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 2001 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tuesday, November 10, 2015, I was driving down interstate 37 toward corpus christi, tx, and out of the blue my well maintained vehicle had a hard shake/shimmy in the rear end. It rocked my rearend left to right. Very scary. Luckily I had both hands on the wheel. The traction control sensor went off. I braked, thinking maybe I had had a tire go flat quickly. Very scary at 75 MPH. Also very lucky that not semi's or vehicles were near me. I turned the Sequoia off and got out to check the tires. There was no problem. I got back in and restarted the vehicle, the traction control lights had gone off, so I started to accelerate back into traffic...and the Sequoia went crazy again, rear end shaking, traction control lights going off. It was 8 pm, dark. I was too scared to try driving again, so I called for a tow. I have done some research on similar problems and found there were many. …
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. …
Toyota rust issue on my 2001 Toyota Sequoia v8 sr5. Used to transport friends and family and children, but no longer safe due to excessive rust and inability to control the vehicle when slowing at higher speeds. Vehicle veers to right and left uncontrollably. Today, I almost sideswiped another vehicle on the highway. I was going around 60 MPH and slowed to exit and almost lost control of my vehicle and ended up in a ditch. I took it to a mechanic and was told the vehicle is unsafe to lift due to excessive rust. Recommended to have the frame replaced, but that's well beyond the cost I'm willing to pay. Research tells me that this is a consistent problem for these vehicles and Toyota should do something about it -- if not pay to have new frames done or reimburse people for the many who have these issues. …
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. …
My 2001 Sequoia (151,000 mi) which has been garaged and maintained meticulously is suddenly showing the vsc lights and brake lights at the same time! There is a very rough feeling when I'm driving the car like something in the undercarriage is very wrong. There is a "clunking" noise as slow as 5 MPH at all times and all speeds. At high speeds, the car will suddenly pull to the left momentarily and then release itself but the lights never go out unless car is off. I have read the 138 complaints at the dot.gov site about this exact problem and thus far, Toyota corp is ignoring the complaints.where is the recall for this problem. I know alot of owners who haven't even investigated why it's happening in thier truck too. How can they do business like this ??? This is a life threatening problem for Toyota !!! I will stop at nothing to have Toyota repair their problem on their product. …
Vehicle had experienced intermittent stability/traction control trouble lights in cold weather. While driving in sub freezing weather on wet heavily salted nearly clear (possible slight slush from snow dusting) interstate along a straight smooth slight upgrade stretch, the vehicle without diver action (steering, braking, or acceleration) experienced a rear end swerve to the right and inability to control. Result was leaving the right side of the roadway down a 25-30 foot embankment (no guardrail) and a vehicle roll (one time, ending up wheels down, still running). Travel was at or below that of traffic. No other vehicles experienced difficulty on the same stretch of road. It is believed that a sudden random actuation of the stability/traction control system initiated the event. This appears to be a generic issue with the Toyota system spanning several models and years.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the traction warning indicator illuminated and a chime sounded as the skid control system engaged without being prompted. The accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. There was also an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle as the steering wheel veered to the right. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to slow down until the vehicle's skid control system disengaged without being prompted. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the variable speed control malfunctioned. The contact stated that the ABS and traction control indicators illuminated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal, while turning, and a hard vibration occurred. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to normal immediately afterwards. The contact parked the vehicle and contacted coos bay Toyota (2001 n bayshore drive, coos bay, oregon 97420, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the yaw rate sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Traction Control complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2001 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 170 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2001 Toyota Sequoia, 32% of the model year's 531 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Sequoia traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to stability & traction control 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.