2002 Toyota Sequoia Body & Structure Problems

Your 2002 Toyota Sequoia's frame has developed severe rust with a visible hole that a mechanic has confirmed. This structural damage creates a safety hazard that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. Fixing this will require professional frame repair or replacement, which is a major structural service.

Your car's frame is showing advanced rust. This is a structural concern that should be inspected by a mechanic to determine if it affects the vehicle's safety and integrity. Addressing rust typically involves professional assessment and may require rust treatment or structural repairs.

Your Sequoia's frame and structural components are developing rust at an accelerated rate, with surface rust quickly penetrating deep enough to create holes in the frame rails. The rocker panels (the area below your doors) and wheel arches are also showing significant rust damage, and pieces of corroded metal have been falling off underneath the vehicle. Addressing this will likely require professional rust treatment, replacement of severely damaged frame sections, and protective coating to prevent further deterioration.

Your vehicle's frame has developed cracks that make it unsafe to drive and will prevent it from passing inspection. You're also experiencing cracked weather stripping around all sides of the doors and windows. Fixing this will likely require frame repair or replacement at a professional shop, along with new weather stripping seals.

I WENT TO THE MECHANIC TO HAVE MY WHEELS ROTATED; HE SAID THE ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND MAY BE A DANGER TO DRIVE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO AS THERE ISN'T AN EASY FIX TO REPLACING THE FRAME. THE MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY FIX IS REPLACING THE FRAME. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 8 PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE

THE UNDERCARRIAGE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT WHICH IS SAD BEING THAT I RECENTLY JUST PUT A COUPLE GRAND INTO RESTORING AND LABOR SERVICE ON MINOR ISSUES LIKE STEERING RACK AND PINION, BREAKS, TIRE RODS.

VEHICLE BODY (UNDERSIDE) WHICH ONLY HAS 130000 MILES IS TOTALLY RUSTING OUT. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. TOYOTA REPLACED THE UNDERCARRIAGE IN THE PAST DUE TO RUST ISSUES BUT THEY HAVE RETURNED AND CORROSION IS EXCESSIVE. *TR

SUNROOF GLASS FLEW OFF MY VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY SPEED 65-70 MPH. I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5. I PURCHASED A GLASS AND WHICH WAS MUCH LARGER THAN THE VEHICLE HAD REORDERED ANOTHER GLASS AND RECEIVED THE SAME THING. WHEN DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA SR5 DON'T COME WITH A SUNROOF (BOUGHT VEHICLE 2011) I WAS UNAWARE SINCE IT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE. WHEN I FOUND THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURER AND SEARCH ONLINE FOUND THAT HOLLANDIA 700 BY WEBASTO COMPANY HAVE A RECALL FOR THAT MODEL. SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED WILL I BE HELPED OR ASSISTED IN ANY WAY? THANK YOU

TERRIBLE RUST ON THE FRAME, AND UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA EXTENDED THE RUST THROUGH WARRANTY, BUT DIDN'T REPAIR THE ISSUE SINCE THERE WAS "NO RECALL". THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF PRODUCTION YEARS FOR TOYOTA AND THEIR FRAMES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE ENTIRE FRAME, CROSS MEMBER, AND SUBFRAME. THERE WAS ALSO THE PRESENCE OF HOLES AND WARPING OF THE COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME, SUBFRAME, AND CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME HAD HOLES AND WAS RUSTED UNDERNEATH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,607.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SIDES AND REAR OF THE FRAME WERE CORRODED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TEMPORARY WELDED THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

I RECENTLY WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR RADIATOR AND EXHAUST SYSTEM EVALUATION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS AND WAS BY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR RUST PERFORATION PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEGREE OF RUST THRU WAS SIGNIFICANT AND MAY CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. A FRIEND LATER ADVISED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE WITH OLDER SEQUOIAS. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR SOME MODELS A FEW YEARS AGO. I DON'T RECALL RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE, BUT IN REVIEWING MY SERVICE RECORDS I SEE THAT ON APRIL 23, 2013 MY FRAME WAS INSPECTED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING SERVICE NOTATION: "COD RECALL - OPEN RECALL FRAME INSPECTION AND SPARE TIRE FUNCTIONAL AND VISUAL CHECK - REPLACED SPARE TIRE CARRIER - REMOVED RUST - CLEANED FRAME WITH NO RUST PERFORATION FOUND - CRC APPLICATION BY OUTSIDE SHOP." I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2003 AND HAVE HAD IT SERVICED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR 15 YEARS, USUALLY GOING THERE SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR FOR MAINTENANCE, OIL CHANGES, ETC. NO MENTION OF ANY RUST PROBLEMS OR THAT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW; WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY CAR, BUT WANT IT REPAIRED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2013, THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE FRAME CORROSION. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL EXPIRED IN JULY OF 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

IN JULY, '17 I WAS TOLD THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS PENETRATING RUST. THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN SINCE TOYOTA PUT CORROSION RESISTANT COMPOUND ON IT DURING THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR RUST IN EARLY JUNE/ LATE MAY AND I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PENETRATING RUST AREAS. IN JUNE AND JULY I PUT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS INTO THIS VEHICLE AS I PLANNED TO DRIVE IT FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT APPLYING THE CRC IS A BAND-AID AND WILL NOT STOP RUST ONCE IT HAS STARTED. I BELIEVE TOYOTA DID NOT ADDRESS THIS LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN PROPERLY. I BELIEVE ALL VEHICLES IN THIS CAMPAIGN SHOULD HAVE HAD TOTAL FRAME REPLACEMENT RATHER THAN RELYING ON VISUAL INSPECTION AND USING A "BAND-AID" APPROACH.

