Most common 2001 Toyota Sequoia problems
Share of the 531 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Sequoia complaints by model year
Best Sequoia years: 2009, 2015, 2017. Years to avoid: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2001 Toyota Sequoia recalls (1)
Wheels
On certain 4x2 vehicles equipped with an alloy wheel tire upgrade (options wm4, wm8, zl1-zl4, dh4, or dh5) installed by the processing centers in jacksonville, florida or commerce, georgia, a label identifying the spare tire as a temporary use spare tire was not installed.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a caution label and an insert for their owner's manual. Owner notification began July 15, 2002.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Toyota Sequoia:
Yaw rate sensor malfunction
On June 14, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-006 to investigate 135 complaints alleging incidents of yaw rate sensor malfunctions resulting in unexpected Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) activations and steering pull while driving in model year (MY) 2001-2002 Toyota Sequoia vehicles.ODI identified a total of 958 incidents in complaints provided by Toyota or submitted…
What 2001 Toyota Sequoia owners say
Brakes all 170 →
While driving my 2001 Sequoia SR5 with only 74,750 miles on freeways at speeds between 55 and 65 mph, the SUV's braking system activates unexpectedly and without cause. The VSC check engine lighting and warning sound illuminate. My SUV veered to the right, the steering wheel vibrated, and it went into a skid when the brakes were abruptly engaged, causing it to skid. My SUV abruptly decelerated as if it had lost power. This situation was hazardous for other vehicles who could not tell if they were applying the brakes due to the absence of visible brake lights to prevent a collision. Fortunately, I responded defensively and avoided collisions with other vehicles and roadside obstacles. This issue is a safety concern; if it occurs at the wrong moment, a tragedy can be avoided. I've seen more than a hundred complaints from other proprietors and a completed NHTSA investigation. …
I was coming off the highway goi g down the off ramp at a rate of speed in line with the speed limit, and the vsc/abs/brake lights all came on. The truck started making a grinding noise and was difficult to control. I pulled over and checked underneath. Everything was fine and there was no sign of an issue. I turned the truck off and on, and all the lights cleared; however, the lights turn on again when the vehicle is cold. Once it warms up, and you turn the car on and off, the clear. No codes on the scanner. Forums say this happens regularly with this make, model and year, but no one is sure what it is. Everything from emissions, to the brake sensor to the yaw rate sensor.
Stability & traction control all 170 →
On multiple occasions, my 2001 Toyota Sequoia has shown random activation of the vehicle stability control system at highway speeds on dry, smooth pavement. Each incident the same thing happens: the activation of a brief audible warning beep, the vsc indicator light flashes along with the slippery surface light (two squiggly lines) and the vehicle suddenly begins randomly applying hard ABS braking to the right front wheel, accompanied with a loud grinding noise that sounds like it coming from the braking system. The brakes feel as if they are pulsating during each of these incidents, it is almost impossible to control the vehicle. It jerks and swerves from side to side and shakes violently. The only way to regain control is to reduce the speed and pull to the side of the road as quickly and safely as possible. The lights stay on until the vehicle is cut off. …
While traveling 74-75mph in my 2001 Toyota Sequoia on a dry highway passing a slower semi-truck on a straightaway, there was a sudden loud grinding noise, the vsc and traction control lights flashed followed by a series of high-pitched beeps. The SUV lost partial control, automatically slowing a little as it pulled slightly to the right, scarily close to the big rig. However, the scariest part was that driver input controlled nothing for several seconds. I pulled to the side of the highway. The drivers manual said it was safe to continue driving the vehicle. This happened 3 other times on the remaining 700 miles of my trip. Each time after an incident the SUV did fine as long as the "vsc and traction control off" lights were on. But after the vehicle stopped, they would reset and turn off. The problem would occur again and the lights would turn back on. Toyota claimed no responsibility. …
Body & structure all 102 →
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while approaching the vehicle, she noticed rust and corrosion on the undercarriage of the entire vehicle. The contact stated that she had received a manufacturer recall notification and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer who sprayed the undercarriage with a rust coating inhibitor to prevent the undercarriage from rusting however, the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to another local dealer Millennium Toyota (257 N. Franklin St, Hempstead, NY 11550, [phone]) who inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for a diagnostic test; however, the dealer declined to perform the diagnostic test, stating that the sub frame was unstable, and an unknown recall campaign had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated the dealer informed him there was a recall for the sub frame, however, the recall had expired. The failure mileage was unknown.
2001 Toyota Sequoia engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Sequoia a good car?
Based on 531 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Sequoia rates avoid: 9.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sequoia at the same age. It is one of the Sequoia years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Sequoia?
The brakes — 170 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › disc › rotor. Next are the stability & traction control (170) and body & structure (102).
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia have?
There is 1 recall for the 2001 Toyota Sequoia, the most recent from May 1, 2002 (wheels). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Sequoia?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2015 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Toyota Sequoia years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Sequoia problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 119,000 miles; 12% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.