2003 Toyota Sequoia Sr5: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Brakes · 164,000 miles · CA

Defective ABS system since initial purchase. At first, an intermittent problem but now a safety hazard. Brake light, vsc light &trac light constantly are on & now on several occasions going only 10 MPH brakes are affected where there is a loud grinding noise & brakes don't function properly. I was told the yaw sensor would take care of this costing $880, but it didn't; now its the skid control another $875 which I agreed to & when calling to get status of my car, I'm told it didn't fix the issue & now it's the booster another $1,000 which I'm not paying. This should be a recall as this is issue makes it a very unsafe vehicle to drive. My car is still sitting in the shop and I don't know what to do at this point.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 120,533 miles · CA

Two months after purchasing the vehicle, vsc and trac off lights became illuminated, no other symptoms. Stayed on for 2 days then disappeared again. Two months later the brake light had become illuminated, put it in park to load passengers, and when returned to drive, the vsc and trac off lights were illuminated and a grinding sound was heard when applying brakes - along with the vehicle pulling to the right. Turned the car off, checked fluids and fuses, when restarted only brake light was illuminated and car appeared to be driving normally. Took it in to toyota today to have the problem checked out as the brake light is still on, and the grinding noise was a concern - and am told the brake booster needs to be replaced. In all my research on this, I'm very concerned as it appears to be quite a common problem, and on a search of my VIN it says that my vehicle is not affected by the recall (although I was told at the dealer that my ecu was 'flashed to the updated programming') current cost quoted is $1,508 - but was also told that once the booster is installed they have to re-run their check and it may not be the only problem. This is very disappointing as we own 2 other toyotas, and purchased this car as a daily driver to take our children to school, everything I've seen regarding these issues leaves me very concerned for their safety.

Filed Nov 7, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 170,000 miles · GA

While driving I came to a stop and when put my foot back on the gas the vsc trac light came on and also the skid light. It made a grinding noise, then when I hit the gas it would not accelerate. This is a scary feeling!!! What can be done about this?!! Seems to me it's more then just me exprencing this!!!

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 145,000 miles · LA

As I drive,when I come to a stop sign are red light an d put my feet back on the gas the vsctrac light comes on and also the skid light,it makes a grinding noise when u hit the gas. It's a scary feeling!!! What can I do about that?!! Seems to me it's more then just me experience this!!!

Filed Jul 7, 2013 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · FL

While driving down a familiar road leaving a car wash going no faster then 45 MPH, the rear end started making a grinding noise when we would take off. We took it too our mechanic and he said it was the rear end differential, he changed the fluid in it to see if that would help but it did nothing, if anything it made it worse. But he did say that there were metal shavings on the plug which would indicate a gear going out. He told us not to drive it till we get it fix because if it were to completely go out it would cause an accident.

Filed Jun 14, 2010 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 96,000 miles · FL

2003 toyota sequoia - the vsc, trac and brake light all illuminated with a grinding sound coming from under the car. The car shuddered to a stop during acceleration. Barely avoided an accident by quickly pulling the car over. Just checked with toyota and my car is not included in the recall for this identical problem. Please explain your reasoning behind not including all sequoia's with this dangerous problem.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 88,125 miles · AL

Turning right into driveway my car began to shake with a loud grinding sound. Let off gas, noise ceased, applied gas gently and the vehicle proceeded as normal. This has happened several times since. It only seems to occur during a right turn at a very low speed. The vsc and trac lights each come on when this occurs. They used to be off each time I restarted the vehicle but now they do not turn off at all. Went to toyota dealer and was told that I need to have the "computer system" that controls the vsc and trac replaced. Was quoted a price of $1,700.00. This problem has not been corrected at this time. However, I cannot afford to wait since this is my only vehicle and I have 3 children whose safety may be at risk as this defect occurs.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Driver assistance · 135,000 miles · SC

Vsc replacement this is my 3rd incident with the toyota sequoias. I was in snow and ice and put the car in 4 wheel drive. I started to back out and a buzzing sound and the vsc and the vsc trac lights came on. Nothing else happened for a while and when I put it back into 2 wheel drive it drove fine for the remainder of the trip about 200 miles. I stopped and fueled up and when driving off the car started making a loud vibrating/grinding noise then stalled and the brakes suddenly pulled the car to the right.. I turned it off and tried again and the vsc lights came on again but it drove ok until the next time I restarted it again got out in traffic and it made the same grinding noise, stalled and the brakes pulled it to the right again....I had no control over the vehicle and was nearly hit by the car in the right lane. I called the toyota dealer and explained what had happened and he said it just needed recalibrating and the cost would be around $100. I took it in and the whole skid control computer had to be replaced at a cost of $1400 plus labor $200. I bought this car new in 2003 and this is the 3rd vsc issue I have had. The last one was $600 2 or 3 years ago. This should have been recalled or at least a fix sent to dealerships when the first incident occurred while in warranty. The rest have been out of my pocket.

Filed Feb 7, 2010 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · AZ

The vsc and 4 wd lights came on in our 2003 toyota sequoia. When starting in forward, there is a loud grind and a thump. This happened shortly (1 week) after replacing the brake pads. I placed the car in manual 4 wheel drive and move it very slowly back and forth. The lights are off, but it seems like a temporary fix.