NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
VSC SYSTEM HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES (GRINDING NOISES WHEN ENGAGED, INOP SOMETIMES) BUT HAS NOT COMPLETELY DIED. I FIND THE ISSUE IS VERY COMMON AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I BELIEVE THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE WITH VSC AND IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT DIES. I JUST BOUGHT IT LESS THAN 1 MONTH AGO WITH 72K MILES. *JB
TRAC LIGHT/VSC LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD . WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR JERKS TO THE RIGHT AND A GRINDING NOISE SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS CLOSE TO $3,000. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU HAVE TO RECEIVE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE! *TR
VSC/TRAC/PARKING BRAKE/ABS LIGHT TURNED ON. DEALER SAID ECU CONTROLLING THESE FUNCTIONS SHUT DOWN. REPLACED ECU FOR $2,000. *TR
(1) THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FOR ABS, VSC, & TRACTION CONTROL FLICKERED, AND THEN REMAINED ON PERMANENTLY. (2) THE ABS AND VSC HAVE MALFUNCTIONED WHICH SERIOUSLY AFFECTS THE BRAKING & STABILITY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN EMERGENCY HANDLING SITUATIONS, ENDANGERING PERSON(S) IN VEHICLE. (3) TECHNICIAN AT MARIN TOYOTA IN SAN RAFAEL, CA STATED THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE OF THE 2002 SEQUOIA. (4) SEARCHING ONLINE FORUMS AND THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE ALSO SHOW THIS A COMMON PROBLEM. (5) OUR FAMILY NEEDS TO BE SAFE IN THIS CAR. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. *TR
I TOOK THE 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN FOR A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THE DEALER, PERFORMANCE TOYOTA IN LA VISTA, NE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE JOINTS WERE RECALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING WELL UP TO THAT TIME. AFTER THE SERVICE, TWO DAYS LATER THE SKID LIGHT AND THE VSC (VARIABLE SKID CONTROL) LIGHTS CAME ON AND AFTER RESTARTING THE SUV, WENT OFF. NOW THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE VSC IS DISABLED. A WEEK PRIOR TO THE SERVICE THE SYSTEM WORKED JUST FINE ON THE SAME ROUTE THAT I TAKE TO PICK UP MY SON WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE VEHICLE CONTROL. WHAT MAKES THIS PROBLEM EVEN WORSE IS THAT THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A SYSTEM FAILURE AFTER THE INITIAL INDICATORS HAVE RESET. (I.E. THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND WENT OFF PERMANENTLY) IT WAS A FORTNIGHT LATER IN THE RAIN THAT THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND WE REALIZED THAT THE VSC SYSTEM WAS MALFUNCTIONING. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS THAT OF THE OWNERS. THERE IS A NEED FOR THIS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY TOYOTA CORPORATION IN THE FORM OF A RECALL AS THE MAIN BRAKING SYSTEM IS AFFECTED ON SO MANY VEHICLES. *TR
HEADLIGHT RELAY GOES OUT CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO SHUTOFF WHILE DRIVING. FOR THE 2ND TIME IN A YEAR. PART WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW PART. REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH AND RATTLES. REAR LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. IT DOES NOT SHUT OR SEAL SO CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERS THE CABIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZE UP FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, REAR DRIVER SIDE. *TR
I HAD TROUBLE WITH THE JACK ON MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR-5 2002. I HAD ALREADY RAISED THE TIRE OFF THE GROUND WHEN THE PART IN THE JACK WHERE YOU INSERT THE STICK THAT YOU TURN TO RAISE THE VEHICLE BROKE OFF. I HAD MY WIFE AND KIDS WITH ME, ALL WE COULD DO WAS WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND DID NOT ENGAGE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
