Skip to content
Toyota SequoiaModel year report

2002 Toyota Sequoia Problems

Complaints
666filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
111,500miles, 532 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 4.7L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2002 Sequoia most often report dashboard warning lights for the stability and traction control systems, usually accompanied by unexpected brake activation, grinding or buzzing sounds, and momentary loss of control; many complaints also describe the dealer replacing the ABS/stability computer or brake booster at significant cost. Frame and underbody rust is the other recurring theme, with owners describing corrosion found during tire rotations or oil changes. Reports span roughly 30,000 to 270,000 miles, with many issues appearing gradually and intermittently rather than at one specific mileage.

  1. Electronic stability control

    VSC / TRAC / ABS lights with unexpected braking

    • 327 complaints (49%)
    • median 123,415 mi at 10.6 yrs old (288 state mileage)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 47 quotes)
    • filed 2002–2025

    Owners describe the VSC, TRAC OFF and ABS warning lights coming on, sometimes while driving straight on dry roads, along with a warning buzzer, a grinding or crunching noise from the front of the vehicle, and the brakes briefly applying on their own, which can pull the vehicle to one side. Some report the lights clear after restarting and then return, and some report reduced or delayed braking while the lights are on. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing the skid control or ABS computer, the yaw sensor, the master cylinder or the brake booster, with repair estimates ranging from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, and several owners report the lights returning after repairs. Reported from around 30,000 miles upward, often in wet or snowy conditions at first and later in dry weather as well.

    What to check: Drive the vehicle on a straight road at highway speed and check that no VSC, TRAC or ABS lights appear or flash, and ask whether the skid control computer or brake booster has been replaced. Scan for stored ABS/VSC codes before purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “1. While driving along, there was suddenly a loud grinding noise and the vsc trac and the trac off lights came on and stayed on. 2. This incident was the second time it has happened in the last few weeks. As a consequence, I dare not drive my vehicle now. 3. I cannot afford an expensive repair right now, so I must now ride my bike or the bus anywhere I need to go.”

    NHTSA complaint #10244966, filed 2008-10, 130,000 miles

    “Vsc, ABS, traction control and brake warning instrument lights on. Abs and traction control and vsc are inoperable due to a computer malfunction. This is an extremely common issue with first generation sequoias. My specific codes are c1241 and c1203. Toyota told me I will need a new computer to controls those systems at a 921 dollar expense. These issues have been ongoing since 2009.”

    NHTSA complaint #11389936, filed 2021-01, 123,731 miles
  2. Brakes

    Grinding brakes and warped rotors

    • 84 complaints (13%)
    • median 107,470 mi at 11.0 yrs old (70 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2002–2024

    Owners describe front brake vibration when braking from highway speeds and reduced stopping ability when the brakes are hot, such as after a long descent. Several complaints state the dealer said the rotors were warped or that a service bulletin covered an upgraded braking system, and that the work was not covered outside warranty. Others describe loud grinding under braking with the ABS light on, and in some cases the pedal needed a second press to stop. Vibration reported from as low as about 13,000 miles; grinding and delayed response mostly at higher mileage, 100,000 miles and above.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Brake firmly from highway speed during the test drive and feel for pedal pulsation or vibration, and have the rotor thickness and pad condition checked. Note that service bulletins describe noise from certain Toyota brake pads.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Problem with 02 Sequoia where brakes vibrate the car, and stopping ability is diminished. Problem to occurs when brakes become heated. (driving down a long hill in second gear, using the brakes to keep the vehicle under control when I would get to the bottom of the hill, the vehicle would vibrate and the brakes would loose some stopping ability. I would be unable to make an emergency stop in this condition. I took it to the dealer on 9/22/04 who stated that the rotors were warped & the pads bad. Not covered under warranty. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10093394, filed 2004-09, 13,000 miles

    “When braking at high speeds, you can feel front brake vibrate. I took the car to dealership, they stated that there is a technical service bulletin for this issue, but it is not a recall. They are aware that the brake system is too small to handle the load of the vehicle and will only rectify (by upgrading entire braking system) if it is still under manufacturer's warranty. My rotors are warped because of this and I can't afford $4800 to fix their poor workmanship (design). Help me hold them responsible for this potential safety issue!”

    NHTSA complaint #10257492, filed 2009-02, 64,694 miles
  3. Vehicle speed control

    Hesitation and loss of power under acceleration

    • 38 complaints (6%)
    • median 125,925 mi at 10.1 yrs old (34 state mileage)
    • filed 2003–2023

    Owners report the accelerator not responding for several seconds, the vehicle losing power or decelerating on its own, and stalling or dying while driving, sometimes with warning lights and a buzzer. Complaints describe the engine staying on while the vehicle would not move, or the vehicle slowing and pulling to one side. Some owners report dealers could not find stored codes or duplicated the problem, while others report throttle-related reprogramming or component replacement. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 50,000 to 220,000 miles, often intermittently and at steady highway speeds.

    What to check: During the test drive, accelerate from a stop and from highway speed and watch for any delay in response or drop in power, and ask whether the throttle body or related computer has been serviced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While traveling any where I would lose power and my vsc trac warning lights and skid trac lights will come on and I will have to wait for the lights to go off in order to get my power back. And also I had to replace two of my door handles. And before my SUV was 3yrs I had to replace the transmission.”

