Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
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Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Toyota Sequoia submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, AND AT LOW SPEEDS, VTS IS TURNING ON AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. THIS HAPPENS WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC AND I CANNOT SPEED UP UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS STRAIGHT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS, VSC, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, AND OTHER BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO CONTACTED THE DEALER REGARDING THE CODES THAT APPEARED DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER WAS UNSURE OF WHAT THE CODES INDICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,400. UPDATED 12/21/16*LJ UPDATED 06/25/18*JB
BRAKES DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEQUOIA HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA LAST MONTH THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE MY TIME HAD EXPIRED! HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE SEQUOIA? SURE ENOUGH I WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM STOPPING AS HAD BEEN NOTED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR! IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT TOYOTA WILL BE LIABLE! WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS??? *TR
AFTER PRESSING THE 4WD AND CENTER DIFFERENTIAL BUTTON, THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL FROZE AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DEALER MECHANIC COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DIFFERENTIAL AND HAD TO REPLACE THE SOLENOID (SWITCH) IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS DUE TO A MAINTENANCE ISSUE ( SUCH AS LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL A FEW TIMES A YEAR) BUT WE DISAGREE. THERE I NO INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS. THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR OR IF THE SOLENOID IS FAULTY, THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD NOT REMAIN LOCKED AS THIS IS CAUSES A SERIOUS STEERING SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY ALLOW ROLLAWAY. I INITIALLY WAS WONDERING AND SECOND GUESSING MYSELF BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED TO ME WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE SO I DID FIND IT STRANGE UNTIL I SAW THIS RECALL. I DO THINK THE SEQUOIA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE SIENNA BECAUSE TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE SECOND TIME WAS AT A GAS STATION. I HAD TO JUMP IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT STARTED TO ROLL BACK ALMOST 2 MINS AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED SOME DAMAGE TO MY DOOR WHILE I WAS TRYING TO JUMP BACK INTO THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE. I KNOW THE CAR MFG DO NOT WANT TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE IT COSTS THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BUT I THINK PEOPLE LIVES ARE WORTH MUCH MORE. THEY NEED TO OWN UP BEFORE IT COSTS THEM MORE. *TR
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE LUBRICANT LEAKED OUT. I UNDERSTAND TALKING TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS A COMMON PROBLEM ALONG WITH THE FRAME RUSTING. IF I HAD NOT NOTICED THE OIL PUDDLE ON THE GROUND I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL GEARS SEIZED. NEED I SAY MORE? IF THE REAR END BECAME INOPERABLE THIS VEHICLE WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL. *TR
VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AT SPEED. VSC LIGHT IS ON AT THIS TIME. GRINDING NOISE AUDIBLE. *TR
2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER STATES THAT TOYOTA HAS INHERENT BRAKING SYSTEM DEFECTS AND POSSIBLE DEFECT IN THE DRIVE SHAFT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 16,117 THE DEALER FOUND THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND RESURFACING THE FRONT ROTORS. AT 20, 230 MILES, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND CODE C1247; SKID CONTROL ECU HAD AN INTERNAL FAILURE. AT 35,999 THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER FOUND CODES C1247 AD C1223; ABS CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AND INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. THE DEALER ALSO FOUND THE DRIVE SHAFT YOKE NEEDED MODIFICATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS TIGHTENED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD TO LOOK OUT THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR. *JB
PROBLEM WITH ECU UNIT, VSC TRAC AND TRAC OFF LIGHT COMING ON IN VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE RECENTLY CHANGED AND IT IS NOW MAKING A SCREECHING NOISE. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO TOYOTA FOR SOME OTHER RECALL THEY TOLD ME THAT MY ECU UNIT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE ECU UNIT IS NOW ON RECALL BUT THEY ARE RESTRICTING IT TO ONLY 2003 MODEL. I HAVE A 2004 & IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THE 2003 HAS. I FEEL SORRY FOR ALL THE MONEY THEY HAD TO PAY OUT WITH OTHER DEFECTS BUT I FEEL IF THERE IS A PROBLEM THEN THEY SHOULD OWN UP TO IT AND FIX IT. MY VEHICLE IS ALSO LOSING POWER ON TURNS AND I THINK IT IS FROM THIS SAME ISSUE BASED ON THE FORUMS I HAVE READ. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN MAKING TURNS IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WOULD FEEL REALLY BAD FOR TOYOTA IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT FOR SOMETHING THEY CAN OWN UP TO AND JUST REPAIR IN GOOD FAITH. VERY FRUSTRATED CONSUMER. *TR
2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA FRONT WHEEL AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARING FAILURE AT 29,606 MILES WHILE ON VACATION FROM NORTHERN TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY EVEN WITH SUCH LOW MILES. I HAD TO PAY $1,342.59 PLUS 3 NIGHTS OF HOTEL BILLS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. REFER TO COMPLAINT CONFIRMATION NUMBER (ODI) 10285663. OLD PARTS WERE NOT RETURNED TO ME AS REQUESTED UPON PAYING FOR REPAIRS AS CALIF. BAR REQUIREMENT. ALSO HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH CORNERING/ACCELERATING, WHICH ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP SAID WAS "NO"T A PROBLEM, AS DESCRIBED ON 4/28/10 RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2003. WAITING FOR TOYOTA'S MAY LETTER OF RECALL FOR ACTION. *TR
