2001 Toyota Sequoia Suspension Problems

Your lower ball joint completely failed and separated, causing your wheel to fall off while driving. This damaged your front fender and jammed your front door shut. While you didn't crash, this was an extremely dangerous situation that could have caused a serious accident.

Your front driver's side wheel bearing fractured while you were driving at 15 mph, causing the tire to separate from the vehicle. Even after the dealer repaired it, the same bearing failed again. The problem occurred at 200,000 miles.

Your Sequoia's frame has rusted through severely, causing the rear stabilizer arm to detach and creating a clunking noise. You may also experience repeated failures of the front stabilizer links due to excessive frame flexing from the rust damage. The fix will likely require frame repair or welding, and potentially replacement of the stabilizer components.

Your Sequoia has a recalled suspension issue that affects how your tires wear and your vehicle handles on the road. Even after replacing struts, ball joints, and other suspension components, the problem persists—it may involve the steering rack and pinion as well. Driving with this unresolved suspension problem creates a safety risk for you and your family.

TOYOTA RUST ISSUE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA R5. MY VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO AND FROM PRACTICES AND GAMES TWICE A WEEK. THIS PAST SUMMER, I STARTED DRIVING IT DAILY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE I KEPT HEARING A KNOCKING AND MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC, WE DISCOVERED IT WAS AN O2 SENSOR CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT ALSO NOTICED EXTREME RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND RECOMMENDED THE ENTIRE FRAME BE REPLACED AS THAT KNOCKING WOULD CAUSE THE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BACK HALF AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ISSUE. AFTER TALKING TO TOYOTA BODY SHOP, SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND A MECHANIC, I LEARNED OF A CAMPAIGN THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED. TOYOTA ISSUED THE CAMPAIGN DUE TO SEVERE RUST OF ITS TOYOTA TUNDRA BUT FAILED TO OFFER THE SAME COVERAGE FOR TOYOTA SEQUOIA ISSUED FOR 2001. THE CAMPAIGN THAT WAS ISSUED WAS FOR 2005-2008 SEQUOIA, HOWEVER MY TOYOTA WAS MADE IN 2001. CURRENTLY, MY VEHICLE WHICH TRANSPORTS MY FAMILY, INCLUDING YOUNG CHILDREN HAS TO SIT UNTIL I CAN FIND $15,000-$17,500 TO HAVE IT FIXED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. AT THIS POINT, I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS, ESPECIALLY FOR A VEHICLE I PURCHASED USED LAST YEAR. MY MECHANIC AND TOYOTA HAS DEEMED THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE. I'M REQUESTING TO HAVE TOYOTA REPLACE AND FIX THE ENTIRE FRAME OR BUY THE VEHICLE BACK FROM ME SO THAT I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT'S SAFE, RELIABLE AND SPECIOUS FOR MY FAMILY. I WOULD HOPE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE EXPEDITED SO I CAN CONTINUE TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY SAFELY.

THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED AND THE CAMPAIGN IS PAST THE DEADLINE IT HAS NOT BROKE YET BUT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ALSO.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWAY BAR BECAME INOPERABLE DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.

ONE OWNER VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED JANUARY 2015. WAS SERVICED AT LOCAL TOYOTA AND NEVER SAID ANY ISSUES WITH FRAME BEFORE THE DEADLINE TO HAVE FRAME REPLACED. AFTER I PURCHASED MY MACHANIC NOTICED THE RUSTY FRAME AND TOYOTA SAID AFTER THE DEADLINE TO GET FIXED BUT NO ONE AT TOYOTA SAID IT WAS THAT BAD. IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT NOW WON'T PASS INSPECTION B/C THE FRAME IS FALLING APART. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PIECES OF THE FRAME CRUMBLING APART. THE REAREND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE KNOWN WITH A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES!!

FAILED INSPECTION MISSOURI RUSTED FAME REAR AXLE FALLING OUT . VERY DANGEROUS

SECOND TIME THIS LEFT TIRE HAS CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING IT'S HAPPENED ONCE ON DRIVERS SIDE CVS JOINT BALL JOINTS AND SPINDLE IS MESSED UP NOTHING WAS HIT WASN'T DRIVING CRAZY TIRE JUST CAME OFF IT'S KERPS BEING ON GOING ISSUE

DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE. REPLACED BALL JOINT SEPTEMBER 25 2017 WITH O'REILLY AUTO PARTS "MASTER PRO" PART NUMBER K90262. PART FAILED AFTER EXITING HIGHWAY AT THE TOP OF OFF RAMP. SPEED AT FAILURE APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. SPEED 10 SECONDS EARLIER APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH.