I BROUGHT MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN ISSUE AND HE TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY CAN NOT HELP ME. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT TOYOTAS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE AND HIS 2005 TACOMA WAS REPAIRED THROUGH A CLASS ACTION SUIT. I AM TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA WILL ALLOW THEIR CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT INDEED THIS IS A PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN SO THAT AND TOYOTA IS FORCED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

HOLES IN THE FRAME AND EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE LIFT GATE. THIS IS A 2002 SEQUOIA WHICH WAS IN THE RUST BELT FROM 2002 TO 2011. IN 2011 MOVED TO LOUISIANA. I HAD RUST ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002. IN 2006, THE LIFT GATE WINDOW RUSTED OUT AND COULD NO LONGER USE THE LIFT GATE WINDOW. SINCE THEN, MORE RUST WAS DEVELOPING IN THE LIFT GATE AND ELSEWHERE. IN 2013, I RECEIVED THE RECALL FOR THE SPARE TIRE CABLE. THE LOUISIANA DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THAT THE MECHANISM WAS RUSTED AND NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. THEY ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT UNIT TO INSTALL. IN THE MEANTIME, I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE SEVERE RUST ISSUES IN THE CAR. THEY DID A RUST INSPECTION AND SAID IT PASSED. IN 2014, I RETURNED TO THE SAME LOUISIANA DEALERSHIP FOR THE TAKATA RECALL. AT THAT TIME, I TOLD THEM MY CONCERN REGARDING THE RUST, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE RUST BELT ATM LEAST 4 MONTHS A YEAR. THEY SAID THE FRAME PASSED THE RUST INSPECTION AND PROVIDED ME WITH AN "OPERATIONAL FLOWCHART" FOR FRAME RUST. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF I FIND A HOLD IN THE FRAME LARGER THAN 10MM, IT WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. IN 2015, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE RUST BELT ABOUT 7 MONTHS. THAT YEAR I HAD TO INSTALL 2X4 SUPPORTS TO HOLD UP MY LIFT GATE WINDOW. IN 2016, THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE RUST BELT ABOUT 5 MONTHS. IN FEBRUARY 2017, I FOUND AT LEAST 1 RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME AS PER THEIR OPERATIONAL FLOWCHART. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE RUST HOLE, THEIR COMMENT WAS THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO. I SPOKE TO TOYOTA AND THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED. I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE ABILITY OF THIS VEHICLE TO WITHSTAND RUST. I AM ALSO DRIVING A 1998 FORD THAT WAS IN THE RUST BELT LONGER THAN THE 2002 SEQUOIA WITH NO FRAME RUST. THE FRAME ON THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING AND NEEDS TO BE PROPERLY REPAIRED. SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO.