"HOWLING" NOISE FROM DRIVE TRAIN ON TRIP FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. AT DESTINATION BRAND DEALERSHIP DETERMINED FRONT BEARING IS BAD, AND WAS ADVISED NEXT DAY BY PHONE THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED OVERHAUL AND THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $1,800 +, AND NOT ADVISABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA VEHICLE ONLY HAD 29,606 MILES, 5 YEARS 8 MONTHS OLD. PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE/STOCKED AT DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THOSE ITEMS RARELY NEED REPLACING. REPAIRS MADE 4 DAYS LATER. SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED PURSUING TOYOTA FOR AT LEAST PARTS COVERAGE. I PAID HIS "DISCOUNTED" BILL FOR $1,342.59 SO I CAN RETURN HOME. 3 NIGHTS OF HOTEL BILLS. OLD PARTS WERE NOT GIVEN TO ME UPON REQUEST. TO DATE TOYOTA HAS DENIED CLAIM. *TR
2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA - ENGINE WILL BEGIN TURNING OVER LIKE IT IS ATTEMPTING TO START WITHOUT KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT TURNS OVER LIKE THIS INTERMITTENTLY EVERY 30-45 SECONDS UNTIL THE BATTERY RUNS COMPLETELY DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST NINE MONTHS. DEALER STATES IT IS ECU COMPUTER OR STARTER, BUT CAN NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THIS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS PROBLEM 3 TIMES. *TR
ON JULY 6TH AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON MY SON AND I WENT TO PULL OUR BOAT OUT OF THE WATER WITH OUR 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA.(WE BACKED THE TRAILER INTO THE WATER AND LOADED OUR BOAT ONTO THE TRAILER AS WE ALWAYS DO. WE THEN SECURED THE BOAT TO THE TRAILER AND PROCEEDED TO PULL THE TRUCK AND LOADED TRAILER UP THE HILL ABOUT 30 FEET AND PARKED ON THE BOAT LAUNCH RAMP. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE SEQUOIA IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH, IN PARK, WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER, WE HEARD A REPEATED CLICKING SOUND AND THE BOAT AND TRAILER CAME ROLLING BACK DOWN THE LAUNCH RAMP INTO THE WATER NARROWLY MISSING MY SON AND I. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED THE TRUCK AND TRAILER WAS THE FACT THAT THE BOAT TRAILER JACKKNIFED AGAINST THE LEFT REAR BUMPER OF THE TRUCK. THE REGIONAL INSPECTOR, JIM TEELY FINALLY INSPECTED THE SEQUOIA ON JULY 15TH. ACCORDING TO JIM TEELY, WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN WITH ON THE TELEPHONE, THE INSPECTION FOUND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE INSPECTION THAT WAS DONE WAS CURSORY AT BEST. UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN PHYSICALLY EXAMINED BY TOYOTA I AM NOT COMFORTABLE TOWING MY BOAT AND ESPECIALLY NOT PARKING THE SEQUOIA (TOWING OR NOT) ON AN INCLINE. WE LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PARK ON A HILL WILL BE A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE FOR US. TOYOTA HAS STILL NOT DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT.*TR
CAR HAD HAD ALL APPLICABLE SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE. OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE. NO PROBLEMS PRIOR. NOTICED NOISE IN FRONT SUSPENSION OF CAR. WHILE DRIVING IN CENTER LANE OF FREEWAY ON THE WAY TO THE MECHANIC, BALL JOINTS FAILED AND DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL BUCKLED UNDER THE CAR. MIRACULOUSLY, WE WERE ABLE TO GET CAR OFF OF FREEWAY WITH NO INJURY OR DAMAGE. UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL OF 775,000 VEHICLES INCLUDING SEQUOIA'S OF OUR YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE CALLED TOYOTA WHO REFUSED TO PAY FOR OUR REPAIRS TWICE BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF OUR VEHICLE. WE APPEALED THROUGH OUR DEALER AND WERE REFUSED AGAIN BY TOYOTA. TODAY, OUR MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT HE HAD TWO MORE SEQUOIAS WITH FRONT NOISE THAT HE REFERRED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS. BOTH CARS HAD THE UNIVERSAL JOINTS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIPS FREE. MEANWHILE, WE HAD TO PAY MORE THAN $2,000 FOR REPAIRS AND HAVE RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM TOYOTA. IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR 775,000 OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING OUR MAKE AND MODEL, SURELY OUR PROBLEM SHOULD BE INCLUDED. *JB
WHEN I COME TO A ROLLING STOP, TURN, AND PRESS THE ACCELERATOR THERE IS NOTHING. IT DOESNT STALL AND ITS STILL RUNNING BUT THERE IS NO POWER. IT HAS TAKEN THEM A WHILE TO EVEN TRY TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. TWO WEEKS IN THE SHOP AND IT STILL HAS THE PROBLEM.
WHEN I WAS GOING UP A HILL / DIRT ROAD IN 4WHEEL HIGH, AT THE MIDWAY POINT UP, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, I HAD THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. IT FELT LIKE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY. I PUT THE GEARSHIFT IN PARK AND NEUTRAL PUT GEAR IN 4 LOW AND 4 HIGH WITH AND WITHOUT CENTER DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH NO RESULTS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE UPHILL.*AK I THEN HAD TO REVERSE DOWN TO A LEVEL AREA, WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE WAS NO ROOM TO TURN AROUND, AFTER REACHING A MORE LEVEL AREA, I TURN OFF ENGINE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND WHEN I RESTARTED I WAS ABLE TO GO DOWNHILL AND LEFT EARLY FROM MY TRIP AS I DONT WANT TO BE IN THIS KIND OF DANGEROUS SITUATION AGAIN. ALSO MY AIR CONDITIONER IS PUTTING OUT STRONG PUNGENT SMELLS. I TRIED TO CLEAR THE AIR BY PUTTING LEVER IN FRESH AIR MODE AS SUGGESTED BY YOUR TECH, BUT INTERMITTENTLY THE SMELL
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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