2001 Toyota Sequoia Complaint Log

PREMATURE RUSTING OF UNDERCARRIAGE FRAME THAT FAILS STATE INSPECTION. POSES SAFETY ISSUES AND A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE MAY OCCUR IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED. APPEARS TO BE ENDEMIC ESPECIALLY IN RUST BELT STATES. *TR

GOING AROUND SLIGHT CURVE. ALARM SOUNDED VSC TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE TRIED TO STEER OFF ROAD INTO A DITCH. TOOK ALL I COULD DO TO CORRECT IT BACK ON THE ROAD. PERFECT WEATHER DRY PAVEMENT. NOT THE FIRST TIME THE SYSTEM HAS DONE CRAZY THINGS. *JB

TWO DAYS AGO, I HAPPENED TO BE ON MY WAY HOME ON A BACK ROAD AND ONLY GOING AROUND 40 MPH WHEN MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT, VSC TRAC, AND TRAC OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED MAKING A BEEPING NOISE AND I COULD NOT CONTROL MY VEHICLE. THIS IS FOR A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS SINCE ON DIFFERENT FORUMS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA AND HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM OR THEY COULD BE FACING SOME LAWSUITS IF THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS PERSIST AND SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF NEGLIGENCE ON TOYOTA'S PART. AS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, WE HAVE OWNED TOYOTA VEHICLES FOR YEARS, MY GREAT UNCLE WAS EVEN ASKED TO BE IN A TOYOTA COMMERCIAL BECAUSE OF THE DEVOTION OUR FAMILY HAS HAD TO TOYOTA. I REALLY HOPE THEY DO THE RIGHT THING BECAUSE THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES MADE AGAINST THEIR COMPANY IF NOT. *TR

RUSTED FRAME. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND THE TRUCK STARTED SKIDDING ON IT'S OWN, THE VSC TRAC LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT BOTH CAME ON WHILE THE CAR WITH THE SKID MARK INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED AND BEEPED, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOSE. I STOPPED AT THE STORE AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE TRUCK, THE LIGHTS WERE OFF BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER, GOING ONLY ABOUT 30 MPH, IT DID IT AGAIN AND WAS LOUDER AND SHOOK WORSE. I WAS SCARED AND JUST TRIED TO GET HOME. IT WAS TOO LATE TO TAKE TO TOYOTA BUT I DID TALK TO A MECHANIC AND WILL GO TO TOYOTA IN THE AM. *TR

HAD JUST TURNED ONTO A ROAD AT 25 MPH AND VCS/TRAC LIGHTS CAME ON, STARTED BEEPING, MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND WAS HARD TO STEER, PULLED OFF ROAD AS THINKING I HAD RAN OVER SOMETHING....VERY SCARED. NOW DOES IT APPROXIMATELY 2 X WEEKLY WITH NO RHYME OR REASON. *TR

EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST IS CAUSING LARGE HOLES TO DEVELOP IN IMPORTANT STRUCTURAL LOCATIONS. IN SOME AREAS, TWO SIDES OF THE 4 SIDED FRAME REMAIN. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR EVEN LIFT.

VEHICLE SKID CONTROL AND VEHICLE TRAC LIGHTS COME ON AND THEY CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. IT FEELS LIKE THEIR IS LESS TRACTION AND THIS CAUSES THE BRAKES TO WEAR. *JS

WAS DRIVING OUT MY DRIVEWAY, NOT GOING FAST AT ALL...TURNED ON A MAJOR STREET AND SUDDENLY, A PICTURE OF THE SKIDDING CAR APPEARED AND THEN THE TRAC/VSC LIGHTS CAME ON WITH A HORRENDOUS NOISE. TOOK CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AFTER RELINQUISHING $100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE LIGHT AND NOISE FROM THE VSC ENGAGING OR DISENGAGING IS REALLY LOUD AND HAS HAPPENED EVERY DAY SINCE THE INITIAL ISSUE. DOES THIS PRESENT A PROBLEM? I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT IS VERY MUCH NEEDED FOR WORK AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BUT FAIL TO DO A RECALL. *TR

