TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 · model year

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5

177 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003TOYOTASEQUOIA SR5 carries 177 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 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 SR5 is traction control system with 37 filings, followed by electronic stability control (esc) (34) and vehicle speed control (29). 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.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2003 SEQUOIA SR5, and 1 remain open. 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.

177
Complaints
6
Crashes
2
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

177 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM37
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)34
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL29
SERVICE BRAKES14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9
SUSPENSION5
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC4
POWER TRAIN4
AIR BAGS4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS3
ENGINE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2

Recent Complaints

20190703VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING THE BACK LIGHT AN TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME IN BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AN IT SAYS CODES C1203 C1223 C1247 ALSO SAYING THE ABS SENSOR ON MASTER CYLINDER OPEN CIRCUIT ALSO HAS A CODE FRO 0DTC HAD IT CHECKED OUT ON 7/1/2019

Mileage: 2,007,000

20190415CrashSTEERING

"BALL JOINT FAILURE" WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN FREEWAY AT 35-40 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. LOST STEERING, BRAKES AND ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE GUARD RAIL SPINNING IT AROUND AND SLIDING UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP. THE ARM CAME DIRECTLY OFF THE VEHICLE AND IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL.

Mileage: 210,000

20190415CrashSUSPENSION

"BALL JOINT FAILURE" WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN FREEWAY AT 35-40 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. LOST STEERING, BRAKES AND ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE GUARD RAIL SPINNING IT AROUND AND SLIDING UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP. THE ARM CAME DIRECTLY OFF THE VEHICLE AND IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL.

Mileage: 210,000

20190415CrashWHEELS

"BALL JOINT FAILURE" WHILE TRAVELLING DOWN FREEWAY AT 35-40 MPH THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HAD COME OFF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DROP. LOST STEERING, BRAKES AND ANY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE SKID INTO THE GUARD RAIL SPINNING IT AROUND AND SLIDING UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP. THE ARM CAME DIRECTLY OFF THE VEHICLE AND IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL.

Mileage: 210,000

20190407STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA RECALL NEVER INFORMED MY FAMILY ABOUT THE RECALLS FOR THE FRAME ON TOYOTA SEQUIOAS. THEREFORE FOR MORE INVESTIGATION DURING REPAIRS TO MY VEHICLE NOT LONG AGO I SAW HOLES IN MY FRAME AND WAS VERY BAD AND HAD MY WORRIED ABOUT MY VEHICLE. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE PHOTOS AT THE TIME BUT AM WILLING TO PUT MY VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND TAKE AS MANY PICTURES AS NECESSARY

20181111STRUCTURE:BODY

MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 4X4 LIMITED HAS ABOUT 230000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE A TURN AND HEARD A LARGE "THUNK". I THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND LATER AS I GOT UP TO ABOUT 60 VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER HEATH AND THE FRAME HAD SEPARATED DUE TO RUST AT THE STABILIZER BAR FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME. I WAS GOING TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE FRAME IS JUST RUST FOR THE FULL REAR SECTION OF THE FRAME AND HAS LARGE HOLES DUE TO RUST. IT IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE TILL 2014. I REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. TOYOTA KNEW THERE WAS AN ISSUE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY HELP. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY 2018 FROM A PRIVATE PARTY AND TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT THE RISK I TAKE PURCHASING PRIVATE PARTY.

Mileage: 230,000

20171127STRUCTURE:BODY

I LIVE IN NORTHERN KY AND I WAS DRIVING WEST ON KY 20.I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT AND THE BACK PULLS LEFT .WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE TO SAFELY STOP I NOTICED THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE BROKE IN HALF. IT BROKE BECAUSE IT RUSTED IN HALF.THIS COULD OF KILLED ME.LUCKILY NO ONE WAS COMING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RD. MY MECHANIC SAID THE FRAME RUSTED IN HALF. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2015 IM THE SECOND OWNER. I PAID 6000 FOR THE TRUCK PUT 1200 IN NEW WHEELS AND ANOTHER 2400 IN SAFETY AND PREVENTITIVE MAINTIENCE AT TOYOTA. I WOULD NOT EXSPECT THIS TO OCCURE.ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAD THE VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTED. NO MY OPTIONS ARE TO REPLACE THE FRAME OR JUNK THE VEHICLE.EITHER WAY IM OUT BIG MONEY ON A TRUCK I LOVE.I THANK GOD MY GREAT NEICES AND NEPHEW WAS NOT IN THE TRUCK WHEN THE FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE.THEY WERE IN THERE THE DAY BEFORE.IM BLESSED WE DIDNT GET HURT THAT COULD HAVE WENT VERY BAD.I BELIEVE IF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE I WOULD

20171122ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

VSC, VSC TRACTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON. NO OTHER PROBLEM TO DRIVE. LIGHTS SEEN FROM 89000 MILE. CHANGED BRAKE SYSTEM ON 75000 MILE INCLUDING ROUTER AND WORKS FINE.

