TOYOTA SEQUOIA · model year

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

875 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003TOYOTASEQUOIA carries 875 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 27 crashes, 2 fires, 34 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 SEQUOIA is electronic stability control (esc) with 158 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (86) and structure:body (57). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 2003 SEQUOIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

875
Complaints
27
Crashes
2
Fires
34
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

875 filings

Crashes Reported

27 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)158
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL86
STRUCTURE:BODY57
SERVICE BRAKES55
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM54
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM51
AIR BAGS39
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC38
UNKNOWN OR OTHER30
SUSPENSION28
STEERING22
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP19
ENGINE14
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS12
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS11

Recalls (7)

10V17600030/04/2010

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 SEQUOIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH APRIL 17, 2003. THE CENTER POSITION OF THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR (SAS) MAY NOT BE STORED CORRECTLY DUE TO IMPROPER LOGIC OF THE SKID CONTROL ECU PROGRAMMING. THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL

06E04900024/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.

19V74100017/10/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX4

05V22500017/05/2005

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING

15V28600013/05/2015

AIR BAGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf

15V28500013/05/2015

AIR BAGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, T

18V88300012/12/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modul

Recent Complaints

20240311UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Once again the rear latch system has failed and I am unable to open my rear hatch door. So I am unable to remove my spare tire. And can not acsess the failed charcoal canister Toyota is screwing up my life with all their failed parts preventing repair on other parts

20240311FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Can not acsess the failed charcoal canister due to rear door failing and am unable to open . So I can not drop the spare tire and acsess the canister

20240311ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Can not get BSC, TRC engine lights off traction control kicks in and locks steering and brakes . Unsafe can not smog after spending thousands replacing parts

20240311SERVICE BRAKES

Can not get BSC, TRC engine lights off traction control kicks in and locks steering and brakes . Unsafe can not smog after spending thousands replacing parts

20240311ENGINE

Can not get BSC, TRC engine lights off traction control kicks in and locks steering and brakes . Unsafe can not smog after spending thousands replacing parts

20240311STEERING

Front end in rolled shacking. Tires wearing extremely fast and uneven image. Unable to drive

20240311SUSPENSION

Front end in rolled shacking. Tires wearing extremely fast and uneven image. Unable to drive

20240311VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Front end in rolled shacking. Tires wearing extremely fast and uneven image. Unable to drive

20240120SERVICE BRAKES

Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times but can not get these lights to stay off. Since lights have been on, when driving on a muddy, wet, icy or slippery road way, my steering locks up, the brakes stop working and there is complete loss of vehicle control. All without warning. This is an extreme hazard and very dangerous. This has been on going since 2017 and is still a major problem . It started at around 200,000 miles.

20240120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times but can not get these lights to stay off. Since lights have been on, when driving on a muddy, wet, icy or slippery road way, my steering locks up, the brakes stop working and there is complete loss of vehicle control. All without warning. This is an extreme hazard and very dangerous. This has been on going since 2017 and is still a major problem . It started at around 200,000 miles.

20240120STEERING

Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times but can not get these lights to stay off. Since lights have been on, when driving on a muddy, wet, icy or slippery road way, my steering locks up, the brakes stop working and there is complete loss of vehicle control. All without warning. This is an extreme hazard and very dangerous. This has been on going since 2017 and is still a major problem . It started at around 200,000 miles.

20231114STRUCTURE:BODY

This Vehicle's frame had an extended warranty on it for excessive rust damage in the northern cities. There are holes in the frame, very close to welding points that may break at anytime while driving. And cause an accident.

20231011UNKNOWN OR OTHER

So in few words when check engine light is happening then immediately traction control and skid control and maybe other safety features are automatically goes off, which almost made me crash with all my family during rain. I definitely don’t like it and I don’t think it’s a good idea if one of the non critical sensors broken then you have to die in crash. I think Toyota should check it because it’s doesn’t sound right.

20230930SERVICE BRAKES

UNKNOWN I'm unsure of what is causing it but it is a very common issue with the 03-04 sequoia. The brake light will come on like on mine and apparently it's a failure in one of the brake components. It's either the brake booster or the master cylinder in most cases is starting to g out. I've done research on this issue and it's a very common problem costing people thousands to get fixed. I feel like if it's that huge of a problem like I've seen with sequoia owners than it's needs to be addressed in a better manner

20230930UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The lock actuators in the doors are notorious for going on more than normal it's another very common issue with the seqouia. My driver one is bad right now. And clearly the window motors are faulty cuz I had 3 bad at once I fixed one but my sunroof and back tailgate window both do not work. It is also a very common problem

20230925STRUCTURE:BODY

I want to bring attention to the a fatal flaw designed into Toyota truck frames. I understand Toyota denied my claim and I am out of luck with the repairs on my truck. However it is morally responsible for me to bring awareness to this deadly issue. Since most owners don't know they have a problem until the frame breaks, it is worth raising awareness to save human life. This is not a cosmetic issue, its a life or death issue for the consumer. The frame on my truck is completely rusted. In 2013, a Toyota dealership did a frame inspection on my 2003 truck per the recall notice to the previous owner. Toyota had a safety recall for a two step frame replacement for 12 years. The inspection noted an excessive amount of corrosion and rust on the frame components. In 2014, another Toyota dealership decided to spray a sealer over the rust instead of replacing the frame. The sealer trapped moisture and accelerated the oxidation process. This made the problem worse and the rust spread and dest

20230614UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I recently purchased my 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 4WD that had the manufacturer’s undercoating done as a result of the LSC in 2013. The coating has failed and water was able to seep in causing massive rust on the frame. It is a safety hazard to drive at this point.

20230212STRUCTURE:BODY

I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia 167k miles that has major frame rust. This is now becoming a safety issue and Toyota needs to be held accountable!

20230212UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia 167k miles that has major frame rust. This is now becoming a safety issue and Toyota needs to be held accountable!

20221123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, he felt the vehicle made a sudden stop. The contact checked under the hood and noticed that the VSC box was melting. The contact disconnected the battery to the vehicle and the smoke stopped. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

Compare 2003TOYOTASEQUOIA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA have?
The 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA has 875 NHTSA complaints, 27 crashes, 2 fires, 34 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA?
Yes, the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC). Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA?
The most-complained component for the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA is ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) with 158 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.