2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA Structurebody Problems

I own a 2001 Toyota Sequoia SR5, which I purchased new in Colorado and moved to Virginia in 2004. I received a Toyota Limited Service Campaign Program notice in 2013 about excessive corrosion on the frame. Alexandria Toyota inspected the vehicle and applied a Corrosion-Resistant Compound to the frame. They also replaced the spare tire carrier assembly due to rusting. Over the years, I've had mechanics mention the rust on the frame but Toyota never issued a recall on the 2001 Sequoia. In November 2024, the following dashboard lights remained on while driving: Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) OFF, VSC TRAC and Brake Lights. I took it to Steven’s Auto Clinic in Alexandria. They found low brake fluid levels were causing the brake system failure. The brake pipes are leaking due to heavy rust. In addition, rust was destroying the under carriage. The brake system and frame would require extensive maintenance....

Rear axle is rusted to the point where differential fluid is leaking out of the body. There is extreme rust in general which has led to the failure of multiple components such as the oil pressure sending unit. Check engine light is on. This hasn't been verified by a shop or agency, only by me. These issues were discovered shortly after purchase this year.

Frame Replacement needed: I took my 2001 Toyota Sequoia (45,515 miles; always garaged) in for an Emissions & Safety Inspection. I was notified the excessive rust on the frame has cause damage to the lines for the brakes/bubbling on the lines, fuel line, power steering fluid lines and, eventually, other undercar items may soon fail. It is recommended that due to the excessive rusting/premature frame rotting, the SUV should be decommissioned and off the road. Toyota dealership actually suggested that it might be necessary for me to sign a waiver in order to take the vehicle out of the dealership. The waiver was to hold Toyota harmless should something result as a result of the defect. I was shocked at the request/I declined. Stated the severe rusting is from the front to the rear of the frame. Research shows the Toyota Corporation is fully aware of the excessive rusting on...

MY TRUCK WOULD BE PERFECT ASIDE FROM THE MAJOR CORROSION LOCATED ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. I'M ON BORROWED TIME WITH MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THE FRAME BEFORE THE BOTTOM DROPS OUT. THE CAUSE OF THIS WOULD PROBABLY BE CHEAP PARTS FROM THE FACTORY.

VERY BAD RESTY FRAME AND KEEP FIXING SHOCKS BECAUSE THE FRAME IS BAD ON MY TOYOTA SEQUOIA 2001 CAUSE PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND SHOCKS

CORROSION ON CHASSIS

TOYOTA RUST ISSUE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA R5. MY VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY USED TO TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO AND FROM PRACTICES AND GAMES TWICE A WEEK. THIS PAST SUMMER, I STARTED DRIVING IT DAILY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE I KEPT HEARING A KNOCKING AND MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC, WE DISCOVERED IT WAS AN O2 SENSOR CAUSING THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT ALSO NOTICED EXTREME RUST ON THE ENTIRE FRAME. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND RECOMMENDED THE ENTIRE FRAME BE REPLACED AS THAT KNOCKING WOULD CAUSE THE FRONT HALF OF THE VEHICLE TO SEPARATE FROM THE BACK HALF AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ISSUE. AFTER TALKING TO TOYOTA BODY SHOP, SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND A MECHANIC, I LEARNED OF A CAMPAIGN THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED. TOYOTA ISSUED THE CAMPAIGN DUE TO SEVERE RUST OF ITS TOYOTA TUNDRA BUT FAILED...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, LARGE SPOTS, AND HOLES ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A RATTLING NOISE ALERTED HIM TO LOOK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER LOCATED IN PALATINE, ILLINOIS AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000.

