2002 Toyota Sequoia Body & structure Problems

Component/System Failed: The frame of my 2002 Toyota Sequoia has severely rusted, resulting in a gaping hole. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The rusted frame jeopardizes my safety and renders the vehicle unsafe for use. Confirmation: A mechanic has confirmed the rust issue. Manufacturer Inspection: Toyota has not inspected my Sequoia’s frame. Warning Signs: There were no warning lamps or messages related to frame rust prior to the failure; it became evident during my recent inspection. The gaping hole in my Sequoia’s frame is not due to normal wear and tear but rather Toyota’s poor manufacturing practices. Shockingly, Toyota issued a “limited service campaign” for similar rust issues in other vehicles, but I was never informed. This lack of transparency is unacceptable. It is clear that Toyota’s decision to implement a limited service campaign, rather than a comprehensive recall, reflects a blatant disregard for the safety and satisfaction of its customers. By prioritizing cost-cutting measures over ethical responsibility, Toyota has failed to uphold its duty to consumers and the people who sustain its business. Toyota’s actions have revealed a disturbing trend of prioritizing profits over people. The company’s failure to adequately address known issues with rusted frames speaks volumes about its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Despite numerous complaints and documented cases of frame rust, Toyota’s response has been inadequate. I urge Toyota to take immediate action. Inspect and replace my Sequoia’s frame promptly. Prioritize consumers over profits. Restore my faith in the brand that I once trusted.

NHTSA ID

11577256

Incident

Mar 13, 2024

Advance rust on car frame

NHTSA ID

11569687

Incident

Feb 3, 2024

The frame and attached components of the 2002 Sequoia are rusting at alarming rates. Seemingly surface quickly turned into structurally penetrating rust (I.e. holes in the frame rails). Additionally rocker panels and wheel arches show signs of significant penetrating rust. Pieces of rusted metal were found under the car on my driveway recently.

NHTSA ID

11547933

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

To whom it may concern, I recently purchased a 2002 Toyota sequoia. I brought the truck to a local shop for a (overall assessment of the vehicle) since I just Purchased it. The shop owner ( I have their name address if needed). The chassis is rusty and has holes sue to rust. If someone can get back to me It’s much appreciated

NHTSA ID

11540644

Incident

Aug 24, 2023

My vehicle frame was cracked and very unsafe to drive. My inspection cannot passed until I fixed the crack developed on the frame. Inside the car the weather strip is cracked all side.

NHTSA ID

11454219

Incident

Feb 2, 2021

On parkway 50 to 55 mph driver side ball joint broke. Truck could of flipped or hit another vehicle. Could of caused damage to my body or death. No warning of impending breakage. I do have pics of broken balljoint and it did cause damage to driverside fender. Frame is rusting. Worried about frame unsafe could brake at any time. Toyota refuses to check and replace.

NHTSA ID

11453561

Incident

Feb 23, 2022

I WENT TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE MY WHEELS ROTATED; HE SAID THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND MAY BE A DANGER TO DRIVE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AS THERE ISN'T AN EASY FIX TO REPLACING THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY FIX IS REPLACING THE FRAME. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 8 PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

11416292

Incident

May 11, 2021

Mileage

179,000 mi

THE UNDERCARRIAGE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT WHICH IS SAD BEING THAT I RECENTLY JUST PUT A COUPLE GRAND INTO RESTORING AND LABOR SERVICE ON MINOR ISSUES LIKE STEERING RACK AND PINION, BREAKS, TIRE RODS.

NHTSA ID

11414652

Incident

Aug 24, 2018

THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED TO PERFORM AN OIL CHANGE, AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE FRAME HAD HOLES IN IT FROM RUST. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE ENTIRE BODY AND SUSPENSION WAS CONNECTED TO THIS, AND IF A COMPONENT CAME LOOSE THE VEHICLE COULD CRASH. TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT TAKE ACTION.

