2001 Toyota Sequoia

While driving my 2001 Sequoia SR5 with only 74,750 miles on freeways at speeds between 55 and 65 mph, the SUV's braking system activates unexpectedly and without cause. The VSC check engine lighting and warning sound illuminate. My SUV veered to the right, the steering wheel vibrated, and it went into a skid when the brakes were abruptly engaged, causing it to skid. My SUV abruptly decelerated as if it had lost power. This situation was hazardous for other vehicles who could not tell if they were applying the brakes due to the absence of visible brake lights to prevent a collision. Fortunately, I responded defensively and avoided collisions with other vehicles and roadside obstacles. This issue is a safety concern; if it occurs at the wrong moment, a tragedy can be avoided. I've seen more than a hundred complaints from other proprietors and a completed NHTSA investigation. Sequoia models from 2001 and subsequent years were recalled for the same issue. Before a life is lost, Toyota must address this issue in all model years.

I was coming off the highway goi g down the off ramp at a rate of speed in line with the speed limit, and the vsc/abs/brake lights all came on. The truck started making a grinding noise and was difficult to control. I pulled over and checked underneath. Everything was fine and there was no sign of an issue. I turned the truck off and on, and all the lights cleared; however, the lights turn on again when the vehicle is cold. Once it warms up, and you turn the car on and off, the clear. No codes on the scanner. Forums say this happens regularly with this make, model and year, but no one is sure what it is. Everything from emissions, to the brake sensor to the yaw rate sensor.

WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY AND LURCHED THE VEHICLE, THE VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND A WARNING BUZZER WENT OFF. AFTER LOOKING INTO THINGS, THERE ARE KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE 2001 AND 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA THAT CAUSE THIS EXACT THING TO HAPPEN TO PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN AN EVALUATION DONE ON THIS MATTER AND IT WAS RULED THAT THE SEVERITY OF THE ISSUE DOES NOT WARRANT A RECALL. WHY THERE IS NO RECALL BEING ISSUED ON THE MULTIPLE FAILURE POINTS IN THE VEHICLE'S SYSTEM AND PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS FOR PARTS AND LABOR WHEN THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN DIDN'T LAST? I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY FATHER TO FEEL MORE SAFE IN, AND THAT IS THE LAST THING THAT HE FEELS WHILE DRIVING IT. I AM NOW REQUIRED TO DRIVE OUR AFFECTED VEHICLE AND HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY PAYING ATTENTION SO THAT THE ABS SYSTEM DOESN'T SHOOT ME INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.

TOYOTA RUST ISSUE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA V8 SR5. USED TO TRANSPORT FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND CHILDREN, BUT NO LONGER SAFE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN SLOWING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. VEHICLE VEERS TO RIGHT AND LEFT UNCONTROLLABLY. TODAY, I ALMOST SIDESWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING AROUND 60 MPH AND SLOWED TO EXIT AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO LIFT DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. RECOMMENDED TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED, BUT THAT'S WELL BEYOND THE COST I'M WILLING TO PAY. RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES AND TOYOTA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT -- IF NOT PAY TO HAVE NEW FRAMES DONE OR REIMBURSE PEOPLE FOR THE MANY WHO HAVE THESE ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 154,000 MILES AND IS OTHERWISE IN IMMACULATE SHAPE AND CONDITION DUE TO PROPER MAINTENANCE. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED QUICKLY BY TOYOTA. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR THE REASONS I'VE MENTIONED. EXCESSIVE RUST AND INABILITY TO CONTROL A VEHICLE IS NOT SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH ON A VEHICLE THAT HAS LOW MILES FOR THE MAKE/MODEL, AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. PLEASE EXPEDITE SO I CAN RECOVER FINANCIALLY FROM THIS OR HAVE A VEHICLE THAT I CAN FEEL SAFE USING AGAIN WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

DRIVING 45MPH ON STRAIGHT ROAD THE VEHICLE VSC ENGAGED PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT AND DECELERATING QUICKLY. I PULLED OVER, CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT THE 2 MILES TO DEALERSHIP. WITHIN 100' OF DEALERSHIP I CROSSED INTERSECTION AND CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED, ENGAGED THE ASSISTANCE AGAIN AND I WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY TRUCK THAT SWERVED AND ALMOST HIT PEDESTRIAN. DEALER SAID IT WAS A YAW STEERING SENSOR. PART WAS UNOBTAINABLE OR POSSIBLE WITHIN 8 WEEKS, AND NO AFTER MARKET PARTS AVAILABLE. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN. TOYOTA DECLARED PART OBSOLETE. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS WAS ALREADY AT THE NHTSA ATTENTION BUT THAT THEY CLOSED THE INVESTIGATION. HOW IS THIS ACCEPTABLE?