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2001 Toyota Sequoia

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

424 reports with mileage · 107 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 102 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

531 reports
171,400 miles · Sep 22, 2017
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 60 MPH, THE SKID CONTROL LIGHT AND VSC TRAC CAN GO OFF; ALARM SOUNDS...VEHICLE SHAKE AND GRINDING COMING FROM BRAKES. BRAKES AND DO NOT WORK WELL WHEN THIS OCCURS. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS NOW OCCURRING VERY FREQUENTLY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SHUT THE CAR OFF....…

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WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 60 MPH, THE SKID CONTROL LIGHT AND VSC TRAC CAN GO OFF; ALARM SOUNDS...VEHICLE SHAKE AND GRINDING COMING FROM BRAKES. BRAKES AND DO NOT WORK WELL WHEN THIS OCCURS. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT IS NOW OCCURRING VERY FREQUENTLY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO SHUT THE CAR OFF.... AND RESTART THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11025126

280,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
SuspensionCrash

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THE WHEELS FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AT SPEED, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED -TWICE! THE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF TWICE. I HAVE KEPT THIS VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT REPAIR. I HAVE OWNED 4 TOYOTAS AND CURRENTLY OWN THREE. BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT FALL APART U…

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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THE WHEELS FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AT SPEED, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED -TWICE! THE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF TWICE. I HAVE KEPT THIS VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT REPAIR. I HAVE OWNED 4 TOYOTAS AND CURRENTLY OWN THREE. BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT FALL APART UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. TOYOTA HAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BACK TO 2004. HOWEVER, THEY REFUSED TO STAND BY ME ON THIS, EVEN AFTER I PAID OVER $2200 FOR THE LAST REPAIR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ALL SEQUOIAS PRIOR TO 2004. I CAN PROBABLY GET A PHOTO OF THE WHEEL OFF OF THE CAR WHERE IT SKIDDED TO A STOP.

NHTSA ODI #11022650

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2017
Structure

FRAME RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. CLASS ACTION SUIT BY TOYOTA ADMITTED PROBLEMS BUT EXCLUDED MY MODEL YEAR. THEY RECALLED MY CAR IN 2012 BUT TREATED FRAME AND DENIED LIABILITY WHEN IT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAVE PAID OVER $15,000 IN REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS RUST.

NHTSA ODI #11020368

204,038 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VSC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JERRY'S TOYOTA (8001 BELAIR RD, BALTIMORE,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VSC WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JERRY'S TOYOTA (8001 BELAIR RD, BALTIMORE, MD 21236, (410) 661-5700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,038.

NHTSA ODI #11006128

200,000 miles · Jul 18, 2017
SteeringSuspension

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPING

NHTSA ODI #11006060

98,000 miles · Jun 3, 2017
Structure

FRAME BADLY RUSTING OUT. THE TOYOTA DEALER SPRAYED IT OUT A FEW YEARS AGO BUT NOW RUSTED REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING. THE WHOLE REAR AXLE A SINGLE WELDED PIECE. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND USED IN CONNECTICUT (CT), GARAGED AND PRESENTLY HAS 98K MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #10993014

84,800 miles · May 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING OUR 01 SEQUOIA SR5 WITH ONLY 85,000 MILES ON SIDE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 5MPH TO 70 MPH, THE SUV'S BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY ENGAGES FOR NO REASON WHILE THE VEH. IS IN MOTION. THE VSC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON ALONG WITH THE ALERTING SOUND. WHEN THE BRAKES ENGAGE, THE VEH. VEERS TO THE RIGHT, …