IN EARLY 2014, WE NOTICED SIGNIFICANT RUST ISSUES ON THE FRAME AND OTHER AREAS UNDERNEATH SUCH AS THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER, O2 SENSOR AREA, EXHAUST, AND TRAILER HITCH AREA. AFTER RECEIVING THE TOYOTA RECALL CAMPAIGN LETTER FOR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE SEQUOIA FRAMES, WE TOOK IT TO OUR TOYOTA DEALER IN JULY 2014. THE DEALER SAID THE RUST WAS SO BAD AFTER SPRAYING IT ONCE, THAT THEY HAD TO KEEP MY TRUCK AN EXTRA DAY TO SPRAY IT AGAIN WITH ANOTHER COAT (ON AREAS OTHER THAN THE FRAME AS WELL). I CALLED THE DEALER TO SEE IF THE 2ND COATING WAS SUFFICIENT AND THEY SAID IT WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP AND THEY WOULD NOT BE REPLACING THE FRAME. UPON PICKUP, THE COATING WAS SO THICK IT WAS DRIPPING OFF IN THE PARKING LOT. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD TAKE 30 DAYS TO "CURE". OF COURSE, AFTER THOSE 30 DAYS IT WAS BEYOND THE TOYOTA SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND THERE WOULD BE NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BY THE DEALER. THE COATING CONTINUED TO DRIP FOR AT LEAST A WEEK IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND REMAINED STICKY TO THE TOUCH. NOW 1 YEAR LATER, THE COATING IS VISIBLY BUBBLING & FLAKING OFF OF THE FRAME... THIS WAS A USELESS APPLICATION AND A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY UNDER TOYOTA'S SERVICE CAMPAIGN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER UNDER A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, WHICH THE LOWER FRONT BALL JOINTS, WHEEL TIRE CARRIER, AND AN UNDER COATING OF ANTI CORROSIVE ADHESIVE WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,586.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A STATE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL TWO YEARS PRIOR; HOWEVER, THE DEALER COATED THE FRAME WITH ANTI-CORROSIVE LUBRICANT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. MA 08/13/15 THE CONSUMER STATED TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL WAS DONE INCORRECTLY CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/1/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH OVER A BUMPY ROAD, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND THE HOOD AND TAILGATE LATCHES WERE UNABLE TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH ONLY 64K MILES I HAVE SINCE LEARNED ABOUT A RUST ISSUE WITH THE FRAME. WITH ME NOT BEING THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND NOT HAVING MY NAME UPDATED IN TOYOTA'S SYSTEM SO I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE OR SERVICE CHAMPAGNE AS THEY CALL IT. I HAVE EMAILED TOYOTA CORP AND HAVE RECEIVED A CALL BACK AS WELL AS CALLING THEM DIRECT AT 1-800-331-4331. I AM BEING TOLD THAT DUE TO THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN ENDING JULY 2014 THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR ANY TESTING OR REPAIRS. THIS VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN NJ AND THEN WENT ON TO UTAH SO IT'S SEEN ITS SHARE OF SNOW AND SALT. THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST ALL OVER THE FRAME AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ITS SAFETY AND DRIVABILITY. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF THIS WAS DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE OWNER HOWEVER THIS IS AN ISSUE OF QUALITY FROM TOYOTA HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE ANYMORE. AS I DIEHARD TOYOTA OWNER I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY I AM BEING TREATED AND FEEL FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNDERBODY FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BEING SERVICE UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR FRAME CORROSION, THE SWAY BAR BECAME FRACTURED AND A HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE FRAME DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONSUMER TOYOTA DENIED THE REPLACEMENT FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,000. UPDATED 01/07/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED EARLY ON, AND WAS INFORMED NO RUST WAS PRESENT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN AN UNDERCOAT TREATMENT TO THE FRAME AS OPPOSED TO A REPLACEMENT. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, WHILE ON A TRIP, THE CONSUMER HEARD A SIGNIFICANT NOISE AND VIBRATION WHILE TURNING AND GOING OVER BUMPS. UPON HIS RETURN HOME, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE T HIS MECHANIC, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE SWAY BAR HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. HE INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT RUST IN THE FRAME CREATING A HOLE AND THE SWAY BAR COULD NOT BE RE-ATTACHED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE UNDERCOAT TREATMENT THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN WAS INEFFECTIVE IN INHIBITING FURTHER RUST. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE UNDERCOAT INHIBITOR APPLIED TO HIS VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER USED DUE TO A SHORT SHELF LIFE. UPDATE 01/09/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. THERE WAS A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO RUST CORROSION TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE ADDITIONAL PARTS WERE REQUIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE REMEDY REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA CLAIMING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRAME RUSTING ON MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THEIR REQUIRED INSPECTION AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A NEW FRAME. THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PLACING A NEW FRAME ON THE VEHICLE. I STATED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT I REFUSE TO PAY FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ADD ON EXPENSES AS A RESULT OF THERE TAMPERING. I ALSO STATED AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN PROPERLY BECAUSE OF THE ITS AGE, MILEAGE AND WORKING WITH CORRODED PARTS WILL NOT FIT, SEAL AND TIGHTEN PROPERLY. TOYOTA ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE NEW FRAME IS INSTALLED THEY WILL NOT SERVICE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE IF IT IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FRAME. UNACCEPTABLE TERMS. THEY SHOULD FIX AT THEIR EXPENSE ANY PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED NOW ANDIN THE FUTURE AS A RESULT OF THIS RECALL. THEY SHOULD ALSO OFFER COMPENSATION AS THEY PREVIOUSLY HAD DOWN WITH OTHER MAKES AND MODELS SEVERAL YEARS AGO. *TR

MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIAS UNDER CARRIAGE HAS EXCESSIVE RUST. I HAVE A FAMILY WITH 4 KIDS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE,I NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE AND THE LATCH WAS REPLACED EACH TIME, BUT THE FAILURE ALWAYS RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,941.

RUSTED FRAME, UNDERCARRIAGE ON 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. 100,000 MI. TOYOTA WANTS $2,500.00 TO REPLACE FOR PARTS AROUND FRAME NOT COVERED. THIS LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN IS A FARCE. CONSUMERS WHO GET INSPECTED AND/OR DRIVE VEHICLE ARE LIABLE IF THERE IS AN INJURY OR INCIDENT. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO BUY BACK VEHICLES THAT ARE RUSTED, NOT CHARGE CONSUMERS FOR THE REPAIRS AND/OR REPLACEMENT OF RUSTED PARTS TO REPLACE FRAME. IT WOULD COST THEM LESS TO BUY BACK THEN TO REPLACE. PLEASE CONSUMERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS. TOYOTA IS NOT BEING ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR SEQUOIA. THIS IS NOT A FREE SERVICE,REPLACEMENT. AS MANY CONSUMERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY SOMETHING TO REPLACE. CURRENTLY THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BUY BACK, IT IS THEIR OWN REMEDY AND A GOOD ONE,AS ONCE INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE RUSTED THE CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE HELP NTSB TO STOP TOYOTA FROM THIS UNFAIR PRACTICE! FOR THOSE CONSUMERS THAT HAVE A RUSTED OUT VEHICLE, MAKE THEM BUY IT BACK TO KEEP THE ROADS SAFE AND THE CONSUMERS. IT IS UNJUST AND DANGEROUS TO ALLOW THIS REMEDY TO CONTINUE IF IT IS NOT A TOTALLY FREE REPLACEMENT INCLUDUNG THE PARTS TO REPAIR AND MAKE SAFE. SHOULD NOT COST ANY CONSUMER TO RECIFY THE PROBLEM, PLEASE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS!! MY VEHICLE IS NOW WORTHLESS, AND I AM NOT OR WILL NOT BE THE ONLY ONE. TOYOTA IS GETTING AWAY WITH SHIRKING THEIR RESPONSIBILTY TO THE CONSUMER WHO PURCHASED IN GOOD FAITH. PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON US!! THIS IS NOT FAIR!!! AND IT IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE UNLAWFUL FOR TOYOTA TO CONDUCT BUSINESS LIKE THIS.. THIS IS NOT A FREE FRAME REPLACEMENT TO EVERY ONE. THEY SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO REPLACE AT NO COST TO CONSUMERS. SOME BUT NOT ALL ARE FREE DUE TO DEGREES OF CORROSION WHICH CLEARLY IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE AND IF IT CANNOT BE REMEDIED BY THE FRAME REPLACEMENT, A BUY BACK SHOULD BE INSTITUTED FOR THE ABOVE. THANK YOU. *TR

MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR FRAME ROT. TOYOTA WOULD NOT BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. INSTEAD THEY SPENT $11,000.00 +/- REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AND GIVING IT BACK TO ME. THE RECALL WAS FOR ALL OF THE NORTHEAST AND UPPER MIDWEST. SAND AND SALT USE ON THE ROADS CAUSES THE FRAMES TO ROT AND MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I WANT TOYOTA BE FORCED TO BUY THE VEHICLES BACK INSTEAD OF REPAIRING THEM. I KNOW MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS DONE OVER A DOZEN RECALLS. *TR

I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL TOYOTA OWNER AND HAD 7 TOYOTAS SO FAR FROM A 1990 WHITE COROLLA, 1996 WHITE LAND CRUISER, 2007 WHITE RAV4. I CURRENTLY OWN A 2010 WHITE PRIUS, A 2006 WHITE VENZA, A 2005 SILVER PRIUS, AND THIS 2002 BLACK SEQUOIA LIMITED. AFTER SPENDING ALMOST $1500 TO ELIMINATE THE SHAKE @65 MPH FROM A SET OF NEW TIRES, 1MAGS THAT IS WARPED, AND ALIGNMENT TO NO AVAIL, I RESEARCH THIS SITE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST THAT I JUST PAID MY MECHANIC OVER $500 TO CHIP AND 3M RUSTPROOFED IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THIS CAR. INITIALLY, I FOUND A 3"X1" HOLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FRAME AND UPON MY INVESTIGATION I WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE A 2"X1" RUSTED PIECE OF METAL INSIDE THE FRAME. LOOKS LIKE THEY FORGOT TO PUT A DRAIN OR TOYOTA USED A SUB-PAR FRAME. WHEN MY MECHANIC LIFTED THE CAR, HE SHOWED ME AN EXTENSIVE RUST ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT REALLY GAVE ME CHILLS SEEING ALL THE PARTS RUSTED AND AFFECTED AND FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IF THEY RECALLED THE SIMILAR FRAMED TUNDRA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V444000, WHY DIDN'T THEY INCLUDED THE SEQUOIA? SEQUOIA SHOULD HAVE HIGHER PRIORITY SINCE IT CARRIES UP TO EIGHT PASSENGERS AND A MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE CAR. I THOUGHT TOYOTA CARES AND SEQUOIA IS SPECIALLY MADE TO HAUL FAMILIES...I TOOK IT TO INTERSTATE TOYOTA WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND SERVICED ALL IT'S LIFE AND DON THE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL COMING SOON. HE TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL ORDER THE FRAME AND TO CALL AFTER 2 WEEKS. I JUST CALLED YESTERDAY AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED YET BY CORPORATE. I'M ASKING EVERYONE WITH SIMILAR SEQUOIA TO CHECK THE FRAMES AND FILE YOUR COMPLAINTS HERE TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS. TOYOTA, PLEASE RESTORE MY WANING LOYALTY TO YOUR COMPANY AND RESTORE MY TRUST IN MY SEQUOIA FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT IS FIXED! HELP! *TR

OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO MY HUSBAND NOTICED RUST DEVELOPING ON THE FRAME OF HIS VEHICLE. HE REPEATEDLY MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHOSE RESPONSE WAS THERE ARE NO RECALLS SO YOU SHOULD BE OK. IN DECEMBER DURING THE VEHICLE'S MAINTENANCE THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED MY HUSBAND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTING OUT. THERE WAS NO PROPOSED SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO SCRAP THE THING. TWO WEEKS LATER WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA STATING THAT THEY WERE CONDUCTING RESEARCH REGARDING FRAMES RUSTING OUT ON LIKE VEHICLE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE FRAME PATCHING OR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED THE OK TO REPLACE THE FRAME. HOWEVER MULTIPLE PARTS AROUND THE FRAME ARE ALSO RUSTED OUT. THE COST FOR COMPLETE REPAIR INCLUDING THE FRAME IS 15K. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE FRAME REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, AROUND 10K. IT WOULD SEEM IF THE FRAME HAS A KNOWN RUST ISSUE, OTHER PARTS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY WOULD THE COMPANY NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO PAY THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND ARE WAITING TO TALK TO A CASE MANAGER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE TIRES ROTATED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME FREE OF CHARGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,115.

