Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The warning lights ABS, vsc, emergency brakes, track, slip indicator comes on all the time after engine start running. In certain instances, the vehicle does not respond to acceleration for few seconds. The problem started around 70K miles. Toyota dealer has check the vehicle and said that the problem is the ECU computer and the estimated cost is about $3,000.oo dollars with only 3 month warranty. The mechanic explained that the vehicle would be able to brake but non of the features above will be functioning. The mechanic also stated that this is very common problem with Sequoia models but there is no recall or warranty for this problem at the time it was diagnosed. Since the repair for our SUV is not affordable for us and there is so much uncertainty in its safety, we use it in a limited basis.
The frame is rusted so bad chucks of the frame are falling out causing problems to sway bar, the motor was basically laying side ways towards the driver side front panel. I have seven children we depended on this vehicle to get us everywhere we needed to be. Now its sitting on the side of the road bc when the chuck of frame fell out it caused sway bar to drop down causing me to almost wreck with my children in the SUV . I was driving down ky 344 vanceburh ky, 41179 at approximately 10:00 a.m traveling towards route 57 tollesboro ky 41189
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the frame on the rear of the vehicle was corroded. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the contact stated that two weeks later, the tie rods fractured from the rear of the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.
2002 Toyota sequioa 4wd. Check engine light, vsc off, vcs trac lights are all on and vehicle is nearly impossible to drive in the rain. After checking with multiple sources online and by phone, it appears the "skid control ECU with actuator" is the problem and this part runs over $2000 dollars! I understand repairs come with the territory, but when there are literally thousands of these sequioas with the exact same problem, I just assumed there would be a recall. "not so" according to Toyota. They deem it a rare occurence and a customers problem if no longer under warranty. I bought my vehicle from car-mart and they wont help either. I'm just a working stiff folks. I can either get the vehicle fixed or feed my kids. Guess I'm walking the 45 minutes to work each way when things go bad if toyoyo gets their way. Thanks. Sorry for venting.
2002 Toyota Sequoia limited 4wd. Air conditioner stopped working after 71,000 miles. As a result, the defroster does not work. Windshield and side mirrors fog up during cold/rain. Cannot see causing dangerous driving conditions. Have to open windows in snow/rain/cold. Need new air compressor. Toyota said they are aware of the defective compressors but I am responsible to replace at a cost of over $3,000. I feel the compressor should not have broken after so few miles and Toyota has a technical bulletin out that they are aware of the problem. Many, many others online have reported the same defective compressor. I feel Toyota should pay for all or part of the repair on a $45,000 truck that has so few miles.
Strong smell of sulfur inside of car. Occurs even when ac system is set on recirculate. Concerned about passenger safety if exhaust fumes are entering vehicle. Toyota service department said at first that it was "normal" and would disappear within 3000 - 5000 miles of driving. When smell was still there at 10,000 miles, was told that the smell is "normal" and is related to using low octane gas. I now have 25,000 miles and switched to 93 octane gas and still have continuing problems with smell, it May even be worse now than it was at first. It is very embarrassing with passengers in the car.
Well I took that to a shop to get the stereo working which the owner told me after two hours it won't be ready until tomorrow so I left it there with the deposit went back the next day after work just to pick it up until I got home start observing that my anti security alarm wasn't working well while observing I noticed that the doors weren't the same color as the truck then I noticed my sunroof was in it then started noticing that the VIN number was in places I've never seen before and now I went to the dmv logged in check my VIN number and plates it sees that it's been put up for sale
My 2002 Toyota Sequoia is emitting a foul, rotten egg, sulfurous smell from the exhaust. My vehice only has 2000 miles on it and the catalytic converter has been replaced once. I cotacted the manufacturer and was told that the smell is a bi-product of the sulfur in the fuel not being completely burned in the converter. I was asked to use higher octane fuel and that did not solve the problem. The manufacturer is telling the dealer that they are aware of the situation and they are investigating it. I did notice the smell on other sequoias.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at speeds of 70 MPH, the vehicle exhibited a violent vibration and loss of power. The contact shut off the engine and when restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a defect in the yaw censor that would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.
I was driving when the vehicle made crunch noise the vsc track light came on pulled to the right. I was told some of the Sequoia was recalled for problem but not this vehicle. I don't understand why they would recall the April 2002 for this problem but not the jan 2002 .I believe this vehicle is very unsafe and should be covered by Toyota recall. Updated 1/6/2013
Engine complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia, 3% of the model year's 666 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Sequoia engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia, though it has 6 recalls 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 2002 Toyota Sequoia engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 124,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 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.