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THE WHEELS FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AT SPEED, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED -TWICE! THE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF TWICE. I HAVE KEPT THIS VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT REPAIR. I HAVE OWNED 4 TOYOTAS AND CURRENTLY OWN THREE. BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT FALL APART UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BACK TO 2004. HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED TO STAND BY ME ON THIS, EVEN AFTER I PAID OVER $2200 FOR THE LAST REPAIR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ALL SEQUOIAS PRIOR TO 2004. I CAN PROBABLY GET A PHOTO OF THE WHEEL OFF OF THE CAR WHERE IT SKIDDED TO A STOP.

MY 2001 SEQUOIA (151,000 MI) WHICH HAS BEEN GARAGED AND MAINTAINED METICULOUSLY IS SUDDENLY SHOWING THE VSC LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS AT THE SAME TIME! THERE IS A VERY ROUGH FEELING WHEN I'M DRIVING THE CAR LIKE SOMETHING IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS VERY WRONG. THERE IS A "CLUNKING" NOISE AS SLOW AS 5 MPH AT ALL TIMES AND ALL SPEEDS. AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY PULL TO THE LEFT MOMENTARILY AND THEN RELEASE ITSELF BUT THE LIGHTS NEVER GO OUT UNLESS CAR IS OFF. I HAVE READ THE 138 COMPLAINTS AT THE DOT.GOV SITE ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND THUS FAR, TOYOTA CORP IS IGNORING THE COMPLAINTS.WHERE IS THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW ALOT OF OWNERS WHO HAVEN'T EVEN INVESTIGATED WHY IT'S HAPPENING IN THIER TRUCK TOO. HOW CAN THEY DO BUSINESS LIKE THIS ??? THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA !!! I WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO HAVE TOYOTA REPAIR THEIR PROBLEM ON THEIR PRODUCT. JUST FIX YOUR PROBLEM TOYOTA AND I WILL CALL OFF THE DOGS... SIMPLE STUFF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWERVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE...UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF

THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AND ARE STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS COME ON AS SOON AS STARTUP. SOMETIMES WHEN IDLING. SUSPENSION IS VERY STIFF, AND STEERING SEEMS AFFECTED AS WELL AS ENGINE SEEMS TO LUG WHEN DRIVING AND THE LIGHTS COME ON.

2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WAS RECALLED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRAME. ALL PARTS SUCH AS THE BACK PLATES FOR THE BRAKES, TIE ROD ENDS, STABILIZER BARS, AND MANY MORE ATTACHED HAD RUST WHEN IT WENT INTO THE SHOP. HOWEVER, TOYOTA DID NOT CARE THAT THE RUST HAD SPREAD. I COULD HAVE WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA. IT HAS BEEN COSTLY AND THE CAR IS NOT THE SAME SINCE THE TRANSFER OF THE FRAME. RUST SPREADS AS CANCER AND IS AS DEADLY WHEN IT IS UNDER YOUR CAR. I WILL HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR

OUR VEHICLE HAS A SQUEAK AND CRACKING SOUND WHICH IS VERY SCARY WHEN RIDING IN THIS TRUCK.MY HUSBAND WAS INFORMED BY A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR UNDER CARRIAGE RUST/CORROSION WHICH COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE FRAME DAMAGE. ON 9/22 WE CALLED OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, GAVE THE VIN AND WAS TOLD THEIR IS NO RECALL, & ADVISED TO NOTIFY TOYOTA IF WE WANTED TO PURSUE THIS ISSUE. SO WE IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA & REC'D A CASE #, AND WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE UNDER CARRIAGE WHICH WAS RUSTING AND THE CORROSION WAS CAUSING FRAME DAMAGE DUE TO THE SALT AND OTHER ELEMENTS ON ROADS FOR ICE & SNOW ON 9/23 WE REC'D A CALL INFORMING US THAT THE "SAFETY CAMPAIGN" ENDED ON 7/29, NOTIFICATIONS WENT OUT TO FIRST TIME OWNERS AND OR DMV CURRENT OWNERS. MY HUSBAND & I HAVE BEEN REGISTERED OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE 9/26/07. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT OUR STATE OF MD IS A STATE IN WHICH THIS VEHICLE IS EFFECTED BY THIS RECALL/CAMPAIGN. FOR THE SAFETY AND LIVES OF MY FAMILY I AM WRITING TO HAVE THE "SAFETY CAMPAIGN" OPENED SO THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL FEEL AND SOUND SAFE TO DRIVE AND THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY WILL NOT BE JEOPARDIZED EVERY TIME WE RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE WHICH MOST OF THE TIME IS DAILY.WHY WOULD WE NOT ADHERE TO A RECALL IF WE WERE NOTIFIED? I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THERE IS A CUT-OFF DATE. I MEAN WHAT HAPPENS AFTER 7/29 THE CORROSION DOESN'T MATTER OR THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES DON'T MATTER? SEEKING HELP IN MARYLAND. *TR

