Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
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).
Two months after purchasing the vehicle, vsc and trac off lights became illuminated, no other symptoms. Stayed on for 2 days then disappeared again. Two months later the brake light had become illuminated, put it in park to load passengers, and when returned to drive, the vsc and trac off lights were illuminated and a grinding sound was heard when applying brakes - along with the vehicle pulling to the right. Turned the car off, checked fluids and fuses, when restarted only brake light was illuminated and car appeared to be driving normally. Took it in to Toyota today to have the problem checked out as the brake light is still on, and the grinding noise was a concern - and am told the brake booster needs to be replaced. …
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.
Vsc replacement this is my 3rd incident with the Toyota sequoias. I was in snow and ice and put the car in 4 wheel drive. I started to back out and a buzzing sound and the vsc and the vsc trac lights came on. Nothing else happened for a while and when I put it back into 2 wheel drive it drove fine for the remainder of the trip about 200 miles. I stopped and fueled up and when driving off the car started making a loud vibrating/grinding noise then stalled and the brakes suddenly pulled the car to the right.. I turned it off and tried again and the vsc lights came on again but it drove OK until the next time I restarted it again got out in traffic and it made the same grinding noise, stalled and the brakes pulled it to the right again....I had no control over the vehicle and was nearly hit by the car in the right lane. …
My 2003 Toyota Sequoia vsc traction system has failed 5 times. The system failed at 54,546, again at 78,358, again at 93,939, again at 104,238, and the last time at 145,000. The first time code c124 c1231 replaced steering sensor. The second time code c1231 replaced steering angle sensor. The third time code c1203 1231 replaced and reprogrammed steering angle sensor. The fourth time no code indicated, but replaced skid control ECM. The fifth time I brought in in for the recall, it did not qualify and the dealership would not diagnose without me paying for it, so I do not have a code yet. I am in a battle with Toyota and the dealership about who should pay for this defective system. I have paid portions the first 2 occasions. When the failure occurs it happens one of two ways. …
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. Probably it was April 2009. Now I am having problem with the track off system and ABS system lights on the dashboard. I replaced the 4 tires and disk pads (rear and front) last October 2009. Maybe that is one of the reason. …
In December 2010 we took our Toyota Sequoia 2003 to fix the defects mentioned in the ea09006 NHTSA action number vicksburg Toyota dealership in vicksburg, ms. At the moment the dealership informed us that the ECU could not reflash. However, the ECU was not replaced as specified in the recall. A week ago, once again, the vsc ECU lights turned on. Again we took the car to the dealership and have been told that the ECU is completely damaged and I have to incur an expense of $ 650 to replace the unit. I've been trying to talk with Toyota, however, they have indicated to me that the new problem has nothing to do with the recall 1. Toyota evaded their responsibility to change the unit so that the problem was never corrected recall 2. If the recall required the unit was replaced by a new one could not reflash the unit. …
In December 2010 we took our Toyota Sequoia 2003 to fix the defects mentioned in the ea09006 NHTSA action number vicksburg Toyota dealership in vicksburg, ms. At the moment the dealership informed us that the ECU could not reflash. However, the ECU was not replaced as specified in the recall. A week ago, once again, the vsc ECU lights turned on. Again we took the car to the dealership and have been told that the ECU is completely damaged and I have to incur an expense of $ 650 to replace the unit. I've been trying to talk with Toyota, however, they have indicated to me that the new problem has nothing to do with the recall 1. Toyota evaded their responsibility to change the unit so that the problem was never corrected recall 2. If the recall required the unit was replaced by a new one could not reflash the unit. …
Our 2003 Sequoia has same traction control problem as all of the other complaints, resulting in vsc/ABS/trac lights on with no additional safety braking system light traction control or anti-lock brakes other than the standard hydraulic brakes. The system failed a number of years ago and we placed a complaint on this site hoping for a recall. We took the car in for the reported recall and all they did is fix some internal computer setting. They said the recall had nothing do with the warning lights or fixing the faulty "star" safety system. We left with all of the warning lights still on and the offer for the dealer to investigate the warning lights at a cost of $300. I don't believe the intent of all of the complaints regarding this issue was to fix an internal computer setting but rather to bring light to the widespread failure of a major safety system at a huge cost to the consumer. …
First vsc trac and trac off lights computer failure: March 20 2009 dealership found the skid control computer malfunctioned and was replaced under an extended warranty. Total cost of repairs $1521. Due to our extended warranty, we paid $50. Second vsc trac and trac off lights computer failure November 15 2010 received recall notice in mail. Made appointment with Toyota service. Since the computer was replaced previously during first traction control failure, they would not "update" the software in the computer, nor diagnose the cause of the failure. Customer service dept @ dealership did not even give me a chance to do the diagnostic work and told me that the diagnostic time would have to be "re scheduled" at a later date. Due to my taking the day off from work to do this recall repair, I left the dealership with no repair work nor idea as to why the computer failed a second time. …
Tl 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. The manufacturer was investigating the failures. The failure mileage was 9,322 and the current mileage was 122,000. Updated 11/10/09 the consumer stated the vsc/brake and ABS lights have been on, since taking ownership of the vehicle. …
Traction Control complaints in other Sequoia SR5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5, 60% of the model year's 107 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Sequoia SR5 traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.