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2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5

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

90 reports with mileage · 17 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.

  • Traction Control System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

9 reports
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120,533 miles · Aug 18, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10749564

101,000 miles · Nov 26, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10661046

126,000 miles · Dec 4, 2012
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 SEQUOIA AND HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS LIGHTS ALWAYS REMAIN ON. MY MECHANIC RAN THE CODES AND HAS ADVISED ME THAT I NEED A NEW DECELERATION SENSOR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND SO WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS FAULTY SENSOR AND ASK THAT TO…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 SEQUOIA AND HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS LIGHTS ALWAYS REMAIN ON. MY MECHANIC RAN THE CODES AND HAS ADVISED ME THAT I NEED A NEW DECELERATION SENSOR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE AND SO WOULD LIKE TO VOICE MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS FAULTY SENSOR AND ASK THAT TOYOTA GIVE A RESPONSE TO WHY SO MANY VEHICLES OF THIS ERA HAVE THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487377

140,000 miles · Sep 30, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes

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 W…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10478018

94,000 miles · May 31, 2011
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10403872

110,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

IN DECEMBER 2010 WE TOOK OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 TO FIX THE DEFECTS MENTIONED IN THE EA09006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER VICKSBURG TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VICKSBURG, MS. AT THE MOMENT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE ECU COULD NOT REFLASH. HOWEVER, THE ECU WAS NOT REPLACED AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. A WEEK AGO, ONCE AGAIN, THE VSC ECU …

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IN DECEMBER 2010 WE TOOK OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 TO FIX THE DEFECTS MENTIONED IN THE EA09006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER VICKSBURG TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VICKSBURG, MS. AT THE MOMENT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE ECU COULD NOT REFLASH. HOWEVER, THE ECU WAS NOT REPLACED AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. A WEEK AGO, ONCE AGAIN, THE VSC ECU LIGHTS TURNED ON. AGAIN WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ECU IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND I HAVE TO INCUR AN EXPENSE OF $ 650 TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK WITH TOYOTA, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THE NEW PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL 1. TOYOTA EVADED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE THE UNIT SO THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER CORRECTED RECALL 2. IF THE RECALL REQUIRED THE UNIT WAS REPLACED BY A NEW ONE COULD NOT REFLASH THE UNIT. TOYOTA IS PUTTING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THOSE CLOSE TO OUR VEHICLE DRIVERS WHEN DRIVEN 3. WE HOPE THAT THE NHTSA CAN PROTECT OUR LIVES AND THOSE WHO FACE THESE PROBLEMS OF LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389737

110,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Electrical SystemPower TrainTraction Control System

IN DECEMBER 2010 WE TOOK OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 TO FIX THE DEFECTS MENTIONED IN THE EA09006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER VICKSBURG TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VICKSBURG, MS. AT THE MOMENT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE ECU COULD NOT REFLASH. HOWEVER, THE ECU WAS NOT REPLACED AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. A WEEK AGO, ONCE AGAIN, THE VSC ECU …

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IN DECEMBER 2010 WE TOOK OUR TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 TO FIX THE DEFECTS MENTIONED IN THE EA09006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER VICKSBURG TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN VICKSBURG, MS. AT THE MOMENT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE ECU COULD NOT REFLASH. HOWEVER, THE ECU WAS NOT REPLACED AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL. A WEEK AGO, ONCE AGAIN, THE VSC ECU LIGHTS TURNED ON. AGAIN WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE ECU IS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND I HAVE TO INCUR AN EXPENSE OF $ 650 TO REPLACE THE UNIT. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TALK WITH TOYOTA, HOWEVER, THEY HAVE INDICATED TO ME THAT THE NEW PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL 1. TOYOTA EVADED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE THE UNIT SO THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER CORRECTED RECALL 2. IF THE RECALL REQUIRED THE UNIT WAS REPLACED BY A NEW ONE COULD NOT REFLASH THE UNIT. TOYOTA IS PUTTING THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THOSE CLOSE TO OUR VEHICLE DRIVERS WHEN DRIVEN 3. WE HOPE THAT THE NHTSA CAN PROTECT OUR LIVES AND THOSE WHO FACE THESE PROBLEMS OF LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY OF TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389735

37,500 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Electrical System

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 VE…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10369304

9,322 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability ControlService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VSC/ABS/BRAKE CONTROLLER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES IN WHICH THE TECHNICIANS CONCLUD…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VSC/ABS/BRAKE CONTROLLER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES IN WHICH THE TECHNICIANS CONCLUDED THAT THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM SENSOR FAILED. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE TRANSLATE COMPUTER, THE ECU, THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND THE BRAKE POWER BOOSTER. NONE OF THE REPAIRS HAVE REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INVESTIGATING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,322 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VSC/BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON, SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE LIGHTS ARE ON, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS AND THEN REGAINS POWER AGAIN. THE SKID CONTROL COMPUTER AND BRAKE POWER BOOSTER WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/16/09

NHTSA ODI #10285530

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.