Toyota Sequoia Complaints (2003)

672 consumer complaints on file.

#11761415September 1, 2026
AIR BAGS
I was on the highway going 45 to And T-bone somebody who pulled out onto the highway the driver airbag did not deploy the seatbelt is the only thing that caught me and cause severe trauma to my chest neck and back for The car is totaled and it is being held at my insurer’s State Farm lot here in Southern Arizona I assume it can be inspected There was a police report filed at the scene.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11757568August 17, 2026
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
My 2003 Sequoia was in the garage for a check on the brakes. I also asked them to check the frame for any rust issues, because I had previously been concerned about it earlier. They reported to me that the car should be off the road because the rust in the frame was so severe. They said they would not put it up on the lift anymore because it could break in half. The stabilizer was barely connected at one end. There were holes completely through the frame at several places. I know from my research that Toyota issued safety recalls for 2003 Sequoia and Tundra vehicles. This an issue that Toyota should repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576518March 11, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Once again the rear latch system has failed and I am unable to open my rear hatch door. So I am unable to remove my spare tire. And can not acsess the failed charcoal canister Toyota is screwing up my life with all their failed parts preventing repair on other parts
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576520March 11, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Can not acsess the failed charcoal canister due to rear door failing and am unable to open . So I can not drop the spare tire and acsess the canister
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576521March 11, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
Can not get BSC, TRC engine lights off traction control kicks in and locks steering and brakes . Unsafe can not smog after spending thousands replacing parts
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576522March 11, 2024
STEERING, SUSPENSION, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Front end in rolled shacking. Tires wearing extremely fast and uneven image. Unable to drive
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566695January 20, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times but can not get these lights to stay off. Since lights have been on, when driving on a muddy, wet, icy or slippery road way, my steering locks up, the brakes stop working and there is complete loss of vehicle control. All without warning. This is an extreme hazard and very dangerous. This has been on going since 2017 and is still a major problem . It started at around 200,000 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554998November 14, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
This Vehicle's frame had an extended warranty on it for excessive rust damage in the northern cities. There are holes in the frame, very close to welding points that may break at anytime while driving. And cause an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549379October 11, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
So in few words when check engine light is happening then immediately traction control and skid control and maybe other safety features are automatically goes off, which almost made me crash with all my family during rain. I definitely don’t like it and I don’t think it’s a good idea if one of the non critical sensors broken then you have to die in crash. I think Toyota should check it because it’s doesn’t sound right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547481September 30, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
UNKNOWN I'm unsure of what is causing it but it is a very common issue with the 03-04 sequoia. The brake light will come on like on mine and apparently it's a failure in one of the brake components. It's either the brake booster or the master cylinder in most cases is starting to g out. I've done research on this issue and it's a very common problem costing people thousands to get fixed. I feel like if it's that huge of a problem like I've seen with sequoia owners than it's needs to be addressed in a better manner
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547482September 30, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The lock actuators in the doors are notorious for going on more than normal it's another very common issue with the seqouia. My driver one is bad right now. And clearly the window motors are faulty cuz I had 3 bad at once I fixed one but my sunroof and back tailgate window both do not work. It is also a very common problem
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546433September 25, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
I want to bring attention to the a fatal flaw designed into Toyota truck frames. I understand Toyota denied my claim and I am out of luck with the repairs on my truck. However it is morally responsible for me to bring awareness to this deadly issue. Since most owners don't know they have a problem until the frame breaks, it is worth raising awareness to save human life. This is not a cosmetic issue, its a life or death issue for the consumer. The frame on my truck is completely rusted. In 2013, a Toyota dealership did a frame inspection on my 2003 truck per the recall notice to the previous owner. Toyota had a safety recall for a two step frame replacement for 12 years. The inspection noted an excessive amount of corrosion and rust on the frame components. In 2014, another Toyota dealership decided to spray a sealer over the rust instead of replacing the frame. The sealer trapped moisture and accelerated the oxidation process. This made the problem worse and the rust spread and destroyed the metal to a point its not repairable or safe to drive. The frame of the truck is only 20 years old and was garage kept. However it was operated in a cold climate where salt is applied to the roadways. After filing a several cases with Toyota US I was told its the consumers responsibility and the case was denied. Me and the previous owner did follow the guidelines set forth by the safety frame recall. Since Toyota worked on the frame during the time of the recall they should be held responsible for any liability to human life. Now that these vehicle are starting to age we will start see fatalities on our roadways that will be directly linked to bad frame design. Crumple zones and vehicle safety systems are not effective when the structure they are built upon are defective. I have attached pictures and dealer paperwork for review.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527097June 14, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I recently purchased my 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 4WD that had the manufacturer’s undercoating done as a result of the LSC in 2013. The coating has failed and water was able to seep in causing massive rust on the frame. It is a safety hazard to drive at this point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11506809February 12, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia 167k miles that has major frame rust. This is now becoming a safety issue and Toyota needs to be held accountable!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494765November 23, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, he felt the vehicle made a sudden stop. The contact checked under the hood and noticed that the VSC box was melting. The contact disconnected the battery to the vehicle and the smoke stopped. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11487298September 30, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Undercarriage frame found to be badly rusted, by a AAA Driver who came to my roadside assistance following a brake failure due to rusted and leaky brake lines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11476504July 29, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
"VSC OFF, VSC TRAC, and ABS" indicators on the dash. YAW sensor failure which controls wheel speed which will cause vehicle to decelerate and possibly cause an accident. Toyota should issue a nationwide recall. Toyota is aware of the issue but has failed to issue a nationwide recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11471811June 30, 2022
SUSPENSION, STEERING, STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11440777November 17, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11435335October 4, 2021
STEERING, WHEELS, SUSPENSION
Unknown
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
1

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