Mileage: 89,500

20171121SERVICE BRAKES

DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM SINCE INITIAL PURCHASE. AT FIRST, AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BUT NOW A SAFETY HAZARD. BRAKE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT &TRAC LIGHT CONSTANTLY ARE ON & NOW ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS GOING ONLY 10 MPH BRAKES ARE AFFECTED WHERE THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE & BRAKES DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. I WAS TOLD THE YAW SENSOR WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS COSTING $880, BUT IT DIDN'T; NOW ITS THE SKID CONTROL ANOTHER $875 WHICH I AGREED TO & WHEN CALLING TO GET STATUS OF MY CAR, I'M TOLD IT DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE & NOW IT'S THE BOOSTER ANOTHER $1,000 WHICH I'M NOT PAYING. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THIS IS ISSUE MAKES IT A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. MY CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE SHOP AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT.

Mileage: 164,000

20170829AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20170816STRUCTURE:BODY

UNDERBODY FRAME RUSTED.

20170815ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

VSC/TRAC LIGHTS HAVE COME ON . I STILL DRIVE THE CAR ,IT WAS HAPPEN 3RD TIMES . I WENT TO LOCAL MECHANIC BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF GUARANTEE .

Mileage: 95,500

20170807UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAILGATE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN PREVENTING ME FROM GETTING ITEMS OUT OFF THE CARGO AREA.

Mileage: 150,000

20170224SUSPENSION

THE CHASSIS IS VERY RUSTY AND I WANT TO CHANGE THE SHOCKS BUT I DON'T WANT TO DAMAGE THE CAR BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT CHASSIS HAVE TO BE FIXED FIRST AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT COST OR WHERE TO GO TO FIXED

20170127SUSPENSION

FRAME IS RUSTING AWAY AT ONLY 40K. HOLES IN FRAME.

20161128AIR BAGS

2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE IN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME TO REPAIR FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD

20160426SERVICE BRAKES

THE 2003 SEQUIOA FRAME IS RUST IS EATING AWAY THE FRAME. WE PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VECHICLE. WOULD TOYOTA STANDBY THERE VECHICLE AND REPLACE THIS FRAME OR WE HAVE PAY FOR REPLACEMENT .

20160426SUSPENSION

THE 2003 SEQUIOA FRAME IS RUST IS EATING AWAY THE FRAME. WE PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS VECHICLE. WOULD TOYOTA STANDBY THERE VECHICLE AND REPLACE THIS FRAME OR WE HAVE PAY FOR REPLACEMENT .

20151004SERVICE BRAKES

STARTING IN DECEMBER OF 2014 MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AND WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS HAVING SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, ECU. THEY REPLACED THE SKID CONTROL ECU AND THE RIGHT REAR SPEED SENSOR. COSTING ME 1196.90. THEN IN MARCH THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND OFF AGAIN PERIODICALLY. IT IS NOW OCTOBER 2015 AND ON THE WAY HOME FROM CHURCH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL , AND ENGINE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. I WAS TURNING AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND NEARLY DIED IN ONE OF THE BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS. I HAVE SINCE PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WILL HAVE TO GET SOMEONE OVER HERE TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OR COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

Mileage: 197,000

20151004ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

STARTING IN DECEMBER OF 2014 MY 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AND WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS HAVING SHAKING IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, ECU. THEY REPLACED THE SKID CONTROL ECU AND THE RIGHT REAR SPEED SENSOR. COSTING ME 1196.90. THEN IN MARCH THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND OFF AGAIN PERIODICALLY. IT IS NOW OCTOBER 2015 AND ON THE WAY HOME FROM CHURCH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL , AND ENGINE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON. I WAS TURNING AND THE ENGINE STALLED AND NEARLY DIED IN ONE OF THE BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS. I HAVE SINCE PARKED IT IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WILL HAVE TO GET SOMEONE OVER HERE TO LOOK AT IT BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE OR COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.

Mileage: 197,000

Compare 2003TOYOTASEQUOIA SR5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 have?
The 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 has 177 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5?
The most-complained component for the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 is TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM with 37 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA SR5 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.