MY WIFE AND I GOT OUR 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA BRAND NEW IN 2002. JUST THIS PAST WEEK, THE VSC AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND FOUND NOT ONLY DO THOSE LIGHTS NEED REPLACING BUT ALSO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. TOTAL COST ABOUT $1900. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND FOUND ON A WEBSITE, TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ANYWHERE FROM 50K TO 80K MILES ON THEIR 2002 SEQUOIA AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO TOYOTA, THEY SAID THAT WAS A VERY RARE PROBLEM FOR A CAR WITH THAT MILEAGE. TOYOTA, THE MANUFACTURE, OR THE LOCAL DEALER WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PARTS AND THAT IT WASN'T FAULTY PARTS. WE GOT IT FIXED TODAY. THE LOCAL DEALER KNOCKED OFF 25% OF THE PRICE. WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM TOYOTA NEEDS TO PAY IN FULL. IF THIS MANY ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THEN THERE'S A PROBLEM. *JB
MY AC IS NOT WORKING ON MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH ONLY 26500 MILES ON IT. AFTER REPLACING THE AC COMPRESSOR FOR $1700 EVERYTHING IS OKAY. *JB
I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN REFERENCE TO A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. TOYOTA REFERENCED SSC 50J. THIS WAS ONE YEAR AGO, TOYOTA STILL HAS NOT MADE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS DUE TO A LONG WAITING LIST AND BACK ORDERED PARTS.*AK
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE FRAME, UNDERCARRIAGE AND HITCH ARE ALL RUSTED. THE UNDERCOATING PEELS RIGHT OFF AT THE CARWASH. I ASKED MY TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT IT WHEN IT WAS IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND HE SAID NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. EVERY YEAR IT IS GETTING WORSE AND MY HUSBAND SAID IT IS SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT. IS TOYOTA GOING TO STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS? I AM WORRY THIS YEAR ABOUT IT PASSING INSPECTION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VSC AND TRAC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPLACED A GASKET THAT WAS COVERED IN BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE, WITH THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE ON OCTOBER 1, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER FAILED AND WOULD COST $2,500 TO REPLACE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,330 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH A SQUEAK WAS HEARD IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ABOUT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, THE CONTACT WAS ON A WAITING LIST WITH AN APPROXIMATE REPAIR TIME OF 6 MONTHS. AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AT THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF 82,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A WOBBLE COME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. UPDATED 05/22/07. *JB
DRIVE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CRACKED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I CALLED MOTOR IMPORTS IN HONOLULU, HAWAII AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE DEFECTIVE PART. ABOUT ONE YEAR EARLIER, THE HANDLE FOR THE LATCH TAILGATE SNAPPED. I HAD TO GO TO A REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE BOTH THESE PARTS BECAUSE THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE FOR FREE. I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. THE TAILGATE MAY BE THE ONLY ESCAPE ROUTE FOR REAR PASSENGERS AND THERE IS NO INTERIOR LATCH TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. IF THE REAR EXTERIOR LATCH BREAKS OFF, THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE TAILGATE. WHEN MY DRIVER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED, I REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THIS VEHICLE CAN BE IN AN ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY WHERE EXITING THE VEHICLE IS IMPORTANT SUCH AS A FIRE OR IN THE WATER.
