Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
Abnormal rust all over underside of vehicle including frame, structural components, brake lines, steering components ... etc. FRAME and steering/suspension components rusting out. Rear differential rusting out. Cab mounts rusting out. Spare tire hardware rusting out. Transmission cooler lines about to burst from corrosion. Rear tow assembly rusting out. Entire underside is rotting out. Known issue which has plagued hundreds of owners, but Toyota has not recalled this model year. Extremely dangerous; one brake line has already gone out resulting in a loss of braking. Toyota applied an undercoating circa 2013 but they just sprayed over an already rusted frame and other components without proper preparation which actually accelerated the corrosion and rot. Deceptive and unethical business practices. Vehicle cost over $50,000 new in 2003 and only has just over 120,000 miles on it. …
Hello, I am writing to you to have an investigation started on 2003 Toyota Sequoia, I own one and there has been concerns with the Frame of the vehicle rotting out, there was Warranty Enhancement Program sent out in United States to cover frames of 2001 to 2004 Toyota Sequoias which replaced severely rusted out frames at the dealership. I use this vehicle for my family and I do not want to endanger the lives of them and the people around the community where the frame may break due to rust and cause a severe accident. Please take a look at the details below and get back to me. …
My 2003 Sequoia was in the garage for a check on the brakes. I also asked them to check the frame for any rust issues, because I had previously been concerned about it earlier. They reported to me that the car should be off the road because the rust in the frame was so severe. They said they would not put it up on the lift anymore because it could break in half. The stabilizer was barely connected at one end. There were holes completely through the frame at several places. I know from my research that Toyota issued safety recalls for 2003 Sequoia and Tundra vehicles. This an issue that Toyota should repair.
The latch hook/truck door release has a defect. It has been replaced 3 times after purchase of my vehicle , by the following Toyota dealerships (Tejas Toyota in Humble Texas (2x); Maund Toyota in Austin, Tx (1x). Each dealership service said it was/is manufacture defect with the latch hook and it stops "un latching when the vehicle the button is pressed to unlock and the handle can not open the hatchback" This time I was traveling out of state with my pet in the kennel and when we stopped for restroom break the latch would not open to retrieve the pet to let out the kennel. We were traveling with a vehicle full of items, which the entire inside of the vehicle had to be emptied I ordered to let all the seats down and try to maneuver to try to get my dog out of kennel I. Such a small confined space that was hard to open because it was in the side. …
When driving about 45 or 60 MPH the steering wheel shakes real bad an vibrates feels like I got a flat tire or feels like I'm gonna have a tire come off when I bought it also consumes a lot of gas ust to get real good gas mileage but now not so good juust to fill up twice a week but now sometimes 3 to 5 timeswhich is weird didn't know I had a recall warranty I have had to replace a lot of things especially in the emissions part for car bought new fuel line solenoids , purge solenoid, now it says I need a new valve vent solenoid. There is a vacuum leak other than that runs good doesn't over heat or break unless I needed to but uses a lot of ga shakes real bad I don't wanna drivemorethan 70 MPH all the tires are at 41 psi
2003 Toyota Sequoia limited 4x4 failed massachusetts inspection this month for a severely rusted frame with severe perforation. Additionally, the rear suspension and trailing arms May break off at any time. The vehicle was recalled and had a coating applied several years ago - this only masked the problem. The vehicle was always garaged. The engine and body of the vehicle are in good condition. The vehicle has 300,000 miles and runs well. The Toyota dealer deemed the vehicle "not repairable." the vehicle was also deemed unsafe and advised to take off the road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while having a tire replaced on the vehicle, the technician noticed that the driver's and passenger's side underneath the vehicle was extremely corroded. The technician deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. No dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 235,000.
The vehicle was making noises while driving that we could not identify. My daughter was driving it to pick up a friend and when she turned into the driveway, the right rear axle disconnected from the frame. The overall frame is entirely rusted out. Pretty big safety issue. Thankfully, she was not driving faster when this occurred.
Replaced o2 sensor and was unable to obtain sticker due to frame is rusted. Have three teenage drivers using truck and is now unsafe. Have owned vehicle since 2007 and have serviced at woburn Toyota in woburn,ma. I have never got an email or mail from Toyota pertaining any issue. When asked about it said been out for a while!!!
So many problems with this vehicle, and a major problem not only with this vehicle but other years and models as well the paint bubbling and coming off the vehicle especially hood area and top of vehicle, has to be bad paint Toyota is using
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint May have been scratched. The ball joint May eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on July 5, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Suspension complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Toyota Sequoia, 7% of the model year's 565 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Sequoia suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-225 (lower ball joint, May 17, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Sequoia suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 1 death to suspension 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.