RoadVitals

2001 Toyota Sequoia Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Feb 5, 2011
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 530 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. 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. 21 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.

Owner reports naming transmission

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Transmission
Filed Feb 5, 2011

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. I GOT MY SEQUOIA BRAND NEW AND NOW HAS OVER 88,000 MILES. MY SEQUOIA BEGAN TO GIVE ME TROUBLE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO EVERYTIME I TRIED TO PUT IT INTO GEAR. THE GEAR FELT TIGHT ALMOST DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO GEAR. ON A RECENT TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO, I BEGAN TO ALSO NOTICE A "BUZZING" SOUND ON THE GAS PEDAL. AS I WAS DRIVING UP THE GRAPEVINE ON INTERSTATE 5, MY TRANSMISSION "POPPED" AND I HAD NO POWER. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE DRIVE PIN BROKE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGED TO THE TRANSMISSION. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG KIDS WERE WITH ME. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY WE DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS MAJOR BREAKDOWN. I HAVE COME TO RELY ON MY VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN REALLY GOOD AT KEEPING IT TUNED AND GETTING THE REQUIRED SERVICES TO KEEP MY CAR IN SHAPE. MY CONCERN IS, HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE WHO OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA? IF NOT, CAN IT HAPPEN AGAIN? THANKS NHTSA.

NHTSA ID
10380806
Incident
Dec 28, 2010
Mileage
88,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 15, 2010

2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10360897
Incident
Sep 17, 2010
Transmission
Filed Oct 6, 2010

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10359788
Incident
Sep 17, 2010
Mileage
133,000 mi
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Apr 28, 2010

VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY LURCHES FORWARD WHEN IN GEAR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE ACCELERATION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10327949
Incident
May 15, 2003
Mileage
33,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 1, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS $6,000. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 206,816.

NHTSA ID
10275469
Incident
Jun 28, 2009
Mileage
206,816 mi
BrakesElectricalTransmission
Filed Feb 17, 2009

THE CHECK ENGINE, VSC, AND TRACTION LIGHTS ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA ALL CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY AT 82,000 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $3800.00 AND THE COMPUTER NEEDS REPLACING FOR ABOUT $2000.00. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CONSTANT STRUGGLE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT EVERY 8 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10259110
Incident
Jul 11, 2003
Mileage
82,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceInterior & seats+1 more
Filed Jan 14, 2009

THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON AFTER MY 2001 SEQUOIA HIT A POT-HOLE. THIS WAS BACK IN 2004 AND THE LIGHT REMAINS ON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A SENSOR. THE VEHICLE IS LONG OUT OF WARRANTY AND I CAN'T AFFORD ANY EXPENSES RIGHT NOW. THAT'S JUST ONE OF A FEW MAJOR COMPONENTS TO GO. IN 2003 THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD 88,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS BEYOND THE 60,000 DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. HOWEVER, TOYOTA DID PAY FOR HALF OF THE $4000 BILL WITH THE DEALERSHIP PICKING UP A 1/4 OF THE BILL. I PAID THE REST. WAS PAYING HALF AN ADMISSION BY TOYOTA THAT THEY PROVIDED A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I DO KNOW THAT THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED THE OLD TRANSMISSION AND SHIPPED IT OFF TO TOYOTA AND I NEVER HEARD ANOTHER WORD ABOUT IT. THE BRAKES ON THESE BIG VEHICLES HAVE BEEN A SORE SPOT WITH ME. I'VE HAD TO CHANGE BRAKES AND ROTORS NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS. AND LAST ON MY LIST OF COMPLAINTS IS THE TAILGATE. IT HAS RUSTED OUT PREMATURELY AND IT IS MORE THAN A $1,000 TO REPLACE. I USE BUNGIES TO KEEP IT CLOSED UP AND I HAD TO PROP THE WINDOW UP SINCE THE TRACKING SYSTEM IN THE TAILGATE RUSTED OUT AND FELL APART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254951
Incident
Feb 13, 2004
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 14, 2008

2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TRANSMISSION FAILURE, OVERDRIVE DISINTEGRATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245450
Incident
Sep 23, 2008
Mileage
108,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 2008

ONE COMPLAINT IS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE THEN FAILED TO MOVE ANY MORE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT MY COST WITH NO HELP OFFERED BY THE DEALER. AND FAILED AT 90,000 MILES. NEVER NOTICED ANYTHING LEADING TO THIS REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243454
Incident
Oct 27, 2005
Mileage
90,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 29, 2008

IN 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO WORK AND IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION FAIL AND IT COST ME $3500.00. I CALLED TOYOTA FOR SOME ASSISTANCE THEY DID NOT EVEN CARE ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236264
Incident
Mar 25, 2007
Mileage
36,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 10, 2008

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD STARTING HEARING WEIRD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE ARE. I MADE IT HOME AND NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING TRIED TO ACELERATE AND IT WOULDN'T . ENGINE KEPT RUNNING BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE HAD TRUCK TOWED HOME(62 MILES) CAR IS A 2001 WITH 118000 MILES NEVER WOULD THINK THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO TOYOTA..PLS HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230521
Incident
Jun 7, 2008
Mileage
118,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 7, 2008

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE OVERDRIVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. I SHOULD OF LOOKED IN THIS WEBSITE BEFORE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE PLEASE HAVE TOYOTA RECALL THIS DEFECT AND REPAIR OUR VEHICLES. I LOVE THE CAR, I HATE THIS COSTLY PROBLEM. TOYOTA SHOULD MAINTAIN US FAITHFUL IN THEIR QUALITY AND HONESTY BY REPAIRING OUR VEHICLE BEING IT WAS FIRST GENERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226979
Incident
Apr 18, 2008
Mileage
101,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 5, 2008

