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 2004 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the check brakes and a traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. When Toyota issued a recall for the braking issue, the contact did not receive notices, so the contact called them and was told it was a few selected 2004 Toyota Sequoia recalled for those who had complained but, it was not broadcasted like that. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07E023000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. …
The vehicle was stationary then the gears were moved while having foot on brakes however the breaks were stuck and the vehicle was not able to be stopped causing it to run into the house which had caused unbelievable damage. None of the airbags deployed.
On July 6th at approximately 2:00 in the afternoon my son and I went to pull our boat out of the water with our 2004 Toyota Sequoia.(we backed the trailer into the water and loaded our boat onto the trailer as we always do. We then secured the boat to the trailer and proceeded to pull the truck and loaded trailer up the hill about 30 feet and parked on the boat launch ramp. I exited the vehicle and left the Sequoia in four wheel drive high, in park, with the parking brake on. About 5 minutes later, we heard a repeated clicking sound and the boat and trailer came rolling back down the launch ramp into the water narrowly missing my son and I. The only thing that stopped the truck and trailer was the fact that the boat trailer jackknifed against the left rear bumper of the truck. The regional inspector, jim teely finally inspected the Sequoia on July 15th. …
I bought my car used two weeks ago from an individual. I noticed on my way home that the seatbelt light would come on and then go back off while I was driving, even though I was wearing my seatbelt. A few days later, as I was pulling into my daughter's driveway, the brake light came on. I turned the car off, and the next time I started up, the light didn't come on. It came on again several days later while my husband was driving the car. The next light to come on was my fuel light. The gauge said my car was on empty, and I knew I had at least half a tank of gas. I began to grow concerned with the vehicle, so I took it to my Toyota dealer yesterday. …
I am the original owner of this vehicle, it currently has 155,600 miles on it. I have been very happy with Toyota and this vehicle until my recent incidents involving inability to stop while at slow speeds, followed by a loud noise and shaking and three lights illuminate when this occurs: brake, vsc, and trac control. After reading the many reports, I realize that this is quite common and am upset that Toyota has done nothing about it! I had my car towed to the dealer after the first incident as it was so frightening that I would not drive it. The sensors were no longer on and Toyota told me there was nothing wrong (my front brakes and rotors were replaced by them a few months prior). It happened again a few weeks later, this time I turned the car off and back on and got the lights to go off, then I drove it directly to my mechanic. …
Description of the Safety Crash/Informed Incident: Vehicle Information: 2004 Toyota Sequoia (VIN: [redacted]) Incident Date: [redacted] Location: [redacted] Police Agency: California Highway Patrol (Report #:[redacted]) Speed at Incident: Highway speeds (~65 MPH) Description of Defect/Failure: Structural mechanical failure leading to sudden, catastrophic wheel separation at highway speeds. Nine days prior to the incident, on [redacted], the vehicle underwent a comprehensive brake, rotor, and tire rotation service at a certified Toyota dealership (Toyota of Chula Vista, Work Order #[redacted]). While traveling on the interstate, the right rear passenger wheel assembly completely detached from the moving vehicle. As a result, the wheel flew off crossing several traffic lanes, traveling over a jersey wall on the freeway shoulder, landing into a nearby drainage ditch. …
Upon leaving my driveway multiple times car starts beeping and lights flashing and finally corrects itself. In 2010 I had "yaw rate sensor" replaced at a cost of $511.00. Then the brake light on the dash continued to come on. I finally took it in to the Toyota dealer and they told me I needed the "skid control ECU" replaced at a cost of $907.00 plus tax. I refused this because they assured me the brakes are still working fine. There have been numerous complaints to Toyota on this model and similar model sequoias. TSB's have been issued but no recalls. Please help us get this problem addressed with Toyota.
My 2004 Toyota Sequoia experienced brake failure at 10 miles per hour. I was looking to make a turn at the light and my vehicle gave me a huge jerk and the brakes begin to give out. After the brake failure the vs and brakes light came on. I have seen a lot of people posting this problem with there vehicle. I am looking for help since my children drive my vehicle sometimes. Help!!! I brought this vehicle because of it's reputation. However, after seeing all the issues with this vehicle and Toyota refusal to repair the problem, my family will be looking else where.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the ABS, vsc, four wheel drive, and other brake system warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who contacted the dealer regarding the codes that appeared during the diagnostic test. The dealer was unsure of what the codes indicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,400. Updated 12/21/16 updated 06/25/18
Sometimes while driving on freeway my brakes light warning on the dashboard would come on and would only turn off the light if I turn off the engine. Many times on street speed (10-45 MPH) if the vsc,track off and brake light comes on at the same time,the car will loose power on the brakes and will have a grinding and vibrating noise. I went to a Toyota dealer and told me bring the car when it happen again so they could do a diagnostic test. Why wait for something serious to happened before they could check my car?
Brake complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 100 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Toyota Sequoia, 26% of the model year's 380 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Sequoia brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 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 2004 Toyota Sequoia brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.