NHTSA ID

11377142

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Mileage

117,000 mi

THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO BAD CHUCKS OF THE FRAME ARE FALLING OUT CAUSING PROBLEMS TO SWAY BAR, THE MOTOR WAS BASICALLY LAYING SIDE WAYS TOWARDS THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT PANEL. I HAVE SEVEN CHILDREN WE DEPENDED ON THIS VEHICLE TO GET US EVERYWHERE WE NEEDED TO BE. NOW ITS SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BC WHEN THE CHUCK OF FRAME FELL OUT IT CAUSED SWAY BAR TO DROP DOWN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST WRECK WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE SUV . I WAS DRIVING DOWN KY 344 VANCEBURH KY, 41179 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A.M TRAVELING TOWARDS ROUTE 57 TOLLESBORO KY 41189

NHTSA ID

11363651

Incident

Oct 5, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

WELL I TOOK THAT TO A SHOP TO GET THE STEREO WORKING WHICH THE OWNER TOLD ME AFTER TWO HOURS IT WON'T BE READY UNTIL TOMORROW SO I LEFT IT THERE WITH THE DEPOSIT WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY AFTER WORK JUST TO PICK IT UP UNTIL I GOT HOME START OBSERVING THAT MY ANTI SECURITY ALARM WASN'T WORKING WELL WHILE OBSERVING I NOTICED THAT THE DOORS WEREN'T THE SAME COLOR AS THE TRUCK THEN I NOTICED MY SUNROOF WAS IN IT THEN STARTED NOTICING THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS IN PLACES I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND NOW I WENT TO THE DMV LOGGED IN CHECK MY VIN NUMBER AND PLATES IT SEES THAT IT'S BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE

NHTSA ID

11362326

Incident

Sep 22, 2020

FRAME RUST ON THE MAIN AREAS WHERE APPOINTED FROM TOYOTA REASON FOR NOT TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER IS BECAUSE THERE WER NO RECALLS FOR THE VINTAGE BUT OVERALL THE THE FRAME IS MY MAJOR CONCERN.HEAVY SPOTS ON THE FRME

NHTSA ID

11360493

Incident

May 11, 2017

VEHICLE BODY (UNDERSIDE) WHICH ONLY HAS 130000 MILES IS TOTALLY RUSTING OUT. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. TOYOTA REPLACED THE UNDERCARRIAGE IN THE PAST DUE TO RUST ISSUES BUT THEY HAVE RETURNED AND CORROSION IS EXCESSIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324361

Incident

May 13, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

SUNROOF GLASS FLEW OFF MY VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY SPEED 65-70 MPH. I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5. I PURCHASED A GLASS AND WHICH WAS MUCH LARGER THAN THE VEHICLE HAD REORDERED ANOTHER GLASS AND RECEIVED THE SAME THING. WHEN DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA SR5 DON'T COME WITH A SUNROOF (BOUGHT VEHICLE 2011) I WAS UNAWARE SINCE IT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE. WHEN I FOUND THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURER AND SEARCH ONLINE FOUND THAT HOLLANDIA 700 BY WEBASTO COMPANY HAVE A RECALL FOR THAT MODEL. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED WILL I BE HELPED OR ASSISTED IN ANY WAY? THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11243677

Incident

Jun 27, 2019

Mileage

198,624 mi

TERRIBLE RUST ON THE FRAME, AND UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA EXTENDED THE RUST THROUGH WARRANTY, BUT DIDN'T REPAIR THE ISSUE SINCE THERE WAS "NO RECALL". THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF PRODUCTION YEARS FOR TOYOTA AND THEIR FRAMES.

NHTSA ID

11234699

Incident

Jul 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD HOLES AND WAS RUSTED UNDERNEATH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,607.

NHTSA ID

11217818

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

170,607 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE ENTIRE FRAME, CROSS MEMBER, AND SUBFRAME. THERE WAS ALSO THE PRESENCE OF HOLES AND WARPING OF THE COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME, SUBFRAME, AND CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11217790

