Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 driving 15 MPH, the front driver's side wheel bearing fracture causing the tire to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the front wheel bearing was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Recently I took the vehicle in to investigate a clunking noise. I was informed by the shop that the frame had completely rusted through, causing the rear stabilizer arm to become detached. I also had a front stabilizer link fail twice in a year, presumably from the frame excessively flexing. Upon further investigation, I came to learn that Toyota is quite aware of this very issue, they've issued recalls where insufficient measures may have been taken to temporarily stop the rusting, and that many many other Sequoia owners have the same exact problems that I'm having, and Toyota refuses to take responsibility for this premature failure and provide some sort of relief. Given the frequency and number of complaints, I'm kind of shocked that NHTSA hasn't banned these vehicles from the roadways. Seems like a serious accident waiting to happen. …
I have changed tires 2 times but I did not know that my sequoia has a recalled from the suspension and it seems to me that all the suspension is out eventhough that I replaced the struts upper and lower balljoint side arm rod tide even the racquet pinion may be out please help with the nesessary repair driving it like that I'm putting my family at having a accident cause the tire do not wear properly sincerely Joseluis saldana
Complete failure and separation of the lower ball joint. Caused the wheel to fall off, damaging the front fender and jamming the front door making the door stuck closed. Fortunate we did not crash into anything and kill anyone. A very close call.
I am the original owner. The ball joints have failed on both sides, with the wheels falling off while driving. At speed, my family would have been killed -twice! The wheels have fallen off twice. I have kept this vehicle in excellent repair. I have owned 4 toyotas and currently own three. Ball joints should not fall apart under any circumstances. Toyota has a recall for this problem back to 2004. However, they refused to stand by me on this, even after I paid over $2200 for the last repair. This is a dangerous situation for all sequoias prior to 2004. I can probably get a photo of the wheel off of the car where it skidded to a stop.
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. …
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. …
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. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle independently swerved without warning. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the frame of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control bracket was corroded and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. The VIN was unavailable...updated 11/21/16
Suspension complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2001 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the suspension of the 2001 Toyota Sequoia, 9% of the model year's 531 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Sequoia suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 157,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.