Skid control ecu issue...my 2003 recently started having a failure in the ecu and causing the vehicle's brakes to go into ABS mode randomly during acceleration and not stop properly when applying the brakes. The brake light, vsc off and trac off all go off and the brakes go out and almost cause me to wreck. I have read online that this has been an on-going issue with this vehicle, and I'm curious what toyota is doing or not doing to fix this. I had the ecu recall "software upgrade" back in 2011. They only warrantied the work for 1 year, well now my computer is failing and replacement is $1500. This is a formal complaint because it seems that I could have had a replacement ecu years ago and I wasn't informed
2003 Toyota Sequoia driver assistance complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 194, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My vsc off and vsc trac lights popped on simultaneously with my check engine light, while traveling on straight, paved highway at about 55 MPH, for no apparent reason. I was not braking when all lights suddenly appeared. I was cruising comfortably at highway speeds on straight, flat, paved road. I have read countless other complaints filed by other toyota owners with the exact problem. My mechanic explained this can be very hazardous as this system cannot be disabled. So, these lights may pop on and off, and the vsc system may spontaneously engage without my knowledge or control, and this can greatly affect acceleration and cause accidents. I haven't done anything operationally to cause these lights to come on and I feel toyota should accept responsibility for this defect which could have very strong safety implications.
I just had to spend over 1,200 to have this repaired as my local toyota dealership insisted it was routine ear and tear. My breaks would not work, and I just had new ones put on 09/2015, and the vsp light kept coming on and off. The car jumps, and something has not been right. I almost hit someone and had to use the emergency break to stop!
I have a notice for revision "safety recall dsf". The recall says I need to bring in for air bag replacment for passanger front seats. So august 31,2015 I took my sequoia to toyota of knoxville tn. Off of parkside dr. It was looked over and I was told they needed to order parts and I would be called for the repairs once the parts came in to schedule an appointment. It is now may 23,2016 and I have not been contacted for repairs to be completed. Also the trac control button stopped working and lights on the dash. Was there a recal for this also?
Hello, I have a 2003 toyota sequioa where the engine light and the vcs lights are both on. I saw on your page some really helpful information on this make/model recall. I've reached out to toyota customer service because there was a recall on this make/model but they said that my VIN number was not part of that recall, even though it's having the same issues?? The recall was that toyota had to replace the skid control engine control unit (ecu) and upgrade program logic in its vehicle stability control (vcs) system. I took my vehicle in to get it inspected and they provided me with 3 codes: c1203 - engine control system communication circuit malfunction c1360 - vehicle skid control master pressure sensor malfunction p0420 - catalyst system efficiency below threshold these are all system issues. Can you help me?
While I was driving at an approximate speed of 40 MPH, I noticed my brake, trac off, vsc trac, engine light all came on at once. I noticed that braking was not as responsive (increased braking distance; ABS doesn't seem to be engaging) and when speeding to over 50 MPH, the vehicle feels as if it is slowing itself down. It is currently an expected heavy rainfall season where I am and having the vehicle in this state is very dangerous especially when the brakes are not working effectively or when it starts to slow itself down suddenly. After shutting the vehicle down and restarting it after about 2 hours, the lights mentioned are still illuminated except the brake light. After reading all the other similar complaints, I am surprised toyota is not paying for all aspects of this defect associated with the vehicle and not driver misuse.
Vehicle stability control (vsc), traction control (trac), and antilock brake system (ABS) dash lights continuously illuminated indicating that all systems are off or malfunctioning. Can confirm that the trac, vsc, and ABS are inactive all or most of the time. The ABS intervenes at random under normal braking conditions without cause at low speed (less than 20mph) and makes braking difficult and inconsistent in conditions where ABS is not normally needed. In that situation the brake pedal becomes hard to depress and braking force is inconsistently applied with little control given to the operator in turn extending the braking distance without due cause or warning. After much research online I have found numerous reports stating identical and/or similar observations and experiences. It is my opinion that the problem lies in the vsc control module, a known problematic component on this generation of sequoia and more specifically model year 2003 vehicles. A recall for the vsc system was issued in april/may 2010 upgrading the control logic of the vsc system in certain model year 2003 vehicles. Let it be known that the vehicle in question had the recall work done in june of 2011 which did not remedy the issue as it has been either intermittent or constant since then.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. While operating the vehicle, the traction off, vsc, and brake sensor lights illuminated. When depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop and the braking distance was extended. The contact also indicated that the vehicle would sometimes hesitate to accelerate. The cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that the vsc skid control warning light, ABS warning light, and service stability traction control warning light randomly kept illuminating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who reflashed the ecu, but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer several times and they did not address the recall repair since mid 2008 to 2015. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further inspection and diagnostic testing. The vehicle was also included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v286000 (air bags) and was waiting for the part from the dealer to receive the recall repair appointment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. While driving at an unknown speed, the warning lights for the ABS, traction control, and bsc illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the skit control needed to be reprogrammed. Also, the ecu and the translate computer assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v176000 (electronic stability control, traction control system); however, the part needed was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
I purchased a used 2003 toyota sequoia in april 2014. Since that time, the vehicle stability control system vsc) activates randomly causing the anti-lock brakes to be applied at random. This was a minor annoyance at first but soon became a regular occurrence. When inclement weather hit in december 2014 this vehicle was unstable to drive in even light snow; even when I had it in 4 wheel drive. In january 2015, it was snowing and there was approximately 2 inches of snow on the road and the vehicle spun out of control into the opposite lane. It was late at night so there were no other cars on the road. The vehicle continued to slide intermittently on the rest of the drive home. The thing is that this vehicle has off-road tires and this combined with the 4 wheel drive system should make it extremely stable in any weather. In february 2015, my wife was driving with our children and the vehicle's brakes locked up in the middle of a two-way stop preventing it from moving forward. There were other vehicles approaching at a high rate of speed and they had to stop to prevent a collision. A question: what if there was snow on the road at that time? I april had my sequoia looked at by vanderstyne toyota in rochester ny and they found that the yaw rate senor had a short resulting in constant application of the vsc system and quoted me $660.00 to "fix" the issue. I proceeded to research this issue on the net and it appears to be widespread with owners of toyota sequoias, siennas and some 4 runners. And many of the owners who had the yaw rate sensor replaced continued to have the same issue. I will not have this work done if there is not a guarantee that it will fix it and the dealership would not guarantee this 100%. This is serious safety issue and I am in the process of filing a complaint with toyota, bbb and the new york state attorney general office.