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WHILE DRIVING OUR 01 SEQUOIA SR5 WITH ONLY 85,000 MILES ON SIDE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 5MPH TO 70 MPH, THE SUV'S BRAKING SYSTEM SUDDENLY ENGAGES FOR NO REASON WHILE THE VEH. IS IN MOTION. THE VSC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON ALONG WITH THE ALERTING SOUND. WHEN THE BRAKES ENGAGE, THE VEH. VEERS TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE VEH. GOES INTO A SKID DUE TO THE BRAKES BEING SUDDENLY ENGAGED. THE VEH. ALSO DECELERATES SUDDENLY AS IF IT HAS LOST POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR OTHER DRIVERS WHO CAN'T TELL IF YOU ARE BRAKING BECAUSE THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS TO BE SEEN TO PREVENT A COLLISION. THANKFULLY WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACT DEFENSIVELY AND AVOID COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEH.'S. AND ROADSIDE OBJECTS. WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM LIKE THE YAW RATE SENSOR BEING REPLACED. THE COST OF THE PART IS $568.00 WITHOUT THE INSTALL COST.THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF IT OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME, A PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY IS GOING TO OCCUR. I HAVE SEEN WELL OVER 50 COMPLAINTS ON THIS FROM OTHER OWNERS AND A CLOSED NHTSA INVESTIGATION ON THIS EXACT ISSUE. THEY RECALLED THE 2003 SEQUOIA FOR THE SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS IN ALL MODEL YEARS BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST. SEE 2003 RECALL INFO BELOW: 2003 SEQUOIA RECALL #10V176000 RECALL DATE 04/30/2010 COMPONENT ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL READ MORE AT HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/RECALLS/TOYOTA-SEQUOIA-2003/#QJWYC1MK25OVHGFX.99 READ MORE AT HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/RECALLS/TOYOTA-SEQUOIA-2003/#QJWYC1MK25OVHGFX.99

NHTSA ODI #10983018

154,075 miles · Mar 13, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT, DRY, LEVEL PAVEMENT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE VSC HAS BEEN ACTIVATING CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. AS THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT THERE IS A CHIME, THEN THE VSC AND TRAC SYSTEM SHUTS ITS SELF OFF AND THE "OFF" LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. UPO…

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WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT, DRY, LEVEL PAVEMENT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE VSC HAS BEEN ACTIVATING CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK TO THE RIGHT. AS THE STEERING WHEEL PULLS THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT THERE IS A CHIME, THEN THE VSC AND TRAC SYSTEM SHUTS ITS SELF OFF AND THE "OFF" LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE VSC IS ON AGAIN AND THE CYCLE REPEATS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THE WHEEL WILL BE JERKED AGAIN. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10960260

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2017
Air Bags

CHECKING ON RECALL FOR AIR BAGS.

NHTSA ODI #10960241

150,000 miles · Feb 10, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesTraction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10953882

Official recalls

1

02V129000 · Wheels

May 1, 2002

ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE TIRE AS A TEMPORARY USE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDES 4 LARGER SIZE TIRES WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/STEEL WHEEL IS NOT PART OF THE UPGRADE AND WAS NOT CHANGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE EXPERIENCED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND AN INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE16006 · Yaw Rate Sensor Malfunction

Opened Jun 14, 2016 · Closed Dec 20, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electronic Stability Control

On June 14, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-006 to investigate 135 complaints alleging incidents of yaw rate sensor malfunctions resulting in unexpected Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) activations and steering pull while driving in model year (MY) 2001-2002 Toyota Sequoia vehicles.ODI identified a total of 958 incidents in complaints provided by Toyota or submitted to ODI by consumers.ODI conducted the following work to assess the alleged defect in the subject vehicles: 1) evaluated the design of the subject yaw rate sensor; 2) initiated vehicle testing and instrumentation; 3) performed failure analysis on subject components collected from the field; 4) analyzed field data for evidence of system faults; and 5) reviewed the performance of the subject system in fault simulations testing conducted by Toyota.ODI review indicated that an overwhelming majority of incidents are related to flashing VSC slip indicators on the instrument panel accompanied by warning buzzers and grinding noise or vibration caused by pulsed brake application to one of the front wheels.Yaw rate sensor malfunctions resulting in VSC brake applications is accompanied by a brief duration of longitudinal deceleration with minimal changes in vehicle speed and will not result in abrupt lane change or loss of vehicle control due to steering controllability.This preliminary evaluation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that a safety related defect does not exist.For additional information, see the closing resume appendix and the investigation file for PE16-006.