WHILE GETTING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT TOYOTA OF WALLINGFORD INCT I WAS SHOWN FRAME ROT NEAR THE REAR STRUT AND OTHER DECLINING AREAS OF RUST/ ROT. IT IS ON RECORD AND A CALL WAS MADE TO TOYOTA WHICH NOTHING WAS DONE AS FAR AS RECALLS GO. THE TUNDRA WHICH HAS THE SAME FRAME HAS BEEN RECALLED. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR LATCH ON MY DOOR 5 TIMES. THE BODY SHOP SAYS THAT THE REAR DOOR IS SO RUSTED OUT THIS TIME, THAT IT CANNOT BE FIXED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO TOYOTA AND THEY IGNORE IT. I HAVE SEEN MANY WEBSITES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. IT IS A POOR DESIGN AND THE DOOR IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE! *JS

JUST PURCHASED MY 2002 SEQUOIA WITH 144,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE; NOTICED THERE WAS A BIT OF RUST IN THE REAR DOOR JAMS NEXT TO THE PORTION OF THE WHEEL WELL, NOT TOO TERRIBLY CONCERNED AS IT SEEMS TO BE JUST UNDER THE PAINT AND IN VERY SMALL AMOUNTS. I HAVE BEEN READING ON VARIOUS FORUMS OF THE TUNDRA RUST ISSUE AND HOW THIS EXISTS ON THE SEQUOIAS AS WELL WITHOUT ANY RECOURSE BEING AVAILABLE, SO I TOOK A LOOK UNDER MY FRESH PURCHASE TO FIND THAT I INDEED HAD AN ALARMING AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, WELD SEAMS AND MAJOR PORTIONS OF THE FRAME; MORE THAN I WOULD EXPECT EVEN FOR A TOYOTA. I DON'T QUITE KNOW THE DETAILS OF EXACTLY HOW SIMILAR THIS FRAME IS TO TUNDRA'S BUT I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO THINK THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME SORT OF PROVISION IN PLACE BY NOW TO SORT THIS OUT AS IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT TUNDRA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING AND JUDGING BY THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DIG UP THUS FAR (9 FOR '03 MY, 6 FOR '02 MY AND 12 FOR '01 MY SEQUOIA) THIS REALLY CANNOT BE A COINCIDENCE. I BOUGHT THIS THING BECAUSE MY DAD HAS HAD TWO 4RUNNERS THAT RAN FOREVER (HIS '97 IS STILL GOING STRONG WITH ALMOST 300,000 ON IT) BUT NOW I WORRY I'LL BARELY BE ABLE TO PAY IT OFF BEFORE IT ROTS OUT FROM UNDER ME. WHAT GIVES TOYOTA? *TR

THE REAR FRAME HAS EXCESSIVE CORROSION ALONG LONGITUDINAL STRUCTURAL MEMBERS AND THE CROSS MEMBER ABOVE THE SPARE TIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

RUST IN THE REAR FRAME AND TAILGATE AREA IS RENDERING MY VEHICLE UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TAILGATE DRAIN HOLES QUICKLY CLOGGED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL DEBRIS RESULTING IN EXCESS MOISTURE IN THE TAILGATE AND CAUSED ALL INTERNAL PARTS TO RUST TO THE POINT THAT THE TAILGATE LATCH CABLE/HANDLE HAS BROKEN TWICE AND THE REAR WINDOW IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. RECENTLY I REALIZED THAT UNDERNEATH THE ORIGINAL FRAME PAINT, MY FRAME HAS SEVERE RUST. ALSO VERY CONCERNING, I RECENTLY REALIZED THAT HOLES MANUFACTURED INTO THE REAR OF THE FRAME ARE ALLOWING SAND TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FRAME. THE SAND IS HOLDING MOISTURE AND I HAVE NOT FOUND A WAY TO GET IT OUT OF THE FRAME. MY REAR CROSS MEMBER AND SPARE TIRE CARRIER ARE ALSO SERIOUSLY RUSTED. MOST CONCERNING IS THAT I PULL A LANDSCAPE TRAILER AND MY VEHICLE HAS SERIOUS RUST ON THE TRAILER HITCH AND THE FRAME AREA WHERE THE HITCH CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP YEARS AGO, THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS MY RUST ISSUES WERE A RESULT OF THE AREA IN WHICH I LIVE. I PAID NEARLY $40,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2002 AND HAVE CARED FOR IT VERY WELL. IT IS DEPLORABLE THAT THE POOR DESIGN OF THE FRAME AND TAILGATE WILL RENDER THIS VEHICLE TO THE SCRAP YARD WELL BEFORE ITS TIME...IF IT DOESN'T KILL SOMEONE FIRST. *TR

2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 - 66,462M. MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HOLES IN THE FRAME AND LOTS OF RUST IN KEY JOINS COMPROMISING THE SAFETY OF VEHICLE. TOYOTA CORP. HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE FRAMES OF THE TACOMAS AND TUNDRAS HAD A PREMATURELY RUSTING PROBLEM. THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAVE THE SAME FRAME. TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE TWO VEHICLES BUT NOT THE SEQUOIAS. UPON CONTACTING TOYOTA CORP. THEY ASKED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR FRAME INSPECTION. THE INSPECTION REPORT SAY: CUSTOMER REQ. INSPECTION - -> LOOKS LIKE HAMMER HOLE IN BOTTOM OF LT RAIL @ TRANS MOUNT CROSS MEMBER LOTS OF ROT/ MISSING METAL FROM FT RT SWAY BAR MOUNT LOTS OF ROT AT RR CROSS MEMBER (THAT SPARE HANGS FROM) WHERE MEETS RAIL ON LT SIDE. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT IN ALL HIS LIFE WORKING WITH VEHICLES HAS NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE SO DETERIORATED FROM RUST. ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA BECAUSE OF THE TUNDRA'S RECALL. TOYOTA CORP. WILL NOT ADDRESS MY VEHICLE NOR THOSE OF OTHER SEQUOIA OWNERS THAT I FOUND ON INTERNET FORUMS WITH THE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW INSTANCES WHERE TOYOTA HAS REPLACED THE FRAME IN VEHICLES WITH HIGHER MILEAGE AND OLDER VEHICLE. TOYOTA CORP. CLAIMS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE 36K MILE WARRANTY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREMATURE ROTTING OF THE FRAME. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN AN AVERAGE OF 7K MILES A YEAR, MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND IN MINT CONDITION. THE SEQUOIAS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FRAME RECALL FROM TOYOTA SINCE IT IS THE SAME FRAME AND MANUFACTURER OF THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS WHICH TOYOTA HAS ACCEPTED THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD FRAMES WHICH LEADS TO PREMATURE ROTTING. I ASK YOUR AGENCY TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS FRAME ISSUE WHICH MAY BE A SERIOUS SAFETY VIOLATION SPECIALLY FOR THOSE UNAWARE THAT THEIR VEHICLES ARE ABOUT TO COLLAPSE BECAUSE OF FRAME ROT. *TR

MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. OTHER SEQUOIA OWNERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THEIR SEQUOIA WITH RUSTY FRAME IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA TUNDRA FROM SAME YEAR, BUILT ON SAME FRAME HAVE BEEN SAFETY RECALLED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE RUSTY FRAME. UPDATED 12/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE FILING THE COMPLAINT, HE HAD HIS VEHICLE INSPECTED AT THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE RUST ON THE VEHICLE WAS SURFACE RUST AND THERE WAS NO LOSS OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. UPDATED 12/30/11 *TR

5TH/REAR DOOR FLEW OPEN SOMETIME BETWEEN COMING TO A NORMAL STOP AT 40 MPH EMPTYING ALL THE CONTENTS OF THE REAR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FOR TWO DAYS OR SO PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, (FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT A MONTH). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AT POINTS WHERE THE FRAME WAS BOLTED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO RUST ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND THE FRONT STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

FAILED COMPONENTS: PREMATURE FRAME ROT I'M AN OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LOCATED IN THE NORTHEAST US. I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, DUE TO RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE, KEEPING IT WASHED ESPECIALLY IN WINTER MONTHS. THE BODY IS IN SPOTLESS CONDITION WITH NO RUST. TOYOTA BLAMES THE HEAVY USE OF SALT IN THE NE. THIS IS NO EXCUSE...I HAVE A 1990 MINIVAN THAT IS GARAGED ALONG WITH AND DRIVEN SIMILAR TO MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND THE MINIVAN'S FRAME HAS VERY LITTLE RUST. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL AND/OR REPAIR SEQUOIA'S AS THEY DID TACOMA'S AND TUNDRA'S. I DEPEND UPON THIS VEHICLE FOR TOWING, BUT HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTRUCTED NOT TO TOW ANYTHING, UNTIL THE FRAME IS FIXED OR REPLACED. YOUR INVESTIGATION AND ASSISTANCE WITH THE RESOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *TR

I RECENTLY LEARNED FROM MY MECHANIC THAT THE FRAME OF MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS MULTIPLE RUST HOLES AND IS SO BADLY ROTTED THAT IT WILL NOT PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THEREFORE, I HAD MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM TOYOTA. THESE REPRESENTATIVES AGREED THAT MY SEQUOIA FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED AND FULL OF RUST HOLES, BUT ARE BLAMING THE SALT USED IN THE NORTHEAST AND NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATERIALS USED TO CONSTRUCT THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON FREEWAYS OR INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS THAT REQUIRE HIGHER SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD NOT TO TOW ANYTHING BEHIND IT, BECAUSE THE STRENGTH OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS COMPROMISED AND WHATEVER I WAS TOWING COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN REGARDING THE SAFETY FACTOR AND USE OF THE CAR. MY WIFE AND I INTENTIONALLY BOUGHT OUR SEQUOIA FOR TOWING PURPOSES AND LONG TRIPS WITH FAMILY. THEY TOOK PICTURES, MEASUREMENTS OF HOLES, AND OTHER INFO AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FILE A REPORT AND GET BACK TO ME WITHIN TWO WEEKS. AFTER READING MANY STATEMENTS FROM OTHER TOYOTA SEQUOIA OWNERS, I AM NOT CONFIDENT THAT TOYOTA WILL RESOLVE THIS MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA, AND WILL CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO RESOLVE THIS SERIOUS SITUATION TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER. THEREFORE, I WANT MY COMPLAINT TO BE ADDED TO THE NHTSA DATABASE AND THE NHTSA TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS SERIOUS "FRAME ROT" SAFETY ISSUE WITH SEQUOIAS. *TR

FRAME RUSTING THROUGH WITH AT LEAST ONE HOLE FOND, NOT THOROUGHLY CHECKED YET. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 186,000 MILES. ON JULY 19TH I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM SOME MY REPAIR SHOP AFTER SOME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT). THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT '' WHEN CHECKING THE VEHICLE ON LIFT, FOUND FRONT FRAME ARCHES NEAR FEET RUSTED THROUGH AND CRACKED ALMOST A FOOT LONG ON BOTH SIDES.' I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH GRAPPONE TOYOTA IN CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE AND ON JULY 21ST THEY CONFIRMED THE DAMAGE AND REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DAMAGE IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FRAME DESIGN THAT ALLOWS WATER TO COLLECT AND NOT DRAIN. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS FRAME AS USED ON THE SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA. IT ALSO APPARENTLY WAS A PROBLEM ON THE TACOMA WHICH HAS A SIMILAR DEFECTIVE DESIGN. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA US CORPORATE OFFICEBY PHONE ON THE 21ST AND WAS INFORMED THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM ON THE SEQUOIA AS REQUIRING ANY PROGRAM TO RECTIFY SUCH AS TOYOTA HAS REPORTEDLY DONE FOR THE TUNDRA AND TACOMA. GIVEN THE UNSAFE NATURE OF THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN, AND THE IMPLICATIONS SHOULD IT FAIL ON THE ROAD, I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. I SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPUTABLE WELDING SHOP WHO FOUND THE DAMAGE WAS MORE EXTENSIVE AND WELDED 21 INCH LONG PLATES ON BOTH FRAME ARCHES. HE CONFIRMED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A FRAME DESIGN THAT ALLOWED WATER TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FRAME AND CORRODE THE METAL. *TR

