Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the traction control system would independently activate, causing the vehicle to suddenly stop upon acceleration. The contact stated that the traction control light would intermittently illuminate during the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and they informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was referred to NHTSA for assistance. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 270,535.
While driving around 50 mph, the traction control and vsc warning lights illuminated and the brakes started locking up, which made me seem like the traction control kicked in. The front wheels started seizing and the vehicle started jerking in middle of the highway. I had to pull over and have a cousin pick up my parents that were riding in the car and had to restart the vehicle. I was able to drive it home with the problem happening again right as I was taking my exit to my home.
2002 Sequoia purchased used, vsc trac desengages without warning at any time, slowing down the vehicle and making grinding noice in the suspension or breaks, it will reset again after park and shutting the engine off, this problem had happen at least 10 times in about one year that I am driving it, due to the unexpected desengage of the vsc trac at any time slowing down the vehicle with out warning and no break light it is a safety concern, I have look in the internet and this problem is very common with this vehicles equiped with the vsc trac, I have called Toyota and there is no recalls for the issue, I believe it it is a malfunction of the system it should be take care unless they are waiting for something drastic to happen, hope I can get some where with this complaint, this is a second Toyota at home and I like to keep both cars for as long as I can. …
Noticed problem with vehicle traction when driving at low speed in wet or snowy weather. Problem with acceleration and traction when accelerating. Heard a ratcheting sound and no traction when trying to accelerate from a stopped position on a wet road. After some research it sounds very similar to earlier recall with NHTSA campaign id: 10v17600 for Toyota Sequoia vehicles manufactured between April 1, 2002 through April 17, 2003. Called Toyota service line on 11/9/2010 and they informed us that this recall doesn't apply to our vehicle since our vehicle was apparently manufactured on 3/8/2002 (a few weeks earlier than the recall covers). We live in a very dry climate with very little to no precipitation but noticed it again after rainfall. Filed a case# [redacted]on 12/10/13 with Toyota with no response. Please help!
I put the vehicle in park, then got out and closed the door. The vehicle was fully stopped when I got out. It then started to move forward, the vehicle picked up speed and moved forward approximately 25 feet. I opened the door as it was moving and pushed on the emergency brake with my hand just as it crashed into the staircase in my garage. When I got back into the vehicle after the crash the car was in drive. Thus the car automatically shifted from park to drive. It is possible it shifted from neutral to drive but I don't think so. Either way this still poses great concern. This incident happened on September 19, 2005. My vehicle is a 2002 Toyota Sequoia.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the stability light flashed on the instrument panel and the vehicle accelerated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the yaw-rate sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 191,000.
When the vehicle is in motion the vsc trac lights come on and the brakes active on their own causing the cracking noise and a rough jerk motion to the car. This has happened several times both on the highway and city streets even when driving 10 miles per hour
The issues with Toyota hasn't just started with the 2009/2010 acceleration problems. At least for the last ten years owners have complained about Toyota's vehicles and I have 1 complaint to post. We have a 2002 Sequoia with 122K miles. Our transmission went costing us approx. $4600.00. We maintenance this truck religiously. I have been researching this issue online and found others having the same issue as me(some with only 70K miles, I guess we were luckily). Now this truck cost between 42K to 50K or so and 8 years later I am changing the freakin trans. How the heck(used lightly), does Toyota or any other auto maker get away with this stuff? I also have been researching to see how we could get Toyota held responsible for this piece of [redacted] trans. I had a Chevy cavalier in the 90's cost around 9K .never had 1 issue with it engine, engine light, transmission..nothing. …
On 6/21/2010, my 2002 Toyota Sequoia SRS 2-wheel drive model at 74K miles had failure with its automatic transmission while running on highway. The automatic transmission repeatedly failed to properly engage the overdrive gears, resulted in significant dropping of engine RPM, caused sudden drop of vehicle speed, caused vehicle vibration and loud clanking sounds, and resulted in difficult driving condition. This was partially correctable only by taking the vehicle off the overdrive mode. Although no vehicle accident nor injury resulted from this mechanical failure, I noted that many discussion boards listed this same problem for 2000-2002 Toyota Sequoia and tundra. The problem was attributed to od planetary gears and sun gear in the automatic transmission. This pattern of defect should be addressed with the manufacture to prevent any further potential dangerous incidents. …
Vsc, seat belt and check engine light randomly started coming on about 130,000 mi. Tansky Toyota service did brake work, the lights were off for several weeks but then would come off and on. We ignored it because we had just had it in to the dealer, it seemed to be a nuisance in an older vehicle but not dangerous. About 165,000 miles the vehicle developed a sudden loss of power in traffic. We speculated it was the lever that shifts from 4wd to 2wd. The dealer replaced that for $400, the lights were off for 3 days, then back on. Now, we have had maybe five instances of sudden loss of power. This total loss of power usually occurs after driving 10 minutes locally, and after stopping at a light. Turning the ignition off, and restarting fixes the issue. Tansky Toyota acts like they have never heard of such a thing, but when I look online every Toyota blog is full of people just like me. …
Transmission complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia, 8% of the model year's 666 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Sequoia transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.