28th Jul 2009, 10:15

I have a 2002 SR5 Sequoia I purchased in March 2005. Since then I have had minimal problems with it above normal maintenance. I do my own brakes (which in the past 5 years I replaced twice). I got it with just over 40K miles; it now has 196K and the the only "major" thing I did to it was replace two oxidation sensors which ran me about $900. It has undergone 3 separate accidents... two were deer (which insurance covered) and someone rear-ended me (also covered by their insurance). These were major expenses, but not at a fault of Toyota. The sensors HAD to be replaced because my dogs decided to chew through the cables to the sensors and took them out while doing so - still not a fault of Toyota.

I found my truck to be a very well built vehicle and the quality I expected from Toyota. No power loss or anything of the sort I read about here.

That said, just today the check engine light lit and I suspect its another sensor that went out. The truck has no strange sounds or noises that would indicate a major issue. I keep regular maintenance up on my truck.

I will say that I have had the rear handle replaced twice, and it needs replacing again. My thoughts on this is because of the accident, the latch was somewhat damaged and not replaced (the rubber insulator is getting caught up in the latch mechanism). So I'll need to replace the latch and possibly handle.

24th Aug 2009, 12:12

I have 2002 Sequoia limited with over 120,000 miles and have run all over this wonderful nation, sometimes even low on oil because my wife just forgets to change the oil. This SUV is a tank, never a problem; we are a family of 9 and this vehicle is versatile, runs on cheap gas. No problems here, would buy a fleet if I could. The brake vibration is easy; just cut your rotors, but not on the vehicle the way dealer recommends. Good Luck.

25th Nov 2009, 11:50

I have a 2002 Sequoia, which I bought used in 2004 with about 72k miles. For the most part, it has been a good car, however I have had brake issues ever since I bought it. I have replaced, 4 front rotors, front brake calipers, as well as rear rotors. The car still vibrates from the front end when I brake. I do think this is a defect on Toyota's part and not just a regular services issue. This as been a nagging headache for me. I have had 5 Toyotas in my short life and this is the biggest loser.

I recently bought another car, not a Toyota. My reasoning for this is, there are so many good car makers to choose from, if you are going to spend your money, buy a good car. Thanks.

17th Mar 2010, 06:06

I have a 2001 Sequoia LE bought 6 months ago with 160000 miles. This vehicle has all service records and one owner title. Noticed whining noise in OD two days ago after putting 7000 miles on it. Bought car at wholesale and haven't had any other problems. Taking to teams shop, hoping for best. I liked this car at first, but after reading all the negative comments, I wished I stayed with the best.. CHEVY!!

23rd Mar 2010, 15:52

I own a 2002 Toyota Sequoia, I've had it for 4 years, but for the last 2 years I have not been able to get the brakes to work right. I am no longer taking it to a mechanic shop, because I can't afford it anymore. I have also had constant problems with it, and it is not the kind of quality I would expect from Toyota, since I loved my 1988 Celica, which died at 266,000 miles. I also had a 1994 Camry, lasted 248,000 miles. I never had any brake problems or problems of any other kind with them. You'd think that by now Toyotas would be even better, at least that's what I thought. I will not buy another Toyota again, and not because of the recalls, but because of my own experience. Hello Nissan or Honda.

24th Mar 2010, 14:55

Toyota made it's best vehicles in the 90's. Cars can only get so good. Eventually, Toyota got comfortable with its customers knowing they would continue to buy because they had good experience with previous vehicles. This allowed them to cheap up their cars and focus more on profits. The Big 3 have done this many times. They build great cars for a decade or so, and then slack off when people start trusting them again. Toyota reached the top of the hill, and the only place to go was down.

I saw the biggest quality drop in Toyota vehicles when they began building in the U.S.

5th Jul 2010, 20:24

I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia with 130,000 miles. Besides the issues with the door handles and rear latch, I have had no major repairs.

I tow a 27 foot travel trailer and the transmission has been right on. The poor quality in the small things, like door handles, started in the 90's.

I keep most of the maintenance myself, and use an independent garage when needed. I notice most of you with the major problems and exorbitant prices mention a dealer repair. There may be something to that.

9th Jul 2010, 18:23

My wife and I bought a 2002 Sequoia Limited in 2006 with 75,000 miles. It now has 133,000.

I have done the brakes twice since we have owned the car. I do them myself, so the cost has been around $100 each time. Turning the rotors rather than replacing them will decrease the cost.

It seems that people who are new to larger vehicles are more prone to wearing brakes faster, as they are used to shorter stopping distances. Just back off the throttle and let the weight of the vehicle start to slow you down. This will really help with brake wear.

The only front end vibration we have had is from the tires, as we run low profile tires on 22" wheels. They are coming to the end of their life.

Also replaced the struts and shocks about 2,000 miles ago, as suspension parts do wear, therefore they do need to be replaced. $400.

We also make a habit of servicing the transmission every 30,000 miles to keep the valve body clean. Dirty fluid equals a hot transmission. Excessive heat is an automatic transmissions worst enemy! (fluid should get dirty over time as it carries away debris from inside the transmission as it wears, this is normal just as in engine oil).

So far it has been a great vehicle.

30th Aug 2010, 00:45

We bought our 2002 Sequoia SR5 new, and we expected our choice to be a another home run since we still have a 1997 4Runner at 180,000 miles and still going strong.

At 86K miles, the Sequoia's transmission went completely off line while I drove westbound on the 118 Freeway. I managed to coast down to the nearest exit from the middle lane of this six lane Freeway north of LA. I never expected anything like this from a Toyota. This defective tranny blew out just past the warranty, and since our previous two Toyotas were awesome, I didn't purchase an extended warranty on this one (I remember telling my wife that an extended warranty is just a waste of money if we're buying a Toyota).

Our 4Runner had an extended warranty but never needed it, and still delivers great trouble-free performance for my wife. I agree that the Sequoia doesn't have the same level of quality as other Toyota models.

I've researched this tranny problem, and have found numerous other very disappointed Toyota owners. Accordingly, Toyota installed a different or upgraded tranny on the 03s, probably knowing how bad the 02s are. No recall as of yet, and for a lot of us with this model, we are out of luck and out of an easy $4k.

1st May 2011, 21:14

I own two 2001 Sequoias. I will list my problems with both vehicles combined.

1. A/C compressor failure on one.

2. Multiple (3) rear latches replaced.

3. Power antennas both failed.

4. Running lights and high beam quit,, module replacement.

5. Tranny failure (OD planetary gears) on just one.

6. Tires every 65k, brakes every 50k, shocks and struts.

These are normal wear and tear items.

7. Wonderful Ohio winters tear up the parking brakes parts.

8. We have put a combined 325,000 miles on the Sequoias.

9. I still feel very safe in these vehicles, and I do believe if these were domestic vehicles, I would have spent more!

23rd May 2011, 09:35

I had the same problem with that throttle issue and if you go under the hood and listen (with the engine off) you will hear a buzzing sound in front of the throttle body. Just disconnect that connection and reconnect and it should be OK.

7th Jun 2014, 00:39

I have an 2002 Sequoia that I bought used in 2005 with about 24k miles. I now have had it for 9 years & have NEVER had to do more than the basics; brake pads, replace tires, etc... I'm now at 140k! All I have noticed is that after I come up off the brake pedal, I hear what sounds like air being released?! Anyone else with this issue?

7th Jun 2014, 22:32

What did the transmission cost, and new air?