THE REAR HATCH ON MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WILL OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL OPEN , BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL NOT. WHEN IT DOES OPEN, IT WILL NOT LOCK. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE, THERE IS NO WAY TO LOWER THE SPARE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE INNER LINE OF THE DOORS WAS BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HIS WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.

FREQUENTLY, THE POWER SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE DOOR OPEN BUTTON. WORST YET, THE DOOR CONTINUES TO CLOSE WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN IT MANUALLY. YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL IT DOES NOT CLOSE ON YOUR ARM IF YOU REACH IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FAILURE - ONLY METHOD OF EXITING VEHICLE. FAILED FOR A THIRD TIME UNDER NORMAL USE BEFORE REPORTING TO NHTSA. IF VEHICLE IS IN A CRASH, ON FIRE, OR UNDER WATER, A PERSON WILL PANIC AND EXERT GREATER FORCE THAN NORMAL ON THE HANDLE, SNAPPING IT, LEADING TO POTENTIAL DEATH. DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAVE "HUNDREDS" OF THESE COME THROUGH. ASK TOYOTA HOW MANY THEY HAVE REPLACED TO GET ACTUAL SCOPE. THEY HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO CORRECT FAILURE SINCE DEALER MAKES $250.00 TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. NO EGRESS IN A BURNING CAR IS EQUIVALENT TO NO FIRE EXIT DOORS IN A BURNING BUILDING. *TR

2002 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, I CAN HEAR IT UNLATCH BUT REMAINS SHUT. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE REAR PART OF THE DOOR BACK IN UNTIL YOU HEAR A CLICK, THEN YOU HAVE TO VIOLENTLY PULL THE HANDLE AND THE DOOR WILL OPEN. *TR

FRAME RUST THROUGH, 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ALONG THE BOTTOM DIRECTLY BELOW WHERE THE FRONT LEFT SUPPORT MOUNT IS ATTACHED. THE OPENING AS A RESULT OF THIS RUSTING IS LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT AT LEAST THREE FINGERS THROUGH. THE RUST THROUGH THEN EXTENDS BACK TO BELOW WHERE THE FRONT FRAME CROSS MEMBER IS ATTACHED. THIS WAS FIRST OBSERVED NOVEMBER15, 2010. IT IS BELIEVED THIS IS THE SAME AS THE FRAME WHICH IS USED ON THE TOYOTA TUNDRA FOR WHICH A REPLACEMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN EFFECT. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN CONNECTICUT WHERE IT WAS DRIVEN FOR ITS FIRST SIX AND ONE HALF YEARS. THE REMAINING TIME HAVING BEEN IN OHIO. WE NOW HAVE A QUESTIONABLY SAFE VEHICLE FOR WHICH TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TELLS US NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *TR

TOYOTA VEHICLE FRAME SERIOUSLY RUSTING THROUGH. IDENTICAL TO PROBLEMS WITH TOYOTA TUNDRA. DEALER AND TOYOTA CLAIM THEY DO NOT HAVE A PROGRAM TO CURE THE FRAME PROBLEM ON SEQUOIA'S EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME FRAME AS THE TUNDRA. *TR

DURING MY ANNUAL NYS VEHICLE INSPECTION, 11/6/2010, I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC THAT HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO PASS ON INSPECTION MY 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA DUE TO A SIZABLE HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME. BASED ON MY REVIEW OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS NOT AN UNKNOWN ISSUE WITH THE SEQUOIA. THE SEQUOIA AND THE TUNDRA ARE BUILT ON THE SAME FRAME AND TOYOTA IS REPLACING FRAMES ON TOYOTA TUNDRA PICKUP TRUCKS THAT EXHIBIT THIS DEFECT. APPARENTLY, THIS IS AN ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN THE TOYOTA TUNDRA, BASED ON A RECALL NOTICE DATED MAY, 2010 FOR THE TUNDRA FOR YEARS 2000 TO 2003. HOWEVER, I DON'T FIND ANYTHING PERTAINING TO THE 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA, WHICH IS THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION, ALTHOUGH IT IS BUILT ON THE SAME FRAME AS THE TOYOTA TUNDRA, WHICH SHOULD BE SIMILARLY TREATED. AS AN ADDITIONAL FACT, THIS SEQUOIA ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP BY TV STATIONS IN BOSTON, AND THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN RESOLUTION OF A SEQUOIA COMPLAINT. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED DEFECT FOR THE SEQUOIA AND IS APPARENTLY A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR TOYOTA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A MECHANIC THAT THERE WERE 3 HOLES IN THE FRAME OF THE CROSSMEMBER THAT HELD THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA UNDERCARRIAGE RUST. PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO COMPLAINED TO DEALER WHEN SERVICED. DEALER DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. TOLD ME NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. AS OF TODAY THEIR IS MAJOR RUST ON FRAME AND COMPONENTS UNDER THE CAR. TRUCK IS BUILT IN SAME FACTORY AS TUNDRA WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR MAJOR RUST PROBLEM. BOTH CARS SHARE BASIC COMPONENTS. *TR

