2003 Toyota Sequoia: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 16, 2018 · 227,000 miles · TN

While driving in normal, dry conditions on public roadway, the frame of this 2003 sequoia broke. The affected area is where the lower rear control arm from the back axle joins the main vehicle frame. The vehicles rocked violently from side to side and verged on being uncontrollable. No injuries occurred during the event but there was a potential for severe injury or death. Upon closer inspection and research the main frame of the vehicle is almost completely compromised from corrosion. After toyota was contacted, owner was told vehicle had "rust treatment" in 2013, no further customer support offered. These vehicles are definitely unsafe and the corrosion treatment has only given owners a false sense of security. Operation of these "rust protected" vehicles leaves owners facing unseen risk of injury or death from frame failure. These vehicles should be repaired or removed from service to protect the general public.

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Body, Steering · 84,000 miles · MO

I took the sequoia to a mechanic to repair a clunking noise in the front and squeaking noise in the back. Upon examination, the mechanic noticed unusually advanced rust and corrosion for a vehicle of its age. For safety reasons, the mechanic warned against driving the vehicle until repairs were made. Mechanic had to cut out front passenger control arm bolts, rear shock mounts, and other hardware due to the corrosion. Mechanic noted that future repairs will require the same cutting and replacement of new hardware. This corrosion issue may be related to the 2000-2003 toyota tundra recall of 2009, since the sequoia shares the chassis and manufacturing facility with the tundra.

Filed Oct 29, 2010 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 76,000 miles · DE

I purchased this vehicle in 2007 with 43,000 miles. Since then I have driven 30,000 miles in 4 years. When I first pick this car it looked great. The day I picked it up it had a dent in the back, and the dvd player didnt work and was replaced. There was a water leak that toyota had to repair and remove an odor associated with it. Later, I brought it in to have my gas tank level indicator repaired but was told that it was time consuming and basically was advised that the dashboard had to be taken out so, I didnt get it done. I replaced my battery, constantly had my oil changed, as the paint started to peel on my left front fender. Tie rods were replaced that had broken, which was covered by the platinum coverage that I purchased for 1000.00. Ive had a vsc logic relay replaced and trim repaired that was lifting off. Now my coverage on the platinum plan was over 4-10-2010 on the 17th of august my rear window would not go down, about three days later the brake light came on. On the 19th the 4 wheel drive control initiated and when its initiated to go off the center will continue to be engaged, blinking. Even till today when the vehicle is started up you have to dis-engage the 4 wheel drive. So I took it to toyota . Thats when this final horror began. I had my oil changed (sunday), and the next day (monday) I took it back for service. After they ran a diagnostic trend heres what I was told: the rear window motor was bad and needed replacing even though they know of the problems associated with the rear windows. 690.00 master cylinder assembly.1165.00 ccnter differential.2134.00 serpentine belt and tensioner.492.00

Filed Sep 29, 2008 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · AZ

The brake light on my 2003 toyota sequoia has been recently coming on. I took it in for new bake pads and turned out I needed new rotors too. Not more than 18 hours later the light is still coming on?? I had a similar problem with the ABS light coming on very frequently and had new brake pads put in, a new censor, and still nothing. Finally after I had taken it in on that ball joint recall, the light has never been on again. I really don't feel comfortable driving my kids around with a bright red "brake!" light on.

