2003 Toyota Sequoia: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Body · 240,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that the vehicle was rusted and towed to the local dealer and diagnosed that the rear differential casing and steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 240,000.Note: While driving, a loud grinding noise was heard and the vehicle was shaking. 1 pulled over and had the car towed. It was determined the rear differential casing was completely rusted and the oil leaked out. It-was also determined the Steering column was completely rusted. The vehicle was recalled in 2012, due to rust issues. The dealership stated they would do the recall work but the vehicle was in poor shape. When I contacted Toyota, they said it was a courtesy recall and will not do any further. Consumer is asking for assistance with the cost of repair due to poor workmanship.

Filed Sep 12, 2019 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · IN

Takata recall. The parking light would come on intermittently, and we had it looked at by a toyota dealer. They recommended to replace the ecu, which we did. This didn't fix it. The car got worse and started shaking when I drove and when I stopped it would shake and make a grinding noise. We had it looked at and the braking system serviced. The problem is still there. This is a common problem with this year and a dangerous flaw in these vehicles.

Filed Jun 28, 2019 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · NV

While executing a slow speed left turn(10-15mph) I braked lightly to execute another left turn when the parking brake and traction control lights lit up on my dashboard along with diminished brake power and a grinding noise. I applied them again a little more aggressive to stop my vehicle..same response. I coasted to about 2-3mph and the lights were still showing but I recovered brake power. At my destination(3 blocks away) I turned off the vehicle. On my return trip back home, there was no sign of dash warning lights and I had full braking power. @home I immediately called toyota USA and they did not acknowledge any ongoing problem. After going on an online forum I discovered numerous complaints about the same problem...some of them actually going to toyota for the problem, and some of those stated the problem returned..my son ran an obdii diagnostic to find numerous codes for the ABS ans ecu and brakebooster system.fixes range from low brake fluid to a complete replacement of said systems costing thousands of dollrs. I feel this is a serious safety issue that toyota should address. [dateline problem happened 6-27-19...]I have no choice now but to warily trust toyota to run a diagnostic on my vehicle for solutions....please help

Filed Apr 25, 2016 · Lights · 17,778 miles · CA

The trac off and vsc trac turned on along with the check engine and when I tried to step on the gas it will grind and not move the same would happen when I tried stepping on the brake. I took it to the dealer and charge me 1800 to change the water pump and the evap cause there was a leakage. 2 days later the lights turn back on.

Filed Sep 23, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 137,000 miles · CA

I have been having this issue with the electronic stability control with my truck for several months. I have taken it to the dealer 3 times and they have been unable to determine what the problem is. They first told me I had to replace my shocks and springs all the way around. That didn't fix the problem. As far as I can tell they don't have any fault codes to work with from the computer. I live on a windy road in the mountains. Everytime I go around a turn, which is all of my road, the traction control kicks on, the brake peddle pulses and the breaks grind until I come out of the turn and my wheels are straight. Just in time for the next turn. This is very dangerous. I can't stop my truck fast if a deer or other wildlife runs across the road. This happens all the time.

Filed Sep 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 130,000 miles · CA

Going around a turn in the mountains at a slow speed, my traction control kicks in and there is a grinding noise, I loose the use of the brakes completely until the traction control turns off. I took it to the dealer and they told me my springs and shocks were bad. I replaced all 4 of the springs and shocks and the problem persists. This is very dangerous and scary.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 161,980 miles · TX

The vsc, and trac, and brake lights all lit up while coming into an intersection, where I heard a grinding clunking noise in the drive train, as I tried to stop the vehicle, coasted through the intersection, made others braking to avoid me as I steered away from them. This has happened intermittently over the years but this was the scariest, as it happened going into an intersection. It has happened backing out of our driveway several times, on the highway several times. Toyota doesn't want to tie this issue to the recall regarding the vsc ecu trac light recall from several years ago. I've tried unsuccessfully to escalate this issue with toyota motor co.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 161,980 miles · TX

We bought this 2003 sequoia limited 2 wheel drive new, and it has been a good car over all. But the vsc tracs, brake lights have flashed on and off sporadically at different speeds, when driving and or when braking. They usually don't effect the car, but recently we have experienced them all coming on when braking, and we seem to loose power and the power steering is lost momentarily until we come to a stop, and shut it off for a few minutes. This happened most recently last week when coming into an intersection driving about 30mph, and all of the vsc, trac, and brake lights abruptly came on, there was a grinding noise, and it seemed to have lost electrical power, trying to come to a stop, I could not stop in time for the intersection, but was lucky enough to avoid being hit by cross traffic, it could have been a lot worse. It sounded like something fell apart underneath. I inspected it and saw nothing, but know that this is a major safety issue that toyota should address and pay for being a recall item. I called the toyota hotline and was given a case number for this issue, which was a recall in 2010. Took it to the dealer, and they weren't able to replicate the issue. Stated it was a bad computer, and some vsc module sensor? Didn't state toyota would cover the cost or help with the cost. Even though this has been a known issue with toyota sequoia's for years, and was a recall item. This is a safety issue that could result in a major accident. Why would toyota not cover the cost to fix this if it is a recall item? I want it fixed but with the miles I have on it, don't want to spend much money on it, especially an item that is a recall problem with many like mine. What should I do? Wait to have an accident, hire a lawyer, and sue? Frustrated toyota owner in texas.

Filed Jun 28, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · GA

At random times, the vsc and brake lights will come on. When this happens, the brakes do not work properly. They severely grind and stopping is nearly impossible. The only solution is to completely turn the car off and restart. I have taken my vehicle to toyota many time over the course of several years. This is very dangerous as I have children riding in the vehicle!! Toyota either said there is nothing wrong or that a sensor will need to be replaced which costs approximately $1600.00. This is a common issue with older sequoias and should be a recall. It should be free of charge to the owner! I should not have to pay for something toyota did not do right!

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 77,000 miles · WA

The vehicle stability control (vsc) lights keep coming on at random and will not turn off until the engine is restarted. There was a voluntary recall from toyota for this problem but the dealer said mine is not affected but obviously it is since I received a notice and the lights do come on. I also hear grinding noise when the ABS engages. Toyota dealer wanted to charge me for the fix.

Filed Mar 7, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 141,235 miles · AL

The toyota sequoia went nose down and started to make a grinding noise pulling hard to the right. Loss of power happened and I had no control. I tried to accelerate but it seemed like there was no response. It has done this three times. I feel like I will hit someone or someone will hit me!

Filed Mar 2, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 86,000 miles · CA

My wife was on freeway, driving our 2003 toyota sequoia limited 2wd, when vsc light lit up and a buzzer sounded. At the same time, her vehicle started to decelerate on its own, causing vehicles behind her to have to brake to keep from rear-ending her vehicle. This was accompanied by a horrific grinding and banging sound. My wife found a safer place to pull to the side of the freeway and stop the vehicle. A tow truck was called and vehicle was "flat-bed" towed to repair garage.