30th Sep 2009, 22:00

I own a 2003 Sequoia Limited I bought used in 2007. 138k miles. Great vehicle for the most part but...

The brakes are just undersized for the vehicle. Toyota admits it, but won't fix it for free. My dealership said for $2500 they would install a larger system, rotors, calipers, backing plates. I just ordered slotted and cross-drilled rotors with ceramic pads. Hope to fix it this way along with less aggressive braking.

My oil pressure would drop to zero when I first bought it. I replaced the oil pressure sending unit with a redesigned one from Toyota, haven't had a problem since. Another admitted problem.

My liftgate locking mechanism (electrical) didn't work when I bought it, replaced the module and it's been fine. However while putting it back together, the metal latch broke in my hand. Replaced it. So far so good.

My "D" bulb also burned out. Refused to pay $37 for a tiny bulb. Went to Radio Shack and bought (2) bulbs for under $5. Fixed it.

My fuel gauge all of a sudden goes to EMPTY. No rhyme or reason. I suspect the sending unit, but haven't attacked that yet.

My rear window stopped working. I looked at everything, tested everything, and if I'd been a pro, I would have replaced the motor. Luckily for me I quit being a pro 25 years ago. I actually took the motor apart, and found a stray wire at the end of a winding, that was pointing off to the side. I bent it back to where it resembled the others, lubed it, put it back together and it works fine. Probably saved myself $250.

Haven't had the VSC problem, or the tranny problem, or the 4WD problems.

I too was a prior 4-Runner owner. 1993. Best vehicle I've ever owned, but I needed something bigger as my kids got bigger. Loved the 4-Runner. It's still running around town with over 230k miles on it and no major work has ever been done. I put the first set of rear brake pads on it before I sold it with over 212k miles on them. I also have a 1998 Camry that's been great.

I will buy Toyotas in the future but will be a little more cautious.

2nd Nov 2009, 18:45

I own a 2001 Sequoia with 164,000 miles on it. I've replaced the front passenger wheel bearing in it 3 times so far within the past 4 yrs and 1 time on the driver side. Just started grinding again on the passenger front bearing again and have to replace it yet one more time and no one can answer why this keeps happening!!! Does anyone have any answers??? Please write me at espo6@aol.com if anyone knows, thank you!!

30th Jan 2010, 21:06

I had a 2003 Sequoia, nothing but problems.

Both my door handles snapped. We bought the parts and fixed them ourselves. Too expensive to have the dealer do it.

Back window went out. We were told it was because of how heavy the door is. So when you are closing it after getting your stuff out of the back, it is damaging the motor. Fixed it, then we started rolling down the window to take our stuff out that way instead of actually opening it up anymore.

On the brake situation, my Trac and brake lights were coming on. Truck was actually making a grinding and popping noise when this happened, if I had to use the brakes and I had little control of vehicle. Wrote an email to Toyota; they had to replace 2 of the computers, I had to pay half of the bill, about $2000. If I shut off the truck, the computers would reset themselves and it would work fine for a little while. Even after the computers were replaced, it still kept acting up. Eventually traded the truck in, wasn't worth the lack of safety for my family.

17th Feb 2010, 09:32

I have a 2003 Sequoia, bought new. While under warranty, replaced 02 sensor, transmission, & ball joint.

Brakes wore out fast along with cheap tires, dealer offered to adjust cost of brake job.

Within the 3rd and 4th year, had driver handle break, back window break, D Light on dash out, trim on back passenger window twisted, replaced brakes 2x, tires 2x. Replaced another sensor the 5th year. Have had 2 more sets of brakes and tires since.

The fuel gauge suddenly goes empty, brake light still comes on. Still hear a ticking noise in sensors in different places in the car, think it has to do with cell phones? Took in to dealer constantly the first 3 years. Never fixed brake light, ticking noise. I'm going to contact regional Toyota about brakes, ticking noise, and window. These issues were known by Toyota to be a problem. I will definitely look elsewhere next time around. The cost, hassle & worry isn't worth it.

13th Mar 2010, 18:43

I love my 2001 Sequoia, but probably will not buy another. I have 115,000 miles and bought it new.

So far, new brakes every 18-24 months, way too much car for the brakes.

4 times I have had the rear door latch fixed to the tune of $400 each. Toyota says you should expect that from a truck, because dirt gets into the rear door. The vehicle is useless without access to the rear, so you are forced to keep shelling out the $400 often.

Rack and pinion at 100,000 for $1000.

Since day 1 there was a tick tick when the car was first started, kept limping through state inspections till finally failed, cracked manifolds = $3000 plus.

Drive light on shifter has been out for a couple of years now, minor issue.

Ignition went at 80,000 miles, about $400 at dealer (they need to fix it, no one else can).

Heater fan motor went at 60,000, another that had to be dealer fixed due to the computer.

When I read that so many others have had the same issues with this car, I realize Toyota is not the car it was, and will look elsewhere now that it's time to replace. Maybe Honda Pilot?

19th Apr 2010, 12:37

I've got a 2001, which has brake problems, too. The new problem is the shifter has gotten sloppy and now won't shift at all. Any help? Does anybody else have this problem? Thanks.

30th Jun 2010, 23:51

I love the feel, look and space in our Sequoia, but have had some problems. Our rear latch handle broke and nothing works! It seems this and the VSC and brake problems are ongoing. Sometimes, when I hit the brakes, the car skids and seems to shake as well. Definitely need to be careful when driving in the rain.