did have part of the frame welded just so I could limp it back home to WI. I towed it on a trailer. It runs great, and is in very good condition, which is why this is all such a shame.
VERY BAD RESTY FRAME AND KEEP FIXING SHOCKS BECAUSE THE FRAME IS BAD ON MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2001 CAUSE PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND SHOCKS
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.
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.
THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED AND THE CAMPAIGN IS PAST THE DEADLINE IT HAS NOT BROKE YET BUT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ALSO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWAY BAR BECAME INOPERABLE DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.
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!!
FAILED INSPECTION MISSOURI RUSTED FAME REAR AXLE FALLING OUT . VERY DANGEROUS
SECOND TIME THIS LEFT TIRE HAS CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING IT'S HAPPENED ONCE ON DRIVERS SIDE CVS JOINT BALL JOINTS AND SPINDLE IS MESSED UP NOTHING WAS HIT WASN'T DRIVING CRAZY TIRE JUST CAME OFF IT'S KERPS BEING ON GOING ISSUE
DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. REPLACED BALL JOINT SEPTEMBER 25 2017 WITH O'REILLY AUTO PARTS "MASTER PRO" PART NUMBER K90262. PART FAILED AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY AT THE TOP OF OFF RAMP. SPEED AT FAILURE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. SPEED 10 SECONDS EARLIER APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH.
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THE WHEELS FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AT SPEED, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED -TWICE! THE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF TWICE. I HAVE KEPT THIS VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT REPAIR. I HAVE OWNED 4 TOYOTAS AND CURRENTLY OWN THREE. BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT FALL APART UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BACK TO 2004. HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED TO STAND BY ME ON THIS, EVEN AFTER I PAID OVER $2200 FOR THE LAST REPAIR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ALL SEQUOIAS PRIOR TO 2004. I CAN PROBABLY GET A PHOTO OF THE WHEEL OFF OF THE CAR WHERE IT SKIDDED TO A STOP.
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPING
MY 2001 SEQUOIA (151,000 MI) WHICH HAS BEEN GARAGED AND MAINTAINED METICULOUSLY IS 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 "CLUNKING" NOISE AS SLOW AS 5 MPH AT ALL TIMES AND ALL SPEEDS. AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY PULL TO THE LEFT MOMENTARILY AND THEN RELEASE ITSELF BUT THE LIGHTS NEVER GO OUT UNLESS CAR IS OFF. I HAVE READ THE 138 COMPLAINTS AT THE DOT.GOV SITE ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND THUS FAR, TOYOTA CORP IS IGNORING THE COMPLAINTS.WHERE IS THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW ALOT OF OWNERS WHO HAVEN'T EVEN INVESTIGATED WHY IT'S HAPPENING IN THIER TRUCK TOO. HOW CAN THEY DO BUSINESS LIKE THIS ??? THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA !!! I WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO HAVE TOYOTA REPAIR THEIR PROBLEM ON THEIR PRODUCT. JUST FIX YOUR PROBLEM TOYOTA AND I WILL CALL OFF THE DOGS... SIMPLE STUFF.
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
THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AND ARE STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS COME ON AS SOON AS STARTUP. SOMETIMES WHEN IDLING. SUSPENSION IS VERY STIFF, AND STEERING SEEMS AFFECTED AS WELL AS ENGINE SEEMS TO LUG WHEN DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS COME ON.
2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WAS RECALLED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRAME. ALL PARTS SUCH AS THE BACK PLATES FOR THE BRAKES, TIE ROD ENDS, STABILIZER BARS, AND MANY MORE ATTACHED HAD RUST WHEN IT WENT INTO THE SHOP. HOWEVER, TOYOTA DID NOT CARE THAT THE RUST HAD SPREAD. I COULD HAVE WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA. IT HAS BEEN COSTLY AND THE CAR IS NOT THE SAME SINCE THE TRANSFER OF THE FRAME. RUST SPREADS AS CANCER AND IS AS DEADLY WHEN IT IS UNDER YOUR CAR. I WILL HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR
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.