VEHICLE: TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2001 4WD LTD TEMPERATURE: 87 DEGREES F CONDITIONS: SUNNY & CLEAR - NO RAIN/WATER PRESENT - NO OBVIOUS SLIPPERY CONDITIONS SURFACE: PAVED SURFACE ROAD ACCESSORIES ACTIVE: AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON & RADIO WAS ON WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED (VEHICLE SYMBOL THAT INCLUDES 3 WAVY LINES) AND SOUNDED AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE "VSC TRAC" & "VSC OFF" LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. TO MEMORY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING PRESSED AS NORMAL. WHEN THE ABOVE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED A NEGATIVE SENSATION COULD BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT VEER OFF COURSE. NEXT, THE EMERGENCY FLASHER HAZARD LIGHT WAS TURNED ON, THE A/C & RADIO WERE TURNED OFF AND THE FOUR MAIN WINDOWS WERE LOWERED TO THEIR FULL DOWN POSITIONS BY THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SIDE STREET APPROXIMATELY 1/8 MILE AHEAD, STOPPED AND PARKED. THE DRIVER KEPT THE VEHICLE RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY THE DRIVER FOR SIGNS OF OBVIOUS MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE BRAKE, DRIVELINE AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS DID NOT SHOW ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS OF FAILURE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS CHECKED AND IT DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THE CURRENT STATE. THE VEHICLE'S A/C SYSTEM WAS SWITCHED BACK ON (THE RADIO WAS LEFT OFF) AND THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES, PARKED AND TURNED OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS OF THE VEHICLE BEING PARKED & NOT RUNNING THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE PREVIOUS DASHBOARD LIGHTS AT FIRST DID NOT ILLUMINATE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE OF DRIVING THE "VSC TRAC" & "VSC OFF" LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES, PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL MECHANICAL SENSATIONS FELT OR HEARD DURING EITHER 10 OR 50 MILE DRIVES. *TR

RECENTLY HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED, WHILE ACCELERATING UP FREEWAY ON RAMP I COULD FEEL POWER BEING TAKEN AWAY, LOOKED DOWN AND SKID CONTROL LIGHT WAS LIT UP. ASKED MECHANIC ABOUT IT AND RECOMMENDED ZERO POINT CALIBRATION TO REST SENSORS FOR STEERING YAW AND PITCH. AFTER ZPC VSC TRAC AND VSC OFF LIGHTS WERE ON. CODE PULLED C1231 STEERING ANGLE. ZPC AGAIN. CODE AND LIGHTS STILL, CODE WILL NOT CLEAR WITH TOYOTA INTELLIGENT 2 SCANNER. MONITORING STEERING SENSOR WITH SCANNER SHOW BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE NUMBERS WITH ZERO AT WHEELS STRAIGHT. MECHANIC WANT TO CHANGE OUT SPENDY VSC CPU AND TRANSLATE CPU AND SAYS THAT IS NO GUARANTEE TO FIX. I AM DRIVING IT WITH LIGHTS ONE DUE TO UNABLE TO PAY $2K FOR SOMETHING OUT OF KNOW WHERE AND NO PART PHYSICALLY BROKE TO PROMOTE. IN LOOKING AROUND I SEE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED ISSUE. *TR

MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING MY BOY TO BASKETBALL PRACTICE. MY MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. HE SAID THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND PROBABLY NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL SEQUOIAS WITH THE SAME RUST ISSUES BUT DON'T EXPECT TOYOTA TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING TUNDRA AND TACOMA RUSTED FRAMES. AFTER VISITING CERTAIN WEBSITES LIKE EDMOND'S I'VE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SEQUOIA OWNERS AND THAT TOYOTA IS NOT RESOLVING THE ISSUE. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM? IT'S TIME TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM AND FORCE TOYOTA TO REPLACE THESE ROTTED FRAMES. *TR