NON-INJURED ACCIDENT. VSC/ABS SKID CONTROL ECU FAILURE IN TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2002. *TR
TOYOTA SEQUOIA VSC/ABS SKID CONTROL ECU FAILURE COMPUTER FAILS TO RECOGNIZE APPROPRIATE TIME TO TURN THE ACTUAL SYSTEM ON AND OFF. *TR
I WAS DRIVING FROM ATLANTA TO CHARLOTTE ON FRIDAY, 2/16/07 ON INTERSTATE 85 WHEN MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOR WAS IT WINDY. THIS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES ON MY 250 MILE TRIP. THIS CONDITION HAS ALSO OCCURRED BEFORE IN THE PAST WITH NO WARNING OF WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES AND HAD IT ALIGNED IN JULY 2006 AND THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE IN THE STEERING AREA OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 27K MILES ON IT. 1. THE VSC LIGHT WILL SOMETIMES COMES ON AND STAY ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT WILL ONLY TURN OFF IF THE ENGINE IS TURN OFF AND BACK ON. 2. THE AC DOES NOT WORK, THE AC LED WILL FLASHES BUT NO COLD AIR. *TR
BRAKE LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN DRIVING, BUT MY MANUAL SAID THIS IS OKAY. THEN THE VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON AND STAY ON BUT IT DID NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR, ONLY HALF THE TIME. *NM
STEERING LOSS AND SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINTS FROM SOCKET CAUSING A CRASH. AT THE TIME THE TWO FAILURES OCCURRED, IT CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL & TIRE TO BUCKLE UNDER VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID BETWEEN 250 FEET TO 300 FEET BEFORE STOPPING. THIS INCIDENT PROVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF MANUFACTURED PARTS ON THIS VEHICLE. NOTICE OF SUCH "RECALL FROM TOYOTA" COULD OF PREVENTED THIS INCIDENT IF A NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. FURTHER, I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO THE RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND STEERING LOSS. IT WASN'T DISCOVERED UNTIL VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS INSPECTED BY THE MECHANIC. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT (APPROX. 4-6 MONTHS AGO) IN WHICH WAS STILL NOT BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *JB
I OWN A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 4X2. THE VSC/TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED ON DEC. 20, 2006. MY TOYOTA SPECIALIST COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS BUT SAID THAT THE SEQUOIA'S SEEM TO HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS RELATING TO BRAKES AND COMPUTERS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON JAN. 8, 2007 AND THEY SAID IT HAS BEEN A COMMON/ONGOING PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PROBLEM THOUGH. THEY COULD FIX THE ECC (ELECTRICAL COMPUTER COMPONENT) AT THE COST OF $1,600. I SAID NO THANKS. *JB
2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH DVD REPAIR PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MESSED UP HIS SUN ROOF AND BROKE HIS DVD PLAYER TRYING TO REFASTEN IT**NAR**CC THE DEALER DAMAGED THE SUN ROOF BY PUTTING A BOLT IN THE ROOF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER PERFORMED A BOTCH JOB ON THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND WILL NOT ADMIT TO DAMAGING THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA IN REGARDS TO THE REPAIRS AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO AND THE CONSUMER IS ALSO QUESTIONING THE CHARGES FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
"VSC/TRAC" WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON, AND CAR TRIES TO GO BACK/FORWARD AT THE SAME TIME. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH 66,000 MILES ON IT, AND PROBLEM IS CHRONIC. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS IN TOYOTA SEQUOIAS. DATE OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT IS RECORDED BELOW. *NM
LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON DUNLOP GRAND TREK AT 21265/70/R16 ON TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2002, WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY YET IF THE VEHICLE IS TOTAL LOSS OR IF CAN BE REPAIRED BECAUSE AS CONSEQUENCE OF TREAD SEPARATION THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL AND IS BADLY DAMAGE. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE INJURED, BUT NOT TOO BAD BUT. IN ADDITION THE AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT AFTER THE IMPACT. I AM LOOKING FOR SOME LEGAL ADVISE TO SEE IF DUNLOP COMPANY WILL HONOR MY LOSS AND TOYOTA COMPANY. I BOUGHT THIS SUV AS "CERTIFIED USE VEHICLE" AND THE EXPIRATION DATE WILL BE ON 2008. *JB
BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN OFF FROM NORMAL USE. AS A RESULT WE HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AS THESE ARE POWER WINDOWS THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FAILURE. *NM
THE WARNING LIGHTS ABS, VSC, EMERGENCY BRAKES, TRACK, SLIP INDICATOR COMES ON ALL THE TIME AFTER ENGINE START RUNNING. IN CERTAIN INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION FOR FEW SECONDS. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 70K MILES. TOYOTA DEALER HAS CHECK THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ECU COMPUTER AND THE ESTIMATED COST IS ABOUT $3,000.OO DOLLARS WITH ONLY 3 MONTH WARRANTY. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRAKE BUT NON OF THE FEATURES ABOVE WILL BE FUNCTIONING. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEQUOIA MODELS BUT THERE IS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM AT THE TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED. SINCE THE REPAIR FOR OUR SUV IS NOT AFFORDABLE FOR US AND THERE IS SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY IN ITS SAFETY, WE USE IT IN A LIMITED BASIS.
MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. I WAS EXPERIENCING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING AND LOST CONTROL AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC'S REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINT, THE LEFT AXLE SEAL AND THE LEFT OUTER TIRE ROD. UNFORTUNATELY THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
INSIDE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE. CAN NOT EXIT VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. *NM
1)TOOK MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM 50,000 MILE SERVICE. THEY PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. WHEN PICKING UP THE CAR I NOTICED VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) AND ABS LIGHTS WERE OFF. *JB 2) I ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THAT THE ECU (COMPUTER) THAT CONTROLS THESE SAFETY SYSTEMS HAD FAILED ITSELF AND DISABLED THE ABOVE MENTIONED SAFETY FEATURES. 3) THE DEALER WANTS $2300 FROM ME TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *JB
BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L ALENZA SUV TIRE FAILURE WITH ABOUT 3000 MILES ON THE TIRE. COMPLETE 360 DEGREE TREAD SEPARATION FROM SIDEWALL ON OUTSIDE OF TIRE--INSIDE WALL MOSTLY INTACT. TOYOTA SEQUOIA GOING 65 MPH ON I-90 OUT OF SEATTLE NOTICED VIBRATION. VIEW IN MIRROR SAW SMOKE. LEFT REAR TIRE DAMAGED. GOODSAM ROADSIDE HELP WAS CALLED. TOW TRUCK CAME AND PUT ON OUR SPARE FOR US. *NM
DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS 'VSC TRAC" ,"VSC OFF","SLIP OR SKID","ABS",LIGHTS IS GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS LIKE MAKING TURNS AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM STOP, EVEN THOUGH THE PAVEMENT IS DRY THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME EVER SINCE, BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY APPLY CAUSING THE CAR TO CUT OFF OR PREVENT THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING THUS RESULTS IN NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR, THERE WERE INSTANCES THAT MAKING TURNS IS VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE BEHIND YOU CAN HIT YOU DUE TO THE FACT THAT FAILURE TO ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED BECAUSE THE ABS/VSC SYSTEMS OVERRIDE YOU FROM ACCELERATING BY PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT IN ONLINE FORUMS LIKE EDMUNDS.COM TUDRASOLUTIONS.COM, AND THERE WAS A DISCUSSION IN THERE THAT SOMEONE'S CAR WITH THE VSC FAILURE CAUGHT ON FIRE, PLS INVESTIGATE. *NM
2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA *GR THE CONSUMER STATED A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES AND THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED.*JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT OPEN AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE REAR LIFT GATE LOCK ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
DURING 2006, THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW FRAME RUSTED CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO FALL OPEN. THE DEALER STATED IT WOULD COST ~$1,600 TO REPLACE THE EQUIPMENT AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. I DECIDED NOT TO REPLACE DUE TO THE INFREQUENT USAGE OF THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW. AROUND MARCH 15, 2015, THE REAR WINDOW FELL OPEN DUE TO COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE WINDOW FRAME AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, IN FEBRUARY 2015, NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS "SOFT" WHILE JACKING THE VEHICLE FOR BRAKE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME FRAME AS THE TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH WAS RECALLED BY TOYOTA MANY YEARS AGO DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ISSUES. MY VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