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

190,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL WE HAVE OWNED OUR SEQUIOA SINCE 12/13/2001, WE BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. WHEN WE 1ST BOUGHT IT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY AND BILL DUBE OF DOVER NH REPLACED SOMETHING AND FIXED IT. I HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS WITH MY VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES THRU OUT THE YEARS. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH VSC TRACTION CONTROL STARTING IN 2002 LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND GO OUT, AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS HIGH HUMIDITY AND WHEN USING AIR CONDITIONING, MY ALLOY WHEELS HAVE BEEN DISGUSTING SINCE 2004. I HAVE A EXTENSIVE REPAIR HISTORY WITH BILL DUBE DEALERSHIP THEY NEVER ADDRESSED ISSUES AS ONCE LIGHTS ON DASH TURN OFF THERE IS NO HISTORY. IN 2006 MY LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON I BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA OF PORTSMOUTH NH AS I WAS ALMOST AT 100000. MILES. THEY COULD NOT LOOK AT VEHICLE DUE TO WARRANTY. I DROVE TO BILL DUBE AND THEY REFUSED TO SEE ME THAT DAY OR DOCUMENT THAT LIGHTS WERE ON SO THEY COULD FIX IT. ONCE MY ODOMETER HIT 100000 WARRANTY WAS NULL AND VOID. I WAS EXTREMELY UPSET CALLED MULTIPLE TIMES TO TOYOTA CORPORATION AND APPEARED TO GET SAME JERK WHO REFUSED TO HELP AND GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND. WE HAVE OWNED OUR SEQUIOA FOR 18 1/2 YEARS. I LOVE MY CAR IT HAS APPROX 445000 MILES AND WOULD APPRECIATE ASSISTANCE. MY VSC IS CONSTANTLY ON NOW ALONG WITH THE ABS LIGHT. THE AIR BAG ONLY COMES ON WHEN THERE IS HIGH HUMIDITY AND I AM DRIVING. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE SEQUIOA THE SALESMAN ACTUALLY STATED THE SEQUIOA HAD A HARD DRIVE TO RETAIN LIGHT HISTORY. I ALSO HAVE BEEN CONCERNED WITH MY FRAME WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 2012. I HAVE RETURN TO PORTSMOUTH TOYOTA WHERE WORK WAS DOWN A FEW TIMES. MY VEHICLE APPEARS CROOKED AND NOT ALIGNED THEY THINK I AM CRAZY. I PRACTICALLY LIVE IN MY VEHICLE I WORK IN HOSPICE SO I AM VERY AWARE OF MY VEHICLES LOOK AND CONDITION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH MY VEHICLE, I WOULD LIKE MAKE IT TO 500000.

NHTSA ID

11194297

Incident

Jun 18, 2018

Mileage

440,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SIDES AND REAR OF THE FRAME WERE CORRODED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TEMPORARY WELDED THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

NHTSA ID

11172089

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

178,000 mi

I RECENTLY WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR RADIATOR AND EXHAUST SYSTEM EVALUATION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS AND WAS BY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR RUST PERFORATION PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEGREE OF RUST THRU WAS SIGNIFICANT AND MAY CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. A FRIEND LATER ADVISED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE WITH OLDER SEQUOIAS. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR SOME MODELS A FEW YEARS AGO. I DON'T RECALL RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE, BUT IN REVIEWING MY SERVICE RECORDS I SEE THAT ON APRIL 23, 2013 MY FRAME WAS INSPECTED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING SERVICE NOTATION: "COD RECALL - OPEN RECALL FRAME INSPECTION AND SPARE TIRE FUNCTIONAL AND VISUAL CHECK - REPLACED SPARE TIRE CARRIER - REMOVED RUST - CLEANED FRAME WITH NO RUST PERFORATION FOUND - CRC APPLICATION BY OUTSIDE SHOP." I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2003 AND HAVE HAD IT SERVICED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR 15 YEARS, USUALLY GOING THERE SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR FOR MAINTENANCE, OIL CHANGES, ETC. NO MENTION OF ANY RUST PROBLEMS OR THAT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW; WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT WANT IT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID

11153754

Incident

Oct 30, 2018

Mileage

318,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2013, THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE FRAME CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL EXPIRED IN JULY OF 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11118080

Incident

Dec 28, 2015

Mileage

102,000 mi

SEVERE PREMATURE FRAME RUST INCLUDING THE DISLODGE OF SPARE TIRE AND CARRIER, REPAIRED PERIODICALLY AT HIGH COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. FRAMES IN QUESTION WERE MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECT IN CORROSION RESISTANT PROPERTIES THAT IS WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED. NTSB HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS CONDITION ON VARIOUS TOYOTA TRUCKS FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR LIMITED MODEL YEARS VEHICLES BUT LEAVES MANY EFFECTED OUT OF THE CLASS. CONDITION EFFECTS MODEL YEAR 2000 AND UP ALL TUNDRA, TACOMA, SEQUIOA AND 4RUNNER VEHICLES. TOYOTA HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO DENY RESPONSIBILITY BY IMPLEMENTING A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN THAT HAS LONG SINCE EXPIRED ON THESE FAULTY VEHICLES. THIS CONDITION SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL OF ALL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH THESE FRAMES AS SO MANY CONTINUE TO BECOME UNSAFE OVER TIME WITH NO RESOLUTION DUE TO EXPIRATION OF THE "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN." CONDITION ALSO CAUSES FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LEADING TO TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH IS VERY COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES AND HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11083273