RECENTLY, MY 01 SEQUOIA HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD METAL-LIKE GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM THE ENGINE OR THE TIRES. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE ON THE ROAD AND IT WAS SWERVING, THE VSC TRAC LIGHT AND VSC OFF LIGHT FLASHED AND BEEPED RAPIDLY, AND WORST THING OF ALL WAS THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK EITHER. THE MORE I PUT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, THE MORE THE METAL GRINDING NOISE WAS INTENSIFIED. FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO BE DROPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OR THE TIRES WERE SCRAPED TO THE BONE. PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED IN APRIL, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING BECAUSE AS FAST AS IT CAME OUT OF NOWHERE, IT QUICKLY WENT AWAY ALSO. HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AGO, MY HUSBAND AND MY SON WERE IN MY CAR AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT LASTED LONGER AND MY HUSBAND HAD TO TRY HIS BEST TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS SWERVING AND SHAKING SO BAD, AND THE LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS BACK. WE KEPT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE FOR A WEEK IN HOPES THAT IT WILL "GO AWAY." TODAY, 5/16/12, AS I'M DRIVING AT 50MPH IT HAPPENED AGAIN.THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO CARS BEHIND ME, AND JUST A TRUCK A LITTLE WAYS AHEAD OF ME. BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 55MPH, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. I PUT PRESSURE ON MY BRAKES TO NO AVAIL BECAUSE THE MORE I TRIED TO PUSH THE BRAKES, THE LOUDER THE NOISE WAS AND THE MORE THE CAR WAS SHAKING. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST TERRIFYING EVENTS IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I SAW THAT I WAS APPROACHING THE BACK OF THE TRUCK FAST AND I COULDN'T STOP, I TRIED TO PULL TO THE SIDE BUT THERE WERE NO ROOM BECAUSE THE SIDES WERE JUST GUARD RAILS. AT THAT POINT, I PUT MORE PRESSURE ON MY BRAKES BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANNA BE KILLED OR HURT ANYONE ELSE, SO MY CAR FINALLY STARTED TO SLOWED DOWN. THE SCARIEST PART WAS THAT I COULD NOT BRAKE. THE MORE I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE LOUDER THE NOISE, AND THE MORE THE CAR WAS SHAKING.

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

OUR 2001 SEQUOIA WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME. I DRIVE A SEQUOIA AND MY HUSBAND DRIVES A TUNDRA. WE BOUGHT BOTH OUR VEHICLES "NEW" FROM OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO DOES MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE ON THEM. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE WE'VE OWNED THE SEQUOIA THAT RUST HAS BECOME AN ISSUE?! WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE SEQUOIA ARE REPORTING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE WHICH IS SIMILAR TO A TUNDRA RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR FRAME RUST DUE TO THE USE OF INFERIOR METAL WHICH CAUSED RUST FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND BY THE TIME IT BECOMES VISIBLE IT'S TOO LATE. IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT BOTH THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH THE SAME FRAME. THE RECALL SHOULD APPLY TO ANY OF TOYOTA'S VEHICLES IF IT IS THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAVE ALSO FILED A CLAIM WITH TOYOTA. *TR

FRAME RUST. SEQUIOA, AND TUNDRA SHARE THE SAME FRAME. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT UNWILLING TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE OLATHE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INDICATING MY VEHICLE WAS UNFIT TO DRIVE DUE TO RUST DAMAGE ON THE UNDER-CARRIAGE. THEY INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBERS HAS A 12-INCH LONG SECTION OF RUST AND THERE ARE SOM SMALL HOLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FRAME IS WEAK AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE 2000-2003 TUNDRAS AND POSSIBLY TACOMAS FOR THIS RUST DAMAGE. IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, THE SEQUOIA IS BUILT ON THE SAME FRAMEWORK AS THE TUNDRA SO I WOULD ASSUME A RECALL ON THE SEQUOIA'S WOULD BE NECESSARY AS WELL. I WOULD NORMALLY NOT CONSIDER BUYING A 10-YEAR OLD VEHICLE BUT DUE TO THE FACT IT WAS A TOYOTA AND THEY ARE KNOWN FOR LONG-LASTING VEHICLE LIVES, I HAD NO CONCERNS. NOW IT SEEMS I MAY HAVE A $13K INVESTMENT THAT IS A DANGER TO MY FAMILY AND WORTH NEXT TO NOTHING BASED UPON THE RUST DAMAGE AND SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS IT COULD CAUSE. *TR

