FaultScore

2004 Toyota Sequoia body problems

78 of the 579 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Sequoia are about the body and structure — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 135,000 miles.

B

78

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Body 57 73.1%
Underbody Shields 7 9.0%
Frame AND Members 5 6.4%
Structure 5 6.4%
Door 2 2.6%
Hinge AND Attachments 1 1.3%
Hatchback/Liftgate 1 1.3%

Body & Structure across every Toyota Sequoia year

2001 107 21.5%
2002 99 19.9%
2003 98 19.7%
2004 78 15.7%
2005 26 5.2%
2006 46 9.3%
2007 27 5.4%
2008 16 3.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 198,000 miles West Orange, NJ

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. There was an abnormal rattling sound detected in the front area. The vehicle was shaking. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the frame was completely rusty and unsafe to drive. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to have the frame checked, and it was determined there was minor rust detected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Crestmont Toyota Parts · Crestmont Toyota Service, 730 NJ-23 N, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444, who determined there was rust detected but was not repaired. The contact wrote a letter to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

NHTSA complaint #11737255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Carmel, IL

STRUCTURE:BODY

Rust! Frame completely rusted, even though the CRC was applied back in 2013.

NHTSA complaint #11676855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 203,000 miles Skippack, PA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sequoia. The contact stated that while completing an inspection and emissions test on the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that there was severe rust on the rear subframe of the vehicle, near the control arm, and several other areas on the subframe. The contact stated that there were several holes on the subframe caused by the extreme rust. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 203,000.

NHTSA complaint #11674182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belle Mead, NJ

STRUCTURE

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11617958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belle Mead, NJ

STRUCTURE

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11611616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethlehem, PA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TOYOTA frame is falling apart due to the use of faulty metal to manufacture those frames they ran a limited service campaign to replace some of the frames and they denied many other owners that right please help by telling TOYOTA North America to take care of this very hazardous issue thank you

NHTSA complaint #11579668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Wayne, IN

STRUCTURE:BODY

The undercarriage is rotten you help my thanks

NHTSA complaint #11491571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mastic, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

The frame is rusting away due to poor grade of metal that it is built from.

NHTSA complaint #11451641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles ST Augustine, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

SIGNIFICANT FRAME RUST IN THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT

NHTSA complaint #11414721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Kingston, NY

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH

NHTSA complaint #11404776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 81,840 miles Beavercreek, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. HANDLE FAILED DEALER REPLACE LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY.

NHTSA complaint #11396706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,444 miles Beavercreek, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 4 YEARS FIRST FAILED IN 2010., REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. HANDLE FAILED DEALER REPLACED LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY.

NHTSA complaint #11396707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 214,792 miles Beavercreek, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. HANDLE FAILED DEALER REPLACE LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY. THIRD FAILURE IN 8 YEARS, 2010, 2014 AND 2018. PARTS ARE FAILING ABOUT EVERY 4 YEARS. OWNED CAR 6 YEARS BEFORE FIRST FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #11396709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 250,600 miles Beavercreek, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN DEALER HAS REPLACED LOCK SUB ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. THIS IS THE FOURTH FAILURE LATCH HAS, 2010, 2014, 2018 AND 2021. THE FIRST THREE FAILURES OCCURRED ABOUT EVERY 4 YEARS THE CURRENT FAILURE WAS 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS. OWNED. CAR 6 YEARS BEFORE FIRST FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #11396711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,482 miles Beavercreek, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HATCH (LOCK SUS ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY) HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. ON 10 JULY 2014 AND 23 NOVEMBER 2018 EACH WERE COSTLY REPAIRS FOR A SIMPLE HANDLE/LOCK THAT WERE POORLY DESIGNED. A DOOR HANDLE AND LOCK SHOULD NOT COST OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH QUALITY OF SMALL PART REPLACEMENT JOBS I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETE TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE. HATCH DOOR FAILED WITH NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS SUMMER AND WINTER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #11339199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,444 miles Beavercreek, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HATCH (LOCK SUS ASSY AND HANDLE ASSY) HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS. ON 10 JULY 2014 AND 23 NOVEMBER 2018 EACH WERE COSTLY REPAIRS FOR A SIMPLE HANDLE/LOCK THAT WERE POORLY DESIGNED. A DOOR HANDLE AND LOCK SHOULD NOT COST OVER ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH QUALITY OF SMALL PART REPLACEMENT JOBS I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETE TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE. HATCH DOOR FAILED WITH NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS SUMMER AND WINTER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #11339201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 187,000 miles Middletown, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

