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Toyota Sequoia premature wear problems

10 of the 3,065 owner complaints about the Toyota Sequoia describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 2001 model year.

owner complaints
10
worst model year
2001
typical mileage
63,900
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2016
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2006
    1
  • 2003
    2
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    3

What owners say

Filed May 9, 2019 · Brakes · 155,000 miles · CO

I have had persistent problems with the front brakes rotors warping. New ones do not last very long before they warp. My vehicle has approximately 155,000 miles. My I have asked my trusted service mechanics to use toyota parts. The dealership parts department told my mechanics that they do not recommend replacing the rotor with a the original toyota part as they have been warping. They recommend up sizing the rotors, which is what toyota has done on some vehicle. I have talked to a toyota service department about replacing the front rotors and brakes. They gave me a quote but said they would not give any warranty on brakes. I talked to toyota's 800 number they said there were no recalls or eligible upgrades and that my vehicle was not part of the campaign they had for the brakes. They would not elaborate if any of the 2003 sequoias were part of the campaign. They gave me a case number. My primary concern is that the brakes or brake components are undersized which is manifested by the repeat warping of the rotors. The undersized brakes could be a hazard under certain circumstances.

Filed Nov 16, 2018 · Brakes · CA

Needed rotors and brakes replaced at 15,000 miles and then again at almost 30,000. Told due to rotors overheating. Told by service department at dealership that will continue to happen, but did not offer a solution, except to not tailgate cars. As rotors warp the vehicle shakes when you brake going downhill or at highway speeds- feels very unsafe.

Filed Jun 21, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · FL

2014 toyota sequoia. Consumer writes in regards to ongoing steering wheel vibration issues. *smd the consumer stated from the day of purchase, the vehicle exhibited a slight vibration. As the days went on, the vibration became more severe. The consumer returned to the dealer. However, they were unable to find a problem. The consumer went to another dealer and was informed, the vehicle had a history of having warped rotors, but they couldn't fix it, due to warranties from the purchasing dealer. The next day, the steering was vibrating even more, so the dealer replaced and balanced the tires. Three months later, the steering vibration had returned. The dealer rotated the tires. Seven months later, the vibration returned again. The dealer balanced the tires.

Filed Mar 22, 2011 · Driver assistance · 90,000 miles · TN

Traction control system is spontaneously engaging causing sudden deceleration and momentary loss of control. Symptoms include grinding/clashing noise typical of traction-control engagement, beeping from dash (indicating system error or disengagement?), and "trac off" and "vsc trac" lights come on and stay on. Originally problem only occurred after an hour or more of highway speed driving, usually with cruise control active. Recently started occurring more frequently and at lower speeds. Also notice vibration during braking (similar to warped rotors) goes away when traction control is off.

Filed Oct 2, 2008 · Suspension, Tires · 10,000 miles · CA

I am having unusual tire wear on the outside edge of all 4 tires on my vehicle (2006 toyota sequoia), to the point of becoming bald. I have been relaying my concern to the dealer for the past 11k miles. The vehicle currently has 21k miles on it. The vehicle has been aligned 3 times by manufacturer dealers, the front ball joints have been replaced and the vehicle has been thoroughly inspected by district level manufacturer's people. They are saying nothing is wrong with the vehicle, but I have been doing some research and am finding that this has been a complaint on the same model of vehicle since 2002. I feel that the suspension of this vehicle is not allowing it to ride properly on the tires, thus causing this premature wear. The problem seems to be on bf goodrich, bridgestone and in particular, dunlop tires.

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Brakes · NV

My 2003 sequoia has 31,000 miles and already the front brakes have been replaced three times, back brakes replaced once and the rotars resurfaced three times. From what I've read on the internet others have had the same problems. My friend who had a 2001 model had the vehicle taken in and the whole brake system replaced due to a tsb. When I called the dealers they told me that the tsb only affected the years 2000 & 2001. However, the 2003 seems to have problems, too! I've never had brake problems until this vehicle. The first time I had the vehicle serviced at 6700 miles the service technician told me my front brakes had premature wearing and accused me of braking too hard but agreed to have to have them replaced under warranty and the rooters were machined. The second time the service engine light came on and at 17,500 miles our front brakes were touching metal to metal. The roters were also resurfaced at a cost of about $500.00. At that time the service manager convinced us that this was normal I've had other mechanics say it is not. At 30,000 miles I was infromed that my front and back brakes needed to be replaced and the roters again were resurfaced. We went to another mechanic and paid $400. I've read that the braking system on the sequoia is inadequate, tundras are having similar problems and the calipers are too small thus causing warping and the brakes to wear out prematurely.

Filed Nov 13, 2004 · Brakes · 63,900 miles · CO

Squealing brakes and severe warped rotors causing vibrations while braking. Contacted toyota and was notified that calipers and rotors are insufficient for the vehicle. Tsb issued to repair if under warranty, otherwise cost is $2000. After one week of driving, following a replacement of the rotors and pads, notice an extreme vibration. Discovered that the rotors are heating up real fast. Notified that this condition could cause brakes to fail if not fixed properly. My safety could be jeopardized by this defect. Vehicle cost is $40k with additional costs to correct a known defect discovered after warranty expires. I expect more for my initial expense. Toyota should be responsible to correct these problems before there are any incidences of brake failure causing injury to anyone.

Filed Jul 22, 2004 · Brakes · 35,000 miles · CA

2002 toyota sequoia with severe front end vibration on braking while vehicle had approximately 35000 miles. Dealer found rotor warping and changed disc brake pads and "turned"rotor. Problem recurred in vehicle now with 56000 miles and had to replace disc pads again and turned rotor to minimum safety standard. First occurrence at 35000 miles covered by warranty, this most recent episode had to pay for. Was told the vehicle is a very heavy one and not unusual to require frequent brake pad replacement and rotor replacement. I feel this is a safety hazard as the vibration can come on unexpectedly and initially was very severe during the 35000 mile dealer service but noticed a very slight vibration most recently and therefore brought into dealership before the problem was overt. I also believe this is an engineering flaw in which brake pads/rotor mismatch causes premature wear and potential safety and handling problems during sudden braking. Have contacted manufacturer who has filed a complaint number but was told to not expect any response.

Filed Jul 16, 2003 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · NC

2001 sequoia brakes shudder and worn out at 25,000 mi. Rotors warped. Dealer initially did not agree to install toyota's rotor upgrade per service bulletin (br005-02).

Filed Mar 9, 2003 · Brakes · CA

Warped rotors.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Toyota Sequoia premature wear

Which Toyota Sequoia years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2001 (3 complaints), 2002 (2 complaints) and 2003 (2 complaints).

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