ABS, TRAC CONTROL, AND VSC LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY ALL AT THE SAME TIME. THERE IS A TOTAL LOSS OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL - VERY SCARY ON ICY ROADS. PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. CANNOT SEEM TO GET A FAULT CODE. BASED ON THE POSTINGS I SEE, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACK WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE STEERING WHEEL HAPHAZARDLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESET INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT WITHOUT THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THEN THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

LOCAL MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FRAME IS BADLY RUSTED NEAR SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CROSSOVER BEAM IN REAR AND NEAR FRONT BUMPER MOUNT AREA. HE SAID IT WAS MUCH MORE RUST THAN SHOULD BE EXPECTED IN A 10-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE. CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE. THEY SAID THERE ARE "NO CURRENT PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS SEQUOIA RUST ISSUES". CALLED LOCAL DEALER. THEY SAID THERE ARE "NO CURRENT PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS SEQUOIA RUST ISSUES". SOUNDS LIKE A CANNED ANSWER TO ME. THIS VEHICLE IS OF THE SAME VINTAGE AND HAS THE SAME FRAME SETUP AS THE RECALLED TUNDRA AND TACOMA MODELS. TOYOTA DOES NOT SEEM TO BE INTERESTED IN CORRECTING THIS KNOWN ISSUE. UPDATED IVOQ 02/08/12 *TR

THE FRAME RUSTED THROUGH NEAR THE REAR WHEELS MAKING THE CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TT

TRUCK HAS VERY RUSTY FRAME, SPECIALLY THE BACK PORTION AND THE MIDDLE, INCLUDING THE REAR WHEELS, BREAK SECTION, REAL AXEL, FULL WITH THE RUST, EVEN WHILE TRYING TO CLEAN ONCE BUT STOPPED DUE TO REALIZING THAT, BIG PIECES OF METAL WAS COMING OF LIKE PAPER AND START LEAVING HOLE IN THE FRAME, AT FRONT, AROUND INSIDE THE WHEELS, FRAME IS REALLY RUSTY, AND SEEM SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK ANYTIME, ITS WELL MAINTAIN TRUCK, ALWAYS BEING MAINTAIN BY TOYOTA DEALER, HAS ALL THE RECORD. ALSO HAVING ISSUE WITH MANIFOLD LEAKED, REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE, PAYING $1200 AND BEEN TOLD DRIVER SIDE NEED TO REPLACE TOO, HAD FOUND ON LINE THAT SEQUOIA 2001 HAS PROBLEM WITH MANIFOLD TOO. RECENTLY REPLACED ONE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COSTING $1000 PLUS, WHICH BREAK DUE TO RUSTY UNDERNEATH, CALLED TOYOTA BUT NO SATISFACTORY ANSWER. *TR

DECEMBER 28, 2011, I BROUGHT MY 2001, TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN TO BE SERVICED FOR REAR BRAKES AND TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC CALLED ME AT HOME AND STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT I COME IN TO SEE WHAT HE DISCOVERED WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS UP ON THE LIFT. SO I STOPPED IN TO TAKE A LOOK. HE SHOWED ME EXTENSIVE RUST HOLES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FRAME WELDS ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE. HE STRONGLY URGED ME TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT IS UNSAFE IN ITS PRESENT CONDITION AND THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST DAMAGE ON A VEHICLE THIS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THE DRIVE TRAIN, OUTER BODY, AND INTERIOR ARE IN MINT CONDITION. I ALSO HAVE ALWAYS MADE IT A POINT TO POWER WASH THE SALT (CALCIUM CHLORIDE) OFF THE UNDER CARRIAGE AFTER DRIVING IN THE NORTHEAST AFTER SNOW OR ICE STORMS, WHEN SALT IS USED ON OUR ROADS. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER TO TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS. THE END RESULT WAS, THEY WERE SORRY TO HEAR THAT I HAD A ROTTED OUT FRAME AND SUGGESTED THAT I GET RID OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL FOR THE SEQUOIAS. ALTHOUGH, AFTER GOING ONLINE AT THE TOYOTA FORUM I FOUND OUT THAT THEY'RE ARE OVER 300 CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUE WITH THEIR SEQUOIA FRAMES IN OUR STATE, SO I DO NOT STAND ALONE. I AM FLOORED THAT A COMPANY LIKE TOYOTA, THAT PRIDES ITSELF IN BEING COMMITTED TO SAFETY DOES NOT CARE AND WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP WHEN THEY KNOWINGLY USED CHEAP JAPANESE STEEL TO BUILD THESE FAULTY FRAMES. I CURRENTLY HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN AND THIS IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO THROW $8 K AWAY (KELLY BLUE BOOK) ON THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP! IN MARCH 2010, TOYOTA RECALLED 2001-03 TUNDRAS FOR SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST, WHICH IS THE SAME FRAME AS THE SEQUOIA... VERY PUZZLING? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED. THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC AND THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED FROM FRONT TO REAR. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE REGARDING THE FRAME. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155,000. UPDATED 02/03/12*LJ

FRONT BRAKES CAUSED VIOLENT SHAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HAD PREPARED VEHICLE FOR LENGTHY HOLIDAY TRIP BY INSPECTING AND ROTATING TIRES, HAVING WHEEL ALIGNMENT, CHECKING BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, BLEEDING BRAKE LINES WITH NEW DOT3 BRAKE FLUID, ENGINE OIL CHANGE, COOLANT FLUSHED, ETC.... THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT, BUT DEFINITELY THE WORST. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT. HOW DISAPPOINTING. I RECENTLY FOUND THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO ADDRESS. PEOPLE WILL DIE AS A RESULT OF THEIR RECKLESSNESS. DEFINITELY A TOYOTA PROBLEM DUE TO IMPROPERLY UNDERSIZED BRAKING SYSTEM. YOU MIGHT END UP BEING IN THE VEHICLE THAT ONE OF THESE SUVS REARENDS. *TR

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

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

I HAVE OWNED THIS 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SINCE 2009 WITH 178K AND THE FRAME HAD RUST BACK THEN. I RECENTLY HAD THE REAR TIRE REPLACE AND THE MECHANIC SAID I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR FRAME AND BRING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR A SAFETY CHECK. I AM CALLING THEM TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE RUST THIS FRIDAY, I DID SEE IT FOR MYSELF AND WONT DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE OF MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. I ALSO NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL OF THE TUNDRA TRUCK FRAMES BY TOYOTA AND ALSO NOTICED THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME RUST PROBLEMS OF SEQUOIA TRUCKS, IF THEY ARE THE SAME FRAME AS WRITTEN ONLINE WHY AREN'T THEY ALSO RECALLED? I CANT BELIEVE THIS IS RUSTING THIS BAD, ITS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD BUT ITS STILL IN SUCH GREAT SHAPE. *TR

SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY. VSC AND TRAC LIGHT CAME ON, THEN COULD NOT ACCELERATE. HAD TO PULL OVER EXTREMELY FAST BEFORE GETTING REAR ENDED BY OTHER VEHICLES. CAN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY HURT WITH ENTIRE FAMILY IN CAR. LUCKILY THERE WAS A SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ON, OTHERWISE, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. CAR WAS NOT SAFE AT ALL! TOYOTA NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS VSC ISSUE! *TR

DRIVING MY RECENTLY PURCHASED 2001 SEQUOIA AND THE VSC SYSTEM GOES OFF LIKE WE'RE ON ICE. DOES IT UNTIL THE SYSTEM STAYS OFF. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS RANDOMLY. VERY SCARY... RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

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

I WAS JUST LIKE TO ISSUE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME OF MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. IT IS ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I WAS CHECKING BREAK WEAR WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE SWAY BAR ON THE LEFT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE WERE RUSTED IN TWO. I HAVE ORDERED NEW SWAY BARS. MY SEQUIOA WAS EQUIPED WITH THE TOW PACKAGE BUT AM AFRAID TO PULL MY BASS BOAT WITH IT IN FEAR THE HITCH WILL BE PULLED LOOSE FROM THE FRAME BECAUSE OF ALL THE RUST. I HAVE NOTICED RECALLS ON THE TUNDRA FOR RUSTY FRAMES AND WHY I WOULD LIKE KNOW WHY THE SEQUOIA ISN'T BEING RECALLED SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME AMONGST OWNERS OF 2001 & 2002 SEQUOIA OWNERS.

