2003 Toyota Sequoia Electrical Problems

Your check engine light, traction control light, and brake system warning light won't turn off. When the traction control system activates, it locks up your steering and brakes, making the car unsafe to drive. You're unable to pass smog testing despite spending thousands of dollars on repairs.

While parking your Sequoia, you noticed smoke coming from under the hood and felt the vehicle make a sudden stop when you pressed the brake pedal. When you checked under the hood, you found the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) box was melting. Disconnecting the battery stopped the smoke, but the vehicle was never diagnosed by a mechanic.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE SPEED CONTROL, VCS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND SAS WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS, BUT NO FAILURE COULD BE FOUND. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A MALFUNCTION OF THE ECU TRACKING DEVICE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V176000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 224,000.

VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC), TRACTION CONTROL (TRAC), AND ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) DASH LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT ALL SYSTEMS ARE OFF OR MALFUNCTIONING. CAN CONFIRM THAT THE TRAC, VSC, AND ABS ARE INACTIVE ALL OR MOST OF THE TIME. THE ABS INTERVENES AT RANDOM UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS WITHOUT CAUSE AT LOW SPEED (LESS THAN 20MPH) AND MAKES BRAKING DIFFICULT AND INCONSISTENT IN CONDITIONS WHERE ABS IS NOT NORMALLY NEEDED. IN THAT SITUATION THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD TO DEPRESS AND BRAKING FORCE IS INCONSISTENTLY APPLIED WITH LITTLE CONTROL GIVEN TO THE OPERATOR IN TURN EXTENDING THE BRAKING DISTANCE WITHOUT DUE CAUSE OR WARNING. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS STATING IDENTICAL AND/OR SIMILAR OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE VSC CONTROL MODULE, A KNOWN PROBLEMATIC COMPONENT ON THIS GENERATION OF SEQUOIA AND MORE SPECIFICALLY MODEL YEAR 2003 VEHICLES. A RECALL FOR THE VSC SYSTEM WAS ISSUED IN APRIL/MAY 2010 UPGRADING THE CONTROL LOGIC OF THE VSC SYSTEM IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 VEHICLES. LET IT BE KNOWN THAT THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE IN JUNE OF 2011 WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE AS IT HAS BEEN EITHER INTERMITTENT OR CONSTANT SINCE THEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE ALARM HORN FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED, NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. STAYED ON FOR 2 DAYS THEN DISAPPEARED AGAIN. TWO MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD BECOME ILLUMINATED, PUT IT IN PARK TO LOAD PASSENGERS, AND WHEN RETURNED TO DRIVE, THE VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND A GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD WHEN APPLYING BRAKES - ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. TURNED THE CAR OFF, CHECKED FLUIDS AND FUSES, WHEN RESTARTED ONLY BRAKE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND CAR APPEARED TO BE DRIVING NORMALLY. TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA TODAY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AS THE BRAKE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AND THE GRINDING NOISE WAS A CONCERN - AND AM TOLD THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN ALL MY RESEARCH ON THIS, I'M VERY CONCERNED AS IT APPEARS TO BE QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM, AND ON A SEARCH OF MY VIN IT SAYS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL (ALTHOUGH I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALER THAT MY ECU WAS 'FLASHED TO THE UPDATED PROGRAMMING') CURRENT COST QUOTED IS $1,508 - BUT WAS ALSO TOLD THAT ONCE THE BOOSTER IS INSTALLED THEY HAVE TO RE-RUN THEIR CHECK AND IT MAY NOT BE THE ONLY PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING AS WE OWN 2 OTHER TOYOTAS, AND PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A DAILY DRIVER TO TAKE OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, EVERYTHING I'VE SEEN REGARDING THESE ISSUES LEAVES ME VERY CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY.

