2003 Toyota Sequoia Suspension Problems

Front end in rolled shacking. Tires wearing extremely fast and uneven image. Unable to drive

NHTSA ID

11576522

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

Abnormal rust all over underside of vehicle including frame, structural components, brake lines, steering components … etc. FRAME and steering/suspension components rusting out. Rear differential rusting out. Cab mounts rusting out. Spare tire hardware rusting out. Transmission cooler lines about to burst from corrosion. Rear tow assembly rusting out. Entire underside is rotting out. Known issue which has plagued hundreds of owners, but Toyota has not recalled this model year. Extremely dangerous; one brake line has already gone out resulting in a loss of braking. Toyota applied an undercoating circa 2013 but they just sprayed over an already rusted frame and other components without proper preparation which actually accelerated the corrosion and rot. Deceptive and unethical business practices. Vehicle cost over $50,000 new in 2003 and only has just over 120,000 miles on it. This should NOT be happening. Please help. Please investigate.

NHTSA ID

11471811

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Hello, I am writing to you to have an investigation started on 2003 Toyota Sequoia, I own one and there has been concerns with the Frame of the vehicle rotting out, there was Warranty Enhancement Program sent out in United States to cover frames of 2001 to 2004 Toyota Sequoias which replaced severely rusted out frames at the dealership. I use this vehicle for my family and I do not want to endanger the lives of them and the people around the community where the frame may break due to rust and cause a severe accident. Please take a look at the details below and get back to me. Subject: Limited Service Campaign (LSC) CSD Certain 2001 through 2004 Model Year Sequoia Vehicles Frame Inspection I am located in Canada would like NHSTA to investigate and see if this program can be administered to vehicles in Canada since I have severe rotting of the frame and I have had to have it welded many times to not compromise the safety of the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11440777

Incident

Nov 17, 2021

Unknown

NHTSA ID

11435335

Incident

Apr 24, 2021

The latch hook/truck door release has a defect. It has been replaced 3 times after purchase of my vehicle , by the following Toyota dealerships (Tejas Toyota in Humble Texas (2x); Maund Toyota in Austin, Tx (1x). Each dealership service said it was/is manufacture defect with the latch hook and it stops “un latching when the vehicle the button is pressed to unlock and the handle can not open the hatchback” This time I was traveling out of state with my pet in the kennel and when we stopped for restroom break the latch would not open to retrieve the pet to let out the kennel. We were traveling with a vehicle full of items, which the entire inside of the vehicle had to be emptied I ordered to let all the seats down and try to maneuver to try to get my dog out of kennel I. Such a small confined space that was hard to open because it was in the side. It took over and hour to cut the cage at the top to retrieve my pet. The sad part is there was no warning because we were traveling a 13 hour trip, stopping every couple hours for breaks and stretches, and the couple hours before we open the hatchback just fine. This is more than a safety concern for the animal. This is also the ares for retrieving the spare tire underneath the vehicle when the spare has to be released. I have replaced the part 3 times and I am charged $600 cost for parts and labor, when Toyota is aware of the defect. I just had the part replaced 19 months ago and Toyota only gives a 12 warranty on the part. This is ludicrous when the manufacture is aware of the ongoing problem. I have purchased 4 prior Toyota’s and never had had this type of problem. My second safety issue is the case gage drops below the empty gage and stays there even though there is gas in the vehicle. The dealership said there was a recall years ago but I never received any notice. Please advise.