Incident

Apr 4, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

IN 2002, I COMPLAINED OF RUST RAPIDLY ACCUMULATING ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT RUSTPROOFING CAME ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD REACH OUT TO TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO GET AN EXCLAMATION. THEY INFORM ME THAT TOYOTA CONFIRMED THAT STATEMENT THE RUSTPROOFING WAS PROVIDED. IN 2013, I RECEIVED WHAT WAS CALLED THE 'LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN' STATING THAT THE INCORRECT RUSTPROOFING WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE FOR COLD WEATHER STATES THAT USE SALT IN THE WINTER. AT THAT TIME WAS SEVERE CORROSION IN THE BODY THAT WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME. I WROTE A LETTER TO TOYOTA CEO AND THE US OFFICE INTERCEPTED THE LETTER TO COMMUNICATE WITH ME. I REQUESTED THE REPLACEMENT OF MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA. IN 2017, I WROTE A LETTER TO THE CEO'S OFFICE IN JAPAN AND THE MATTER WAS SENT BACK DOWN TO THE SAME OFFICE IN THE US. THERE IS SEVERE CORROSION ALL OVER THE BODY RUST BREAKING THROUGH CORRODING ALL COMPONENTS. TOYOTA THEN REQUESTED ALL RECORDS RELATED TO REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE. I WAS SENT A DENIAL TO MY REQUEST FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH A SUGGESTION TO COMMUNICATE TO NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BUT WAS NOT RETURN THE DOCUMENT COPY HIGHLIGHTING THE DETERMINATION OF DAMAGE AS A RESULT. I'M VERY DISSATISFIED AND CONCERNED WITH THE WAY THIS WAS HANDLED BECAUSE I INFORMED TOYOTA DURING THE FIRST-YEAR OWNERSHIP OF THE PROBLEM, TOLD 11 YEARS LATER THAT I WAS CORRECT, AND THEN TREATED AS IF I'M TRYING TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE COMPANY AFTER I HAVE BEEN A CUSTOMER OF TOYOTA FOR OVER 25 YEARS. EVERY COMPONENT EXPOSED TO THE AIR OUTSIDE OF THE REPLACED FRAME ROTTING AWAY AND HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT REPAIR BILLS IN DAMAGE. THE FILE(S) THAT I'M GOING TO UPLOAD DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL REPAIR BILLS BECAUSE OF THE FILE SIZE LIMITATION BY YOUR SITE. I'M AVAILABLE FOR DISCUSSION AND WILL SUBMIT ADDITIONAL RECORDS IF REQUESTED.

NHTSA ID

11039448

Incident

Feb 4, 2013

Mileage

58,530 mi

IN JULY, '17 I WAS TOLD THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS PENETRATING RUST. THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN SINCE TOYOTA PUT CORROSION RESISTANT COMPOUND ON IT DURING THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR RUST IN EARLY JUNE/ LATE MAY AND I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PENETRATING RUST AREAS. IN JUNE AND JULY I PUT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS INTO THIS VEHICLE AS I PLANNED TO DRIVE IT FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT APPLYING THE CRC IS A BAND-AID AND WILL NOT STOP RUST ONCE IT HAS STARTED. I BELIEVE TOYOTA DID NOT ADDRESS THIS LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN PROPERLY. I BELIEVE ALL VEHICLES IN THIS CAMPAIGN SHOULD HAVE HAD TOTAL FRAME REPLACEMENT RATHER THAN RELYING ON VISUAL INSPECTION AND USING A "BAND-AID" APPROACH.

NHTSA ID

11012660

Incident

Jul 24, 2017

Mileage

247,823 mi

I BROUGHT MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN ISSUE AND HE TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY CAN NOT HELP ME. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT TOYOTAS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE AND HIS 2005 TACOMA WAS REPAIRED THROUGH A CLASS ACTION SUIT. I AM TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA WILL ALLOW THEIR CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT INDEED THIS IS A PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN SO THAT AND TOYOTA IS FORCED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ID

11010299

Incident

Jul 22, 2017

Mileage

250,000 mi