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 2003 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On 12/21/2020, after running errands, I put my vehicle inside my locked garage at 10:30 a.m. And all was fine. At around 9:00 p.m. That same night, I opened my garage to find it full of smoke. After inspecting everything, I saw nothing was still on fire and waited until the morning to investigate the problem. I first tried to start the vehicle and it had battery power but would not turn over. I then put it in neutral and backed the vehicle away from the front of the garage to open the hood. I saw the engine had burned up from somewhere on the passenger side but had put itself out. The fire cracked the exterior hood, burned hoses, electrical and other areas of the inside of the engine. Black soot had also dropped on the floor of the garage underneath where the fire was. …
Hello, I have a 2003 Toyota sequioa where the engine light and the vcs lights are both on. I saw on your page some really helpful information on this make/model recall. I've reached out to Toyota customer service because there was a recall on this make/model but they said that my VIN number was not part of that recall, even though it's having the same issues?? The recall was that Toyota had to replace the skid control engine control unit (ECU) and upgrade program logic in its vehicle stability control (vcs) system. I took my vehicle in to get it inspected and they provided me with 3 codes: c1203 - engine control system communication circuit malfunction c1360 - vehicle skid control master pressure sensor malfunction p0420 - catalyst system efficiency below threshold these are all system issues. Can you help me?
I have a 2003 Sequoia with 253,000 miles on it. About a month ago, while driving on a flat, dry road at about 30 miles per hour and slowing for an upcoming stoplight, my vsc off, vsc trac and check engine lights all suddenly came on. Apparently this is a known issue with this year vehicle. I am struggling now to figure out how l will afford to take this car in for repair and l am angered at being put in this position. This was an expensive, luxury SUV when we bought it and the manufacturer should own up to this bad part. If I'd wanted a crappy made car, l wouldn't have wasted $40K on this one.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving 15 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the brakes. The vehicle started to decelerate on its own. In addition, while driving 70 MPH, the same abnormal noise occurred and the vehicle decelerated. This was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that more information was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at an unknown speed, the serpentine belt snapped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the serpentine belt snapped due to the frame and both parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000. The VIN was not provided.
Vsc, check engine, brake lights keep coming on. No traction control when button pushed. Driving highway speed traction control beeps when not even appropriate. Have had several times trying to brake, no brakes light comes on almost crashed due to no brakes! I have researched recall my VIN# not listed. This is ridiculous! Unsafe! Toyota needs to recall more vehicles. Not a happy Toyota consumer!
While driving on the street at speed limit the car shuts off without any warning. You have no way to break but to place your car in park. I have had this happen twice not sure why it keeps happening. This is very very dangerous.
Can not get BSC, TRC engine lights off traction control kicks in and locks steering and brakes . Unsafe can not smog after spending thousands replacing parts
I have a 2003 Toyota Sequoia that just had a major computer system failure with the skid control systems. There was no warning, the vsc lights came on in the dashboard and a loud sound came from the engine, like bending metal. This vehicle only has 28K in 3 1/2 years, and that means I'm 6 months past bumper to bumper warranty. I had heard about this problem previously because I had a similar problem within months of buying the car, but that was covered under warranty. As I research on-line at www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/Sequoia, I discovered that many people had the exact same problem and Toyota was not willing to fix the problem. I took the vehicle to Toyota and they replaced 2 computers related to the traction control systems at a cost of $2,300. They replaced: translate computer assembly & skid control computer assembly. …
I was driving down the highway and my vsc trac lights came on along with my engine light. When I got home, I looked at my vehicle manual to determine what had happened. I attempted to remedy the problem as suggested by Toyota, unfortunately, nothing changed. Approximately 2 weeks later my brake light intermittently turned on & off. Less than 5 months earlier, I had my all of my brakes replaced, so I can't imagine that my brakes are faulty. I became alarmed by these electronic miscues - so I went online to explore whether this was a common thread with other Sequoia owners. I discovered very quickly that there are many people who have had problems with their vsc / engine / and brake lights becoming activated. I was hoping this problem might be covered under a recall, but it appears that it is not. I am hoping for a remedy that won't have extensive costs to me.
Engine complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia, 5% of the model year's 565 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Sequoia engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.