THERE ARE TWO ISSUES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT TO YOU. FIRST IS THE ABS BRAKING/VSC SYSTEM. SECOND IS THE EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE UNDER CARRIAGE/CHASSIS. FIRST, I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. AT 38,620 MILES, THE BRAKE, ABS, VSC ON, ANS VSC OFF LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT THE DEALER, THOMPSON TOYOTA, 122 W SWAMP ROAD, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18901, TEL 215 245 9460. THEY STATED THAT IT IS THE REAR BRAKE PADS THAT BEING WORN OUT AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES ON THE ROAD (AT 38660 MILES), THE IDENTICAL SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN: THE BRAKE, ABS, VSC ON, ANS VSC OFF LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS 'ABS ECU' REPLACEMENT. FURTHERMORE, THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS WON'T TAKE PLACE IN THE NEAR FUTURE BASED ON THE ABS ECU REPAIR. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS QUOTED AT $2100.00. HOWEVER, THE MOST DISTURBING SAFETY FACTOR THE DEALER STATED IS THAT WHEN THE ABS AND VSC LIGHT ARE ON THERE IS NO ABS AND VSC FUNCTIONS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATIONAL STATUS. SECOND. I HAVE OWNED THREE TOYOTA IN THE PAST. THE SEQUOIA IS THE ONLY VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGH OUT THE CHASSIS DESPITE REGULAR UNDER THE CARRIAGE WASHES AFTER EXPOSURE TO SALT DUE TO SNOWSTORMS. A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET DISCLOSED THAT THESE ARE COMMON ISSUES WITH THE SEQUOIA. FOR SAFETY AND FINANCIAL REASONS, NHTSA SHOULD ENCOURAGE TOYOTA TO ADDRESS/RECALL THE ABS/VSC DEFECT(S) AND EXCESSIVE CHASSIS RUST IN ALL THE SEQUOIA(S) ON THE ROAD TODAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN ADVANCE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, FOLKS! *TR

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT HAS HAD 3 DOOR HANDLES REPLACE IN THE LAST YEAR. ALL THREE BROKE FROM INSIDE, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE REAR CARGO DOOR HANDLE BROKE THIS YEAR AND I HAVE HAD THE REAR WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED. THE REAR WINDOW CONSTANTLY GOES OFF TRACK AND HAS TO BE FIXED FOR IT TO OPEN AGAIN. I AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS TOYOTA. I HAD GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE ISSUES THE FIRST YEAR I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. IT IS THE EXACT ISSUES THE COMPANY IS RECALLING FOR OTHER MODELS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I AM A WOMAN WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THIS LARGE OF A VEHICLE. STILL NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND YET I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES! *TR

SIGNIFICANT RUST ON FRAME AND UNDERBODY OF 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS BEEN IN EVIDENCE DURING THE LAST 3-4 YEARS. RUST IS SPREADING TO BODY PANELS AS WELL. MECHANIC COMMENTS REGULARLY ABOUT UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF RUST. *TR

ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA TUNDRA RECALL FOR EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION FROM USING HIGH SALT USAGE FOR SNOW.NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V444000 I HAVE 2 ISSUES. 1ST I LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE WHICH USES HIGH SALT ON ALL ROADS FOR EXCESSIVE MONTHS DURING THE YEAR AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. 2ND THEY AREN'T RECALLING ANY TOYOTA SEQUOIAS WHICH ARE THE EXACT SAME FRAME AND CROSSMEMBER AS THE TUNDRA AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AS WELL. TO DO ONE AND NOT THE OTHER MAKES COMPLETELY NO SENSE SINCE THEY ARE THE SAME MINUS THE SHELL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS COVERED IN RUST. SHE CONSTANTLY HAS TO REPLACE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST OVER $3,000. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

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

DT: IN SEPTEMBER 2002 THE OWNER WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR HANDLE AND IT FELL OFF IN HER HAND. IT WAS THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE THAT BROKE. THEN THE OWNER CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. T THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE DOOR HANDLE WITHOUT CHARGE SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN, IN JUNE 2005 THERE WAS A PASSENGER WHO GOT OF OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. THE OWNER GOT IT TO CLOSE BY USING A BUNGEE CORD. IN JUNE WHILE OWNER WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD THE PASSENGER'S DOOR OPENED. THE OWNER DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE DOOR TO OPEN. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH FOR ABOUT $300. THEN, LAST WEEK THE OWNER WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE HATCH BACK AND COULDN'T GET THE HATCHBACK DOOR OPEN. THE OWNER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. TOYOTA WILL PAY FOR THE PART, BUT THE OWNER WILL PAY FOR THE LABOR. HOWEVER, THE OWNER WAS WORRIED THAT THE DOORS COULD OPEN WHILE DRIVING. THE OWNER SIGNED A PIECE OF PAPER IN JUNE OF 2005 THAT STATED THE OWNER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURIES CAUSED BY THE DOORS COMING OPEN.*AK UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB

REAR HATCH DOOR NOT STAYING UP WHEN DOOR IS RAISED. THEREFORE FALLING ON PERSONS HEAD

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND REACH 55-60MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

REAR BUMPER/TAIL LIGHT DAMAGED, BLIND SPOT, DESIGN ISSUE AND NEED OBJECT SENSORS. DT