IN 8/06 I NOTICED A ROARING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY END. L. BEARING REPLACED X2. PROBLEM REMAINED. THEN REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING. STILL TO NO AVAIL. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA IN TAMPA WHO STATED THE REPLACED BEARING HAD BEEN PRESSED IN TOO TIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO THEN TOOK THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OVER TOYOTA IN CLEARWATER TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. STILL NO RESOLUTION. TIRE PROBLEM? SO, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TIRE KINGDOM WHO PUT ON NEW MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN SUV TIRES. PROBLEM REMAINED. SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY THEN PUT ON A NEW SET OF MICHELIN LTX TIRES. PROBLEM REMAINED. SO, I THEN TOOK IT TO COLLISIONTEC IN CLEARWATER, THINKING THAT PERHAPS TIRE KINGDOM MIGHT HAVE BENT SOMETHING WHEN THEY ORIGINALLY ROTATED THE TIRES. (THE CERTIFIED TOYOTA MECHANIC HAD PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED EVERYTHING UNDER MY CAR WHEN HE FIRST HAD IT BUT HAD BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT ANY DAMAGE). COLLISIONTEC DROVE THE CAR AND DID AN INITIAL INSPECTION, BUT COULD NOT DETECT ANYTHING. THEY HAVE ASKED TO HAVE ME BRING THE CAR BACK SO THAT THEY CAN KEEP IT FOR A WEEK AND DO A COMPLETE INSPECTION. IN THE MEANTIME, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VSC/VTC LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE TOYOTA MECHANIC. THE O2 SENSOR NEEDS TO BE FIXED/REPLACED. TO FIX THE VSC/VTC TOYOTA DOESN'T SELL THE ONE PART NEEDED, ONLY THE COMPLETE SET FOR $900! THIS IS ALL ON TOP OF THE ORIGINAL ROAR/GRINDING/VIBRATION PROBLEM WHICH STILL EXISTS!! REAPAIRS NOW UP TO 2K & NO RESOLUTION. ALSO, MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR THE BALL JOINT PROBLEM. THERE IS NO STICKER INDICATING BALL JOINTS REPLACED. IF THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT REPLACED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN, COULD THIS BE THE SOURCE OF THE ROAR/GRINDING/VIBRATION? THIS ROAR/GRINDING/VIBRATION IS COMING FROM THE FRONT AND OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. *NM
DOOR HANDLE BREAKING: 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA (1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE NOTHING ABNORMAL. HOUSEWIFE EXITING VEHICLE AFTER DROPPING KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL. (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES THE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED IN HALF, RENDERING NO EXIT FROM VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE, OTHER THAN ROLLING DOWN ELECTRIC WINDOW, AND REACHING OUTSIDE, OPENING WITH EXTERIOR HANDLE. ALTHOUGH THE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES IN THIS CASE WERE MINIMAL, IF THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE WERE FLAWED ON A LARGE SCALE, IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE DOOR HANDLE WILL BREAK REPEATEDLY, (ALSO CONFIRMED WITH TECHNICIAN, "WE REPLACE THESE ALL THE TIME".) THE DEADLY COMBINATION OF AN ACCIDENT, AND SUBSEQUENT HIGH-STRESS CONDITIONS, POTENTIALLY CREATING A LIFE-THREATENING CIRCUMSTANCE OF AN EMERGENCY EXIT, RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER AMOUNT OF FORCE TO BE USED THAN NORMAL, I.E. YANKING THE HANDLE TO GET OUT. BOTTOM LINE, IF A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER CASUALLY EXITING A VEHICLE WILL SNAP IT IN HALF, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON IS INHALING SMOKE SURROUNDED BY FLAMES, TRYING TO GET THEIR KIDS OUT? THEY WILL EXERT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FORCE ON THE HANDLE TO GET OUT, SNAPPING IT IN HALF, THE WINDOW METHOD WILL NOT WORK, OR NOT COME TO MIND. ISSUE A RECALL, OR AT A MINIMUM, OBTAIN FROM TOYOTA THE NUMBER OF DOOR HANDLES REPLACED IN AFTER-MARKET PARTS. UNFORTUNATELY, TOYOTA POSTURES ITSELF THAT THIS IS A WARRANTY ITEM. IT IS NOT. HUMAN LIFE IS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. THIS IS A MATTER FOR THE NHTSA TO DECIDE. *NM
I HAVE 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SUV AND IN 78,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO RESURFACE OR REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS SIX DIFFERENT TIMES, WHICH AVERAGES ABOUT 12,000 FOR EACH ROTOR FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS SEVERE WARPING OF THE ROTOR WHICH CAUSE VIOLENT SHAKING AND STEERING PROBLEMS OVER 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO PAY FOR IT EACH TIME ( OUT OF WARRANTY)BUT I FEEL IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A SAFETY HAZARD AND AM SURPRISED THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL. *JB
