Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
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.
The vehicle engages braking in one front wheel for no apparent reason. The traction and vsc lights come on. This can occur at low speed or at high speed. It can make the vehicle unstable. The vehicle is available for inspection. I am taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. There was no accident.
ABS kicks in while driving. It happens at a moderate speeds. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD since I am in the car with my kids and it causes the car to unexpectedly brake. The VSC light come on and blinks, there is a loud grinding sound. This was reproduced by mechanic. SAFETY HAZARD
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. …
While driving our 01 Sequoia sr5 with only 85,000 miles on side streets and highways at speeds ranging from 5mph to 70 MPH, the SUV's braking system suddenly engages for no reason while the veh. Is in motion. The vsc, check engine lights come on along with the alerting sound. When the brakes engage, the veh. Veers to the right, the steering wheel vibrates and the veh. Goes into a skid due to the brakes being suddenly engaged. The veh. Also decelerates suddenly as if it has lost power. This is dangerous for other drivers who can't tell if you are braking because there are no brake lights to be seen to prevent a collision. Thankfully we have been able to react defensively and avoid collisions with other veh.'s. And roadside objects. We have seen several suggestions as to the fix for this problem like the yaw rate sensor being replaced. …
Last year my car while traveling at a speed of 50 MPH just collapsed. My ball joints fell completely off. My the grace of god I wasn't killed because I was on the interstate. I have since had it repaired but not by a Toyota dealer. At the time as now, all my lights were lit vsc trac, ABS etc. I have had this problem throughout having this Toyota and it has been very costly. Now as we speak my car is at a dealer and I can only imagine they will tell me it's the faulty computer chip. I will also have them check for rust since I'm hearing of all these cases of rust. My car has been in tip top shape due to my husbands knowledge of cars. However, some of these reports appear to be incidents beyond our control. I'm lucky to be alive. I guess if I had been killed Toyota would still be denying their product is faulty. …
While I was traveling on the highway at 70 MPH, the right front brake locked up momentarily and lurched the vehicle, the vsc and traction control light started flashing and a warning buzzer went off. After looking into things, there are known issues with the 2001 and 2002 Toyota Sequoia that cause this exact thing to happen to plenty of other people. I understand that there has already been an evaluation done on this matter and it was ruled that the severity of the issue does not warrant a recall. Why there is no recall being issued on the multiple failure points in the vehicle's system and people are required to spend thousands of dollars in repairs for parts and labor when the manufacturer's design didn't last? I purchased this vehicle for my father to feel more safe in, and that is the last thing that he feels while driving it. …
While driving on a neighborhood street the vehicle with no warning applied full braking to the right front wheel causing the tire to lock up. At the same time 2 skid control lights came on the dash along with a loud warning buzzer for around 5 seconds. Dry pavement in arizona. Vehicle swerved hard and had to oversteer to control it! This has done it 9 times now. It has happened every time! Speed is not a factor. Weather is not a factor. If the overide button for the traction control is engaged on not is not a factor. Today (9-19-2015) was the last straw. In 3 lanes of traffic, speed 45, it came on. Cars on both sides the did its thing! I almost hit the car to the right of me. I am now parking it until I am contacted by someone at the NHTSA or Toyota. I am holder of a cdl license of over 40 years. This is the most dangerous thing I have ever seen a vehicle do! …
My complaint stems from the vehicle stability control (vsc) issue that commonly plagues the 2001-2001 Toyota Sequoia. As many others have filed complaints over this vsc issue, mine is no different. My Sequoia, a 4x4 sr5 with 160K miles, works flawlessly other than the vsc lights being constantly illuminated while driving. The results of the malfunction, possibly from the yaw rate sensor, present a momentarily loss of power and random unexplained steering events. The only way to temporary clear the vsc lights and the effects of the malfunction is to completely stop the vehicle, turn off the ignition and restart the vehicle. I fear a loss of control of the vehicle while my wife and kids are driving at highway speeds. I would like to see Toyota issue a formal recall or pay for a new yaw rate sensor and the consumer pays the labor. …
Brake complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 170 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Toyota Sequoia, 32% of the model year's 531 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Sequoia brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.