VehicleVerdict

2001 Toyota Sequoia problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 858 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 29.6 times the median Sequoia year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 22 Sequoia years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 20 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 217 reports (25% of the total).

858

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

31

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

20

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Sequoia years?

Sequoia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted1,126 complaints2001: 858 complaints2002: 1,126 complaints2003: 877 complaints2004: 579 complaints2005: 558 complaints2006: 293 complaints2007: 194 complaints2008: 95 complaints2009: 9 complaints2010: 38 complaints2011: 21 complaints2012: 33 complaints2013: 16 complaints2014: 25 complaints2015: 15 complaints2016: 14 complaints2017: 8 complaints2018: 36 complaints2019: 8 complaints2020: 4 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 1 complaints
Sequoia NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sequoia years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Toyota Sequoia problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System21725%
Brakes19022%
Body & Structure10813%
Speed Control10212%
Steering516%
Suspension516%
Transmission354%
Other344%
Engine223%
Tires & Wheels162%
Latches & Locks111%
Airbags71%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Seat Belts30%
Lighting20%
Fuel System20%
Driver Assistance10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

02V129000Tires & WheelsMay 1, 2002 · 3,041 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ALLOY WHEEL TIRE UPGRADE (OPTIONS WM4, WM8, ZL1-ZL4, DH4, OR DH5) INSTALLED BY THE PROCESSING CENTERS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA OR COMMERCE, GEORGIA, A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE SPARE TIRE AS A TEMPORARY USE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT INSTALLED. THE UPGRADE INCLUDES 4 LARGER SIZE TIRES WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THE ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE/STEEL WHEEL IS NOT PART OF THE UPGRADE AND WAS NOT CHANGED.

Consequence

DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE EXPERIENCED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CAUTION LABEL AND AN INSERT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT: AS I WAS DRIVING THEN SUDDENLY THE TRUCK STARTED TO BEEP AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH AND MADE A BRAKING SOUND. AND I WENT INTO THE SIDE AND HIT A SMALL POST AND THE SEAT BELT TIGHTEN. NOW MY BACK HAS BEEN HURTING ME SINCE. AND SOME LIGHTS WERE ON. THE VSC TRAC AND TRAC OFF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 3, 2012 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH FORCE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 30, 2009 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST UNDERNEATH THE CARRIAGE AND FRAME OF HER VEHICLE, FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RUST WAS NORMAL AND NOT AN ISSUE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE AND NO REPAIRS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 27, 2008

“2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHEN I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE THE ENGINE ROARED TO A FULLY RACING ENGINE AND ACCELERATED FORWARD. HARD BRAKING COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT THE BACK OF A 2004 HONDA MINI-VAN THAT WAS PARKED, DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE BUT CAUSING NO INJURIES. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 5, 2006 · crash

“I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH SIDES, WITH THE WHEELS FALLING OFF WHILE DRIVING. AT SPEED, MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED -TWICE! THE WHEELS HAVE FALLEN OFF TWICE. I HAVE KEPT THIS VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT REPAIR. I HAVE OWNED 4 TOYOTAS AND CURRENTLY OWN THREE. BALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 28, 2017 · crash

2001 Toyota Sequoia — common questions

Is the 2001 Toyota Sequoia reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 858 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 22 Sequoia years. It is one of the Sequoia years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Sequoia problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (217 complaints), brakes (190 complaints), body & structure (108 complaints).

Does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Toyota Sequoia. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Toyota Sequoia under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Sequoia years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sequoia years to avoid are 2002, 2003, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among Sequoia years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.