When accelerating from a stop and turning into/across traffic, the vehicle stability control (vsc) system activates improperly, causing loss of normal acceleration rate for approximately 3-10 sec (lower times are achieved by reducing pressure on the accelerator (counter intuitive when pulling into traffic) to get the system to deactivate. The activation is very intermittent and unpredictable, but exposes the vehicle to crashes by making it impossible to come up to speed quickly- especially bad when turning left across traffic. This is the exact same problem that toyota issued recall 10v176000 to correct in apr 2010. Unfortunately, that recall only covers early build 2003 sequoias and mine was built two months outside the window. This recall needs to be expanded.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. While reducing speed, the traction stability control sensor illuminated and the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate. After stopping the vehicle and restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v176000 (electronic stability control). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 98,000.
While driving at about 55 MPH, the ABS,track control sensor lights came on and suddenly the acceleration stops I press the pedal to accelerate and there was no response I could not accelerate so I turn my emergency lights on, and accelerate again and this time it worked. But it's been doing that on everyday basis the mechanic said is the vehicles computer, is there a recall for this problem? Can someone help?
As I was driving I notice my trac off, vsc trac, engine light all came on at once , also notice loss of power to my vehicle .
I am experiencing the same vsc problems as I read in the other complaints, along with other electrical issues. Randomly (or so it seems) the vsc, brake lights, drive light and others will go on and off. It has been doing this for about a month now and every time I go to take it in for service, they aren't on and they "can't find anything wrong."
First the check engine light came on, then the vsc off light followed immediately by the vsc trac light. The problem is intermittent, as the lights only stay on for a day or two then don't come back on until a few days later. I have checked the recall database for my vehicle and it is not included, although this problem has been recalled on other vehicles matching my vehicle's general description. I live in a very wet area of the country and rely on this system to work properly. From what I can read through online forums, toyota needs to take a look at every vehicle that is experiencing this issue, as it appears to be significantly more widespread than first thought.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stability control, traction control, and the check engine warning lights suddenly remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
The vsc off/ trac off and check engine and brake light all came on. The brake started to jump and the car pulled hare to the left. I turn the car off and back on the problem went a way but the lights all came back on. However there are a lot of people having this problem with their sequoia and I have seen no safety recall for this.
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!
I have my A/C on and the brake light turns on and trac and vsc lights come on. This has been heaping since 60000 miles and there was a recall on it but not on mine. They do test and can't find the problem. When I trun the car off they come off.
Vehicle almost lost control during a 25mph turn in light rain condition. The vehicle has brand new tires as well. This is a known issue with many toyota sequoia vehicles and toyota refuses to acknowledge fault. The failure to announce a recall on the vsc pressure sensor unit will cause the vehicle to lose control, skid, loss of ABS and subsequently lead to crash.
Upon normal driving the vehicle would not accelerate accurately and quickly enough after making a left turn. The vehicle would also randomly illuminate 3 indicator lights when the brake pedal is depressed. The 3 indicators are brake, trac off, vsc off. Before these lights illuminate the vehicle's brake pedal would become very hard to press causing the brake pedal to require much more force applied to it thus causing a decrease in stopping distance which is a very serious safety issue.
While accelerating on an on ramp along interstate highway, vsc vehicle stability control light came on, engine went to idle, lost speed. After about 10 seconds, vsc light went out, engine able to accelerate. Considering heavy traffic on interstate 495, this is very dangerous. No ice, no snow, no rain, road was dry and level. This is the third time it has occurred.
Received toyota factory recall for corrosion-resistant compound due to excessive frame rust. Called local dealer and also factory toyota for appointment. Took the vehicle in to the dealership. One day later received phone call that my vehicle was safe and that they had sprayed this coating on the vehicle. I picked up vehicle and this corrosive chemical is dripping of the vehicle and is not drying. Concerned for environment and also, I have no idea of how vehicle was inspected assuring that the frame is safe.
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.
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