File a complaint to NHSTA regarding VSC/ABS Skid control ECU failure

[sgt schultz]

Hi. My engine light, Trac Off and VSC lights all came on. ABS did not come on. Is this the same issue? Are we talking new ECM? Early '03 Sequoia w/54K miles.

Taking it in tomorrow. Testing the extended warranty.

[bikol-ini]

yep you could be in this category also, if youre under warranty have it check

[thagin]

2002 Sequoia Limited with 72,000 miles. I recently filed a complaint to the NHTSA (10176658) regarding my VSC/ABS/Brake lights being lit all the time. It's been ongoing since April 2006. I first took it to a reputable Toyota-only shop and after two days of diagnostics (appx $225) they said it was probably a failed VSC unit. Then I called Toyota customer care who put me in touch with a local dealer who gave me a quote for $2200 to replace the unit, with no guarantees. The dealer then called the regional Toyota field rep and as of today, they say I am not a loyal Toyota owner since I didn't have my care continually serviced at the dealer and will not cover it under goodwill. I have purchad four brand-new Toyotas over the last 15 years. This car is serviced religiously. My wife drives the car with three small kids and ABS doesn't work on Denver's icy/snowy roads. I am very concerned. Ball joints recently replaced for free

[BWare]

I am one of the folks who has ignored the brake problems on my wife's '02 Sequoia since it was new -- clanking when getting underway either forward or reverse, warped calipers, vsc lights, etc. As long as the brakes didn't fail I just lived with it but now the calipers need replaced after two resurfacing I will take it up with Toyota. I suspect though I will get the 'not a loyal customer' response since I do my own routine maintenance and refuse to take it to the dealer where I purchased it as the one time I took it in for faulty a/c they screwed it up three times before getting it working correctly.

[thagin]

12/29/06 - Just spoke to Toyota Customer Care. They will do nothing to assist me in offsetting the exorbitant cost of this critical safety component (VSC computer). Since the local factory field representative, the one who said I wans't a loyal customer, said they will not absorb any costs whatsoever, then I am out of luck and need to spend $2200. That, or just live without ABS and VSC. I find it very hard to believe that Toyota wouldn't recognize the problem with this vehicle. Check the NHTSA - there are many complaints filed for either the VSC/ABS or the front brakes. Customer Care tells me there was never a TSB or recall for the front brakes on the 2002 Sequoia. Is this true?

[TS Support]

The following Brake related TSB's were issued related to the 2002 Sequoia

BR001-02 VSC RELATED ZERO POINT CALIBRATION AND SENSOR CHECK
1/11/2002 - 2001, 2002 Toyota Sequoia. The following information is intended to clarify the repair manual procedures for using the Toyota Scantool to perform zero point calibration and sensor checks after the replacement of any of the following components on a 2001 – 2002 model year Sequoia

BR001-03 FRONT BRAKE COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION (REVISED)
3/25/2005 - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Toyota Tundra & 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Sequoia. There are two caliper designs that are in use for Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. The brake pads and fitting kits for these two calipers are not interchangeable. The pictures and parts lists below are intended to assist you in identifying and ordering the correct replacement pads and fitting kits.

BR005-02 FRONT BRAKE VIBRATION (REVISED)
3/5/2004 - 2001, 2002 Toyota Sequoia. Under certain usage conditions, some Sequoia vehicles may exhibit front brake vibration. Improved brake caliper assemblies have been introduced to correct this condition.

The only recall applicable to the 2002 Sequoia was SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN (SSC) – 50J FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT

[Flyboy2000]

I have a 04 Sequoia. It currently has 41,800 miles. The VSC Trac Off and Engine light came on, so I took it in to the dealer who has done each and every service including all oil changes. In fact they just did a 8 cyl tune up 300 miles ago.
They did the diagnostics and came up with three or four fault codes which led them to the Anti - Skid ECU.
Sorry sir your on the hook for $1,800!! I bought a Toyota for precisely this reason. .. reliability.
The truck is just past its 3 yr warranty and again, has 41,800 miles. What can I do? Does the TSB apply to my 04' ( bought Nov 03)
I can't believe I've got to pay this much ...so close to the warranty.

