repaired · 2021 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2002 Toyota SequoiaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 666 owner complaints about the 2002 Toyota Sequoia, most often about the electronic stability control (esc). It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-883 the manufacturer reports only 63% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Toyota Sequoia has problems
666 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
196Electronic stability control (ESC)3 crash/fire/injury
135Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
95Structure
94Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
88Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
78Steering6 crash/fire/injury
69Traction control system1 crash/fire/injury
56Power train
50Suspension
21322 other systems15 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 196 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 135 | 4 |
| Structure | 95 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 94 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 88 | 1 |
| Steering | 78 | 6 |
| Traction control system | 69 | 1 |
| Power train | 56 | 2 |
| Suspension | 50 | 6 |
| 22 other systems | 213 | 15 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2002 Toyota Sequoia recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2021 Q3
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Control arm: lower ball joint
Risk. THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
no report yet
Wheels
Risk. DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE EXPERIENCED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do electronic stability control (esc) problems start?
128kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 179 electronic stability control (esc) complaints. 28% were reported before 100,000 miles.
12under 30k miles51under 100k miles128100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electronic stability control (ESC)
14 owners mentioned a cost$2,400median
Middle half: $1,000 – $3,000
Service brakes, hydraulic
11 owners mentioned a cost$2,200median
Middle half: $2,000 – $3,750
Structure
8 owners mentioned a cost$2,250median
Middle half: $1,325 – $3,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other Sequoia year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sequoia median. How we score
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Toyota Sequoia safety ratings
2002 Toyota Sequoia 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 Toyota Sequoia, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 18V-023
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 13V-172
- Yaw rate sensor malfunctionNo recall
In owners' words
What Sequoia owners report
Recent electronic stability control (esc) complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
AS I DRIVE DOWN A HIGHWAY, GRAVEL ROAD, DRIVEWAY, STREET, ANYWHERE, GOING SLOW OR THE SPEED LIMIT, ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VSC LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL START FLASHING ACCOMPANIED BY AN ALARM IN THE DASH, CAUSING THE CAR TO MOMENTARILY FEEL ALMOST AS IF ITS HYDROPLANING. THEN ALL…
DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN 35 MPH ROAD AND ESC LIGHT STARTS FLASHING, DASH BEEPING, ANTI LOCK BRAKES START SURGING WITHOUT PRESSING PEDAL. CAR SHAKING. COME TO A STOP. AFTER 10 SECONDS, BEEPING STOPS, ESC STOPS FLASHING. TRAC OFF AND VSC LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON. CAR DRIVES FINE NOW WITH LIGHTS ON.…
Own a 2002 Sequoia?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.