Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Rear axle is rusted to the point where differential fluid is leaking out of the body. There is extreme rust in general which has led to the failure of multiple components such as the oil pressure sending unit. Check engine light is on. This hasn't been verified by a shop or agency, only by me. These issues were discovered shortly after purchase this year.
Frame Replacement needed: I took my 2001 Toyota Sequoia (45,515 miles; always garaged) in for an Emissions & Safety Inspection. I was notified the excessive rust on the frame has cause damage to the lines for the brakes/bubbling on the lines, fuel line, power steering fluid lines and, eventually, other undercar items may soon fail. It is recommended that due to the excessive rusting/premature frame rotting, the SUV should be decommissioned and off the road. Toyota dealership actually suggested that it might be necessary for me to sign a waiver in order to take the vehicle out of the dealership. The waiver was to hold Toyota harmless should something result as a result of the defect. I was shocked at the request/I declined. Stated the severe rusting is from the front to the rear of the frame. …
I own a 2001 Toyota Sequoia SR5, which I purchased new in Colorado and moved to Virginia in 2004. I received a Toyota Limited Service Campaign Program notice in 2013 about excessive corrosion on the frame. Alexandria Toyota inspected the vehicle and applied a Corrosion-Resistant Compound to the frame. They also replaced the spare tire carrier assembly due to rusting. Over the years, I've had mechanics mention the rust on the frame but Toyota never issued a recall on the 2001 Sequoia. In November 2024, the following dashboard lights remained on while driving: Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) OFF, VSC TRAC and Brake Lights. I took it to Steven's Auto Clinic in Alexandria. They found low brake fluid levels were causing the brake system failure. The brake pipes are leaking due to heavy rust. In addition, rust was destroying the under carriage. …
On September 12, 2012 I had my 2001 Toyota Sequoia with 170,334 miles serviced at prime Toyota in west roxbury ma due to the recall for frame corrosion. It was determined by the manufacturer that the frame qualified for rust prevention coating which the dealership performed the application. On June 12, 2015 I had performed preventative maintenance on same vehicle now with 225,345 miles the inspection of frame revealed several sites of rust throughout the frame in some cases the rust has rotted through. I was advised since the manufacturer previously performed preventive measures in 2012 they are no longer liable and would not replace frame at their cost. Hence my complaint for a fair resolution. I am aware this is a major issue with similar vehicles by the manufacturer. The attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Purchased vehicle in 2004. Complied with a Toyota inspection for possible rust on frame in 2012 and had vehicle sprayed with undercoating in 2013 (per Toyota instructions). Toyota knew there was a problem. By 2015 frame was still rusting and by 2018 rust is so bad that car will not pass inspection and being told frame is "conpletely rusted out" and "not safe to drive" by mechanics. Now scared to drive the vehicle and worried about the safety of myself and family as frame May collapse or components come off at any moment. Toyota refuses to take responsibility for the defect in Sequoia and tacoma vehicles with this problem. Problem is widespread. Someone is going to die as a result when a massive frame failure happens while driving. Please assist with pressure on Toyota to fix this problem.
Our 2001 Toyota Sequoia had a limited service campaign recall in 2013-2014 for severe rust problems in the frame. We took it to the dealer we bought it from. They either would replace the frame or just under coat the frame. They told us we only needed the undercoating - not to replace the frame. Now the frame is completely rusted out. My understanding is that Toyota did a recall for the same problem in newer cars (I believe 2005-2008), but will not do anything for later model cars, yet it is exactly the same rust issue. Toyota was able to undercoat the frames, which did not fix the problem, rather than replacing the entire frame, which was much more expensive for them. This same problem also occurred with the Toyota tacoma trucks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact lost control of the vehicle and nearly got into an accident. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was completely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was brought to the dealer in 2000 for frame inspection, and it was diagnosed that the frame was intact and did not require repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 250,000. The VIN was not available.
2001 Toyota Sequoia was recalled due to corrosion of the frame. All parts such as the back plates for the brakes, tie rod ends, stabilizer bars, and many more attached had rust when it went into the shop. However, Toyota did not care that the rust had spread. I could have wrecked several times due to the negligence of Toyota. It has been costly and the car is not the same since the transfer of the frame. Rust spreads as cancer and is as deadly when it is under your car. I will have to spend thousands of dollars to ensure the safety of my family.
Body complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Toyota Sequoia, 19% of the model year's 531 complaints. The component named most often is body (45 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Sequoia body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 Toyota Sequoia, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2001 Toyota Sequoia body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 131,000 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.