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH, THE ABS,TRACK CONTROL SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND SUDDENLY THE ACCELERATION STOPS I PRESS THE PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE SO I TURN MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, AND ACCELERATE AGAIN AND THIS TIME IT WORKED. BUT IT'S BEEN DOING THAT ON EVERYDAY BASIS THE MECHANIC SAID IS THE VEHICLES COMPUTER, IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM? CAN SOMEONE HELP? *TR

THE VSC AND TRAC LIGHTS STARTED COMING AFTER A CLUCKING SOUND HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN IT GOES AWAY. BUT IT COMES BACK INTERMITTENTLY. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AS WE WILL NEED TO GO ON A LONG FAMILY TRIP IN A FEW WEEKS. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME VSC PROBLEMS AS I READ IN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. RANDOMLY (OR SO IT SEEMS) THE VSC, BRAKE LIGHTS, DRIVE LIGHT AND OTHERS WILL GO ON AND OFF. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW AND EVERY TIME I GO TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE, THEY AREN'T ON AND THEY "CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG." *TR

UPON NORMAL DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ACCURATELY AND QUICKLY ENOUGH AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE 3 INDICATOR LIGHTS WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE 3 INDICATORS ARE BRAKE, TRAC OFF, VSC OFF. BEFORE THESE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BECOME VERY HARD TO PRESS CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO REQUIRE MUCH MORE FORCE APPLIED TO IT THUS CAUSING A DECREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW MOTOR AND WINDOW TRACKS HAVE RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE MOTOR HAS FAILED AND THE WINDOW TRACKS ARE COMPLETLY RUSTED AWAY. THE WINDOW IS NOT UNOPERABLE. THERE IS A SHORT IN THE O2 SENSOR WIRING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON THE ABOVE VEHICLE REGARDING FRAME RUST. I BELIEVE THAT THE ABOVE COMPLAINTS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RUST ISSUES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS.

WIRE THAT GOES INTO WIRING CONNECTION TO A/C FAN MOTOR IS ON SIDE NEAR BOTTOM OF MOTOR AND IS EXPOSED TO EXCESS WEAR WHEN FEET ARE PLACED IN FOOT WELL AS TOE-END OF SHOES CAN CONTACT/WEAR AGAINST THE WIRES. THE WIRING ALSO HAS TO GO THROUGH A SHARP 180 DEGREE TURN TO ENTER CONNECTION. INSULATION ON WIRING FAILED AND CONDUCTORS SHORTED, PARTIALLY MELTING THE CONNECTOR AND PRODUCE AN ACRID SMELL. FUSE DID NOT OPEN. WIRING AND/OR CONNECTOR MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

HI I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5, AND THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF AND CHECK ENGINE CAME ON ALL AT ONCE, TOOK IT TO AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEY RAN THE SCANNER IT SAID TO CHANGE THE O2 SENSOR, WHICH I DID AND NOTHING CHANGED, I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN COMING UP QUIET A LOT IN THIS MODEL, CAN YOU TELL ME IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE VSC TRAC LIGHT HAS BEEN ON (SHOWING IT IS OFF), ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON TOO WHILE DRIVING. TODAY THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE ONLY CODE THAT IS COMING UP IS FOR A WEAK O2 SENSOR. *TR

ONE DAY THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, BRAKE, ABS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON THE DASH, SHORTLY AFTER THIS HAPPENED WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL STATING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND FIX. THE FIRST TIME I DROPPED IT OFF FOR THE DAY THEY CALLED AFTER AND SAID THE MACHINE TO TEST THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN, AND THAT IT WOULD BE A DAY OR TWO BEFORE IT WAS REPAIRED, WELL I NEEDED MY VEHICLE SO I WENT A PICKED IT UP. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY FINALLY TESTED MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FIT THE CRITERIA FOR VIN IDENTIFICATION. I REALLY DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE CONSIDERING ALL THE INFORMATION STATED ON THE RECALL IS EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. AFTER DAYS OF RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT MULTIPLE SENSORS AND ECU NEEDS TO BE REPLACED COSTING IN THE RANGE OF $2000.00 PLUS DOLLARS. ALSO I HAVE READ MULTIPLE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE THIS ONE. THESE LIGHTS ARE ON THE VEHICLE FOR A REASON AND TOYOTA PUT THE RECALL OUT FOR A REASON SO FIX THE PROBLEMS!!!! *TR