TOOK 2004 SEQUOIA TO KINGS TOYOTA FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL AS WELL AS DIAGNOSTIC EVAL OF VSC ABS LIGHTS ISSUE. RECEIVED A PHONE CALL THAT THE TECH COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM UNLESS WE PAID AN ADDITIONAL $360 FOR MORE TIME TO DIAGNOSE AND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH WITH LARGE HOLES. WONDERED IF WE WANTED TO PURSUE THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE LARGER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FRAME. ORIGINAL ISSUE OCCURRED WITH LIGHTS COMING ON (HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY) FOLLOWED BY THE POWER WINDOWS CEASING TO WORK, SEVERAL HOURS LATER THE WIPERS AND WINDOW SEEMED SLUGGISH AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO JUMP THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND THEN WHEN JUMPING NO LONGER WORKED, WE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE INTO A CHURCH PARKING LOT. AFTER BEING TOLD BY MR. HOWARD THAT THEY DON'T SEE VEHICLES COME INTO SERVICE WITH LARGE HOLES IN THE FRAME, I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT 10S OF THOUSANDS OF TOYOTA TRUCKS, INCLUDING 05-08 SEQUOIAS, HAVE BEEN RECALLED - CRC APPLIED AND FRAMES REPLACED AS WELL AS TOYOTA BUYING BACK 95-00 TRUCKS WITH RUSTED FRAMES FOR 1.5 TIMES THE BLUE BOOK VALUE. 04 SEQUOIAS MENTIONED MORE THAN 300 TIMES FOR THE VSC, TAILGATE AND RUSTED FRAME ISSUES THAT ARE PREVALENT IN THIS MODEL - MY VEHICLE HAS ALL 3. SPOKE WITH COLIN, THE SERVICE MANAGER, WHO REITERATED WHAT I FOUND ONLINE. TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING SINCE THE RECALL IS CLOSED AND DID NOT INCLUDE THE 04 MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #11302665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Byron Center, MI

STRUCTURE:BODY

FRAME HAS RUST HOLES AND THE STEERING STABILIZER MOUNT RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF. VERY UNSAFE ! THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION SO THE SEVERITY OF RUST ON THE FRAME SEEMS VERY OUT OF PLACE. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREME AND NOT NORMAL. NOT ACCEPTABLE FROM A MANUFACTURER KNOWN FOR ITS QUALITY SYSTEMS. TPS SIX SIGMA EMBARRASMENT IN MY OPINION

NHTSA complaint #11291704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Olathe, KS

STRUCTURE:BODY

FUEL GAUGE NOT MEASURING FUEL PROPERLY. AFTER A FULL TANK, GAUGE INDICATES EMPTY TANK AFTER FEW DAYS. SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING AND ENGINE LOSES POWER FOR A WHILE WHILE THE GAUGE GOES TO 100 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOES BACK TO ZERO AND RESTORES POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 145,000 MILES ON IT. ALSO RUST ON THE BODY FRAME .

NHTSA complaint #11286584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ashburn, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

OUR 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR THAT HAS MADE IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT TOYOTA USED POOR QUALITY STEEL TO MAKE THE FRAME. WE HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHICH HAS REFUSED TO FIX OR REPLACE THE FRAME BECAUSE WE MISSED THE JULY 31 2014 DEADLINE. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2005-08 MODELS AND THE 2004 MODEL SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS WELL. WE WANT THE FRAME TO BE REPLACED. THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #11244634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dunbar, WV

