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 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. …
Sequoia vsc trac sensor lights turning on and off. This problem affects Toyota Sequoia from 2003 - 2005. There is a recall for 2003 model but not 2004. Other drivers report a loss of power (total loss of power - the vehicle shut off) while the car in driving. Here is the recall for the 2003 model: recall id # 68549 - electronic stability control plus recall date: apr 30, 2010 model affected: 2003 Toyota Sequoia summary: 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. The vehicle stability control (vsc) system could activate at low speed for a few seconds during acceleration from a stopped position. …
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. …
I was driving my 2004 Toyota Sequoia, and it began to vibrate and shake left to right while braking. It also started making a loud grinding noise, and felt as if the truck was loosing acceleration. The skid control light appears on the dashboard sometimes when this is happening. This happens intermittently, and it is a bad unsafe feeling while driving. I drive the city streets daily and occasionally use the freeways. I was told that my truck has a defective skid control ECU. This should be a safety recall for consumers seeing that this can cause hazardous conditions on the road. I have researched and found that many other consumers have complained about this very issue. I also see that 2003 Toyota sequoias have been involved in a recall for this same issue. This should have extended to later models of sequoias as well. …
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.
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
Battery in 2004 Toyota Sequoia went dead. Put the battery on charge. After charging was complete I put the key in the ignition to start the car. I started the car and smoke poured out from under the hood. I immediately turned the ignition off and opened the hood to find the ABS computer smoking with flames. I quickly put out the flame with a thick blanket and noticed smoke shooting through a hole burned in the computer. I am still researching this issue...thank god my family was not in this car when this happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the traction light remained illuminated and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The traction control, brake, and check engine lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the software for the brake control module needed to be updated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and gave the contact a reference. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Vsc track sensor and engine check lights came on while driving at 40 MPH in the city. I have noticed in the past two months that when I slow to make a turn the breaks lock up and grind, but not always. The safety break is also on. I have read that when the vsc lights do come on that you cannot go over 50 miles an hour or when on the highway the car will slow down to 50 and cannot go any faster. I'm afraid of this happening when traveling on the highway.
Traction Control complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 124 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2004 Toyota Sequoia, 33% of the model year's 380 complaints. The component named most often is automatic (asc) (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Sequoia traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire 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.