2003 Toyota SEQUOIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
565 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 423 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) is the most frequently named component, appearing in 158 of 565 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 251 | 44.4% |
| Steering behavior | 34 | 6.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 19 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 2.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 0.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 158 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 86 |
| Structure:Body | 58 |
| Service Brakes | 55 |
| Electrical System | 54 |
| Traction Control System | 51 |
| Air Bags | 40 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 38 |
Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 158; Vehicle Speed Control: 86; Structure:Body: 58; Service Brakes: 55; Electrical System: 54; Traction Control System: 51; Air Bags: 40; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 38
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 45 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 62 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 77 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 74 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 99 |
| 150,000 and above | 66 |
Under 25,000: 45; 25,000 to 49,999: 62; 50,000 to 74,999: 77; 75,000 to 99,999: 74; 100,000 to 149,999: 99; 150,000 and above: 66
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (99). 142 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 22 |
| 2007 | 55 |
| 2008 | 42 |
| 2009 | 71 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 22 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 31 |
| 2014 | 31 |
| 2015 | 43 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2003: 18; 2004: 18; 2005: 15; 2006: 22; 2007: 55; 2008: 42; 2009: 71; 2010: 59; 2011: 22; 2012: 33; 2013: 31; 2014: 31; 2015: 43; 2016: 22; 2017: 16; 2018: 17; 2019: 16; 2020: 5; 2021: 11; 2022: 4; 2023: 7; 2024: 5; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 251 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 19 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10030678 · 2003-08-03 (August 3, 2003)
2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA LIMITED, 5 MONTHS OLD, 5200 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME AS VSC LIGHTS. SEEMS TO BE OTHER REPORTS OF SAME INCIDENT. ALSO, BRAKES SEEM TO BE INADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT WITH LOING STOPPING DISTANCE, AND SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL WHEN PARKING BRAKE APPLIED (LOW PEDAL)*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,190 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043043 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. AT 10,740 MILES, THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE WORN OUT AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER AND SUGGESTS AN UNDERSIZED DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. TOYOTA DID PERFORM A "COURTESY" REPLACEMENT OF THE BRAKES BUT I AM CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NEEDING INVESTIGATION. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124819 · 2005-06-24 (June 24, 2005)
DT: BRAKE SYSTEM WILL GRAB AND THROW CAR INTO SKID, BUT PARTS ARE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. THE SWITCH ON THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT SHUT IT OFF. CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP, AND FOUND OUT STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WAS BAD, AND REPLACED IT. ALSO, COMPUTER WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER WAS REPLACED ALSO. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT CONFIRM WHAT FAILED FIRST, WHY EITHER FAILED, OR WHY HE COULD NOT FIND ANY TROUBLE OVER ONE YEAR AGO, WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED BLINDING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER F…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136908 · 2005-09-19 (September 19, 2005)
ON MY 2003 SEQUOIA WITH 50K MILES, I BELIEVE I HAVE AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! ON TURNS, ESPECIALLY RIGHT TURNS WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO FAST MOVING TRAFFIC I EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WITH NO ACCELERATION. I CAN PUMPING THE GAS PEDAL AND PRESS IT TO THE FLOOR, BUT I JUST COAST SLOWLY INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAIT TO BE POSSIBLY REAR ENDED. THIS HAPPENS IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. MY SKID/TRACTION LIGHTS BLINK FOR A SECOND OR TWO, THEN I RE-GAIN ENGINE POWER ANOTHER SE…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091818 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/TRAC LIGHT, AND ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THEN, VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM RECURRED AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206587 · 2007-10-22 (October 22, 2007)
9/07 - A LOAD NOISE SOUNDED AND THE VEHICLES BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING AND APPROACHING A 4 WAY STOP LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO FOLSOM LAKE TOYOTA FOR SERVICE THAT DAY. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, MAYBE IT WAS DO TO A LOW CHARGE FROM THE BATTERY. SO I HAD THEM REPLACE THE BATTERY. 10/1/07 A FEW WEEKS LATER I WAS ACCELERATING AND GOING ON TO THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE NOISE SOUNDED THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP AND ALL MY ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON THEN I COMPLETELY LO…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167741 · 2006-09-09 (September 9, 2006)
WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION IN TO DRIVE ALL THE LIGHTS WORK EFFECTIVELY, BUT THE LIGHT THAT INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN THE D POSITION (DRIVE) BURNS OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THE DEALER IS AWARE OF AS A CONSISTENT DEFECT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206039 · 2007-10-03 (October 3, 2007)
2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH VSC WARNING AND ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. CUSTOMER STATES THEY CAME ON AFTER HE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE AND IF THEY DIDN'T GO OFF CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT. MECHANIC DETERMINED IT WAS THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS FROZEN IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BEGAN HITTING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LEVER WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. UPON REMOVING THE PLASTIC COVERING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE SHAFT LEVER AND ASSEMBLY WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN ON…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10206039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10363340 · 2010-10-29 (October 29, 2010)
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2007 WITH 43,000 MILES. SINCE THEN I HAVE DRIVEN 30,000 MILES IN 4 YEARS. WHEN I FIRST PICK THIS CAR IT LOOKED GREAT. THE DAY I PICKED IT UP IT HAD A DENT IN THE BACK, AND THE DVD PLAYER DIDNT WORK AND WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A WATER LEAK THAT TOYOTA HAD TO REPAIR AND REMOVE AN ODOR ASSOCIATED WITH IT. LATER, I BROUGHT IT IN TO HAVE MY GAS TANK LEVEL INDICATOR REPAIRED BUT WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS TIME CONSUMING AND BASICALLY WAS ADVISED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT SO, I DIDNT GET IT DONE. I REPLACED MY BATT…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10363340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468263 · 2012-07-30 (July 30, 2012)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 SEQUOIA ON VACATION, A PART FELL OFF FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO RAISED IT ON A LIFT AND SAID THAT THE PART WAS THE PROTECTIVE PLATE COVERING THE GAS TANK. IT HAD ERODED OFF. HE SAID WORSE THAN THAT, THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTING AND ROTTING OUT AND FELT THAT THE CAR WOULD BE UNSAFE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR 2. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468263 at NHTSA ↗