    NHTSA complaint #10320696, filed 2010-03, 80,000 miles

    “After driving 45 miles then driving in a busy town then back 45 miles to home town I was going 55 MPH and all the sudden I lost power, a dinging noise happened and I lost breakage, the vcs off and vcs track light came on, the vehicle start driving rough. I then went home. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10706181, filed 2015-04, 197,000 miles
  4. Body and structure

    Frame and underbody rust

    • 92 complaints (14%)
    • median 122,750 mi at 11.2 yrs old (72 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 14 quotes)
    • filed 2005–2024

    Owners describe the frame and undercarriage corroding heavily, in some cases with holes or pieces of frame missing, found during tire rotations, oil changes or inspections. Complaints state that shops declined to lift the vehicle or described it as not roadworthy, and some report the manufacturer replaced the frame or undercarriage in the past with corrosion returning later. Others describe rust on axle assemblies and body panels requiring costly repairs. Mostly reported between roughly 75,000 and 200,000 miles, often on vehicles used in areas with road salt.

    What to check: Have the vehicle inspected on a lift and look closely at the frame rails, body mounts and rear axle for flaking or perforated rust, and ask whether any frame or undercarriage replacement work has been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I went to the mechanic to have my wheels rotated; he said the entire frame is rusted out and may be a danger to drive. Not sure what to do as there isn't an easy fix to replacing the frame. The mechanic said the only fix is replacing the frame. I have a family of 8 people who depend on this vehicle”

    NHTSA complaint #11416292, filed 2021-05, 179,000 miles

    “I just bought my jeep yesterday 2/29/2020 and I drove it off the lot and it feels like it's about fall apart, so I checked underneath the car and the sub frame is rusted so bad it can't even go on a mechanical lift because I tried to get an oil change and they couldn't do it and I can't even get brakes on it because it's to rusted... I have 4 children is this is not safe I really don't know what to do”

    NHTSA complaint #11315457, filed 2020-03, 133,143 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection on a lift is important for this model year, focusing on frame rust and the front ball joints, and a highway test drive should confirm that no stability, traction or ABS lights come on. Service records showing brake and stability-system work can help set expectations for future maintenance.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 666 consumer complaints for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia. 532 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 111,500 miles. Of all complaints, 22 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 29 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 137 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (30), Equipment (19), Wheels (15), Engine cooling (12), Fuel system (11), Engine (9), Tires (6), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (6), Seat belts (3), Exterior lighting (2), Forward collision avoidance (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Electronic stability control: “My father and I were leaving frys electronics on friday may 19, 2017. As we turned from the fry's parking lot to head on the 60 fwy all of a sudden the vsc started beeping and just as we we picking up speed(50mph) the truck started to swerve while at the same time a grinding sound went off my father pushed the vsc off switch but did not have any effect on what was happening. …”

NHTSA complaint #10994254, filed 2017-06, 181,479 miles

Brakes: “Takata recall. Vehicle stability control system my 2002 Sequoia began beeping, making a loud grinding noise and the traction light came on. I had little to no control of the vehicle.I am scared because it have happen on the freeway going 60-65ph. I literly do not have any control of my car everytime this happens.”

NHTSA complaint #10991373, filed 2017-05, 150 miles

Vehicle speed control: “The vsc trac & vsc off light blinks on and off causing car to cut on and off.when tis happen the car was in motion. I just purcased car the dealer said to replace the accelerator pedal position sensor of course it is not covered under warranty and because it happened right after 30 days of purchase it falls on me.”

NHTSA complaint #10852285, filed 2016-03, 176,707 miles

Other or unknown: “Traction control system warning lights, came on while driving about 25 MPH in sunny weather in deerpark texas. Two dash lights came on connected to traction failure? I have not ever seen these lights on before. I see the 2003 models were recalled for ths problem. What about my 2002 Toyota Sequoia?”

NHTSA complaint #11245750, filed 2019-08, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

16% of the 532 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 67,786 and 153,000 miles.

3%0–105%10–258%25–5013%50–7513%75–10031%100–15028%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (532 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 111,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’02’05’0871’11’14’17’20’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sequoia · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 5——3

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Toyota Sequoia version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sequoia 2WD4.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Sequoia 4WD4.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 137 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 137 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Sequoia

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019722,3005—15—Not enough data
2018202,6844—15—Falling
2017731,0002—15—Not enough data
20161133,5002—15—Not enough data
2015921,5002—15—Not enough data
20141739,3002—15—Rising
20131232,5002—15—Not enough data
20122027,5003—16—Falling
20111760,0006—16—Falling
20103162,5009—16Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20096117,8208—15—Not enough data
20086760,0008—15Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
200713673,0007—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200620289,0008—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200535287,0009—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200438095,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200356584,0006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2002666111,5006—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2001531119,2631—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Toyota Sequoia model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Toyota Sequoia?

Owners of the 2002 Sequoia most often report dashboard warning lights for the stability and traction control systems, usually accompanied by unexpected brake activation, grinding or buzzing sounds, and momentary loss of control; many complaints also describe the dealer replacing the ABS/stability computer or brake booster at significant cost. The issues reported most often: VSC / TRAC / ABS lights with unexpected braking; Grinding brakes and warped rotors; Hesitation and loss of power under acceleration.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia have?

NHTSA recorded 666 consumer complaints for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Toyota Sequoia is reported most often?

Electronic stability control is named most often, in 204 complaints (31% of the total), followed by brakes with 192.

Has the 2002 Toyota Sequoia been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Toyota Sequoia (Sequoia 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Toyota Sequoia reported?

Among the 532 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 111,500 miles and the middle half falls between 67,786 and 153,000 miles; 16% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.