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. (CEL) LIGHT ON. ALSO (TRAC OFF) LIGHT ON AS WELL AS (VSC TRAC) LIGHT ON. SOMETIMES BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT STAY ON FOR DAYS . I HAD TRUCK IN SHOP 3 WKS AGO WITH THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID IT WAS OXYGEN SENSOR 2 (I BELIEVE) HAD IS REPLACED AND LIGHT WENT OFF. LIGHT IS BACK ON AGAIN 2 WEEKS LATER. CAR SPUTTERS WHEN ACCELERATING. DOESN'T FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO 2 MONTHS PRIOR I HAD THE CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. FLUIDS, FILTERS, TIRES ROTATED, ECT AS USUAL. *TR

VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, BRAKE, ABS LIGHTS... ALL ON, ALL AT ONCE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE WITH THESE THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO BE ON THE HOOK FOR. MANY OTHERS WENT TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM AND FILED A COMPLAINT. IF THEY GET ENOUGH OF THESE THEY WILL GO TO THE MANUFACTURER AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

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 RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS LOOSE. I OPENED THE DOOR, CHECKED IF THE SEATBELT WAS SHUT-IN WITH THE DOOR BUT ALL WAS NORMAL. I WIGGLED THE LATCH WHICH IS SCREWED IN BY 2 LARGE STAR/ALLEN SCREWS. THAT WAS IT, IT WAS VERY LOOSE, IT TOOK 5 TURNS TO TIGHTEN EACH ONE. I CHECKED THE OTHER DOORS, ALL WERE JUST FINE. THE DOOR WOULD HAVE OPENED IF THIS LATCH CAME ALL THE WAY OUT, EVEN BELTED IN, A PERSON COULD BE INJURED. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT THIS USED 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA ON MAY 25, 2012. I NOTICED THE WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING A DEFECTIVE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND ABS SYSTEM ON MY WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ASSURED ME THE SYSTEM WORKS FINE AND THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER MODULE. ALL THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON AT THE SAME TIME: TRAC, VSC OFF, AND ABS LIGHTS. I ALSO CHECKED THE VEHICLE HISTORY ON THE TOYOTA WEBSITE AND IT IS RECORDED THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER WORKED ON THIS PROBLEM ON 07/23/2009 WHEN THE CAR HAD 97,187 MILES. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND IT SEEMS 50,000 SEQUOIA'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, MY SEQUOIA'S VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST. PLEASE HELP. IN ADDITION THE LIGHTING ON THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT WORK. *TR

THERE WERE NO PARTICULAR EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE OF OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 'S 'YAW SENSOR'. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN NORMAL CONDITIONS WHEN THE VCS AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO SHAKE/SHIFT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO INJURY OR INCIDENT OTHER THAN NEEDING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOT TO HAVE THE ISSUE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRS COMPLETED. REPAIR REQUIRED THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW YAW SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE OLD PARTS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED FROM THE DEALER FOR US TO RETAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 3 YEARS AGO THE VSC TRACKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR, GASKET, AND THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA AND THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT IS FAILING TO REPORT THE PROPER OIL INFORMATION. IT FLUCTUATES AT RANDOM TIMES DROPPING TO THE LOW MARK AND WILL REMAIN THERE FOR MINUTES AT A TIME. IF THIS SENDING UNIT DOES NOT INFORM ME OF THE TRUE REPRESENTATION OF OIL PRESSURE, IT COULD POTENTIALLY DAMAGE MY VEHICLE ENGINE AND HOPE THAT TOYOTA RECALLS THIS PART BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF BLOGS FROM OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA - VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, AND ABS DASH LIGHTS TURNED ON AND STAY ILLUMINATED. TAKEN TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO DIAGNOSE. THEY HAVE FINALLY ADMITTED THE VSC COMPUTER CHIP IS FAULTY. THIS CAUSES THE ANTI-SKID BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MANY TOYOTA SEQUOIAS. TOYOTA WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN. *TR