TRANSMISSION FAILING AND HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON SAME MODEL VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER APPARENTLY HAS DONE NOTHING TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER WITH THE COST TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226737
Incident
Mar 21, 2008
Mileage
87,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 25-70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARS A NOISE COMING FROM THE VSE AND THE TRACK OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATES AS A RESULT OF THIS INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE COULD POSSIBLY BE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, BUT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD GO AWAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10197853
Incident
Oct 1, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 14, 2007

THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES CAUSING MY FAMILY TO LOSE ALL ACCELERATION ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND GET A TOW TO THE TOYOTA DEALER (DAVID MAUS) AND THEY THOUGHT INITIALLY THAT THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($2000+) BUT AFTER THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE SENSOR IT RESOLVED THE ISSUE THUS FAR, ITS BEEN THREE MONTHS WITHOUT RECURRENCE. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THIS IS A CHEAP FIX AS I BELIEVE OTHERS NOTED HERE THAT THE DEALERSHIP ONLY OFFERED REPLACEMENT AS A SOLUTION. I DID HAVE A SECOND QUOTE DONE ELSEWHERE JUST TO BE SURE AND THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY AS WELL WITHOUT TRYING AN ALTERNATIVE. BE CAREFUL OUT THERE AND GET A SECOND OPINION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10193318
Incident
Mar 5, 2007
Mileage
61,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 19, 2007

OWNER OF 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WHO'S TRANSMIISION HAS FAILED AND REQUIRES NEW TRANSMISSION. MANY POSTINGS ON INTERENT WITH THE SAME ISSSUE OF FAILURE DUE TO SO CALLED OVERDRIVE PLANETARY GEAR DEFECT. SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10185524
Incident
Mar 15, 2007
Transmission
Filed Dec 28, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH 110000 MILES ON VEHICLE WHEN HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY TOLD HIM ALL OF THE GEARS WERE DAMAGED*AK THE TECHNICIAN FOUND METAL SHAVING IN THE TRANSMISSION PAN. THE TRANSMISSION HAD SEVER INTERNAL FAILURE. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10177171
Incident
Sep 12, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 26, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE OVERDRIVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT.

NHTSA ID
10156132
Incident
Mar 26, 2006
Mileage
64,000 mi
BrakesExterior lightingTransmission
Filed Apr 27, 2004

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUIOA THAT HAS A VIBRATION THAT COMES THROUGH THE ENTIRE FRONT DASH ESPECIALLY DURING DOWNHILL BRAKING. THE TSB IS SUPPOSEDLY FOR CARS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY ONLY. HOWEVER, MINE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY WHEN THEY ISSUED THE TSB. I ALSO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE THE VSC TRAC LIGHTS COMING ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. ALSO, THE FOGLIGHT IN THE FRONT BUMPER HAS MOISTURE INSIDE OF IT THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED. THE LAST THING IS THE FEELING THAT SOMEONE HAS JUST BUMPED YOU FROM BEHIND WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067886
Incident
Mar 6, 2004
Mileage
39,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 13, 2003

I NEED TO REPORT MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUIOA AFTER AN INCIDENT THAT NEARLY BECAME A DEADLY ACCIDENT THAT NO ONE COULD HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURER'S TRANSMISSION DEFAULT HAD I NOT SURVIVED THAT INCIDENT.ON DEC. 24, 2002, I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQIOUA IN FWY 5 WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FWY 5.I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE, BUT IT DIED DOWN AFTER I CHANGED THE (AUTOMATIC) GEAR TO DRIVE.I, TOGETHER WITH TWO PASSENGERS: ONE ADULT AND A 4-YR OLD TODDLER,WAS STUCK IN THE VEHICLE WAITING FOR THE INEVITABLE.TO CUT THE STORY SHORT,I GOT MY CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, FRONTIER TOYOTA IN VALENCIA.AFTER THEY CHECKED THE CAR ON 12/26, THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.I BOUGHT MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUIOA IN NOV OF 2000 WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT IN THE MARKET.I'VE MAINTAINED MY SUV WITH TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS (MCPHERSON IN TUSTIN, AND SUNNYVALE TOYOTA). I HAD IT SERVICED FOR ITS 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE. ON MAY 2002 WHICH IS JUST 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT ON DEC 24, 2002. I TRIED CONTACTING TOYOTA'S CORPORATE OFFICE, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO COVER THE SERVICE UNDER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT IS 3,000 OVER.IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME THAT AN AUTOMATIC VEHICLE I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, WHICH I HAVE MAINTAINED AT THEIR DEALERSHIP ALL THROUGH OUT INCLUDING THE REQUIRED 30,000 MILE SERVICE, WILL JUST BREAK DOWN AND NEEDS ITS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 63,000 MILEAGE THAT NEARLY CAUSED MY LIFE AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS. I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY HAVE GOTTEN THE DEFAULT VEHICLE FROM THE FIRST BATCH OF THIS SUV THAT CAME OUT IN THE MARKET IN NOV OF 2000.AND I AM CONCERNED THAT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFAULT CAN BE OVERLOOKED AND COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF MY LOSS AND OTHERS.I FEEL RESPONSIBLE TO INFORM TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE LOSS/ES.I NEED TO BE HEARD BECAUSE I NEARLY LOST MY LIFE, INCLUDING TWO MORE, RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

NHTSA ID
10002624
Incident
Dec 24, 2002
Mileage
63,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 28, 2002

VEHICLE WILL NOT OVERRIDE VSC ( VEHICLE SKID CONTROL ) IF CAUGHT IN TRACTION, IF SURFACE WAS ROUGH OR BUMPY. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL IT REGAINED TRACTION. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8002924
Incident
Jan 23, 2002

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .