There are 50 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2003 Toyota Sequoiain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This Vehicle's frame had an extended warranty on it for excessive rust damage in the northern cities. There are holes in the frame, very close to welding points that may break at anytime while driving. And cause an accident.
I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia 167k miles that has major frame rust. This is now becoming a safety issue and Toyota needs to be held accountable!
Undercarriage frame found to be badly rusted, by a AAA Driver who came to my roadside assistance following a brake failure due to rusted and leaky brake lines.
WHEN TAKING MY 2003 SEQUOIA TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING ISSUE I WAS HAVING, I WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTED OUT IS WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO COVER ANY COSTS INVOLVED IN REPAIRING OR REPLACING THE FRAME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER HENDRICK TOYOTA LOCATED AT 9505 W 67TH ST, MERRIAM, KS 66203 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2013 UNDER A MANUFACTURERS CAMPAIGN REGARDING THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
RUSTED THROUGH OF FRAME. COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, VEHICLE COULD LITERALLY BREAK IN HALF. OUTSIDE OF THE YEARS TOYOTA INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PREVIOUSLY FILED
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle was rusted and towed to the local dealer and diagnosed that the rear differential casing and steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 240,000.Note: While driving, a loud grinding noise was heard and the vehicle was shaking. 1 pulled over and had the car towed. It was determined the rear differential casing was completely rusted and the oil leaked out. It-was also determined the Steering column was completely rusted. The vehicle was recalled in 2012, due to rust issues. The dealership stated they would do the recall work but the vehicle was in poor shape. When I contacted Toyota, they said it was a courtesy recall and will not do any further. Consumer is asking for assistance with the cost of repair due to poor workmanship.
EVERYTHING UNDER MY TRUCK IS RUSTY. EVERYTHING IS FULL OF CORROSION, ESPECIALLY THE FRAME, AND SOME PARTS ARE STARTING TO FALL. AND THE FRAME TO BREAK, TOYOTA SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPAIR THIS IMMEDIATELY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION WITH AT LEAST THREE SPOTS ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME NEAR THE WELDS. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE FRAME WOULD FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY FRAME RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
TWO WEEKS AGO WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA HAD A LIMITED FRAME REPAIR OFFER BUT WE MISSED THE DEADLINE. WE WERE NEVER TOLD BY TOYOTA OR THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE TEAM ABOUT THE RECALL OR THE DAMAGE TO OUR TRUCK. WE HAD OUR CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MECHNIC THAT TOLD US ABOUT THE RUST TOLD US IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 120K MILES AND WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS.
THE TRUNK LATCH/HANDLE/LOCK. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED 3 TIMES BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THERE'S IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THERE'S NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THE LAST TIME THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I. AUSTIN TEXAS REPLACES IT I HAD A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. IN EXACTLY 14 MONTHS THE SAME THING OCCURRED AGAIN! THIS IS RIDICULOUS TO SAY THE LEAST AND I AM TIRED OF PAYING 600 (PARTS/LABOR) TO REPAIR, WHEN TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM! NOTE: WHEN THE HANDLE BREAKS THERE IS NO ACCESS TO THE SPARE TIRE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LIFE THE TRUNK TO ACCESS THE SPARE TIME. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TWICE SCORN TIRE ISSUES BECAUSE THE SPARE COULD NOT BE ACCESSED. THE LAST OCCURRENCE I WAS STRANDED ON SIDE OF THE ROAD AT 2AM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DAVENPORT TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 1501 E 53RD ST, DAVENPORT, IA 52807, (563) 391-4106) FOR A NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM THE CHASSIS WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS BADLY CORRODED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THREE HOURS AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRAME FRACTURED AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE SLOWLY TO HIS RESIDENCE. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED THROUGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO COATING ON THE FRAME, WHICH CAUSED THE METAL TO CORRODE BADLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DAVENPORT TOYOTA WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED THROUGH AND THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
TAKATA RECALL NEVER INFORMED MY FAMILY ABOUT THE RECALLS FOR THE FRAME ON TOYOTA SEQUIOAS. THEREFORE FOR MORE INVESTIGATION DURING REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE NOT LONG AGO I SAW HOLES IN MY FRAME AND WAS VERY BAD AND HAD MY WORRIED ABOUT MY VEHICLE. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE PHOTOS AT THE TIME BUT AM WILLING TO PUT MY VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND TAKE AS MANY PICTURES AS NECESSARY
MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 4X4 LIMITED HAS ABOUT 230000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE A TURN AND HEARD A LARGE "THUNK". I THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND LATER AS I GOT UP TO ABOUT 60 VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER HEATH AND THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED DUE TO RUST AT THE STABILIZER BAR FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME. I WAS GOING TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FRAME IS JUST RUST FOR THE FULL REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME AND HAS LARGE HOLES DUE TO RUST. IT IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE TILL 2014. I REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. TOYOTA KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY HELP. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY 2018 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY AND TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT THE RISK I TAKE PURCHASING PRIVATE PARTY.
RUSTED HOLE IN THE FRAME, DRIVER SIDE. PASSENGER SIDE ALREADY HAD WORK DONE TO THE FRAME BY PREVIOUS OWNER. MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WOULD NOT JACK UP THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE HOLE, WAS ADVISED THAT DRIVING THIS CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS.
MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS RUST HOLES THROUGH MY FRAME TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE TO DRIVE IT AS IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN THAT I HAVE TO TAKE WITH ME. TOYOTA USA SAID THEY PERFORMED A TREATMENT TO THE GRAM IN 2012 AND THAT THEIR IS NOTHING FURTHER THEY WILL DO TO RESOLVE THIS BLATANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE FACT SO MANY SEQUOIA OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY TOYOTA IS APPALLING. I HAVE SUBMITTED PICTURES OF AN AREA NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE SWAY BAR IS BARLEY BEING HELD ON DUE TO THE RUST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CARSON CITY TOYOTA (2590 S CARSON ST, CARSON CITY, NV 89701, 775-882-8211) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS). THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE RUST FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
TRUCK FRAME ROTTED
I TOOK MY SEQUOIA TO THE DEALER FOR IT'S REGULAR SERVICE. I WAS CALLED AND TOLD THAT THERE IS A 50 CENT SIZE HOLE IN MY FRAME (PASSAGER SIDE) I WAS TOLD TOYOTA HAD A NIGHT MARE WITH MANY OF THERE SEQUOIAS HAVING HAD THE FRAME REPLACED. HE SAID ACCORDING TO TOYOTA MINE WAS RECALLED AND SPRAYED WITH SOME TYPE OF SPRAY OVER THE ENTIRE FRAME. I TOLD HIM THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND I HAD IT DURING THE TIME HE REFERENCED AND TOYOTA NEVER CONTACTED ME ABOUT THIS ISSUE,NOR DID THEY SPRAY IT. FOR IF THEY DID YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL IT ALL OVER THE UNDER-BODY BECAUSE OF THE OVER SPRAY. THERE IN NOTHING UNDER THE BODY EXCEPT A RUSTED FAULTY FRAME. I CONTACTED TOYOTA THEY SAID THE SAME AS THE DEALER AND THAT IF MY SUV HAD BEEN A YEAR NEWER THEY WOULD PUT A NEW FRAME ON IT, EVEN THOUGH THEY USE THE EXACT SAME FRAME. TOYOTA KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING HERE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026