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA, VSC AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES @ 20K MILES AND NOW @ 80K MILES. FIRST TIME @ 20 K MILES, DEALER DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM SO THEY SAID I MIGHT FORGET TO TIGHTEN THE GAS CAP...BUT NOW AFTER 5 YEARS, THE VSC AND ABS LIGHT STARTED POPPING UP AGAIN WHEN I WAS DRIVING 60 MILE/HOUR, I HAVE BROUGHT THE CA TO DEALER AND THIS TIME THEY HAVE CHARGED ME ALMOST $ 500 TO GET THESE LIGHTS CAME OFF INCLUDING A SERIES OF UNNECESSARY PARTS REPLACING AND TUNE UP. LESS THAN ONE MONTH, THESE LIGHTS - VSC AND ABS CAME ON AGAIN, BROUGHT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAID IT FAILED FOR ANOTHER CODE WHICH REQUIRE ANOTHER $ 500 TO GET IT FIXED. I WAS FRUSTRATED SO I TOOK THE CAR BACK HOME, BUT I STILL FEEL UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING IT. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD CONSIDER THIS ISSUE AND RECALL SINCE SO MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED A SIMILAR ISSUE - VSC AND ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENT ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING REPAIRS OR A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 155,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE VSC AND TRAC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE SHAKING STOPPED AFTER FIVE SECOND BUT THE LIGHTS STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TWICE; ON THE FIRST VISIT, THE DEALER TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS AND ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSLATE COMPUTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,300. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 65-75 MPH, THE TRAC OFF AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN SNOWY WEATHER AT 28 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, SKIDDED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A FIELD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BODY WAS REPAIRED. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000.

WE OWN A TOYATA SEQUOIA LTD 2003 MODEL YEAR. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER REGARDING BRAKING ISSUE. IF WE EVER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, FOR SOME REASON THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WILL START TO LOCK UP, THAT WOULD SHAKE THE SUV AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER. THE DEALER NEVER DETERMINED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN THOUGH WE ENDED UP PAYING FOR REPAIRS THAT NEVER MADE A DIFFERENCE. EVENTUALLY WE STOPPED USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON OUR VEHICLE, THAT ALSO STOPPED THE RIGHT SIDE WHEELS FROM LOCKING UP. DURING THIS PERIOD THE CAR PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY ALSO CRASHED INTO OUR GARAGE AND BROKE THE GARAGE DOORS. WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES ON AND IN PARK, MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WE THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, THE SUV HAD CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE; EVEN THOUGH THE SUV WAS IN PARK POSITION GEAR AND WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. *TR

THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, ABS LIGHT CAME ON, THE VSC LIGHTS CAME ON, ALL ON MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED. AFTER PARKING THE CAR FOR WORK, WHEN I LEFT WORK, THE CAR STALLED LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO START. WHEN I GOT TO A STOP LIGHT THE CAR HESITATED TO MOVE WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE ECU OF THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. I ALSO READ THAT AN ECU UNIT CAUSED A FIRE, AND HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AND SAFETY ISSUES. THE UNIT CONTROLS THE ABS, THROTTLE, AND OTHER IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE CAR WHERE THE UNIT TAKES CONTROL OF THE BRAKE AND ENGINE, DISABLING THE DRIVER TO BE IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CARE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE ECU INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE CAR 2 DAYS TRYING TO AVOID CHANGING THE UNIT BECAUSE THE COST WAS 1800.00 AT THE DEALERS COST. SO THEY FINALLY SAID THAT T WAS NOT THE ECU BUT A PART THAT IS RELATED AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND ISSUED COSTS IN EXCESS OF 2500.00. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO COVER THE PARTS AND LABOR UNDER THE 8 YEAR 80,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS DRIVEN FOR LESS THAN A MILE A DAY. THIS IS TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR A PART THAT TOYOTA KNOWS WAS FAULTY AND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE. IT WILL CAUSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO INTERVENE TO PREVENT A DEATH TO A FAMILY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR IS MARKETED FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. *TR

VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC)CONTINUES TO FAIL, TAKEN THE SEQUOIA TO TOYOTA SEVERAL TIME AND THE RESET OR CHANGE THE VSC MODULE. TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL SEQUOIAS BUT DON'T APPEAR TO INTERESTED IN FIXING IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 4WD. IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2003 BRAND NEW. THE VSC OFF LIGHT AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS ARE ON ALMOST ALL THE TIME. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE SENSORS ON THE BRAKES OR THAT I NEEDED A NEW BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. I HAVE BEEN DOING THE REPLACEMENT DEALS FOR THE PAST THREE TIMES ALREADY AND IT IS STILL GIVING ME THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY CAR OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS DUE TO A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. IT BECOMES A GREATER PROBLEM BECAUSE THE COMPUTER DISABLES THE VEHICLE CONTROL MECHANISM RESULTING IN LOSS OF SKID CONTROL. THE BRAKES FAIL TO ENGAGE AND THERE IS NO TRACTION DURING A SKID. IT IS A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING DURING THE WINTER OR WHEN IT IS RAINING AND THE ROADS ARE WET AND SLIPPERY. I WAS TOLD TO UNPLUG THE BATTERY AND PLUG IT BACK IT TO RESTART THE COMPUTER BUT IT DOES NOT KEEP THE VSC OFF AND ENGINE LIGHT FROM COMING ON. I AM BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND HOPE TO GET THEM TO REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY CAR OWNERS, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSION SHOULD REQUIRE TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL OWNERS FOR FREE. *TR

IN 2007, TOOK MY 2003 SEQUOIA TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VSC LIGHTS CAME ON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. NOW A YEAR LATER, THE VSC LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I HAVE NOW HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1650. *TR

I HAVE A TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003: THE VSC/ABS/TRANSLATE ECU HAVE FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES RESULTING IN UNSAFE VEHICLE HANDLING. *TR

MY COMPLAINT IS THE ABS/TRAC LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. WE HAD NO PRIOR WARNING OF THIS INCIDENT EVEN THOUGH WE HAD TAKEN OUR VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BEFORE WITH THE TRAC LIGHT STAYING ON ALL THE TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NOW OUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. OUR DEALERSHIP INSPECTED OUR VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ABS SKID CONTROL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS ECU AND GETTING AN UNFAIR PRICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ($1,600.00) TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WE SAW THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS OUR VEHICLE. PARTS CAN ONLY BE FOUND THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP THUS WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE DEALERSHIPS. SEVERAL OF THE ISSUES HAVE ALL HAPPENED AFTER THE WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED, BUT WITHIN THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM CLOSELY, WE SHOULD NOT BE REPLACING THIS PART AFTER 4 YEARS OF SERVICE. THANKS FOR YOU TIME AND ALL YOUR HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED WITH APPROXIMATELY 57, 000 MILES. I RECENTLY TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA OF HUNTINGTON BEACH FOR SERVICE AND TO CHECK ON THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) LIGHT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT BASED THE DIAGNOSTIC REPAIR CODES AND A REPAIR BULLETIN, HE RECOMMENDED A THAT THE SKID CONTROL ECU BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1667.00 THIS REPAIR RECOMMENDATION WHAT DISAPPOINTING FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS: 1.THIS IS A REPAIR THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY COMPLAINED ABOUT THE VSC LIGHT TO A TOYOTA SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE SOLUTION BY THE TOYOTA OF LONG BEACH REPAIR FACILITY WAS TO SIMPLY 'RESET' THE ECU. ATTACHED IS THE INVOICE. 2.SECONDLY, THE ECU IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ONGOING MAINTENANCE. IT IS A COMPUTER CHIP THAT IS DESIGNED TO CONTROL THE VSC, ETC. IF THE ECU CAN NOT BE REPROGRAMMED TO FUNCTION AS INTENDED, THEN THIS DESIGN FLAW THAT AGAIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY OR AS RECALL. 3.THE DESIGN FLAW IS SERIOUS AND CRITICALLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY AND STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. 4.FINALLY, THE ECU IS ESSENTIALLY A SMALL COMPUTER AND THE $1600 PRICE TAG TO REPLACE SUCH AND INEXPENSIVE PART IS ABSURD. IN THE EVENT THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT HONOR ITS COMMITMENT TO QUALITY, TOYOTA, SHOULD REEVALUATE THE PRICING OF SUCH A SMALL BUT CRITICAL PART AND REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AS OF NOVEMBER 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25,869.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, MY 2003 LIMITED TOYOTA SEQUOIA 4WD VEHICLE LOST POWER, CUTTING THE ENGINE OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. PLACING VEHICLE INTO PARK, THEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESULT IN RESTART OF VEHICLE. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE MOVED OUT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC MANUALLY, THEN TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. DEALER FOUND EFI FUSE NUMBER 1 BLOWN, REPLACED, FUSE BLEW AGAIN AT DEALERSHIP, REPLACED FUSE A 2ND TIME AND THE VEHICLE HASN'T BLOWN THE FUSE SINCE (A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER). DEALER NOTED THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY EFI FUSE BLEW EITHER TIME. *JB