OUR VEHICLE HAS A SQUEAK AND CRACKING SOUND WHICH IS VERY SCARY WHEN RIDING IN THIS TRUCK.MY HUSBAND WAS INFORMED BY A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR UNDER CARRIAGE RUST/CORROSION WHICH COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE FRAME DAMAGE. ON 9/22 WE CALLED OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, GAVE THE VIN AND WAS TOLD THEIR IS NO RECALL, & ADVISED TO NOTIFY TOYOTA IF WE WANTED TO PURSUE THIS ISSUE. SO WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA & REC'D A CASE #, AND WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE UNDER CARRIAGE WHICH WAS RUSTING AND THE CORROSION WAS CAUSING FRAME DAMAGE DUE TO THE SALT AND OTHER ELEMENTS ON ROADS FOR ICE & SNOW ON 9/23 WE REC'D A CALL INFORMING US THAT THE "SAFETY CAMPAIGN" ENDED ON 7/29, NOTIFICATIONS WENT OUT TO FIRST TIME OWNERS AND OR DMV CURRENT OWNERS. MY HUSBAND & I HAVE BEEN REGISTERED OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE 9/26/07. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT OUR STATE OF MD IS A STATE IN WHICH THIS VEHICLE IS EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL/CAMPAIGN. FOR THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF MY FAMILY I AM WRITING TO HAVE THE "SAFETY CAMPAIGN" OPENED SO THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL FEEL AND SOUND SAFE TO DRIVE AND THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY WILL NOT BE JEOPARDIZED EVERY TIME WE RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH MOST OF THE TIME IS DAILY.WHY WOULD WE NOT ADHERE TO A RECALL IF WE WERE NOTIFIED? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THERE IS A CUT-OFF DATE. I MEAN WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 7/29 THE CORROSION DOESN'T MATTER OR THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES DON'T MATTER? SEEKING HELP IN MARYLAND. *TR
LOWER BALL JOINT WENT BAD. HAD IT FIXED THREE TIMES FIR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT STILL IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. I WAS TOLD BY AUTOMATIC THAT IT COULD BE A MANUFACTURER DAMAGE BECAUSE THE BALL JOINTS IT SHOULD NOT KEEP WEARING OUT. *TR
IT FEELS LIKE ITS SLIPPING AND THE WARNING SIREN GOES OFF, TRAC & VCS LIGHTS START FLASHING AND VEHICLE STARTS GRINDING SOUNDS LIKE METAL ON METAL AND LOOSE CONTROL OF CAR, CAN'T BRAKE, CAN'T STEER JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO PASS AS YOU ARE ROLLING AWAY. VERY VERY SCARY - WHAT IF I WAS ON A HIGHWAY??? NOT A HAPPY TOYOTA OWNER RIGHT NOW!!!!THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS, I SEE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT SOUND JUST LIKE MINE ON THE INTERNET AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT - ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOME FATALITIES TO HAPPEN. THIS IS MY 1ST TOYOTA AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND UP UNTIL NOW THIS HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE TO DRIVE (14YEARS). NOW I'M AFRAID FOR MY LIFE... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,600.
LAST YEAR MY CAR WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH JUST COLLAPSED. MY BALL JOINTS FELL COMPLETELY OFF. MY THE GRACE OF GOD I WASN'T KILLED BECAUSE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE SINCE HAD IT REPAIRED BUT NOT BY A TOYOTA DEALER. AT THE TIME AS NOW, ALL MY LIGHTS WERE LIT VSC TRAC, ABS ETC. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT HAVING THIS TOYOTA AND IT HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY. NOW AS WE SPEAK MY CAR IS AT A DEALER AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THEY WILL TELL ME IT'S THE FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP. I WILL ALSO HAVE THEM CHECK FOR RUST SINCE I'M HEARING OF ALL THESE CASES OF RUST. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN TIP TOP SHAPE DUE TO MY HUSBANDS KNOWLEDGE OF CARS. HOWEVER, SOME OF THESE REPORTS APPEAR TO BE INCIDENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I GUESS IF I HAD BEEN KILLED TOYOTA WOULD STILL BE DENYING THEIR PRODUCT IS FAULTY. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO STEP UP AND PAY FOR SOME OF THESE ISSUES I'VE HAD AND IF MY CAR NEEDS THIS EXPENSIVE COMPUTER CHIP..ABS IS ENGAGING MY BRAKES THEY PAY FOR IT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE MADE A REPORT AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM TOYOTA... *TR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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