TRAC OFF AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN ON, SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND SOMETIMES WHEN VEHICLE IS IN IDLE. WHILE IN MOTION, IF TRAC OFF AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS TURN ON, BEEPING OCCURS, GRINDING OR "WHIRRING" NOISES ARE AUDIBLE AND BRAKES CANNOT BE DEPRESSED. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, I'VE CHANGED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL AND FOUND SMALL METAL BITS IN THE OIL. *JB
I OWN A '02 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 71,000 MILES THAT IS NOW OFF FACTORY WARRANTY. MY VSC/ABS/SKID LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAY ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER THEY ADVISED THAT THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER (ECC) REQUIRED REPLACING. THE VSC ALONE IS $2200.00. THE ABS AND VSC SYSTEMS DO NOT FUNCTION NOW AND I LIVE IN DENVER, COLORADO, WHERE THERE ARE FREQUENT SNOWS. MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN USE THIS VEHICLE EVERYDAY AND I FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY AS SHE HAS SLID THROUGH TWO STOP SIGNS ALREADY. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF SEQUOIA. *JB
MY VSC/ABS/SKID LIGHT UP ON MY DASH, STAY LIT, GO OFF COME BACK ON. SOMETIMES FOR A FEW HOURS SOMETIMES FOR A FEW DAYS. I HAVE TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS ABOUT TWICE A YEAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FRONT ROTORS TWICE. TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN AT RANDOM TIMES. REAR WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. REAR HATCH HANDLE BROKE INTERNALLY. TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY, EVEN AFTER SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS. LH POWER MIRROR MOTOR STOPPED WORKING, MOTOR MAKES CLICKING SOUND AND WILL NOT ADJUST. FACTORY DVD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING. THE FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES NOT. *TR
2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LOWER BALL JOINT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO A TREE. *KB ***TRANSFERRED TO TIS*** (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER). *JB
ABS VSC TRAC CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHTS COME REGULARLY. BEFORE LIGHTS COME ON, SYSTEMS PREVENT ACCELERATION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS RESULTING IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE CAR. THIS CONTINUALLY HAPPENS. *JB
REAR DOOR OPENER LATCH HAS BROKEN TWICE IN SIX YEARS FOR NO GOOD REASON. I HAVE NO WAY TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR ONCE THIS OPENER LATCH IS BROKEN. THE LAST BROKEN LATCH IS AVAILABLE. *TR
IN NOVEMBER 2001, I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR-5. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2002, I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AC SYSTEM AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. IT WORKED FINE UNTIL THE SUMMER OF 2003 WHEN I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SUMMER OF 2004 IT HAPPENED AGAIN BUT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I DID NOT TAKE IT IN HOPING A RECALL WOULD SOON BE ISSUED. SUMMER 2005 - I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER SEQUOIA OWNERS AND HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM SPECIFIC TO MY VEHICLE ALONE. ALL THE ISSUES ARE THE SAME: 1) AC DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. 2) WHEN IT DOES WORK (BELOW 80 DEGREES), IT DOES NOT WORK WELL AND INTERMITTENTLY. 3) SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR WITH COSTS RANGING FROM $2300-$2900. 4) I CANNOT DEFROST MY WINDOWS WHEN IT IS RAINING - THIS IS A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT. MANY OF THE PEOPLE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS AND TOYOTA CLAIMS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE SO A RECALL IS NOT WARRANTED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!! BECAUSE MY AC SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, I CANNOT TAKE MY FAMILY ANYWHERE ON THE ROAD FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. I AM AFRAID ANY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WILL SUFFER FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION OR WORSE. I URGE NHTSA TO FOLLOW UP WITH TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *NM