NHTSA ID

11430913

Incident

Aug 28, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A TIRE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NO DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 235,000.*DT*DT

NHTSA ID

11406936

Incident

Apr 13, 2020

Mileage

235,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 45 OR 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES REAL BAD AN VIBRATES FEELS LIKE I GOT A FLAT TIRE OR FEELS LIKE I'M GONNA HAVE A TIRE COME OFF WHEN I BOUGHT IT ALSO CONSUMES A LOT OF GAS UST TO GET REAL GOOD GAS MILEAGE BUT NOW NOT SO GOOD JUUST TO FILL UP TWICE A WEEK BUT NOW SOMETIMES 3 TO 5 TIMESWHICH IS WEIRD DIDN'T KNOW I HAD A RECALL WARRANTY I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A LOT OF THINGS ESPECIALLY IN THE EMISSIONS PART FOR CAR BOUGHT NEW FUEL LINE SOLENOIDS , PURGE SOLENOID, NOW IT SAYS I NEED A NEW VALVE VENT SOLENOID. THERE IS A VACUUM LEAK OTHER THAN THAT RUNS GOOD DOESN'T OVER HEAT OR BREAK UNLESS I NEEDED TO BUT USES A LOT OF GA SHAKES REAL BAD I DON'T WANNA DRIVEMORETHAN 70 MPH ALL THE TIRES ARE AT 41 PSI

NHTSA ID

11279303

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DUE TO STEERING ISSUE - WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP I WOULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. INSPECTION SHOWED THE VEHICLE UNDER BODY AND FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED, THERE ARE SEVER HOLES AND THE TRAILING ARM HAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, BUT TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THE FRAME DURING THE PRIOR OWNERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DURING THE RECALL AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ADDRESSED. TOYOTA REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID

11242288

Incident

Aug 6, 2019

THE FRAME ON THE CAR IS RUSTING AWAY WITH ONLY 40K MILES ON IT. IT WAS GARAGE KEPT.

NHTSA ID

11196212

Incident

Apr 1, 2004

Mileage

15 mi

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED 4X4 FAILED MASSACHUSETTS INSPECTION THIS MONTH FOR A SEVERELY RUSTED FRAME WITH SEVERE PERFORATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR SUSPENSION AND TRAILING ARMS MAY BREAK OFF AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND HAD A COATING APPLIED SEVERAL YEARS AGO - THIS ONLY MASKED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS GARAGED. THE ENGINE AND BODY OF THE VEHICLE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS 300,000 MILES AND RUNS WELL. THE TOYOTA DEALER DEEMED THE VEHICLE "NOT REPAIRABLE." THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DEEMED UNSAFE AND ADVISED TO TAKE OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11096587

Incident

Apr 18, 2018

Mileage

300,401 mi

SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND A MAJOR PROBLEM NOT ONLY WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT OTHER YEARS AND MODELS AS WELL THE PAINT BUBBLING AND COMING OFF THE VEHICLE ESPECIALLY HOOD AREA AND TOP OF VEHICLE, HAS TO BE BAD PAINT TOYOTA IS USING

NHTSA ID

11057020

Incident

Oct 11, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

REPLACED O2 SENSOR AND WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN STICKER DUE TO FRAME IS RUSTED. HAVE THREE TEENAGE DRIVERS USING TRUCK AND IS NOW UNSAFE. HAVE OWNED VEHICLE SINCE 2007 AND HAVE SERVICED AT WOBURN TOYOTA IN WOBURN,MA. I HAVE NEVER GOT AN EMAIL OR MAIL FROM TOYOTA PERTAINING ANY ISSUE. WHEN ASKED ABOUT IT SAID BEEN OUT FOR A WHILE!!!

NHTSA ID

10949509

Incident

Dec 17, 2016

Mileage

198,000 mi

I PURCHASE THIS 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN 2003 BRAND NEW AND AT THE MOMENT THE FRAME IS RUSTING AT AN ALARMING RATE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE MANUFACTURER (TOYOTA) IS MAKING ANY PLANS TO RECTIFYING THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID

10864994

Incident

Apr 29, 2016

THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISES WHILE DRIVING THAT WE COULD NOT IDENTIFY. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT TO PICK UP A FRIEND AND WHEN SHE TURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE RIGHT REAR AXLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. THE OVERALL FRAME IS ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT. PRETTY BIG SAFETY ISSUE. THANKFULLY, SHE WAS NOT DRIVING FASTER WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID

10764143

Incident

Aug 3, 2015

Mileage

225,000 mi

GOING AROUND A TURN IN THE MOUNTAINS AT A SLOW SPEED, MY TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN AND THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE, I LOOSE THE USE OF THE BRAKES COMPLETELY UNTIL THE TRACTION CONTROL TURNS OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME MY SPRINGS AND SHOCKS WERE BAD. I REPLACED ALL 4 OF THE SPRINGS AND SHOCKS AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10630907

Incident

Sep 4, 2014

Mileage

130,000 mi

RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA FOR A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN, FOR RUSTING OF THE FRAME. I TOOK MY TOYOTA TO KOONS TOYOTA IN ANNAPOLIS, MD. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND SAID IT FAILED FOR RUST. THERE WAS A HOLE IN MY FRAME AND TOYOTA WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME AT NO COST TO ME. THEN THEY CALLED ME TO TELL ME IT WOULD COST $6,400.00 TO REPLACE EVERYTHING UNDER THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT WAS SO RUSTED OUT THAT WHEN THEY TOOK THE PARTS OFF THEY WOULD CRUMBLE. TWO DAYS LATER THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $6,900.00 TO REPLACE PARTS. THEY CALLED LAST NIGHT AND SAID IT WOULD COST ME $7,845.00 AND THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE PRICE WOULD NOT BE HIGHER.THEY SENT ME PICTURES OF MY FRAME AND THERE IS A LARGE HOLE IN THE FRAME. MY QUESTION IS SHOULDN'T I GET MY TRUCK BACK IN WORKING CONDITION WITHOUT ME PAYING FOR ANYTHING? I CONTACTED TOYOTA IN CA. AND TALKED TO THE RUST SPECIALIST, AND HE SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR MY PARTS. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE RETIRED AND LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME. WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE PARTS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN PAID FOR ONCE, WHY SHOULD I TAKE OUT A LOAN FOR A TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN PAID FOR. THE DEALER ALSO ASKED US TO COME PICK UP MY TRUCK IF I WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS. WHEN I PICKED UP MY TRUCK TODAY, THEY SAID IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE TRUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT HOME, THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE, BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET IT FIXED. PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA RECALL THESE RUSTED TRUCKS BACK. THE RUSTED FRAME ALSO INCLUDES TUNDRAS, BECAUSE THEY USE THE SAME FRAME. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10496750

Incident

Jan 22, 2013

Mileage

107,433 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED RUST SPOTS ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. OVER TIME, HE WOULD HEAR A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE STABILIZER BAR HAD BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE WEIGHT, THE FRAME COULD NOT HANDLE THE STRESS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO PARK AND NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THAT PERTAINED TO THE FAILURE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ID

10489350

Incident

Dec 1, 2010

Mileage

117,000 mi

PROBLEM ONE: "BRAKE" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM BUT THEN DOESN'T COME BACK ON AT NEXT RESTART OF CAR. BRAKE FLUID AND ALL MECHANICS ARE OK. BRAKING DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AFFECTED BUT I AM WORRIED THAT THERE WILL BE AN ABS FAILURE THAT I'LL IGNORE BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY WARNING LIGHT. SOMETIMES THE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATES FOR NO REASON AT LOW SPEED. PROBLEM TWO: FRAME IS NEARLY RUSTED OUT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SIMILAR TUNDRA, AND SUPPOSEDLY A RECALL FOR THESE PARTICULAR SEQUOIAS IN SOME STATES, BUT NOTHING COMES UP FOR MY VEHICLE IN INDIANA. VEHICLE, PURCHASED FROM TOYOTA DEALER OXMOOR TOYOTA A YEAR AGO, IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10481250

Incident

Mar 8, 2011

Mileage

146,300 mi

FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CRACKED IN VARIOUS AREAS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10471397