IT FEELS LIKE ITS SLIPPING AND THE WARNING SIREN GOES OFF, TRAC & VCS LIGHTS START FLASHING AND VEHICLE STARTS GRINDING SOUNDS LIKE METAL ON METAL AND LOOSE CONTROL OF CAR, CAN'T BRAKE, CAN'T STEER JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR IT TO PASS AS YOU ARE ROLLING AWAY. VERY VERY SCARY - WHAT IF I WAS ON A HIGHWAY??? NOT A HAPPY TOYOTA OWNER RIGHT NOW!!!!THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS, I SEE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT SOUND JUST LIKE MINE ON THE INTERNET AND CAN'T BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT - ARE THEY WAITING FOR SOME FATALITIES TO HAPPEN. THIS IS MY 1ST TOYOTA AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND UP UNTIL NOW THIS HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE TO DRIVE (14YEARS). NOW I'M AFRAID FOR MY LIFE... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,600.

LAST YEAR MY CAR WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 50 MPH JUST COLLAPSED. MY BALL JOINTS FELL COMPLETELY OFF. MY THE GRACE OF GOD I WASN'T KILLED BECAUSE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE SINCE HAD IT REPAIRED BUT NOT BY A TOYOTA DEALER. AT THE TIME AS NOW, ALL MY LIGHTS WERE LIT VSC TRAC, ABS ETC. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THROUGHOUT HAVING THIS TOYOTA AND IT HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY. NOW AS WE SPEAK MY CAR IS AT A DEALER AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THEY WILL TELL ME IT'S THE FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP. I WILL ALSO HAVE THEM CHECK FOR RUST SINCE I'M HEARING OF ALL THESE CASES OF RUST. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN TIP TOP SHAPE DUE TO MY HUSBANDS KNOWLEDGE OF CARS. HOWEVER, SOME OF THESE REPORTS APPEAR TO BE INCIDENTS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. I'M LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I GUESS IF I HAD BEEN KILLED TOYOTA WOULD STILL BE DENYING THEIR PRODUCT IS FAULTY. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO STEP UP AND PAY FOR SOME OF THESE ISSUES I'VE HAD AND IF MY CAR NEEDS THIS EXPENSIVE COMPUTER CHIP..ABS IS ENGAGING MY BRAKES THEY PAY FOR IT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE MADE A REPORT AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM TOYOTA... *TR

FRAME ROT AND HOLE/PERFORATION THROUGH FRAME FOUND WHILE INSPECTING THE 2001 SEQUOIA FOR THE "LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN C0D (SPECIFIC 20 COLD CLIMATE STATES ONLY) - CORROSION-RESISTANT COMPOUND APPLICATION TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME". DEALER INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME FOR FREE BUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $6,000 TO REPLACE SUSPENSION, BRAKE LINES AND EXHAUST COMPONENTS REMOVED IN THE PROCESS. DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REUSE THE COMPONENTS REMOVED AS PART OF THE FRAME REPLACEMENT. THESE COMPONENTS ARE FUNCTIONING TODAY AND DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE ONLY REASON THE DEALER GAVE FOR THE ADDITIONAL COST IS THAT THEY WOULD NOT RE-INSTALL THE EXISTING PARTS. SOUNDS LIKE A BAIT AND SWITCH SCAM. TOYOTA OFFERS TO INSPECT THE CAR AND PERFORM A NO-COST RECALL TO FIX A SERIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT FOR $6,000. THERE IS NO WAY TO PERFORM THE RECALL WITHOUT INCURRING THE ADDITIONAL COSTS. *TR