I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 4X4 AND MY ABS, BRAKE, VCS, TRAC LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD REMAIN ON. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON WWW.EDMUNDS.COM AND ON WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM AND APPEARS TO A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF 2000-2003 SEQUOIA MODELS. MY 2002 HAS HAD SEVERAL RECALLS THAT DEALT WITH BRAKES AND SUSPENSION. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THE BRAKE RECALL WAS CONDUCTED THEY DID NOT UPGRADE OTHER PARTS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM INCLUDING COMPUTER SENSORS/MODULES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TO THESE MODEL YEARS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. WHAT I READ ON THE ABOVE WEBSITES IS THAT TOYOTA HAS CHARGED OWNERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT WHEN IT SHOULD BE A FREE REPAIR. *NM
I AM A POLICE OFFICER AND PURCHASED A NEW 2002 SEQUOIA WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS. SHORTLY AFTER MY PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT SOMETHING FELT LOOSE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER I SHIFTED THE GEAR HANDLE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. THE DEALER ALSO FAILED TO DOCUMENT MY CONCERNS INTO MY VEHICLE'S SERVICE RECORD HISTORY. SINCE THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER RECEIVED ANY MECHANICAL DAMAGE OR HAD ANY TYPE OF WORK OTHER THAN ROUTINE MAINTENANCE DONE TO IT. NOW, HERE I AM WITH A TOYOTA VEHICLE WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES AND A PIECE OF METAL HAS SNAPPED INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND THE SLIGHTEST BUMP TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO AND FROM DIFFERENT GEARS WHILE OPERATING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED, BUT THAT THEY WOULD DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP ME OUT WITH THE PROBLEM. I INFORMED THE DEALER TO SAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART, BECAUSE IT NEEDED TO BE EXAMINED FOR MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. AT NO TIME DID THE DEALER EVER MENTIONED, MUCH LESS OFFER TO HAVE TOYOTAS ENGINEERS EXAMINE THE DEFECTIVE PART. I SHOULD BE RECEIVING THE DEFECTIVE PART WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THIS PROBLEM WAS STRICTLY DUE TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECTIVE PART, YET TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA'S LACK OF QUALITY AND ESPECIALLY IN IT'S LACK OF SERVICE COMMITMENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT AND WILL DEFINITELY SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT TOYOTA'S REFUSAL TO WARRANTY AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART. *JB UPDATED *JB0 6/01/06
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RECALLED WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED IN WHAT THE CONTACT CONSIDERS A TIMELY MATTER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL; HOWEVER COULD NOT WORK THE VEHICLE INTO THE SCHEDULE FOR 2 WEEKS. THE RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED WAS NHTSA # 05V225000, CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS JACKING UP THE VEHICLE AND THE HOUSING AROUND THE JACK FRACTURED AND BROKE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE JACK.
2002 SEQUOIA REAR LATCH DOES NOT WORK. THIS CAUSED REAR DOORS NOT TO LOCK. *TS *NM
(1)THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FOR ABS, VSC, & TRACTION CONTROL FLICKERED, AND THEN REMAINED ON PERMANENTLY. (2)THE ABS AND VSC HAVE MALFUNCTIONED WHICH SERIOUSLY AFFECTS THE BRAKING & STABILITY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN EMERGENCY HANDLING SITUATIONS, ENDANGERING PERSON(S) IN VEHICLE. (3)RIGHT TOYOTA IN AZ COULD NOT DETERMINE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH TECHNICIAN STATED THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE OF THE 2002 SEQUOIA. *TR