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2004. COMPLIED WITH A TOYOTA INSPECTION FOR POSSIBLE RUST ON FRAME IN 2012 AND HAD VEHICLE SPRAYED WITH UNDERCOATING IN 2013 (PER TOYOTA INSTRUCTIONS). TOYOTA KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. BY 2015 FRAME WAS STILL RUSTING AND BY 2018 RUST IS SO BAD THAT CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND BEING TOLD FRAME IS "CONPLETELY RUSTED OUT" AND "NOT SAFE TO DRIVE" BY MECHANICS. NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND FAMILY AS FRAME MAY COLLAPSE OR COMPONENTS COME OFF AT ANY MOMENT. TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT IN SEQUOIA AND TACOMA VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE AS A RESULT WHEN A MASSIVE FRAME FAILURE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE ASSIST WITH PRESSURE ON TOYOTA TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

FRAME IS RUSTING IN HALF BEHIND THE FRONT TIRES.

OUR 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA HAD A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN RECALL IN 2013-2014 FOR SEVERE RUST PROBLEMS IN THE FRAME. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY EITHER WOULD REPLACE THE FRAME OR JUST UNDER COAT THE FRAME. THEY TOLD US WE ONLY NEEDED THE UNDERCOATING - NOT TO REPLACE THE FRAME. NOW THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT TOYOTA DID A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN NEWER CARS (I BELIEVE 2005-2008), BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR LATER MODEL CARS, YET IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME RUST ISSUE. TOYOTA WAS ABLE TO UNDERCOAT THE FRAMES, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, RATHER THAN REPLACING THE ENTIRE FRAME, WHICH WAS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THEM. THIS SAME PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED WITH THE TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCKS.

ONE OWNER VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED JANUARY 2015. WAS SERVICED AT LOCAL TOYOTA AND NEVER SAID ANY ISSUES WITH FRAME BEFORE THE DEADLINE TO HAVE FRAME REPLACED. AFTER I PURCHASED MY MACHANIC NOTICED THE RUSTY FRAME AND TOYOTA SAID AFTER THE DEADLINE TO GET FIXED BUT NO ONE AT TOYOTA SAID IT WAS THAT BAD. IT CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT NOW WON'T PASS INSPECTION B/C THE FRAME IS FALLING APART. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND SHOULD NOT HAVE PIECES OF THE FRAME CRUMBLING APART. THE REAREND IS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE KNOWN WITH A LOT OF THESE VEHICLES!!

FRAME RUSTED OUT WITH HOLES THROUGHOUT THE FRAME.

FRAME RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. CLASS ACTION SUIT BY TOYOTA ADMITTED PROBLEMS BUT EXCLUDED MY MODEL YEAR. THEY RECALLED MY CAR IN 2012 BUT TREATED FRAME AND DENIED LIABILITY WHEN IT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAVE PAID OVER $15,000 IN REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS RUST.

FRAME BADLY RUSTING OUT. THE TOYOTA DEALER SPRAYED IT OUT A FEW YEARS AGO BUT NOW RUSTED REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING. THE WHOLE REAR AXLE A SINGLE WELDED PIECE. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND USED IN CONNECTICUT (CT), GARAGED AND PRESENTLY HAS 98K MILES ON IT.

EXTENSIVE FRAME RUST IS CAUSING LARGE HOLES TO DEVELOP IN IMPORTANT STRUCTURAL LOCATIONS. IN SOME AREAS, TWO SIDES OF THE 4 SIDED FRAME REMAIN. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE OR EVEN LIFT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWERVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE...UPDATED 11/21/16 *BF

