Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (electronic stability control and traction control).
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).
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 …
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!! …
The trac light and vsc light are on which caused the check engine light to come on. I have had to replace the brakes and rotors at least every 3 months since this has occurred. I was driving one day and the truck somewhat decelerated to almost an sudden stop and those two above light engaged as well as the check engine light. These lights have been on since July 2017. I have called the toyato recall center and there are no recalls listed for this vehicle's VIN number. The toyato dealdhip wants to charge me 114.00 for diagnostic testing which right now I can not afford. I am purchasing this vehicle used and I am still making payments on it on and every time I have brakes and rotors replaced it's abot $365.00 a pop. Please advise. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle inadvertently pulled to the left. In addition, the traction control and stability control warning indicators illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the contact's residence. The contact mentioned that the warning indicators were not illuminated when the vehicle was restarted. The dealer (Toyota of the shoals, s 5100, us-43, tuscumbia, al 35674) informed the contact that he would be responsible for the diagnostic fees. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V176000 (electronic stability control, traction control), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
While I was driving at an approximate speed of 40 MPH, I noticed my brake, trac off, vsc trac, engine light all came on at once. I noticed that braking was not as responsive (increased braking distance; ABS doesn't seem to be engaging) and when speeding to over 50 MPH, the vehicle feels as if it is slowing itself down. It is currently an expected heavy rainfall season where I am and having the vehicle in this state is very dangerous especially when the brakes are not working effectively or when it starts to slow itself down suddenly. After shutting the vehicle down and restarting it after about 2 hours, the lights mentioned are still illuminated except the brake light. After reading all the other similar complaints, I am surprised Toyota is not paying for all aspects of this defect associated with the vehicle and not driver misuse.
My vsc off and vsc trac lights popped on simultaneously with my check engine light, while traveling on straight, paved highway at about 55 MPH, for no apparent reason. I was not braking when all lights suddenly appeared. I was cruising comfortably at highway speeds on straight, flat, paved road. I have read countless other complaints filed by other Toyota owners with the exact problem. My mechanic explained this can be very hazardous as this system cannot be disabled. So, these lights May pop on and off, and the vsc system May spontaneously engage without my knowledge or control, and this can greatly affect acceleration and cause accidents. I haven't done anything operationally to cause these lights to come on and I feel Toyota should accept responsibility for this defect which could have very strong safety implications.
We own a toyata Sequoia ltd 2003 model year. We took the vehicle several times to the dealer regarding braking issue. If we ever used the emergency brake, for some reason the right side front and rear brakes will start to lock up, that would shake the SUV and we had to pull over. The dealer never determined what the problem was even though we ended up paying for repairs that never made a difference. Eventually we stopped using the emergency brake on our vehicle, that also stopped the right side wheels from locking up. During this period the car parked in our driveway also crashed into our garage and broke the garage doors. With emergency brakes on and in park, middle of the night we there was a loud bang, the SUV had crashed into the garage; even though the SUV was in park position gear and with emergency brakes on.
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?
When accelerating from a stop and turning into/across traffic, the vehicle stability control (vsc) system activates improperly, causing loss of normal acceleration rate for approximately 3-10 sec (lower times are achieved by reducing pressure on the accelerator (counter intuitive when pulling into traffic) to get the system to deactivate. The activation is very intermittent and unpredictable, but exposes the vehicle to crashes by making it impossible to come up to speed quickly- especially bad when turning left across traffic. This is the exact same problem that Toyota issued recall 10V176000 to correct in apr 2010. Unfortunately, that recall only covers early build 2003 sequoias and mine was built two months outside the window. This recall needs to be expanded.
Vsc and ABS lights have been on and stability control is off. This has been in this state for several years and I have had several unsuccessful interactions with Toyota regarding repairing under the recall. My car was manufactured in May. The recall only covers cars manufactured through April. Having worked in a Toyota plant for 5 years, I know that it is very possible that the defective parts could be in the plant several months past April. Yesterday, my braking system was not operating properly. The ABS was activating randomly, when driving at slow and highway speeds, and the car was not reacting normally to the accelerator pedal.. I took the car to a mechanicm. The troubleshooting codes had to due with the stability control computer.
Related recalls
Traction control system
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003 sequoia passenger vehicles manufactured from April 1, 2002 through April 17, 2003. The center position of the steering angle sensor (sas) May not be stored correctly due to improper logic of the skid control ECU programming.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will reflash the ECU. If the reflash cannot be completed on a particular vehicle, the ECU will be replaced with a new one. This service will be performed free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Electronic stability control and/or trac
Odi has received 64 consumer reports and Toyota has received 96 reports that allege incidents of inappropriate activation of either the electronic stability control system [Toyota nomenclature: vehicle stability control (vsc)] and/or the traction control system in model year (my) 2003 Toyota sequoia vehicles.during the activation of either system the driver loses throttle control and one or more brakes May apply…
Electronic stability control
On April 28, 2010, Toyota Motor North America submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall No. 10V-176) to NHTSA describing a problem in the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system in approximately 50,000 Model Year (MY) 2003 Toyota Sequoia vehicles.According to the report the centering position of the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) in the MY 2003 vehicles may not be stored correctly due to a logic problem with…
Traction Control complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2003 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 194 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia, 34% of the model year's 565 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Sequoia traction control problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-176 (traction control system, Apr 30, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Sequoia traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.