Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times but can not get these lights to stay off. Since lights have been on, when driving on a muddy, wet, icy or slippery road way, my steering locks up, the brakes stop working and there is complete loss of vehicle control. All without warning. This is an extreme hazard and very dangerous. This has been on going since 2017 and is still a major problem . It started at around 200,000 miles.
UNKNOWN I'm unsure of what is causing it but it is a very common issue with the 03-04 sequoia. The brake light will come on like on mine and apparently it's a failure in one of the brake components. It's either the brake booster or the master cylinder in most cases is starting to g out. I've done research on this issue and it's a very common problem costing people thousands to get fixed. I feel like if it's that huge of a problem like I've seen with sequoia owners than it's needs to be addressed in a better manner
"VSC OFF, VSC TRAC, and ABS" indicators on the dash. YAW sensor failure which controls wheel speed which will cause vehicle to decelerate and possibly cause an accident. Toyota should issue a nationwide recall. Toyota is aware of the issue but has failed to issue a nationwide recall.
Parking brake disintegrated into a pile of parts. I had had the brake replaced twice, and was determined to find out how this could have happened when I drive and brake normally. I had 6 mechanics look at it extensively until the last one figured it out. What we determined: 2003 Sequoia's brake design swivels the gripping "wings" (c-shaped) from one single pin (or point) to grip the center to hold the car in place. This design allows these two "wings" to catch on each other. Since this happens every time I release the parking brake and go in reverse, I am forced to go "forward", to unhitch these two pieces, in order to back up. (newer designs use two pins for the two brake "wings", so they do not catch on each other.) I have learned the only way around this was to always park in a place that I can pull forward. …
NHTSA's conclusion that the sas ECU failure associated with Toyota sequoias built from 2002-2003 under NHTSA investigation # 10V176000 is seriously flawed. While typically the sudden failure to accelerate or fail to brake associated with this issue is only annoying, it can be catastrophic under the right circumstances. For instance we had it happen in a parking lot when beginning to accelerate and then noticing a car pulling out quickly in our path. Our brakes failed, the traction and brake warning lights lit, and we barely missed the car as it noticed us coming at it and quickly got out of the way. What if the car hadn't noticed in time to pull away quickly and avoid our uncontrollable car? What if it were a child running out between cars? …
While executing a slow speed left turn(10-15mph) I braked lightly to execute another left turn when the parking brake and traction control lights lit up on my dashboard along with diminished brake power and a grinding noise. I applied them again a little more aggressive to stop my vehicle..same response. I coasted to about 2-3mph and the lights were still showing but I recovered brake power. At my destination(3 blocks away) I turned off the vehicle. On my return trip back home, there was no sign of dash warning lights and I had full braking power. @home I immediately called Toyota USA and they did not acknowledge any ongoing problem. …
I took my Sequoia to have an airbag recall fixed and a recall that has something to do with the skid control module before I took it to have these recalls done my 2 vsc lights (vsc off light and vsc trac light) on the dash were on and so was the engine light I thought maybe the skid control recall would fix the vsc light but now both of the vsc lights are still on and my brake light is now also coming on when I start my vehicle when this happens my brake power is diminished and my vehicle shakes bad when hitting my brakes to slow down to make a turn or just to slow down in general at a stop light or stop sign this happens on the highway or wherever I'm driving my vehicle at the time but as long as the vsc lights and the brake light aren't all lit up on my dashboard at the same time my brakes aren't as diminished but both of the vsc lights stay on and my vehicle still shakes when I'm …
I have had persistent problems with the front brakes rotors warping. New ones do not last very long before they warp. My vehicle has approximately 155,000 miles. My I have asked my trusted service mechanics to use Toyota parts. The dealership parts department told my mechanics that they do not recommend replacing the rotor with a the original Toyota part as they have been warping. They recommend up sizing the rotors, which is what Toyota has done on some vehicle. I have talked to a Toyota service department about replacing the front rotors and brakes. They gave me a quote but said they would not give any warranty on brakes. I talked to Toyota's 800 number they said there were no recalls or eligible upgrades and that my vehicle was not part of the campaign they had for the brakes. They would not elaborate if any of the 2003 sequoias were part of the campaign. They gave me a case number. …
My vsc/vtc lights have been on since I have owned my vehicle. I also have a brake light that comes on constantly. I am only able to reset the brake light by turning off my vehicle and restarting. I have replaced all 4 rotors, calipers and fuel lines more than 3 times since buying the truck new. Brake pads are changed in the front tires continuously! There is a serious problem with the brake system in this truck! I was told by many mechanics that the only way to get the skid control / traction control lights to turn off is to have Toyota figure out what is wrong with the brake system in the Sequoia's. Also, I believe there should be another way to open the back hatch to this vehicle other than the plastic handle on the outside which breaks repeatedly!! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving 55 MPH, the contact approached a stop light and the emergency brake indicator illuminated and the vehicle would not stop. The brake pedal extended to the floorboard. The contact pumped the brake pedal and was able to bring the vehicle to a stop. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and turned it off. When the vehicle was restarted, the contact regained control. The vehicle was driven to the dealer (frontier Toyota, 23621 creekside rd, valencia, ca 91355), but no failure could be found and the vehicle was deemed to be in good standing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred a total of four times in the past eleven years regarding the emergency brake illumination and the vehicle not being able to stop. There were no recalls associated with the vehicle. …
Brake complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 155 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia, 27% of the model year's 565 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Sequoia brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 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 2003 Toyota Sequoia brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to brakes 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.