TOYOTA 2001 SEQUOIA FRAME ROT MAY 20TH, I WAS DRIVING WITH, MY DAUGHTER. THE CAR SHOOK BACK AND FORTH. I DROVE TO OUR MECHANIC. THEY CALLED SAYING THE FRAME WAS HORRIBLY RUSTED AND WAS NOT DRIVABLE. SAID IT WAS A MIRACLE MYSELF AND CHILD WERE NOT IN A DEVASTATING, CATASTROPHIC, DEADLY SITUATION THAT DAY. TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE ONE OF THE TIRES, HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE FAULTY TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO MOUNT THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BECAUSE THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,289.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER IN 2000 FOR FRAME INSPECTION, AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS INTACT AND DID NOT REQUIRE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED EXTREME SEVERE RUST AND DETERIORATING WITH BIG HOLES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2012 I HAD MY 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 170,334 MILES SERVICED AT PRIME TOYOTA IN WEST ROXBURY MA DUE TO THE RECALL FOR FRAME CORROSION. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE FRAME QUALIFIED FOR RUST PREVENTION COATING WHICH THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE APPLICATION. ON JUNE 12, 2015 I HAD PERFORMED PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON SAME VEHICLE NOW WITH 225,345 MILES THE INSPECTION OF FRAME REVEALED SEVERAL SITES OF RUST THROUGHOUT THE FRAME IN SOME CASES THE RUST HAS ROTTED THROUGH. I WAS ADVISED SINCE THE MANUFACTURER PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN 2012 THEY ARE NO LONGER LIABLE AND WOULD NOT REPLACE FRAME AT THEIR COST. HENCE MY COMPLAINT FOR A FAIR RESOLUTION. I AM AWARE THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WAS RECALLED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRAME. ALL PARTS SUCH AS THE BACK PLATES FOR THE BRAKES, TIE ROD ENDS, STABILIZER BARS, AND MANY MORE ATTACHED HAD RUST WHEN IT WENT INTO THE SHOP. HOWEVER, TOYOTA DID NOT CARE THAT THE RUST HAD SPREAD. I COULD HAVE WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF TOYOTA. IT HAS BEEN COSTLY AND THE CAR IS NOT THE SAME SINCE THE TRANSFER OF THE FRAME. RUST SPREADS AS CANCER AND IS AS DEADLY WHEN IT IS UNDER YOUR CAR. I WILL HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD DRIVEN OVER A BUMP ON THE ROAD AND SUDDENLY LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE,WHICH SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DECREASED THE SPEED AND COASTED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGERS HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE TO PERFORM A BRIEF INSPECTION AND NOTICED THAT THAT STABILIZER BAR FROM THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED AND WAS DETACHED. THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER TO EXPLAIN THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE SUB FRAME, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VOLUNTARY RECALL...

I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE NEAREST DEALER LOCATED NEAR MY HOME AND I TOOK MY RECALL LETTER I MUST OF SAT THERE FOR 2 HOURS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO SPEAK TO ME ABOUT THIS RECALL ISSUE BUT GOT THE RUN AROUND FOR 2 MORE HOURS FINALLY A REP APPROACHED ME AND ASKED IF I COULD COME BACK ANOTHER DAY. I REQUESTED A LETTER OR SOME KIND OF DOCUMENT TO VERIFY MY COMPLIANCE WITH THE LETTER I RECEIVED BUT WAS DENIED. MY SPARE TIRE FELL OFF DURING THIS ACCIDENT THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SUBFRAME DUE TO CORROSION HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD FEEL AS IF IT WAS CONSTANTLY AND INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,286.

CLEAR COAT OF THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS JUST PEELING ON IT'S OWN. *TR

I WAS NOTIFIED BY TOYOTA THAT MY 2001 SEQUOIA WAS PART OF A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN FOR 2001 TO 2004 SEQUOIAS. CERTAIN OF THESE SEQUOIAS EXPERIENCED MORE THAN NORMAL'CORROSION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME. I TOOK THE CAR TO MOLLE TOYOTA IN KANSAS CITY FOR INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE DID HAVE A HOLE IN THE FRAME AND QUALIFIED FOR A FRAME REPLACEMENT. PICTURES WERE TAKEN. I WAS PROMISED COPIES BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEM. APPARENTLY TUNDRA AND THE TACOMA VEHICLES WERE ALSO PREVIOUSLY RECALLED FOR FRAME RUST DUE TO USING INFERIOR METAL WHICH RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND BY THE TIME IT WAS VISIBLE IT WAS TOO LATE TO CORRECT. SPECIFICALLY RELEVANT IS THE FACT THAT FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA IN OCTOBER 2009. TOYOTA ISSUED A REGIONAL RECALL THAT COVERED 110,000 2000-2003 TOYOTA TUNDRA VEHICLES. THE SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA ARE BUILT USING THE SAME FRAME AND...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR REAR LIFT GATE LATCH BECAME FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NOT AN INTERIOR LATCH TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,380. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE RUST CORROSION WITHIN THE MAIN FRAME. THERE WAS A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR REPAIRS UNDER THE SERVICE CAMPAIGN AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING REGISTERED IN THE PARTICULAR STATES THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS SERVICING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 5/22/13 *CN