VEHICLE FRAME FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. FRAME RECALLED AFTER WE RECEIVED A LETTER TO HAVE FRAME INSPECTED. LOCAL DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND IT QUALIFIES FOR RECALL AND CAN BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE MANIFOLD AND CATALYST, AND TIMING BELT, ETC. LIKELY WILL BE DAMAGED IN FRAME REPLACEMENT SINCE THEY ARE RUSTED TO FRAME. THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THOSE ITEMS MORE THAN VEHICLE IS WORTH--CAR IS TOTALED DUE TO FAILING PARTS AND RUST. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AND WE WERE POLITELY TOLD THAT ONLY THE FRAME IS COVERED IN RECALL. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT GIVE US ANY COMPENSATION TOWARD ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS NOW TOTALED IN IT'S VALUE (IF EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ADDITION TO FRAME). WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH REPLACEMENT AND WILL SEE WHETHER THE EXISTING EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN BE SALVAGED. IF IT IS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, WE HAVE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE BUT TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. *TR

2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 91,000 MILES EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST, REAR END HOUSING REPLACED AT 74,000 MILES AS GOODWILL BY TOYOTA EXCESSIVE RUST NOTED AT THIS TIME SEEMS LIKE POOR QUALITY STEEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED, BUT MOSTLY AT THE REAR AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WAS ONLY GUARANTEED FOR THREE YEARS, AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000. UPDATED 01/10/12*LJ

UPON INSPECTION, MY MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME OF EXCESSIVE RUSTHROUGH ON THE REAR FRAME OF MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUIOA. THIS RUSTTHROUGH HAS PERFORATED THE REAR FRAME AND THE TRUCK CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. THE REAREND MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BODY DUE TO THIS EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THIS EXCESSIVE CORROSION IS THE SAME AS SEEN ON TOYOTA TUNDRA AND TACOMA WHERE THESE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND REPLACED AND OR REPAIRED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MANY OTHER SEQUOIA OWNERS HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS HERE AT NHTSA AND HAVE POSTED ON THE INTERNET. TOYOTA IS NOT HELPFUL AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE FRAMES FOR SEQUOIA OWNERS. MY SEQUOIA'S BODY IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND RUNS GREAT. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE IT AND ITS WORTHLESS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY. I COULD HAVE LOST MY REAR AXLE AND HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY, IF I WAS TOWING MY BOAT. *KB

2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS ONLY 88,000 MILES AFTER TEN YEARS. RECENTLY FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO ROTTED, RUSTED FRAME AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASING. MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE FRAME FAILURE BY PRESSING FINGER THROUGH RUSTED METAL. VEHICLE NOW REQUIRES FRAME STRENGTH ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE IF IT IS SALVAGEABLE. VEHICLE HAS SAME FRAME AS RECALLED TOYOTA TUNDRA. *TR

MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY AND AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. THE BODY IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT THE FRAME AND ATTACHED COMPONENTS ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE SUSPENSION SYSTEM COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. UPDATED EVOQ 10/25/11. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED DOWN ONTO THE TIRES AS THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 273,505. UPDATED 01/03/12*LJ UPDATED 01/04/12

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. ON 5/21/10, THE RIGHT FRONT BALL BEARINGS FAILED. THE BRAKE LINE SNAPPED AND THE WHEEL FELL UNDER THE CAR. LUCKILY MY WIFE HAD JUST TURNED ONTO A ROAD AND WAS GOING AT A SLOW SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE - ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT. THIS SEEMS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH PROBLEMS THAT LED TO A RECALL OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE FOR 2004-2007. TOYOTA SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. IT SEEMED IMPORTANT TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS AS I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. IT IS ESPECIALLY DISCONCERTING THAT THIS SAME ISSUE WAS FOUND IN LATER MODELS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND IT FELT AS IF A TIRE HAD BLOWN. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND HE WAS BARELY ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE MOUNTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE BALL JOINTS FAILED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

WE HAD A 100,000 MILE SERVICE WITH A TOYOTA DEALER. SHORTLY AFTER THE VSC/ABS LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE. THEY INSIST IT IS THE SKID CONTROL AND ECU COMPUTERS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. WHEN WILL NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS AND FORCE A RECALL? *TR

