Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Latitude Tour, Tire Size: P265/70/R16, DOT Number: APJ6001X1814. The contact stated he was informed at a State Inspection that the vehicle had failed the inspection because there was a large crack in the tread of all four tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13T006000 (Tires); however, the tire size was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the tires were not covered. The tires were replacement tires. The tires were not replaced. The tire failure mileage was approximately 33,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
While driving on a curved road, the vehicle made a grinding sound with flashing VSC off and Trac off lights, as it pulled violently to the right and almost ran off the road with my two children in the back seat. This was an extremely scary incident. I 1. While driving on a curved road, the vehicle made a grinding sound with flashing VSC off and Trac off lights, as it pulled violently to the right and almost ran off the road with my two children in the back seat. This was an extremely scary incident. I do understand that many first generation Sequoia owners have reported similar incidents and that there were no recalls, however, I think this is a serious enough issue that will cost innocent people their lives. I was able to pull a reading from the OBD2 and it says there is a fault with the Yaw Rate Sensor. Please help before this causes someone's death. …
My vehicle has randomly been flashing vbs/abs/traction control lights. Sometimes nothing happens other than the flashing lights. Other times I'll be driving & when going around a curve my car makes a beeping noise (sounds like the abs noise activated) & I'll feel a pulsing under the brake & hear a grinding sound. It doesn't allow me to brake effectively. Another time I was coming to a stop behind a car at a red light. It was clear as day, roads weren't wet & I couldn't have been going over 10 mph. When hitting my brakes, my steering wheel kind of glided back & forth for a sec and it felt like my tires "floated"in the same motion as wheel until it stopped.
During rush hour, a vehicle before me abruptly stopped. To avoid from hitting them I swerved to the left hitting a wall divider when the front left wheel caved in having me and my family swerve all the way to the right into another sound wall. What I tried to do was hit the brake before going head on into the wall but the gas pedal was stuck causing us to accelerate into the wall. Luckily there were shrubs and bushes to help the car go into a slow as we slid across the wall. I dont know why the gas pedal decide to get stuck and accelerate us into the wall but im hearing from other Sequoia owners that they have had the same problem with their pedals and that needs to be checked out as soon as possible.
At 247,000 plus miles the ABS system would suddenly engage going around sharper curves on the highway at 65+ MPH. Recently the ABS system engaged at 32 MPH around a sharper curve on a mountain road. I brought it into the dealer in August 2019. As of February 2020 it is still not fixed, despite spending a lot of money. Besides being nerve wracking, it is a potentially hazardous problem, especially in snow and ice, that should qualify for a recall.
My wife and I were on the way south I-405 from work to go to the church. I made exit at fairview, and then left on baker street. I felt the steering wheel was very heavy and uncontrollable. The car crashed. There was no other car involved. My breast and head are in pain right now.
While driving at 45 MPH a very strong vibration, suddenly the front driver side wheel came off the vehicle. The vehicle crashed, serious injuries to the driver. The air bags systems never activated. The computer have an impact code, but the air bags didn't deploy.
I was driving down the highway in my Toyota when I herd a loud sound so I pulled thecar over and called a tow truck I belive the lugnut might be faulty or worn downto bring my car to my grand paws house . The wheel was broke laying flat on the groynd
The vsc lights come on when driving, the rear differential seal was completely rusted through and should be on a recall, the frame was on recall and replaced in 2014, but the rear seals were rusted thru and Toyota after costing me thousands does not want to cover rear seals why ? Right after the frame was replaced and the Toyota dealer in deerfield beach, fl said the rear differential is also way rusted out and May blow the seals, well they did during a oil change and check. If Toyota knew of the extreme rust on the frame that it was also on the rear differential as confirmed by 3 different mechanics one being Toyota. Toyota wants me to pay $2,000.00 to fix which is outrageous.
Since the date indicated (nov.29,2013) the track off lights and system in my Sequoia gets activated without road conditions which justify it.I felt a strong noise and lost power and had a dangerous situation because of the sudden stop or loss of acceleration. Took it to Toyota and told sensors and computer needed to be replaced at great cost , but with no guarantee of definite solution.I believe this is a safety issue involving anti- skid and track system which need to be attended to promptly.can you help?
Related recalls
Wheels
On certain 4x2 vehicles equipped with an alloy wheel tire upgrade (options wm4, wm8, zl1-zl4, dh4, or dh5) installed by the processing centers in jacksonville, florida or commerce, georgia, a label identifying the spare tire as a temporary use spare tire was not installed.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a caution label and an insert for their owner's manual. Owner notification began July 15, 2002.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia, 3% of the model year's 666 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Sequoia wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-129 (wheels, May 1, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Sequoia wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to wheels & tires 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.