2003 Toyota Sequoia

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

Learn

What changed

A rear-seat DVD player and load-leveling rear air suspension are offered.¹

What it came with

4.7L V8^2,3,4

240 hp, 282 hp for 2005

Transmissions: 4-speed automatic (2001–2004)^5,4
Drivetrains: 2WD^2,3, 4WD^2,3
Trims: SR5^2,3, Limited^2,3
Packages: Sport Package^3,4, Luxury Package^3,4

Colors

Natural White ^5,6
Black Onyx ^5,6
Silver Sky Metallic ^5,6
Phantom Gray Pearl ^5,6
Desert Sand Mica ^5,6
Salsa Red Pearl ^5,6
Blue Marlin Pearl ⁵
Imperial Jade Mica ⁵
Timberland Mica ⁶
Bluesteel Metallic ⁶
Arctic Frost Pearl ⁶

Interiors

Limited seats Leather, Limited ²
Grey ^5,6
Neutral / Sage ⁶

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Rusted frame All years Walk away if found

What to check: Get the truck on a lift and look along the whole frame, the rear crossmember and the mounts near the rear axle for scale, flaking and holes.

Autotrader calls frame rust the 1st gen's main concern. Nineteen owners of 2001s on one CarComplaints.com page report frame or underbody rust, several with frames judged unsafe and Toyota offering no help. Wikipedia says the Sequoia shared a frame rust recall with the Tacoma and Tundra, without naming its years.

Sources ^1,7,4
Stability control engaging for no reason 2001–2003

What to check: Watch for the VSC and TRAC lights, and feel for the brakes biting as you pull away from a stop.

The most reported 2001 problem on CarComplaints.com, and the worst 2003 problem there is the VSC and TRAC lights staying on. Some 2003s were recalled to reprogram the stability control unit.

Sources ^8,9,10,11
Power rear window stops working All years

What to check: Run the tailgate window down and up from the key and the dash switch.

The second-worst 2003 problem on CarComplaints.com, and Edmunds' 2005 page lists rear window failures among owners' reports.

Sources ^10,3
Timing belt with no proof it was changed All years One source so far

What to check: Ask for the receipt for the last timing belt change, and whether the water pump was done with it.

Two members of one IH8MUD thread on buying a 1st gen raise the 4.7L's timing belt. One says to check the belt service, with the water pump, PCV valve and spark plugs done at the same time.

Sources ¹²

Recalls

05V225000 2002–2004
Scratched front lower ball joints can wear, loosen and separate from the knuckle. They are replaced.^13,14,15
10V176000 2003
A programming fault can make stability control act briefly when pulling away from a stop. The control unit is reflashed or replaced.^11,14
15V286000 2002–2007
The passenger front airbag inflator can rupture in a crash. The airbag is replaced.^{13,14,15,16,17,18}
15V285000 2002–2007
The passenger front airbag inflator can build too much pressure and rupture. The airbag is replaced.^{13,14,15,16,17,18}
18V883000 2002–2005
The passenger airbag inflator can rupture when it deploys. The inflator or airbag is replaced.^13,14,15,16
19V741000 2002–2007
A replacement passenger airbag inflator can explode. The inflator or airbag is replaced.^{13,14,15,16,17,18}

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: Later trucks, and any that were kept up All years

Three members across two IH8MUD threads speak well of the 1st gen. One recommends the 2005 to 2007 trucks with variable valve timing over the earlier ones, an owner of a 2002 reports no major repairs, and the family of a 2006 owner says they really like it.^12,19
Avoid: The 1st gen as a whole All years Less sought after One source so far

Autotrader calls it the riskiest generation to buy, for its age and its rust, and says to have the underside inspected.¹

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.