Toyota Sequoia steering lock-up problems

Filed Jan 20, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times but can not get these lights to stay off. Since lights have been on, when driving on a muddy, wet, icy or slippery road way, my steering locks up, the brakes stop working and there is complete loss of vehicle control. All without warning. This is an extreme hazard and very dangerous. This has been on going since 2017 and is still a major problem . It started at around 200,000 miles.

Filed Nov 23, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 12 miles · CA

I purchased my sequoia in 2003 and the trac off/vsc trac lights started turning on a few months after purchase. I have told the dealer every time I bring the car for service and have always been told that they cannot find a problem. Once I turn off car the lights go off. Well, on july 2015 while traveling on a windy road at 35 MPH, we heard an warning alarm sound for the first time and the steering locked for about two seconds and the car felt like we had a flat tire or dragging something underneath. After about 10 seconds the car resumed back to normal as if nothing had happened. About two weeks later, I was backing out of a parking stall and it did the exact thing, including steering wheel locking. I thought I had raned over something, but the car went back to normal. Now every two weeks after I get on the freeway this seems to happen, one time it sounded like my engine fell off. Sometimes is worse than others and it doesn't matter if I'm going 25 or 65 MPH. A few months ago I was traveling at 65 and the alarm came on, the grinding and dragging noise and my car started slowing down and swirved to the right. I just barely missed a motorcyclist. Lucky no one was behind me or I would have been rear ended. I purchased toyota for their safety and quality reputation. I take good care of my car and safety of my family is my priority. As I stated before, I have been complaining about this issue to my toyota dealer for years and they tell me there is no problem with my car. Now my problem is much bigger than just a light turning on. This should be a major concern and we should not wait for a loss of life to happen. Any car that loses power in the middle of a freeway without warning should be of grave concern to all. I love my car but cannot afford to trade it in.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · TN · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota sequoia. After the ignition key was turned to the off position and removed from the vehicle, the gear shift was able to be switched into the drive position. The vehicle rolled away and crashed into the contact's garage. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the failure and remedy were unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. The consumer stated the problem was the gear shift, located between the driver and passenger seat. The gear shift came out of gear with the key out of the ignition, vehicle off, steering wheel locked and her foot not on the brake. The consumer stated her grandson knocked the vehicle out of gear and the vehicle crashed into her garage door. On may 26, 2016, as the consumer was exiting the vehicle, she grabbed her purse and it accidentally hit the gear shift and knocked the gear into reverse and caused the vehicle to toll backwards. The consumer stated she was half way in the vehicle, she was able to move the gear shift back in to park. However, while doing so she injured her right shoulder, left knee, and lower back. Updated 07/05/16.*jb updated 11/16/16.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Steering · 110,890 miles · NJ · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2007 toyota sequoia. While driving 30 MPH, the steering seized without warning and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The driver sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 110,890.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Steering · 160,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sequoia. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle, but no crash occurred. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v013000 (suspension), but did not confirm if the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 110,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that while traveling 75 MPH, the brakes and steering wheel seized. The contact also mentioned that the traction control warning light illuminated. The failure was experienced multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who stated that the rotors and brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 09/18/14*lj the consumer stated the failure concerning the vehicle is identical to the failure described in the 2004-2005 model year vehicles. Updated 2/3/2015

Filed Jun 26, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 143,000 miles · GA

Tl * the contact owns a 2001 toyota sequoia. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vsc warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that when the failure occurred the steering wheel locked momentarily. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ECM needed to be reprogram. The vehicle was repaired and failure recurred shortly after the leaving the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the technician stated that the yaw rate sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000 and the current mileage was 144,000. ..updated 08/11/14

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 109,000 miles · FL

I have a 2002 sequoia, a couple of weeks ago while driving at 35 MPH my brakes locked. I took it immediately to my brake guy; he looked it over, put it on the machine, found nothing. I left thinking it might have been something on the road that I missed seeing, that set off the traction sensors. A week went by without incident before it happened again; this time at 40mph on a flat clean highway. The trac off, vsc trac & the slip indicator light came on while the front end shook violently and pulled hard to the right. I was unable to adjust the brake, as it felt locked and my steering column, while vibrating madly was near impossible to turn, it was like driving an old style truck without power steering. I went to another brake shop, they hooked it up to the machine, and again nothing showed up!! Today, five days later, while driving home with my children on a major highway doing the posted 65mph it happened again. I was suddenly unable to maneuver my vehicle, the brakes locked, the steering locked, and my vehicle pulled to the right. I just held on and prayed as my car pulled off the road, thank heavens the ground was flat. I have only been that afraid for my family's safety once before, and that was in the middle of a tornado. Toyota has a serious problem here!

Filed Aug 29, 2011 · Acceleration, Steering · FL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sequoia. While driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the steering wheel locked causing the vehicle to crash into a wall at his residence. The vehicle was towed to an auto body repair shop. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The contact previously experienced a failure with the rear axle detaching from the vehicle. The rear axle was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 11, 2008 · Acceleration, Airbags · OK

2007 toyota sequoia would not restart, key would not turn. Consumer states that the mechanic told him it was the steering wheel lock. Mechanic also stated there was no fix for this failure. *kb the consumer had to pull really hard on the steering wheel in order for the key to release. The consumer stated there were other problems with the vehicle such as failure of the supplemental restraint system, poor cruise control performance and failure of the dvd player.