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS CHECKING EVERYTHING ON MY VEHICLE OVER BEFORE I WENT FOR INSPECTION AND I NOTICED RUST CORROSION STARTING ON THE FRAME. I TOOK TO A FRIEND TO CHECK FOR ME AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE FRAMES AND THERE WAS A RECALL OF SORTS BACK IN 2012 REGARDING THE FRAMES WERE NOT COATED CORRECTLY FOR THE COLDER STATES. I HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS WARRANTY ISSUE BEFORE BUT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. MY BROTHER IN LAW TOLD ME TO CHECK IT OUT BACK IN 2016 WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG/STEERING COMPONENT. I WAS TOLD AT THAT TIME THAT THE RECALL/ WARRANTY ISSUE HAD EXPIRED AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY RUST UNTIL THIS YEAR. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT GO OFF ROAD AND IS ONLY DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS. I CALLED TOYOTA USA ON 7/24/2019 AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE SITUATION. ONE OF THE LADIES FELT CONFIDENT THAT I COULD BE HELPED. THEN WHEN I WAS TRANSFERRED TO A LADY NAMED ASHLEY, SHE INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SHE TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY ISSUE WAS SENT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN JUNE OF 2012 AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THEY PROBABLY DID NOT RESPOND SEEING HOW I HAVE BEEN THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE 1/26/2012. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT SINCE I DO NOT TAKE IT TO A CERTIFIED TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE THAT THERE WAS STILL NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE MY VEHICLE WHERE I WANT WITHOUT THE MANUFACTURER DECIDING TO HONOR A WARRANTY BASED ON THE FACT THAT I GO TO ONE OF THEIR SERVICE CENTERS. I WOULD HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE DURING THE CORRECT DATES TO HAVE THE COATING PUT ON MY VEHICLE IF THEY WOULD HAVE SENT ME THE NOTICE AND NOT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ESPECIALLY SINCE I WAS THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS WHEN THEY SENT OUT THE WARRANTY NOTICE BUT THEY SENT IT TO THE WRONG OWNER. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11241678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 219,000 miles Lowell, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE THE VEHICLE'S OIL WAS BEING CHANGED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKET WAS ROTTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IRA TOYOTA OF TEWKSBURY (LOCATED AT 468 MAIN ST, TEWKSBURY, MA 01876, (978) 863-9009) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,000.

NHTSA complaint #11230253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 178,865 miles Wauseon, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TUBE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. WHEN I WENT TO LIFT IT UP TO CHECK A LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID LINE, THE JACK WENT THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11222893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 219,000 miles Cedar Park, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF CEDAR PARK (LOCATED AT 5600 183A, LEANDER, TX 78641, (512) 379-7575) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE BODY HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,000.

NHTSA complaint #11217840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 210,000 miles North Dartmouth, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED UNCONTROLLABLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY SAFELY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR TRAILING ARM FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE SUBFRAME WAS SPRAYED PER AN UNKNOWN SERVICE CAMPAIGN, BUT IT DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SUBFRAME WAS PLATE WELDED. TOYOTA OF SMITHFIELD (LOCATED AT 550 GEORGE WASHINGTON HWY, SMITHFIELD, RI 02917, (401) 723-0972) WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN HAD EXPIRED AND NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WOULD BE OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11206246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 139,000 miles Stone Ridge, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 139K MILES. THIS SUV HAD A FRAME RECALL IN 2014, TOYOTA DEALER APPLIED THE PAINT/EPOXY TO THE RUSTED FRAME INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE RUSTED FRAME. THE PAINT PEELED OFF WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE APPLICATION. NOW THE FRAME IS RUSTED VERY BADLY. WHEN DRIVING IT MAKES GRINDING NOISES. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT BECAUSE OF EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST, THE FRAME HAS GOTTEN WEAKER AND IS SLIGHTLY BENT. THIS MAKES THE MOVING PARTS TOUCH THE OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY/FRAME RESULTING IN THE NOISES. HE SUGGESTED REPLACING THE RUSTED FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11194534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Erlanger, KY

