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2003 Toyota Sequoia Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 565 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Sequoia, most often about the stability control (29% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Sequoia model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 Toyota Sequoia problems
Stability control
165 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic (asc).
I have had an issue with my 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The ABS and vsc trac lights came on. I have searched online to find out about this problem and have found it to be a habitual problem. On the morning of may 24 I had a collision with a deer. All four brakes locked up and I went into a skid and hit the deer. The things…
Vehicle skid control computer is faulty and cause random braking or throttle reduction. Known problem by Toyota. Requires new computer with updated software that "fixes" a problem that Toyota claims doesn't exist. Over $2000.
Brakes
146 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, brake fluid low warning.
2003 Toyota Sequoia (2wd) without warning the vsc/trac system engaged while turning on dry pavement causing a loss in acceleration. This was the initial incident which was followed by multiple other incidents at random intervals. Incidents occurred while making both left and right turns from a turning or stopping…
On 4 occasions dash light indicating vsc and brake problem appeared. Each time the braking of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia was compromised. Each time the truck was brought to Toyota service center for repair. Each Toyota said they could not replicate the problem but replaced skid computer anyway. 8/20/08 problem recurred…
Body and structure
98 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Took 2003 Sequoia to baierl dealership on august 26, 2011 in cranberry, pa for 130,000 mile check up. Mechanic noticed "hole' in frame behind front right wheel. Upon further inspection with another mechanic there are several areas where frame is rusted through behind front wheels. Toyota says this issue is not covered…
We had intermittent off/on of interior lights while driving, but only during left turns. There was no (important) "door ajar" alert which normally would present as a red icon warning on the dash, there was no warning light. I worked as a mech. Engineer and tested all doors for "play", how tight the door closed. The…
Speed control
91 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
My complaint is the ABS/trac control system in my Toyota Sequoia. It engaged without any reason and I lost power when I was driving in a hot day on the freeway. I had to pull over. There are many other owners who are reporting this issue on many websites. Does someone have to die for you guys to take any actions.
2003 Sequoia. Vsc/trac lights come on just driving down the road. Plus parking brake light. Have to shut car off to reset. The dealer said my computer is not part of the recall so I must pay out of pocket. Looked on-line and found dozens of sites and thousands of people with the same problem.
Electrical
66 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, horn, wiring, software.
This is a complaint to nhsta regarding vsc/ABS skid control ecu failure within a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. This issue occurred around 60,000 miles and, unfortunately, the dealer claims no responsibility for this, nor will they cover/repair the part, although numerous complaints have already been made by other Sequoia…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving between 5-10 MPH on normal road conditions, the contact heard a noise and felt excessive vibration when the brake pedal was depressed. The failure occurs whenever the vehicle is in operation. The traction control and vsc warning indicators illuminated on the…
Traction Control System
51 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles.
Vsc/trac and ABS lights came on and despite this being a common failure Toyota says I must pay $600+ to have a yaw sensor replaced. Toyota needs to step up to the plate and fix this problem.
Vsc and trac off lights came on at the same time without warning and the 2003 Toyota Sequoia jerked to a slower speed while making a loud and grinding sound. It was while the vehicle was moving forward and the car behind me was lucky to avoid running into me.
Air bags
41 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 121,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v312000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was…
Takata recall. Recall states that vehicle will be repaired at no cost to consumer, dealership will not give me ride home or loaner and states that it is a 4.5 hour job but I must leave all day. Toyota of north america has failed to provide remedy! This is the 3rd time the vehicle has been recalled for this problem.
Suspension
40 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
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…
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota Sequoia recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began november 20, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are j0a, j0b, and j0c. Lexus' numbers for this recall are jli, jlj, and jlk.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4runner, 2003-2006 tundra, 2003-2013 corolla, 2009-2010 corolla matrix, 2004-2005 rav4, 2002-2007 sequoia, 2011-2013 sienna, 2008-2012 scion xb, 2008-2009 lexus is-f, 2007-2012 yaris and lexus es350, 2010-2017 lexus gx460, 2002-2010 lexus sc430, 2006-2012 lexus is250 and is350 and 2010-2015 lexus is250c and is350c vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will notify the pontiac vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 23, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are j0a (zone a toyota), j0b (zone b toyota), j0c (zone c toyota), jli (zone
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 lexus sc and toyota sequoia, 2003-2005 toyota corolla and tundra, and 2003-2007 pontiac vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-285 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on july 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-312 in its entirety.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 sequoia vehicles manufactured august 18, 2003, to august 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 tundra vehicles manufactured march 18, 2003, to august 25, 2004. On june 16, 2015, toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 sequoia, 2005-2006 tundra, 2003-2007 corolla, 2003-2007 corolla matrix, 2003-2007 pontiac vibe and 2002-2007 lexus sc vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been ins
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-286 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on july 13, 2015. Pontiac vibe owners may contact gm at 1-800-762-2737. Gm began the recall on june 29, 2015. Note: this recacl
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 lexus sc, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, sequoia, and pontiac vibe, and 2005-2006 toyota tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in florida, along the gulf coast, puerto rico, hawaii, the u.s. Virgin islands, guam, saipan and american samoa. On june 16, 2015 toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 lexus sc, toyota sequoia, 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix, toyota corolla, pontiac vibe, and toyota tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the may 13, 2015 notification in the portions of georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessit
Traction Control System
Risk: Should this occur, the vehicle may not accelerate as quickly as the driver expects, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will reflash the ecu. If the reflash cannot be completed on a particular vehicle, the ecu will be replaced with a new one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003 sequoia passenger vehicles manufactured from april 1, 2002 through april 17, 2003. The center position of the steering angle sensor (sas) may not be stored correctly due to improper logic of the skid control ecu programming. The vehicle stability control (vsc) system could activate at low speed for a few seconds during acceleration from a stopped position.
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Electronic stability control
Summary
On april 28, 2010, toyota motor north america submitted a defect information report (NHTSA recall no. 10v-176) to NHTSA describing a problem in the vehicle stability control (vsc) system in approximately 50,000 model year (my) 2003 toyota sequoia vehicles.according to the report the centering position of the steering angle sensor (sas) in the my 2003 vehicles may not be stored correctly due to a logic problem with the skid control computer programming.the vsc system uses the information from the sas to calculate the driver's intended vehicle direction.this information is cross referenced to sensors that tell the system which direction the vehicle is actually going and the system will, if it
Electronic stability control and/or trac
Summary
Odi has received 64 consumer reports and toyota has received 96 reports that allege incidents of inappropriate activation of either the electronic stability control system [toyota nomenclature: vehicle stability control (vsc)] and/or the traction control system in model year (my) 2003 toyota sequoia vehicles.during the activation of either system the driver loses throttle control and one or more brakes may apply causing the vehicle to slow suddenly.during these activation events the brake lights are not illuminated to signal to following traffic that the vehicle is slowing.some of the complainants allege almost being struck by following or crossing traffic because of the unexpected decelerat
Questions about the 2003 Toyota Sequoia
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Sequoia?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: stability control (165 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); brakes (146 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles); body and structure (98 complaints, typically around 130,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Sequoia have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 17, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota Sequoia?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Sequoia model year since 2000, with 565 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.