Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 684 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Sequoia, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 71 | 10% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 70 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 47 | 7% |
| Air bags | 39 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 4% |
| Traction control system | 28 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 25 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 16 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I was on the highway going 45 to And T-bone somebody who pulled out onto the highway the driver airbag did not deploy the seatbelt is the only thing that caught me and cause severe trauma to my chest neck and back for Th
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
Once again the rear latch system has failed and I am unable to open my rear hatch door. So I am unable to remove my spare tire. And can not acsess the failed charcoal canister Toyota is screwing up my life with all th
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Can not acsess the failed charcoal canister due to rear door failing and am unable to open . So I can not drop the spare tire and acsess the canister
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Can not get BSC, TRC engine lights off traction control kicks in and locks steering and brakes . Unsafe can not smog after spending thousands replacing parts
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Front end in rolled shacking. Tires wearing extremely fast and uneven image. Unable to drive
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Traction control warning lights, VSC warning lights. These lights have been on for 2 years, resulting in check engine light on. I have replaced every sensor possible, fuses, gas cap, and reset the system multiple times b
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2003 Toyota Sequoia. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 GX4
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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-asse
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 modul
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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
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
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 inj
Fix: 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 unti
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, T
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 inj
Fix: 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 unti
| Reliability raw | 54 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 72 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 75 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 684 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 71 of them (10%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 54/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.