STRUCTURE:BODY

I PURCHASED A TOP OF THE LINE '04 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR FOR ALMOST 9K. IT HAS LESS THAN 110K MILES ON IT AND IN PRISTINE CONDITION. WE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IN AUGUST BECAUSE WE THOUGHT IT NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. NOPE! THIS WAS THE FRAME THAT WAS RECALLED UNDER THE TUNDRA TRUCKS FOR RUSTING OUT BECAUSE THE FRAMES WERE NOT BUILT CORRECTLY. NO WHERE IN MY RESEARCH DID THE RECALL MENTION THE SEQUOIAS. THE FRAME IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT ISN'T EVEN SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN TO KERRY TOYOTA IN FLORENCE KY, AND SPOKE WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND KEEP BEING TOLD THERE IS NOTHING YOU TOYOTA CAN DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS OWNER DIDN'T TAKE IT IN WHEN THE RECALL WAS ACTIVE AND HAVE THE SPECIAL SPRAY COATING SPRAYED ON TO THE FRAME. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS. YOU HAD A RECALL ON THESE FRAMES AND DIDN'T INCLUDE THE SEQUOIA MODEL NAME AND TOYOTA KNEW THESE FRAMES WOULD BECOME DANGEROUS AND DETRIMENTAL TO THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS ISN'T A FEW HUNDRED DOLLAR FIX WHICH WE COULD DEAL WITH, IT'S 7 THOUSAND OR MORE DOLLARS FIX AFTER I PAID ALMOST 9K FOR A CAR THAT HAD LESS THAN 110K MILES AND IS OTHERWISE IN PERFECT CONDITION. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR YOU COULDN'T TELL THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD SPRAYED UNDERCOATING ALL OVER THE FRAME. THIS CAR AND THE CONDITION IT IS IN MINUS THE FRAME SHOULD LAST ANOTHER 200K MILES OR MORE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT, I SPENT ALL THAT MONEY ON IT AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT WITH EVERYONE WE HAVE SPOKEN TO NO ONE WANTS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE YOUR COMPANY KNEW HOW DETRIMENTAL AND DANGEROUS THIS FRAME IS, AND HERE I AM DRIVING MY CHILDREN AROUND IN IT. IT IS ATE UP WITH RUST SO BAD THAT IT CAN'T EVEN BE WELDED.

NHTSA complaint #11154017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Carver, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE REAR DRIVERS FRAME SNAPPED IN HALF. BROKE IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL. NO HELP FROM TOYOTA. SO IT SITS IN DRIVEWAY. RUMOR HAS IT A RECALL IS ON WAY.

NHTSA complaint #11150220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Somerset, NJ

STRUCTURE:BODY

UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTED, DCH TOYOTA NEW BRUNSWICK TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE SEALANT THEY USED DID NOT PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING. AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT ROAD SAFE. BUT THEY DO NOT WANT TO MAKE THE REPAIR THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE ORIGINALLY. STRANGE, THOUGH, IS THAT THEY FIXED THE SAME YEAR TUNDRA THAT HAS THE SAME FRAME AND UNDER CARRIAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11120769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,350 miles Fort Myers, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

AT ON OR ABOUT 7:30 PM ON MAY13TH 2018 OUR SON WAS DRIVING THE FAMILIES 2004 TOYOTA SEQUOIA NORTHBOUND IN 2 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY AND NO OTHER TRAFFIC PRESENT. WEATHER WAS INCLEMENT, VISIBILITY CLEAR BUT NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY FOR FLORIDA. HE WAS TRAVELING 41 MPH IN A 45 IN THE LEFT LANE. NO SOONER THAN HE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TRAFFIC LIGHT CONTROLLED, (HE HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY) DID HE GO THROUGH WHAT THE DEPUTY SAID WAS A SLIPPERY SECTION OF THE ROAD WAY COVERED WITH STANDING WATER. HE RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR TO DIMINISH HYDROPLANING AND NO SOONER THAN THAT INSTANT THE VSC LIGHTS (VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL) LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN THE DASH. HE REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP AND CREATED A PIVOT POINT FOR THE CAR TO SPIN AROUND 180 DEGREES CLOCKWISE, NOW FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS HE WAS NOW IN THE RIGHT LANE. HE WAS FRANTICALLY ATTEMPTING TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE BY CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLES MOTION HOWEVER UNSUCCESSFUL AS HE WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKING PEDAL WITH NO RESPONSE, THE CAR NOW STILL IN MOTION, HIT THE CURB, AND LEFT THE ROADWAY BY GOING NOW BACKWARDS DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT OF OVER 12 FEET AND CAME TO A HALT. LUCKILY, A SHERIFFS DEPUTY WAS TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND HAD WITNESSED THIS AND WAS ABLE TO SAVE MY SONS LIFE BY HIS QUICK RESPONSE. THE CAR HAD TO BE EXTRACTED OUT OF THE CULVERT WITH RECOVERY CRANES. OUR FAMILY IS SO GRATEFUL TO THE DEPUTY AND THAT WE HAVE OUR SON ALIVE AND WITHOUT A SCRATCH. HE IS A BIT WORN FOR WEAR BEING SHOOK UP LIKE THAT. THE SEQUOIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY TOYOTA AND WE ENJOYED YEARS OF TROUBLE-FREE OWNERSHIP UNTIL THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11096833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Toyota Sequoia problems

← Full 2004 Toyota Sequoia report