Oh what a feelin'

[mustang67408]

Here is another one for 03-05 Sequoias

[Flyboy2000]

OK...Did a little more research..Thank you , thank you T/S forum.

I take very good care of my sequoia. In fact I request/have the 4 wheel alignment done twice first at 18K miles then again at 35K miles. ( I do this to keep the tire wear down)
Now I've got the VSC/Trac Off light w/ the Engine Light. The truck ( 04 Sequoia bought in 12/03) has 41,800 miles on it now, and is just out of its 3 yrs ( by 5 mo.) and 36K warranty ( by 5,800miles). The dealer says the VSC ECU must be replaced. ($1,780).!!
I see that there are TCB's for it. How do I know if they were complied with when I had both alignments done?
Each and every service was done at the same Toyota Dealer...

Thanks,

Tony

[Flyboy2000]

Interesting Footnote:

I also have a transmission fluid leak.
Noticed spots on my driveway. Looked under the truck and noticed 'oil' like fluid under the car , so I investigated. It looks like the oil had been slung from the U-joint where the transmission connects to the drive axle ( 2WD).
When I took it to the dealer, first he said there was no leak, the technician ran 'dye' through the engine and no leak anywhere.the leak was the drips I was seeing was condensation from the air conditioning. Told him ..I'll come in and show you.
Put the car up on the lift and there pointed to all the drops of 'red' oil that were hanging from the threaded studs near the heat shield. However the U joint was pretty dry, except for the oil sling pattern around it and the red oil on the heat shield.
The service advisor said ..." It is Dry".. You must have run over something, and it got up in there.
Yea, right. , but what can I do.. He said he would clean it off. And to check back with him.

I asked him what color Transmission fluid is..he said it was " plum' and not red. I'll tell you guys. Thats exactly what that fluid looked like to me..But, there I was . It was like standing with someone who is telling you the sky is purple....BTW..could this have anything to do with my VSC/Trac Off light?

Yikes,

Tony

[Amocat00]

Complaint filed.
Confirmation # acquired.

It's been a while, can someone remind me where I can find the TSB for the VSC issue for an '01 Sequoia?

Thanks,

~Shawn

[bikol-ini]

for people having problems with their VSC/ABS SKID control Ecu, keep this thread alive and follow the link to NHTSA and file a complaint, unless you want to shoulder the thousand bucks to replace the ecu

[tregarza]

I just got my VSC light fault this weekend and I took it to the dealership with a surprise that I needed to replace 2 computers.

Skid control 89541-0c062 $1448.50
I think ECU 896300c011 $ 751.54 plus labor.

I started my investigation on the problem and found out I'm not alone, I need advise on any information or experiences that my help me to resolve this matter with toyota.

2003 Sequioa 2x4 42000 miles (NO Warranty)

My wife and I are very concerned on the safety on this vehicle without the ABS and the skid control.

I have seen people reporting to NHSTA are they taking any actions?

[bikol-ini]

@tregarza, sorry to hear about that, thats why i started this thread to lead you to the NHTSA link an read all the reports people are filing, if you HAVE NOT file a report yet, your choice to file or not, if you do NHTSA will have to investigate if they recieved so much complaint for a particular car model and year model so file a report and see what they do,

[tregarza]

After calling Toyota about any help they can provide with the cost of repairs for the VSC Traction Control Computer, Well they came up that the 3 years and 36000 miles warranty is already over bla bla bla. So I told the lady thank you very much If they couldn't help me I was going to file a Complain with NHTSA witch already did. Claim # 10197646

Now I feel I have a 1980 Suburban No safty features. Yikes...

Toyota knows about this problem and if they bought defective electronics they sould replace it.