2001 Toyota Sequoia: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 8, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

While driving my 2001 Sequoia SR5 with only 74,750 miles on freeways at speeds between 55 and 65 mph, the SUV's braking system activates unexpectedly and without cause. The VSC check engine lighting and warning sound illuminate. My SUV veered to the right, the steering wheel vibrated, and it went into a skid when the brakes were abruptly engaged, causing it to skid. My SUV abruptly decelerated as if it had lost power. This situation was hazardous for other vehicles who could not tell if they were applying the brakes due to the absence of visible brake lights to prevent a collision. Fortunately, IÂ responded defensively and avoided collisions with other vehicles and roadside obstacles. This issue is a safety concern; if it occurs at the wrong moment, a tragedy can be avoided. I've seen more than a hundred complaints from other proprietors and a completed the federal safety agency investigation. Sequoia models from 2001 and subsequent years were recalled for the same issue. Before a life is lost, Toyota must address this issue in all model years.

Filed May 2, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 84,800 miles · MD

While driving our 01 sequoia sr5 with only 85,000 miles on side streets and highways at speeds ranging from 5mph to 70 MPH, the SUV's braking system suddenly engages for no reason while the veh. Is in motion. The vsc, check engine lights come on along with the alerting sound. When the brakes engage, the veh. Veers to the right, the steering wheel vibrates and the veh. Goes into a skid due to the brakes being suddenly engaged. The veh. Also decelerates suddenly as if it has lost power. This is dangerous for other drivers who can't tell if you are braking because there are no brake lights to be seen to prevent a collision. Thankfully we have been able to react defensively and avoid collisions with other veh.'s. And roadside objects. We have seen several suggestions as to the fix for this problem like the yaw rate sensor being replaced. The cost of the part is $568.00 without the install cost.this problem is a safety issue and if it occurs at the wrong time, a preventable tragedy is going to occur. I have seen well over 50 complaints on this from other owners and a closed the federal safety agency investigation on this exact issue. They recalled the 2003 sequoia for the same issue. Toyota needs to fix this in all model years before a life is lost. See 2003 recall info below: 2003 sequoia recall #10v176000 recall date 04/30/2010 component electronic stability control read more at https://www.cars.com/recalls/toyota-sequoia-2003/#qjwyc1mk25ovhgfx.99 read more at https://www.cars.com/recalls/toyota-sequoia-2003/#qjwyc1mk25ovhgfx.99

Filed Sep 19, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · 163,000 miles · CA

My complaint stems from the vehicle stability control (vsc) issue that commonly plagues the 2001-2001 toyota sequoia. As many others have filed complaints over this vsc issue, mine is no different. My sequoia, a 4x4 sr5 with 160k miles, works flawlessly other than the vsc lights being constantly illuminated while driving. The results of the malfunction, possibly from the yaw rate sensor, present a momentarily loss of power and random unexplained steering events. The only way to temporary clear the vsc lights and the effects of the malfunction is to completely stop the vehicle, turn off the ignition and restart the vehicle. I fear a loss of control of the vehicle while my wife and kids are driving at highway speeds. I would like to see toyota issue a formal recall or pay for a new yaw rate sensor and the consumer pays the labor. Other than the vsc issue, the sequoia is a great vehicle overall.

Filed Sep 5, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 159,300 miles · OH

The vehicle skid control randomly engages for no reason. It causes lost of power and braking, causing steering to be very difficult.

Filed Jul 23, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 316,000 miles · NC

Street driving, clear day and car dash board starts to alarm. Dashboard lights for vsc, antilock brakes goes haywire. Horrible grinding noise and vibration felt through the brake pedal, with loss of power, and pull to the right all simultaneously happening. Alarm bells all going off in the car. It is very loud noise for all occupants. Terrifying occurrence with loss of brakes and power. First event lasted approximately 20 seconds. Pulled over and the car seemed fine. This has been intermittent but occurred after car was warm and occurs more frequently when its is warmer outside as well. Now, 16 mos later, this happens all the time and toyota dealer says there is nothing wrong with car and cannot diagnose the issue. It is a safety issue for sure. Will have to park the car now since they cannot figure out what is wrong with it.

Filed Jul 4, 2013 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · CA

On freeway cruising at freeway speeds with no warning at all, loss of power and unable to engage gears. It is now in the shop mechanic says it is the planetary gears in transmission and will require a rebuild. Cost $3500.

Filed Mar 23, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 175,000 miles · GA

While I was driving the vsc trac light came on, the vehicle started grinding while I was pressing the gas and brakes. The vehicle felt as if it was loosing power, I almost lost control of the steering wheel because car was losing power and control. The ABS light also came on and vehicle started shaking very badly. This happens several times while I'm driving vehicle. I have taken it to be serviced from the dealer but the problem still exists. I will talk with an attorney about these problems because I am very afraid of a serious accident while driving my wife and kids.

Filed Jul 19, 2012 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 228,926 miles · MO

The sequoia vsc trac,vsc off sensor lights turning on and off and hearing grinding noise,and lose power. And the roll over system light come on.

Filed Jan 30, 2012 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 140,000 miles · NJ

The "vsc off" and vsc skid lights came on and has remained on to the present date. When the lights came on all vsc functions stopped. Vehicle was taken to the dealership. Repair was not under any warranty. An estimate of approximately $2200 was given to replace the vehicles ecu. No repair was made. Occasionally the vehicle would lose power under moderate acceleration for a brief period (usually less than 2 seconds) as if something has cut power 20-30%. I suspect it was the vsc system trying to cut on or engage. This has not happened for some time. Vehicle now has 178000 miles.

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · 126,530 miles · TX

I was driving about 50mph when all over a sudden my car lost power and I heard a grinding noise and was shaking. Then immediately the sequoia vsc & trac sensor lights turned on. This has happened twice now in the past one week. It's like I almost lost control of the car. It would have been definitely worse if I was on highway. I called toyota corp customer relation and filed a complaint but they would not admit to have this recalled despite the fact that they have had many safety issue complaints about this problem. They admitted the problem being reported on other models like 2003 and up but would not offer to recall mine and have it fixed because its a 2001.

Filed Jul 6, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 131,100 miles · IL

Vehicle vsc lights come on and cause a tempoary loss of power . The vehicle front ends also starts to shake which cause a tempoary loss of controll. This started 6 months ago and is happaning daily.

Filed Aug 31, 2009 · Driver assistance · 114,000 miles · CA

Vsc and traction control system lights in my 2001 toyota sequoia come on during normal driving condition. When the vehicle is stopped and restarts the engine, the lights goes off. This problem happened back in the spring of 2003 and the vehicle was still under the new vehicle's 3 year warranty. I told the dealer regarding this problem during my routine maintenance, they said they did not find the problem and there was no code recorded in the computer. They make me feel like I was driving aggressive and cause the problem. This problem was on and off for the last 5 years till last month (july, 2009) when my son was driving in la freeway. He was facing the lost of engine power and unable to speed up when the vsc and traction lights comes on. He has to pull off the freeway and restart the engine. After this incident, I begin to search the internet and discovered that this is a common problem for my 2001 sequoia. This problem is not fixed.