Is the 2001 Toyota Sequoia a bad year?
531 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sequoia years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Toyota Sequoia are in line with other Sequoia years. Brakes, stability control, body structure and 3 more stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Sequoia owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 112,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 167 (31%) | 67k–150k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 130 (24%) | 101k–160k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 102 (19%) | 98k–162k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 101 (19%) | 95k–159k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Traction controlSTANDS OUT | 54 (10%) | 105k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 51 (10%) | 123k–174k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 35 (7%) | 65k–120k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 31 (6%) | 60k–130k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 13 (2%) | 77k–152k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Suspension | 48 (9%) | 133k–200k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Latches and locks | 11 (2%) | 52k–99k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 112,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 531 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 10 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The VSC light came on after my 2001 sequoia hit a pot-hole. This was back in 2004 and the light remains on. I was told it was a sensor.
I own a 2001 Toyota sequoia. I got my sequoia brand new and now has over 88,000 miles. My sequoia began to give me trouble about three months ago everytime I tried to put it into gear.
I need to report my 2001 Toyota sequioa after an incident that nearly became a deadly accident that no one could have found out that it was because of a manufacturer's transmission default had I not survived that incident.on dec.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 112,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Toyota Sequoia: 3
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. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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. Different operating characteristics can be experienced when the spare tire is installed on the vehicle.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 71
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Toyota Sequoia. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Yaw rate sensor malfunction
Neighbouring years
2002 Sequoia: 666 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Sequoia year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2024 · All Sequoia years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Matrix · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Sequoia a bad year?
531 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sequoia years. At 112,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Sequoia?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (167), stability control (130), body structure (102), speed control (101), traction control (54).
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Sequoia have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 07E023000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E049000), Wheels (NHTSA 02V-129). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.