Incident

Aug 10, 2012

Mileage

133,432 mi

I TOOK THE SEQUOIA TO A MECHANIC TO REPAIR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT AND SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE BACK. UPON EXAMINATION, THE MECHANIC NOTICED UNUSUALLY ADVANCED RUST AND CORROSION FOR A VEHICLE OF ITS AGE. FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE MECHANIC WARNED AGAINST DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS WERE MADE. MECHANIC HAD TO CUT OUT FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM BOLTS, REAR SHOCK MOUNTS, AND OTHER HARDWARE DUE TO THE CORROSION. MECHANIC NOTED THAT FUTURE REPAIRS WILL REQUIRE THE SAME CUTTING AND REPLACEMENT OF NEW HARDWARE. THIS CORROSION ISSUE MAY BE RELATED TO THE 2000-2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA RECALL OF 2009, SINCE THE SEQUOIA SHARES THE CHASSIS AND MANUFACTURING FACILITY WITH THE TUNDRA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10469342

Incident

Jul 21, 2012

Mileage

84,000 mi

THERE IS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE FRAME OF MY WIFE'S 2003 SEQUOIA. THE RUST IS JUST FLAKING OFF IN HUGE CHUNKS WHICH IS MORE THAN JUST THE UNDER COAT OF PAINT, ITS ACTUAL CHUNKS OF DISINTEGRATED/CORRODED METAL. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE TUNDRA FRAMES WHICH WERE PRODUCED ON THE SAME MANUFACTURING LINE AND USED THE SAME METAL AS THE SEQUOIA WERE RECALLED BUT THE SEQUOIA'S ARE NOT. MOST OF THE FRAME DAMAGE SEEMS TO BE ISOLATED TO THE REAR OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10454633

Incident

Apr 9, 2012

THE FRAME ON MY VEHICLE CRACKED, AND THIS CAUSED THE TOP OF THE STRUT TO COME UP THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. THE TOYOTA DEALER, BODY SHOP, AND INDEPENDENT INSURANCE APPRAISER SAY THAT THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER IMPACT. THEY SAID THE FRAME HAD METAL FATIGUE AND SIMPLY FAILED. THIS POSES A SERIOUS HAZARD IF A LIGHTLY DRIVEN VEHICLE SUCH AS MINE, WELL-CARED FOR AND DRIVEN IN A SUBURBAN SETTING, THE FRAME WOULD CRACK IN 8 YEARS. I SAW ONLINE THAT THERE WAS A FRAME RECALL FOR 2001-2003 TUNDRAS AND SEQUOIAS (WHICH SHARE THE SAME FRAME). THE RECALL WAS FOR ONLY 18 STATES WHERE THERE IS HEAVY SNOW, CAUSING THE FRAMES TO RUST THROUGH. TOYOTA WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME. I BELIEVE THAT THE FRAMES WERE FAULTY FROM A MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR THIS TO OCCUR. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THIS INFORMATION AS IT MAY BE PART OF A MORE WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS NOT TELLING ANYONE ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10449395

Incident

Nov 25, 2011

Mileage

104,000 mi

ANTI SWAY BAR CANNOT BE CONNECTED BACK TO FRAME SINCE THE FRAME IS RUSTED. I WAS TOLD THAT IN ORDER TO FIX IT, I WOULD NEED MY ENTIRE FRAME REPLACED AND THAT NONE OF THIS WAS COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST $13,000. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE THE SEQUOIA HAS THE SAME FRAME AS A TUNDRA, WHY ISN'T THE SEQUOIA FRAME RUST PROBLEM ALSO BEING RECALLED LIKE THE TUNDRA? *TR

NHTSA ID

10447032

Incident

Feb 7, 2012

Mileage

193,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL AT HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE REAR AXLE DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10422394

Incident

Aug 23, 2011

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER STATES EXTREME SHAKING AND VIBRATIONS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE ARE FOUR ACTIVE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION RECALL, BUT HE BELIEVES THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AS THERE IS AN EXTREME SHAKING AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR THE TRACTION CONTROL RECALL, BUT THE TRAC OFF, VSC TRAC AND ABS LIGHTS ARE STILL ON, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT COULD BE A MYRIAD OF THINGS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. *JB

NHTSA ID

10347650

Incident

Jan 1, 1901