PURCHASED A 2001 SEQUOIA. AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED, & CONTINUING TO TODAY, VSC/TRAC OFF LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING, BUT GOES OFF BY ITSELF. RESEARCHED THE ISSUE & FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON & COSTLY TO FIX. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF THIS IS A DEFECT & SAFETY RECALL ISSUE. THANKS. *TR

ON FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2007 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45PM, MY WIFE (BELINDA) WAS TRAVELING ON THE NORTHBOUND 57 FREEWAY TRANSITIONING TO THE WESTBOUND 210 FREEWAY. AT THIS POINT, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HYSTERICAL, SHE STILL MANAGED TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE OVER TO WHAT IS A QUASI SHOULDER ON THIS TRANSITION ONLY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, EXAMINE THE AFFECTED AREA (PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL), TO FIND THAT THE WHEEL ITSELF HAD COME APART FROM THE VEHICLE LOOKING LIKE A \"PANCAKE.\" IT WOULD ONLY BE A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE PASSERSBY STOPPED STATING TO HER (AFTER THEY HAD EXAMINED THE DAMAGE) THAT HER BALL-JOINT HAD BROKEN ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER PARTS OF THE SUSPENSION. SHE WAS LUCKY SHE WASN'T KILLED (OR, MY ENTIRE FAMILY FOR THAT MATTER ON A TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO WE HAD TAKEN ONLY THREE WEEKS BEFORE THIS DATE). MY WIFE TELEPHONED ME ON MY CELL PHONE, AT WHICH POINT I CALLED THE AUTO CLUB FOR A TOW. SHORTLY AFTER, A CHP OFFICER HAD APPEARED ON THE SCENE AS WELL AS A TOW-TRUCK DRIVER. TRAFFIC WAS BACKED UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES. HOWEVER, BOTH THE CHP PERSON AND THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER STATED MORE SPECIFICALLY THAT, THE LOWER BALL-JOINT HAD FAILED. MY WIFE WAS PETRIFIED. WHEN I GOT IN THERE, A SERVICE-WRITER (I HAVE HER CARD SOMEWHERE ELSE) HAD ALREADY UNDERTAKEN A SEARCH TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE FELL UNDER A RECALL. I FOUND IT CURIOUS THAT SHE\'D DO A SEARCH FOR THIS SPECIFIC RECALL IF SHE DID NOT ALREADY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE (AS IF SHE HAD SEEN THIS EXACT KIND OF DAMAGE BEFORE). IN OTHER WORDS, I AM REASONABLY CERTAIN THAT SHE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. AS OF THIS MORNING, I SPOKE WITH THE SYMES SERVICE MANAGER (LOUIS) WHO IN TURN STATED THAT HE SPOKE WITH HIS \"AREA DIRECTOR\" \"TOMO.\" HE INSTRUCTED HIS SERVICE MANAGER, LOUIS, TO TELL ME THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT BE TAKING CARE OF THIS AS IT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE VEHICLES RECALLED. *TR

FRONT SUSPENSION, LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT SEPARATED WHILE BACKING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND FOLDED UNDER THE WHEEL WELL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION, AXLE, AND VEHICLE BODY. *JB

DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON RT. 301 IN BOWIE, MD. BEGAN TO SLOW AND MOVED RIGHT INTO THE EXIT LANE TOWARDS MOUNT OAK RD. WEST BOUND. HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LEANED OVER TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKING POWER WAS GREATLY REDUCED AND THE SEQUOIA WAS BASICALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. WAS ABLE TO STEER SLIGHT TOWARDS THE RIGHT TO AVOID BEING PULLED BACK INTO TRAFFIC. IMPACTED A SAFETY MEDIAN, DESIGNED TO PROTECT CARS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY FROM THOSE EXITING THE HIGHWAY, AND CROSSED COMPLETELY OVER IT THE WHEEL HUB HAD SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE TIRE, WHEEL RIM, HUB, STEERING RACK, STEERING TIE ROD, CONTROL ARMS, BRAKE LINES, DRIVE AXLE, ETC. HAD ALL BEEN DAMAGE SEVERELY. PICTURES OF THE SCENE SHOW A SINGLE SKID MARK FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL CLEARLY. THE SINGLE SKID MARK INDICATES THAT ONE WHEEL WAS NOT ROTATING AT ALL, WHILE THE OTHER THREE WERE ROTATING FREELY, OR UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. I FOUND NO MY 2001 RECALLS. I LATER FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 05V225000 INDICATING A RECALL DUE TO FAILED BALL JOINTS IN THE 2002-2004 SEQUOIA. THE SEQUOIA MODEL WAS FIRST AVAILABLE AS A MY2001 AND INITIAL INTRODUCTION WAS LATE IN 2000. MY2002 STARTED IN THE LATE SUMMER OF 2001. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SO QUICKLY AFTER THE MODEL INTRODUCTION TOYOTA WOULD MAKE MAJOR CHANGES IN THE SUSPENSION AND/OR BALL JOINTS. IT WAS BY LUCK ONLY THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE SUSPENSION FAILURE, TOYOTA NEEDS TO REACT QUICKLY AND NOTIFY MY2001 OWNERS OF THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT. NOT ONLY DID THE SUSPENSION FAIL, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO MOVE BACK AND JAM INTO THE REAR WHEEL WELL AREA, BUT IT SEEMED TO CAUSE AN ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. I BELIEVE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES RESPONDED TO THE LOCKED FRONT WHEEL BY MODULATING THE POWER TO THE OTHER WHEELS RESULTING IN LESS BRAKING FORCE. *JB