Filed Jun 16, 2008 · Driver assistance · 30,558 miles · CA

I bought a used 2003 toyota sequoia in 2004. It currently has 30130 miles on it. I am the second owner. The problem: sporadic vsc/atrac malfunction. 1. I had been advised to go in for toyota campaign ssc 50j for ball joint safety recall. This was done at fremont toyota on may 30, 2008. 2. On june 12, 2008, the vehicle skid control and traction control starts disengaging on its own, while I was driving the vehicle on us 101 north freeway on my way home from a trip to monterrey bay aquarium. 3. Description of the problem: the vsc/atrac indicator lights changes state to on and the system will inadvertently engage and disengage without any warning. To reset,I had to pull over to the side of the freeway and restart the vehicle. The problem repeated a dozen times, until I reached home. So I took the vehicle in to fremont toyota on june 14, 2008 and was told there is error code c1231 and c1203 and the reason is faulty engine and traction control computers. 4. I was not convinced with the answer and decided to do my own research on the federal safety agency site and discussion forums on the net and found out that to solve this issue, toyota modified its skid control logic and the vsc communication between skid control computer and the engine control module to rectify this problem (please refer the federal safety agency# 00303 & br00203, diagnostics codes c1231 & c1203). 5. I called up fremont toyota in california about what I found out and was told by the service advisor that I had to replace the existing vsc & ecu computers, with updated/redesigned modules at my expense (costs of $2700) I think this is unreasonable since, I consider this a manufacturing defect since the fix calls for a computer upgrade. I am writing to let your office know that toyota dealer and toyota north america will not acknowledge this problem. I can be reached at (510) 471-6937 if you have further questions. Sincerely, shaji ravindranathan

Filed Jul 30, 2007 · Suspension · AE

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that he is aware that the front suspension lower ball joints were under recall. He is currently overseas and cannot get his vehicle serviced at this time. There have been no failures to date. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 67,000.

Filed May 9, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · FL

'2003 toyota sequoia vsc/trac/ABS indicators based on edmunds.com forums an increasing number of problems may contribute to uncontrolable accidents if this electronic computer is not fixed. Toyota dealers inidicate if an issue, car will resort back to conventional brakes & steering but examples on this were showing falsely. This appeared to need a fix immediately as the item was. Ball joint) recalled about 1-2 yrs ago, and now the problem was surfacing again.

Filed Feb 18, 2006 · Suspension · 30,847 miles · CA

Toyota sequoia ball joint recall svc performed, subsequently vehicle tires severely scalloping outer edges leading to tread fracture and tire splitting. Dealer svc mgr mike latham, maita toyota of sacramento, insists nothing is wrong with vehicle although he admits something is wrong with tires; insists that recall svc correctly performed and alignment within specs. Dealer refuses attempt to correct problem. Dealer offers to sell me new tires; effectively attempting to release hazardous and unsafe vehicle to me. Vehicle is under warranty both in mileage and time. Dealer still has vehicle.

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Suspension · PA

Dt: 2003 toyota sequoia. The consumer stated recall 05v225000 repairs concerning lower ball joints were done. There has been excessive wear on the outer part of the tires. The consumer felt that this was due to the lower ball joint problem as stated in the recall. The consumer was not sure whether or not the tires were still wearing out since the repairs. After contacting toyota, they told him that they were not going to replace the tires. These tires came with the vehicle and they have been properly maintained according to the consumer.*ak *mr

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Suspension · 35,000 miles · FL

Dt: the contact received a recall letter in august 2005 regarding front suspension: lower ball joints on 2003 toyota sequoia. She called the dealership, and was told she would be contacted in 2-4 weeks. She called on 9-20-05, and was told she would be contacted within one week. The contact called again on 10-6-05, and they said they would get in touch with her on 10-10-05 because the parts were not in yet. The contact felt this was not being taken care off in a timely manner. She was afraid to drive the vehicle. She has yet to be contacted by the dealership.

Filed Sep 29, 2005 · Suspension, Tires · 6,000 miles · CA

Dt: the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that there was a recall on the lower ball joints. Recall repairs were done. But the contact felt that this recall problem caused the tires to wear out on the outside of the tread. The service dealer stated that this would not be caused from the recall, but the consumer felt that it was. If it was not related to the recall, then the consumer felt that it may be due to a defect within the tire or another defect within the suspension system. The contact stated the tires were rotated every 5,000 miles. The manufacturer referred the consumer to arbitration, but this could take up to 60 days.