The Lemon Index
200120031st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: brakes
84 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 772002 Ford Expedition 612002 Chevrolet Suburban 106
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Toyota Sequoia
- Rust / frame corrosion97 complaintsmostly at 95,000–158,000 miles (153,000–254,000 km)
- Ball joint / control arm19 complaintsmostly at 91,000–174,000 miles (146,000–281,000 km)
- Engine stalling15 complaintsmostly at 11,000–196,000 miles (18,000–315,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 666 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 14,000 and 40,000 miles (23,000–65,000 km) (the middle half of the 51 complaints, of all 84 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V741000 (airbags), 18V883000 (airbags) and 15V285000 (airbags) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Toyota sent dealers 161 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 84 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 40K miles (23K to 65K km) on the car (51 of all 84 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. When I brake the front end vibrates almost until a complete stop. The problem is persistent and I'm concerned because it ultimately results in longer time to stop and reduced braking ability.
2002 Toyota Sequoia owner · NHTSA complaint 10023933
More owner reports
Consumer states that brake rotors are wearing, and when applying the brakes, vehicle will have heavy vibration and extended stopping distance. Dealer notified.
NHTSA complaint 10032196
The vehicle was placed into park with the engine running, when all of a sudden it rolled backwards.
NHTSA complaint 10037700
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 161 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…
- The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic
- The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pon…
Show all 8 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
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 injury or death.
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
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 EQUI…
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- Suspension · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED.
- Wheels · recall issued 2002
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 …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedYaw rate sensor malfunction2016
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.7L 8-cyl.
Every Toyota Sequoia year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-sequoia/?y=2002" title="Toyota Sequoia reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-sequoia/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Toyota Sequoia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Toyota Sequoia reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 117; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota Sequoia year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 Toyota Sequoia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (43%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and equipment & accessories (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Sequoia problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 14,000 and 40,000 miles (23,000–65,000 km) (the middle half of the 51 complaints, of all 84 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Toyota Sequoia have?
4.7L 8-cyl.
What Toyota Sequoia year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works