Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Toyota SequoiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 692 owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia. Most complaints involve electronic stability control (esc) (196) and vehicle speed control (135). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
692
Top: electronic stability control (esc)
Fuel cost / yr
$4,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Oct 17, 2019NHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.

Air bagsReported Dec 12, 2018NHTSA 18V883000

Air bags

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Air bagsReported May 13, 2015NHTSA 15V285000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

692 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2002 – Jun 2026
  1. Electronic stability control (esc)196
  2. Vehicle speed control135
  3. Structure96
  4. Service brakes94
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic92
  6. Steering79
  7. Traction control system69
  8. Power train60
  9. Suspension53

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sequoia model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001530
2002692
2003684
2004380
2005352
2006202
2007136
200867
20096
201031
201117
201220
201312
201417
20159
201611
20177
201820
20197
20204
20214
20221
Crashes reported
25
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
31
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electronic stability control (esc)

196 reports3 crashes
“GRINDING NOISE, BEEPING, WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING, DIFFICULTY STEERING, DIFFICULTY BRAKING, CLUNKING WHEN BRAKING, VSC AND ABS LIGHTS ON. VERY SCARY. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT. VERY INTERMITTENT. I WAS GOING STRAIGHT, NO TURNING, NO BUMPS IN THE ROAD. SO RANDOM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE MUCH ON YOUTUBE AND THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SCARY SITUATION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND MUST BE FIXED! I HEARD THEY RECALLED THE 2003'S BUT NOT THE 2002'S BUT THEY HAVE THE SAME PARTS. I WILL SEND PICTURES OF OTHERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. IF YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE I SENT YOU WILL FIND MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I AM SENDING ONLY A SAMPLE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, WHATEVER THE PROBLEM IS! I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT MUCH SINCE IT HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISTRACTED SINCE MY BOYFRIEND PASSED AWAY. I DID CALL THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AFTER IT FIRST HAPPENED AND ALSO THE NATIONAL NUMBER FOR TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL. YET! GO TO CARPROBLEMZOO.COM AND INPUT "BRAKE GRINDING NOISE OF TOYOTA SEQUOIA…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2020Steering, Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11372286

Vehicle speed control

135 reports4 crashes
“While driving on a highway at about 60 mph, my vehicle made a loud grinding noise while the steering felt very difficult to control and then the VSC TRAC and TRAC OFF lights both came on. I got off the highway and pulled over to a parking lot to inspect the vehicle, but I did not see anything that would cause the vehicle to do that. After a few minutes, I restarted the vehicle and while driving on local roads to get home, the same thing happened again. I was extremely worried for the safety of my wife and children in the vehicle. After reading a few Toyota owners threads online, this seems to be a very familiar pattern with these Toyota Sequoias, and I strongly believe that this will result in very serious injuries or possible deaths if Toyota does not issue a recall to fix the problem causing such dangers for drivers. Please investigate the matter to save lives. Thank you!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2022Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11484462

Structure

96 reports
“Component/System Failed: The frame of my 2002 Toyota Sequoia has severely rusted, resulting in a gaping hole. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The rusted frame jeopardizes my safety and renders the vehicle unsafe for use. Confirmation: A mechanic has confirmed the rust issue. Manufacturer Inspection: Toyota has not inspected my Sequoia’s frame. Warning Signs: There were no warning lamps or messages related to frame rust prior to the failure; it became evident during my recent inspection. The gaping hole in my Sequoia’s frame is not due to normal wear and tear but rather Toyota’s poor manufacturing practices. Shockingly, Toyota issued a “limited service campaign” for similar rust issues in other vehicles, but I was never informed. This lack of transparency is unacceptable. It is clear that Toyota’s decision to implement a limited service campaign, rather than a comprehensive recall, reflects a blatant disregard for the safety and satisfaction of its customers. By prioritizing cost-cutting measures over ethical responsibility, Toyota has failed to uphold its duty to consumers and the people who sustain its business. Toyota’s actions have…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2024StructureODI 11577256
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sequoia 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
Sequoia 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,450635
  • Sequoia 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 4687
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Sequoia questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Toyota Sequoia problems?

Owners filed 692 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electronic stability control (esc) (196), vehicle speed control (135), structure (96). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Toyota Sequoia at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026