VSC/ABS/SKID LIGHT ON MY 03' SEQUOIA BEGAN COMING ON NOV. 06. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ECU SKID CONTROL COMPUTER AND RESET IT. THEY SAID THE LIGHTS MIGHT COME BACK ON AND THEY HAVE ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST YEAR. ALSO, NOTICED ISSUES W/ THE BREAK SKIDDING EVEN THOUGH I RECENTLY HAD BRAKES REPLACED. NOW I HAVE TO PAY $1500 TO HAVE THE ECU SKID CONTROL COMPUTER REPLACED AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 62K MILES ON IT. WAY TO EARLY TO START REPLACING ELECTRONIC PARTS. *JB

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA: VSC, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, REPAIR WAS MORE THAN $600. JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 65,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH AND THE 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA JUST CUT COMPLETELY OFF , NO POWER AT ALL. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE, AND IT WAS WITH MY FAMILY; WIFE , 5 AND 7 YEAR OLD CHILD, AND IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO MERGE TO THE RIGHT TO GET OUT OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC AND ON O THE EMERGENCY LANE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND THEY CHECKED THE TROUBLE CODES, AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE VSC ECU COMPUTER THAT CONTROLLED THE SKID CONTROL, BUT COULD NOT REPLACE IT BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT FAILING AT THAT POINT. TWO DAYS LATER I WAS AGAIN DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH, AND THE CAR CUT OFF AGAIN , NO POWER AT ALL, AND AGAIN I ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, TRYING TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP , AS IT WOULD NT START THIS TIME , AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE VSC ECU, AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY, IT WOULD COST ME $1100 TO REPLACE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEQUOIA OWNERS AND IS A DEFINITE SAFETY PROBLEM. I AM VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES WHEN THE CAR JUST CUT OFF TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY! *AK

THE VSC & VSC TRAC HAS FAILED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE WITH COSTLY REPAIRS, THE DEALER WAS OF NO HELP WITH THIS SITUATION THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED ON THIS CAR. *AK

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 OWNERS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE PREVIOUSLY, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. IT SEEMS RATHER UNFAIR TO FOOT A BILL OF $2500 FOR A PART THAT FAILED DUE TO TOYOTA AND NOT ME, THE CONSUMER. *NM

VSC LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY FOR NO REASON. *JB

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA - ALMOST CRASHED WHEN A MALFUNCTION WITH THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL ECU OCCURRED. CAUSED CAR TO LOSE POWER, BRAKE FLUTTERED AND MADE GRINDING NOISE, AND ALARM SOUNDED IN CABIN OF CAR. TRAC OFF AND VSC TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON. THOUSAND OAKS TOYOTA (CA) PULLED CODES C1203 AND C1231. QUOTE FOR REPAIR = $2100.00 (TO REPLACE TRANS LATE ECU AND SKID CONTROL ECU). UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE 41K MILES ON IT AND WARRANTY ENDED AT 36K (36 MONTHS WAS UP IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR). MANY REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN SEQUOIAS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. TOYOTA IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *NM

TOYOTA SEQUOIA - CONSISTENT FAILURE OF THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO SUCCESSFUL REPAIR. WE ALSO HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH THE REAR WINDOW SEALS LEAKING AND CAUSING THE WINDOW MOTOR TO FAIL. *NM

VSC/TRAC LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN TAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS CAUSING COMPLETE POWER LOSS OF VEHICLE OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TO GRIND VEHICLE TO A HALT. HAD A VERY SERIOUS NEAR MISS ACCIDENT WHEN TURNING AT INTERSECTION. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND CAR BEHIND ME NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I HAVE LOCATED 3 TSB'S RELATED TO THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ENTIRE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 1500.00 TO ME. DEALER SAYS WARRANTY EXPIRED AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT BLAME FOR FAULTY PART.*JB

THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE RPM'S AND HAD NO THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FLICKERED AND THE RPM'S DROPPED AND THERE WAS NO CONTROL WITH THE ACCELERATION. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB