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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Toyota SequoiaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 684 owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Sequoia. Most complaints involve electronic stability control (esc) (192) and vehicle speed control (123). The EPA rates it 14 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
684
Top: electronic stability control (esc)
Fuel cost / yr
$4,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 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 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.

Air bagsReported May 13, 2015NHTSA 15V286000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

684 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2003 – Sep 2026
  1. Electronic stability control (esc)192
  2. Vehicle speed control123
  3. Structure108
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic93
  5. Traction control system88
  6. Electrical system75
  7. Service brakes70
  8. Air bags45
  9. Suspension45

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
19
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
24
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electronic stability control (esc)

192 reports2 crashes
“I TOOK MY SEQUOIA TO HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL FIXED AND A RECALL THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SKID CONTROL MODULE BEFORE I TOOK IT TO HAVE THESE RECALLS DONE MY 2 VSC LIGHTS (VSC OFF LIGHT AND VSC TRAC LIGHT) ON THE DASH WERE ON AND SO WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT I THOUGHT MAYBE THE SKID CONTROL RECALL WOULD FIX THE VSC LIGHT BUT NOW BOTH OF THE VSC LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND MY BRAKE LIGHT IS NOW ALSO COMING ON WHEN I START MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENS MY BRAKE POWER IS DIMINISHED AND MY VEHICLE SHAKES BAD WHEN HITTING MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A TURN OR JUST TO SLOW DOWN IN GENERAL AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEREVER I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME BUT AS LONG AS THE VSC LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE LIGHT AREN'T ALL LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD AT THE SAME TIME MY BRAKES AREN'T AS DIMINISHED BUT BOTH OF THE VSC LIGHTS STAY ON AND MY VEHICLE STILL SHAKES WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN. ALSO WHEN BOTH OF THE VSC LIGHTS ARE ON ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT MY VEHICLE WANTS TO SPIN THE BACK TIRES WHEN I'M TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP I HAVE TO LET OFF THE GAS COMPLETELY FOR A SECOND THEN PROCEED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 22, 2020Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 11340826

Vehicle speed control

123 reports7 crashes1 fire
“"VSC OFF, VSC TRAC, and ABS" indicators on the dash. YAW sensor failure which controls wheel speed which will cause vehicle to decelerate and possibly cause an accident. Toyota should issue a nationwide recall. Toyota is aware of the issue but has failed to issue a nationwide recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2022Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11476504

Structure

108 reports
“My 2003 Sequoia was in the garage for a check on the brakes. I also asked them to check the frame for any rust issues, because I had previously been concerned about it earlier. They reported to me that the car should be off the road because the rust in the frame was so severe. They said they would not put it up on the lift anymore because it could break in half. The stabilizer was barely connected at one end. There were holes completely through the frame at several places. I know from my research that Toyota issued safety recalls for 2003 Sequoia and Tundra vehicles. This an issue that Toyota should repair.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026Suspension, StructureODI 11757568
All 2003 Sequoia problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 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 Oct 28, 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$4,600635
Sequoia 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131614$4,600635
  • Sequoia 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Sequoia 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 16 hwy · $4,600/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2003 Toyota Sequoia as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4868
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

2003 Sequoia questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Sequoia have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2003 Toyota Sequoia problems?

Owners filed 684 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electronic stability control (esc) (192), vehicle speed control (123), structure (108). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Toyota Sequoia get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Toyota Sequoia at 14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026