2003 Toyota SEQUOIA SR5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
107 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
95,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 89 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Traction Control System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 107 complaints (34.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 54 | 50.5% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Traction Control System | 37 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 34 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 29 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Traction Control System: 37; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 34; Vehicle Speed Control: 29; Service Brakes: 14; Electrical System: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Suspension: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 12
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 39 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
2009: 11; 2010: 39; 2011: 15; 2012: 7; 2013: 8; 2014: 8; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 9; 2018: 1; 2019: 3
Pattern summary
Traction Control System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10285530 · 2009-09-28 (September 28, 2009)
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. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,322 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286210 · 2009-10-03 (October 3, 2009)
VSC & TRAC LIGHTS STAY ON AS WELL AS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 88,556 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10287010 · 2009-10-11 (October 11, 2009)
TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2003 85,000 MILES. SKID CONTROL UNIT IS BAD. MY ABS, TRAC LIGHTS ARE ON. EVERY SO OFTEN MY BRAKE LIGHT WILL GO ON TOO. THE BRAKE LIGHT WILL RESOLVE BY TURNING OFF ENGINE AND START AGAIN. OTHER LIGHTS STAY ON. ASKED TOYOTA DEALER. THEY GAVE ME A PRICE OF $2600 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID I NEED A NEW SKID CONTROL AND DECAL SENSOR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 85,366 miles reported. Look up ODI 10287010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289211 · 2009-10-21 (October 21, 2009)
THE VSC. TCS WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON IN VEHICLE AND AFTER READING THE ABOUT INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN OTHER 03 SEQUOIAS, I AM NERVOUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291286 · 2009-11-06 (November 6, 2009)
VSC/TRAC LIGHT STARTING GOING ON AND OFF THAN STAYED ON THAN THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AND THE BUZZER WOULD RING A FEW TIMES THAN THE REAR TIRES SKIDDED ON THEIR OWN AND SEEMED TO KIND OF "LOCK UP" THAN IT WENT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED 3X IN A WEEKS PERIOD SO I LOOKED IT UP IN MY OWNER'S MANUAL AND IT SAID TO TAKE IT IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHICH I DID ON 11/03/09. THIS IS THE 2ND TOYOTA SR5 I HAVE BOUGHT. I TRADED MY 2001 SR5 IN FOR THIS ONE BECAUSE THE VSC TRAC LIGHTS KEPT GOING ON IN IT TOO BUT THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL…
Owner-reported narrative. 87,965 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291531 · 2009-11-09 (November 9, 2009)
THE SKID CONTROL ECU ON MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA RECENTLY STARTED INTERMITTENTLY REPORTING FAILURE VIA PARKING WARNING LIGHT AND DISABLES THE ABS SYSTEM. RECENTLY WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IT DISABLED ITSELF AS WE WERE BRAKING. THERE WAS A TSB BR006-06 PUT OUT BY TOYOTA TO REPLACE THE ECU IN 2006 ONLY IF THE CUSTOMER REPORTED THE PROBLEM. IT WAS A KNOWN LOGIC PROBLEM WITH THE ECU. WE ARE LUCKY SO FAR THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL-OVER AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN-IT BACK ON TO CLEAR THE ABS FAULT AND CONTINUE DRIVING WITHO…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291810 · 2009-11-11 (November 11, 2009)
2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA VSC LIGHT (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL) AND ANTI SKID BRAKES LIGHT ILLUMINATE. FIRST INTERMITTENTLY NOW ON ALL THE TIME. TOYOTA DEALER DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE EXPERTISE TO SCIENTIFICALLY DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA AND DEALER SEEM TO BE INDIFFERENT AND ALSO WILL NOT HONOR EXTENDED WARRANTY. BEEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. 2003 SR5 MODEL,GARAGED SINCE PURCHASE IN 2003, LIGHTLY DRIVEN WITH 30652 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. AFTER A CAREFUL REVIEW OF OTHER OWNERS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS THIS VEHICLE I…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,652 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10292322 · 2009-11-16 (November 16, 2009)
I WAS DRIVING TO INTERSTATE 10 GOING TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS AND MAKE AN EXIT AND THEN TURN LEFT AND TURN LEFT GOING BACK TO INTERSTATE 10 EAST BOUND. MY TIRES SKID AT THE ROUGH ROAD (LITTLE STONES) AND MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 2003 LOST CONTROL AND VERY HARD TO STABILIZE FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 SECONDS. I JUST HOLD THE STEERING AND DID NOT PULL RIGHT OR LEFT, AND DID NOT STEP ON THE BRAKE UNTIL IT WAS STABILIZED. I DID NOT REPORT IT TO THE DEALER, THINKING THE TRACK OFF SYSTEM WAS OFF. WE WERE LUCKY THAT NO OTHER VEHICLES ON MY SIDE AND AT THE REAR. PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10292322 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.