Model year record

2003 Toyota Sequoia

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 881 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V741000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 928,220
Reported to NHTSA: 2019-10-17
Owners notified: 2019-11-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V883000

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 168,993
Reported to NHTSA: 2018-12-12
Owners notified: 2019-01-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V285000

Air bags

Component: Air bags
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 1,973,468
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-05-13
Owners notified: 2015-07-13

Defect description

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.

Safety 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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V286000

Air bags

Component: Air bags
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 1,069,055
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-05-13
Owners notified: 2015-07-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

Manufacturer remedy

2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V176000

Traction control system

Component: Traction control system
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 50,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-04-30
Owners notified: 2010-06-11

Defect description

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 SEQUOIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH APRIL 17, 2003. THE CENTER POSITION OF THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR (SAS) MAY NOT BE STORED CORRECTLY DUE TO IMPROPER LOGIC OF THE SKID CONTROL ECU PROGRAMMING. THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) SYSTEM COULD ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEED FOR A FEW SECONDS DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOPPED POSITION.

Safety risk

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT ACCELERATE AS QUICKLY AS THE DRIVER EXPECTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REFLASH THE ECU. IF THE REFLASH CANNOT BE COMPLETED ON A PARTICULAR VEHICLE, THE ECU WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V225000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component: Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 768,379
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-05-17
Owners notified: 2005-07-05

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Safety risk

THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electronic stability control (ESC)	158	89,250 mi
Vehicle speed control	86	86,000 mi
Structure: body	59	140,000 mi
Service brakes	55	118,000 mi
Electrical system	54	61,000 mi
Traction control system	51	87,000 mi
Air bags	41	126,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	38	76,000 mi
Suspension	30	133,432 mi
Unknown or other	30	92,575 mi
Steering	22	84,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	19	39,000 mi
Engine	14	167,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	12	139,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	11	107,433 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	10	53,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	10	46,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	9	80,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	8	55,650 mi
Tires	8	20,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	7	31,278 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)	7	41,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling	7	71,000 mi
Structure	7	52,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	7	30,847 mi
Parking brake	6	84,000 mi
Power train	6	96,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	5	139,525 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	5	100 mi
Equipment	4	30,847 mi
Exterior lighting	4	70,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	4	4,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	4	40,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	4	—
Structure: body: door	4	68,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	4	29,000 mi
Wheels	4	120,015 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	3	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	70,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp	3	25,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	3	17,643 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	3	38,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	3	66,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	2	147,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	2	49,687 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	2	—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock	2	48,761 mi
Seats	2	223,601 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	10,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	2	—
Suspension: front	2	12,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	2	75,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	27,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	71,000 mi
Electrical system: software	1	44,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings	1	5,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	1	28,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	3,666 mi
Parking brake: indicator light	1	53,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	84,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	45,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	—
Steering: rack and pinion	1	194,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	1	30,847 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar	1	117,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	—
Tires: tread/belt	1	6,000 mi
Visibility	1	80,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	64,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring	1	55,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	1	89,989 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	86,000 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

EA15001Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.