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND THE FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT IS MAKING A POPPING NOISE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THEY ARE NOT OFFERING A REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THEY HAVE A REMEDY CAMPAIGN ON THE SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA FOR 2002-2004. THEY ARE NOT OFFERING A REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THE 2001 SEQUOIA EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT ENDS ARE THE SAME. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY FOR MY FAMILY, OTHER OWNERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT WALK, RIDE AND DRIVE ON OUR PUBLIC ROADS. WHEN THE BALL JOINTS FAILS THE VEHICLE WILL WRECK AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES TO ALL PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE OR CLOSE TO THE ACCIDENT. IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY SINCE THAT THE 2002-2004 SEQUOIA AND TUNDRAS HAVE A REMEDY CAMPAIGN AND THE 2001 SEQUOIA DOES NOT WHEN THEY HAVE THE SAME FRONT END. *NM

VEHICLE: 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 2WD. FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM. SINCE OBTAINING THE VEHICLE IN APRIL 2001 I NOTICED A PROBLEM IN THE STABILITY OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (I-10 TOYOTA IN INDIO) ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL (O5V225000) I ANTICIPATED THAT THIS WAS THE TROUBLE THAT I HAD ALL ALONG WITH THE SEQUOIA. WHEN I LOOKED INTO THE RECALL IT TURNED OUT THAT IT REFERRED TO 2002 TO 2004 VEHICLES ONLY. COMMON SENSE TELLS ME THAT IF THE TROUBLE EXISTED ON SUBSEQUENT MODELS AFTER ITS INCEPTION TO THE MARKET, IT IS ONLY OBVIOUS THAT 2001 MODELS ARE TO BE INCLUDED. I UNDERSTAND THAT RECALL LETTERS WILL BE ISSUED STARTING IN JULY 2005. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I AM AWARE THAT 2001 MODELS WILL NOT BE INCLUDED AND I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT 2001 YEAR MODELS ARE ALSO RECALLED. THE INSTABILITY WITH THE FRONT END CONTINUES. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 3 TIMES TO DIFFERENT TYPES AND THE INSTABILITY CONTINUES. PLEASE VERIFY WITH YOUR INTERNAL ENGINEERS IF THE BALL JOINTS UTILIZED ON 2001 MODELS WERE ANY DIFFERENT THAN LATTER MODELS. YOU WILL FIND THAT THE SAME MECHANISMS HAVE BEEN USED UNTIL NOW THAT THIS ISSUE IS BEING ADDRESSED BY YOUR OFFICE. YOUR ATTENTION AND SUBSEQUENT POSITIVE INCLUSION OF MY PETITION IS APPRECIATED. HECTOR CASAS

THE FRONT BRAKING SYSTEM ON 2001 SEQUOIA WAS REPLACED AND UPGRADED. *MR THE BRAKE JOBS WERE PERFORMED AT THE FOLLOWING MILEAGES: 15K, 25K, 30K, 55K, AND 74K MILES. THE LEFT WHEEL RATTLED OVER THE ROUGH ROAD, THE REAR LEFT STRUT MADE A NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS DUE TO A BROKEN SHOCK, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ALSO, WHEN VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT IT TREMBLED VIOLENTLY.*AK