Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Toyota Sequoia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at 35 MPH, the check engine light, vsc off light, and vsc trac light all came on at once, and the vehicle stopped accelerating, and I experienced a dramatic decrease in vehicle power. I drove the vehicle home noticing a drastic change in acceleration as the Sequoia would not accelerate normally; it would accelerate at a significantly reduced rate, topping out at 35mph on the flats and 16 MPH on an incline, in addition, during start up, the engine makes a high-pitch vacuum noise, which drops off and normal engine sound returns. I have had the car diagnosed; error codes p2440, p441 and p444 are all present indicating a failure of the air injection pump. This is a known problem on Toyota sequoias and tundras; however, Toyota has only acknowledged it on the 07-10 Sequoia by extending the warranty to 10 years and 150,000K miles for this part. …
When taking turns at mild acceleration the slip indicator light will flash and the vehicle loses acceleration. This generally happens when taking a left turn from stop while entering traffic from a side street onto a main road. Generally at the intersections there are a small grade change for water drainage, this will cause uneven surface when driving across and cause a minor rocking of the vehicle. This is has produced dangerous situations on multiple occasions where the loss of acceleration leaves the vehicle in the oncoming lane longer than desired and could easily result in a serious collision. I have found similar complaints on multiple forums that have references the cause being associated with ABS sensor or yaw sensors. Would love for this to be investigated and a solution provided.
Vsc trac on/off brake indicator lights appear while driving in the 35-45mph range. If you attempt to stop the vehicle (firm or light brake pressure), there is a loud grinding noise, as if it is activating the ABS, which takes a little longer to come to a complete stop. It would've been nice if Toyota created a vsc trac on/off switch (at this rate, I May have to create my own). Some websites mention dirty sensors (speed sensors), some mention possible faulty yaw rate sensor (level warning switch, located in the center console), steering angle sensor May need adjusting. Who knows, but this would be a definite accident waiting to happen. I'm surprised this hasn't been considered a recall? Http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/ts/tsmodie/2012-10-29_191900_1.gif
My car has been having this problem for several months and I decided to bring it in to get it checked and fixed. My signals for the brake light, trac off lights and vsc trace lights all go on at the same time periodically as I am driving anywhere on the freeway or the street, and disapear periodically. I thought I had fixed everything when they diagnosed 5 things on my vehicle that needed to be fixed. One of them was my mass air flow sensors that are making my lights go on and off. To which I went ahead and let them fix it and many other things and still it is not fixed and continues to go on and off. This is very dangerous because it's messing with my brake system.
Multiple incidents and multiple trips to dealership with nothing resolved. ABS activates with vsc lights at low speeds when reversing out of driveway, driving slowly down road, etc... No reason I can think of for it to engage. Vehicle makes a loud grinding sound and feels like it won't stop. Very common issue from what I see already reported. Yaw sensor replaced to fix another vsc issue when making left u-turns...almost got in accident when the brakes kept me from completing a u-turn with traffic coming...luckily I continued into driveway without incident. This happened after the above but the above still continue to this day so it was not the cause.
I have a 2006 Toyota Sequoia with 83,900 miles on it. The vehicle vsc trac system goes on and off for no reason when the car is in motion. As a result, the brakes go into grind mode and do not engage. I have narrowly missed hitting other vehicles and pedestrians as a result of not being able to brake. I contacted Toyota to file a complaint. However, I was told that this issue is known, but not under recall or covered by warranty. I have to pay out of pocket to fix this. This is not an acceptable answer as this is a public safety and liability issue. I need help resolving this with Toyota.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the check engine, the traction off and the vsc tract warning indicators illuminated as the brake pedal was depressed but the braking was delayed. The vehicle also veered from left to right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air pump assembly and switching valves failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The vehicle vsc trac system goes on for no reason when the car is in motion (roads are straight, and dry). As a result, the brakes go into a loud grind mode and do not engage, a loud blaring beeping sounds, the vehicle starts to vibrates horribly, I can not accelerate and the steering is difficult. It is not safe, as I was on a country road going 55 MPH on a straight 2 way road with traffic! It has happened twice and as far as I can see it has happened to many other 2006 sequoias owners yet only the 2003 were recalled for this issue. Unacceptable!
After a stop on dry pavement, the vehicle does not accelerate as quickly as it should. The traction control light flashes then the vehicle lurches forward catching up to the throttle position once the sensor warning light clears (after a few seconds). The issue is more pronounced in 4hi. Safety issue when turn across traffic as vehicle stutters or delays the turn.
Just like every other 2006 Sequoia at 80K miles the yellow ABS, yellow vsc off, yellow vsc trac , and red brake dashboard lights came on causing it to fail the ma state inspection. Disassembled p/n 44050-0c100 and the brushes in the ABS pump motor (ate 25.0206-0206.3) are completely gone.
Traction Control complaints in other Sequoia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2006 Toyota Sequoia?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2006 Toyota Sequoia, 21% of the model year's 202 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 Toyota Sequoia traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for the 2006 Toyota Sequoia, though it has 8 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 2006 Toyota Sequoia traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
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.