Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The ABS actuator on my 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 caught fire as I was driving home. The first sign of trouble was when I pulled out of a parking spot and switched from reverse to drive and was temporarily unable to accelerate. The brake pedal also shuddered before I regained acceleration. One mile down the road, at a speed of approx. 30 MPH, 3 warning lights on the dash illuminated (vsc light, ABS light, brake light) followed by the brake pedal going all the way to the floor by itself. Luckily, I wasn't rear-ended, but by this time, smoke was coming from under the hood. Upon further inspection, I could see flames coming from the actuator assembly. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was deemed a total loss due to the damage to the actuator assembly, wire harness, wiper motor and hood.
While driving down a familiar two lane road with many curves and not reaching a speed above 45 MPH, I came upon a curve, braked, and steered my Sequoia appropriately. I was driving on the outside of the curve, but when I tried to turn with the curve, my Sequoia headed toward the oncoming lane of traffic. As it veered toward the fence posts on the other side of the road, I could not slow it down or steer it back to my lane. No matter how I pressed the brakes, it would not slow down but instead sped up. The last I remember is the realization that I could do nothing to stop or steer my Sequoia. I rolled it 3 1/2 times (through the fence and then back through it again in another spot). Many thanks to god, my 3 year old made it out with but one small scratch on his arm and a huge fear. …
Turning right into driveway my car began to shake with a loud grinding sound. Let off gas, noise ceased, applied gas gently and the vehicle proceeded as normal. This has happened several times since. It only seems to occur during a right turn at a very low speed. The vsc and trac lights each come on when this occurs. They used to be off each time I restarted the vehicle but now they do not turn off at all. Went to Toyota dealer and was told that I need to have the "computer system" that controls the vsc and trac replaced. Was quoted a price of $1,700.00. This problem has not been corrected at this time. However, I cannot afford to wait since this is my only vehicle and I have 3 children whose safety May be at risk as this defect occurs.
This occurred approximately April 2010, upon receiving a recall notice from Toyota on brakes, I took the vehicle into the Toyota dealership. They fixed the recall notice and I ended up having to pay for a test to find out what was causing the vsc light to come on. The dealership said that there was nothing that they could do for me except replace the yaw sensor for almost $800 dollars. This was the sensor for $685 and then the labor. To this date (07/14/2013) Toyota has done nothing to fix the issue. I have read numerous issues with this item. I guess it will take someone else being killed for them to get their act together and fix it.
I've had problems with my 2003 Toyota Sequoia trac control, vsc, and ABS lights going, about a dozen times since new, but they would go off after shutting the car off. Now that have come on and stay on. I took it to the dealer and they say its the yaw sensor and will cost around $650 with parts and labor. I think there have been a lot of complaints with this part failing and maybe something that needs looking into since its part of the vehicles safety equipment.
I was on the freeway and started to change lanes, when I saw a damaged area on the freeway drove over it and the light for trac control light, vsc light, and ABS light were all on. Then I exited to check for any visible problems nothing that I could notice. So I stated to research about this and found forums to see what I can find out. This is a big problem from what I see. Do your part to get things done with this dangerous problems.
2003 Toyota Sequoia - the vsc, trac and brake light all illuminated with a grinding sound coming from under the car. The car shuddered to a stop during acceleration. Barely avoided an accident by quickly pulling the car over. Just checked with Toyota and my car is not included in the recall for this identical problem. Please explain your reasoning behind not including all Sequoia's with this dangerous problem.
I recently purchased a 2003 Sequoia and have become aware that the vsc trac, vsc off, ABS lights always remain on. My mechanic ran the codes and has advised me that I need a new deceleration sensor. After some research online I see that I am not alone and so would like to voice my concern about this faulty sensor and ask that Toyota give a response to why so many vehicles of this era have this specific problem.
ABS light on. Replace ABS skid control ECU and recalibrate ABS system (also found DTC c1247 for ABS skid control computer logic change. Vsc light on recomend throttle body assembly/gasket DTC p2118 throttle body actuator motor current malfunction there was a recall for skid control. No ABS or vsc. All systems affected as a result of skid control. Toyota says not covered. ???????????
I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5, which had 45K. The AWD and both vsc traction light indicator lights turned on. I tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. The indicator lights remain on. I read that this is a common problems with the earlier models of the Sequoia. I called Toyota service and was surprised that it was not recalled to fix this huge safety problem.
Acceleration complaints in other Sequoia SR5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5, 27% of the model year's 107 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.