VEHICLE FRAME FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. FRAME RECALLED AFTER WE RECEIVED A LETTER TO HAVE FRAME INSPECTED. LOCAL DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND IT QUALIFIES FOR RECALL AND CAN BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE MANIFOLD AND CATALYST, AND TIMING BELT, ETC. LIKELY WILL BE DAMAGED IN FRAME REPLACEMENT SINCE THEY ARE RUSTED TO FRAME. THE QUOTE TO REPLACE THOSE ITEMS MORE THAN VEHICLE IS WORTH--CAR IS TOTALED DUE TO FAILING PARTS AND RUST. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AND WE WERE POLITELY TOLD THAT ONLY THE FRAME IS COVERED IN RECALL. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT GIVE US ANY COMPENSATION TOWARD ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS NOW TOTALED IN IT'S VALUE (IF EXHAUST SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ADDITION TO FRAME). WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH REPLACEMENT AND WILL SEE WHETHER THE EXISTING EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN BE SALVAGED. IF IT IS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, WE HAVE NO OTHER...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL IN REGARD TO FRAME RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME WAS INDEED RUSTED. IN ADDITION TO THE FRAME RUST, THE SHOCKS, EXHAUST AND THE POWER STEERING LINES WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE RUSTED. THE DEALER WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO ANY COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN THE FRAME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 78,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE... UPDATED 02-07-13 *BF

RUSTED FRAME WAS FOUND BY MECHANIC DURING A OIL CHANGE. *TR

PREMATURE RUSTING OF UNDERCARRIAGE FRAME THAT FAILS STATE INSPECTION. POSES SAFETY ISSUES AND A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE MAY OCCUR IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED. APPEARS TO BE ENDEMIC ESPECIALLY IN RUST BELT STATES. *TR

2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 91,000 MILES EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST, REAR END HOUSING REPLACED AT 74,000 MILES AS GOODWILL BY TOYOTA EXCESSIVE RUST NOTED AT THIS TIME SEEMS LIKE POOR QUALITY STEEL. *TR

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. FRONT TO BACK, SIDE TO SIDE. THE RUST HAS SPREAD TO THE SPARE AND I FEAR THE SPARE COULD ONE DAY FALL OFF AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO VEHICLES AND HUMANS. OUR SEQUOIA WAS BOUGHT NEW WITH ONLY 14 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. IT HAS BEEN MOSTLY GARAGED KEPT AND CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR ARE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WE PURCHASED THE TRUCK IN DEC 2000 AND WE 1ST NOTICED THE RUST IN 2008 WHEN A SERVICE PERSON BROUGHT IT TO OUR ATTENTION WHILE HE WAS ROTATING OUR TIRES. *TR

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND THEN RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE OLATHE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INDICATING MY VEHICLE WAS UNFIT TO DRIVE DUE TO RUST DAMAGE ON THE UNDER-CARRIAGE. THEY INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION CROSSMEMBERS HAS A 12-INCH LONG SECTION OF RUST AND THERE ARE SOM SMALL HOLES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FRAME IS WEAK AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE. I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS RECALLED THE 2000-2003 TUNDRAS AND POSSIBLY TACOMAS FOR THIS RUST DAMAGE. IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, THE SEQUOIA IS BUILT ON THE SAME FRAMEWORK AS THE TUNDRA SO I WOULD ASSUME A RECALL ON THE SEQUOIA'S WOULD BE NECESSARY AS WELL. I WOULD NORMALLY NOT CONSIDER BUYING A 10-YEAR OLD VEHICLE BUT DUE TO THE FACT IT WAS A TOYOTA AND THEY ARE KNOWN FOR LONG-LASTING VEHICLE LIVES, I HAD NO CONCERNS. NOW IT SEEMS I MAY HAVE A $13K INVESTMENT THAT...