UPON HAVING VEHICLE INSPECTED BY ASE-CERT. TECH., I WAS INFORMED THAT 18"-24" OF THE VEHICLE'S LEFT MAIN FRAME RAIL WAS ROTTED/RUSTED THROUGH ALONG THE BOTTOM SURFACE. THE ROTTED SECTION IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CROSS-MEMBER ON THE LEFT SIDE, AS WELL AS SMALLER PERFORATIONS ON THE RIGHT MAIN FRAME RAIL IN THE SAME LOCATION (TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER). ALSO, THE FRAME RAIL IS ROTTED THROUGH AT THE JUNCTION WHERE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER SUPPORT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. TECHNICIANS HAVE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AS FRAME IS IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING, AS WELL AS SPARE TIRE FALLING OFF VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION. ITS BEEN BROUGHT TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT. FACTORY "TRUCK FRAME TEAM" WAS CONTACTED TO DISCUSS REPLACEMENT OF FRAME, AS DONE IN RESPONSE TO THE RUSTED FRAME EPIDEMIC ON TUNDRAS. THIS PRODUCED NO RESULTS OTHER THAN TOYOTA STATING THAT "THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH SEQUOIA FRAMES", AND "THERE IS NO PROGRAM TO REPLACE THEM". TOYOTA WILL *NOT* REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS FRAME, NOR OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH VEHICLE THAT IS IN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION, WITH A BOOK VALUES OF $9000.00-$10,000.00, NOW MADE WORTHLESS AND UN-DRIVABLE DUE TO THE RUSTED FRAME. THERE ARE MANY DOZENS OF OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING DANGEROUSLY RUSTED/ROTTED FRAMES ON 2001-2003 SEQUOIAS WITH RUST DAMAGE ALL IN THE EXACT SAME LOCATIONS, ON THIS NHTSA WEBSITE (SEE LISTINGS), BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT ADMIT TO THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN/MATERIAL DEFECT, AS THEY HAVE WITH THE TUNDRA, WHICH USES A NEARLY IDENTICAL FRAME FROM SAME MANUFACTURER AND ASSEMBLED IN THE SAME FACTORY. NEITHER HAS THE NHTSA YET INITIATED ANY SORT OF INTERVENTION ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS. EARLY SEQUOIA OWNERS IN NORTHERN US/CANADA WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE FRAMES INSPECTED BY QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN, AND REPORT THOSE FINDINGS IMMEDIATELY. *TR

AFTER A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT MY TOYOTA DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS A RUST HOLE IN THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT TUNDRA RECALL, BUT THEY ARE SEEING IT FREQUENTLY WITH SEQUOIA'S AND 4RUNNERS. THE DEALER IS FRUSTRATED WITH TOYOTA, WHO IS REPLACING THE FRAMES ON AFFECTED TUNDRA'S, BUT WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER VEHICLES. THE SEQUOIA IS BUILT UPON THE SAME FRAME PLATFORM AS THE TUNDRA, IT WOULD STAND TO REASON THAT THE SAME PROBLEM AFFECTING TUNDRA PICKUPS WOULD ALSO BE PRESENT IN SEQUOIA SUVS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT, WITH A HOPE THAT WITH ENOUGH PEOPLE SPEAKING UP THE SEQUOIA WILL BE RECALLED. I DID THIS IMMEDIATELY, AND SPOKE WITH A VERY POLITE REPRESENTATIVE WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TOYOTA WOULD DO, AS THERE WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FROM THEIR OWN DEALERS, AND ARE JEOPARDIZING THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS BY FAILING TO ACT. PLEASE HELP! UPDATED IVOQ 10/18/11 *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

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS HEAVILY RUSTED. THE RUST BEGAN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. I FEAR THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OR BODY WILL FAIL. TOYOTA REFUSES TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST.

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. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY TRIGGER THE ABS SYSTEM AT ANY TIME, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK . THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VARIABLE SKID CONTROL OR YAW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50MPH WHEN ALL OVER A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND WAS SHAKING. THEN IMMEDIATELY THE SEQUOIA VSC & TRAC SENSOR LIGHTS TURNED ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW IN THE PAST ONE WEEK. IT'S LIKE I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DEFINITELY WORSE IF I WAS ON HIGHWAY. I CALLED TOYOTA CORP CUSTOMER RELATION AND FILED A COMPLAINT BUT THEY WOULD NOT ADMIT TO HAVE THIS RECALLED DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY SAFETY ISSUE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY ADMITTED THE PROBLEM BEING REPORTED ON OTHER MODELS LIKE 2003 AND UP BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO RECALL MINE AND HAVE IT FIXED BECAUSE ITS A 2001.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE ABS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE TRAC AND VSC WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SKID COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,791. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

OH HWY 26 IN LEFT LANE. ALARM SOUNDS VSC TRAC LIGHTS COME ON. VEHICLE SURGES TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO CORRECT IT, TO KEEP IT IN MY LANE. DRY PAVEMENT TOTALLY UNANNOUNCED. VERY SCARY SITUATION. WHOLE FAMILY IN CAR AT THE TIME.

EXTENSIVE RUST ON ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE AND FRAME

ABS TRAC LIGHTS CONTINUE TO STAY ON. VEHICLE'S FRONT LEFT WHEEL AREA WILL ATTEMPT TO LOCK WITH A SCRAPING NOISE - LIKE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL. *TT

BROUGHT IN CAR TO HAVE MUFFLER CHECKED OUT AND MY MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK AFTER PUTTING CAR ON THE LIFT. THERE WERE RUST PERFORATIONS THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL AS WELL AS OPENINGS ALONG THE WHOLE FRAME. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN WOULD FALL THROUGH IF WE WENT OVER A BIG ENOUGH BUMP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE RUST WAS ABNORMAL AND HE SAID THAT IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT OF THE FRAME. I CALLED TOYOTA TO FILE A CLAIM AND THEY HAD ME BRING IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY REFUSED TO SEND OUT A REGIONAL REP TO LOOK AT IT SAYING IT WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL OF ANY KIND. NOW MY CAR IS UNSAFE AND WORTHLESS. THE TOYOTA CORP. CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME TO SELL IT FOR PARTS.... REALLY??? THEY DID NOTHING AND OFFERED NO ANSWERS. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM AND GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO GET THE ATTENTION? YOU BUY A TOYOTA FOR ITS LONGEVITY AND QUALITY. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN. *TR

MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED IT'S BRAKES AND VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. THE VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS EVENT REPEATED ITSELF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I COULD GET HOME. IT ALMOST FORCED ME OFF THE ROAD. IF I HAD BEEN IN THE LEFT LANE, I WOULD HAVE HIT ANY CAR IN THE RIGHT LANE OR IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER AT THE TIME, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE CARS BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO AVOID ME. I CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN MULTIPLE YEARS. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE EARLY 2003 MODELS. TOYOTA SERVICE SAYS IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE YAW SENSOR AND AN $800 REPAIR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. DURING THE FAILURE, THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TOWARDS THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 119,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED DUE TO DEFECTIVE METAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE SPORADICALLY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND PULL THE TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACTION SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

VEHICLE VSC LIGHTS COME ON AND CAUSE A TEMPOARY LOSS OF POWER . THE VEHICLE FRONT ENDS ALSO STARTS TO SHAKE WHICH CAUSE A TEMPOARY LOSS OF CONTROLL. THIS STARTED 6 MONTHS AGO AND IS HAPPANING DAILY. *TR