THE FRAME RUSTED THROUGH NEAR THE REAR WHEELS MAKING THE CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TT

BADLY DECOMPOSING FRAME SINCE PAST 5 YEARS, CAN POKE A FINGER THROUGH FRAME RAILS, COMPROMISING SUSPENSION ATTACHMENT POINTS/WELDS. 229,000 MILES, GARAGED 100%, 11 YEARS OLD. TOYOTA CLAIM FILED, CASE 1111161824. TOYOTA IS TELLING DIFFERENT CLAIMANTS DIFFERENT THINGS, TOLD ME THE TUNDRA IS THE ONLY VEHICLE EFFECTED AND THAT FRAMES ARE BEING REPLACED. ON EDMUNDS.COM/SEQUOIA FORUM/ I SEE THAT TOYOTA IS REPLACING SEQUOIA FRAMES OR BUYING VEHICLES ABOVE KELLY BB PRICING. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE WHO HELPED ME FILE THE ABOVE CLAIM TOLD ME, AND I QUOTE "TOYOTA HAS NO CURRENT COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS SEQUOIA FRAME ROT PROBLEM". THAT IS AN OUT AND OUT LIE. ONE TOYOTA MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND ESPECIALLY NOT TO TOW ANYTHING WITH IT, AND THAT THE TUNDRA FRAME IS THE SAME AS SEQUOIA - SAME PLACE OF ASSEMBLY TOO?. EFFECTIVELY, TOYOTA HAS MADE MY INVESTMENT IN THIS VEHICLE WORTHLESS AS I CANNOT SELL...

UPON HAVING VEHICLE INSPECTED BY ASE-CERT. TECH., I WAS INFORMED THAT 18"-24" OF THE VEHICLE'S LEFT MAIN FRAME RAIL WAS ROTTED/RUSTED THROUGH ALONG THE BOTTOM SURFACE. THE ROTTED SECTION IS LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CROSS-MEMBER ON THE LEFT SIDE, AS WELL AS SMALLER PERFORATIONS ON THE RIGHT MAIN FRAME RAIL IN THE SAME LOCATION (TRANSMISSION CROSS MEMBER). ALSO, THE FRAME RAIL IS ROTTED THROUGH AT THE JUNCTION WHERE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER SUPPORT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. TECHNICIANS HAVE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AS FRAME IS IN DANGER OF COLLAPSING, AS WELL AS SPARE TIRE FALLING OFF VEHICLE WHILE IN OPERATION. ITS BEEN BROUGHT TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT. FACTORY "TRUCK FRAME TEAM" WAS CONTACTED TO DISCUSS REPLACEMENT OF FRAME, AS DONE IN RESPONSE TO THE RUSTED FRAME EPIDEMIC ON TUNDRAS. THIS PRODUCED NO RESULTS OTHER THAN TOYOTA STATING THAT "THERE...

THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS HEAVILY RUSTED. THE RUST BEGAN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. I FEAR THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OR BODY WILL FAIL. TOYOTA REFUSES TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM AT THEIR COST.

EXTENSIVE RUST ON ENTIRE UNDER CARRIAGE AND FRAME

HAD VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS ROTTED AND HAD A WHOLE THE SIZE OF 2 FINGERS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME FRAME AS THE 2001 TOYOTA TUNDRA WHICH WAS RECALLED BY TOYOTA DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO CURRENT RECALLS OR FIXES FOR THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS THE TUNDRA WHICH CAN CAUSE THE UNDERNEATH SPARE TIRE TO DISLODGE DURING OPERATION.