Watch For These Issues On The First Gen Toyota Sequoia (01-07)

I done my timing belt on my 2002 Toyota Sequoia Rwd same engine i changed it at 320,000 miles now its up to 340,000 n still running solid absolutely love my SUV my daily driver

I am 19 years old and have an 07 Limited 4WD in Pearl White, fully loaded. I learned to drive with it and was my first car when I turned 16. My parents bought it brand new in 07 when I was 3 years old and I grew up with that car. I drove it all through high school and now in college, 7 hours away from home. It’s got 254k miles that my parents and I put each one on. Absolutely zero rust because we are from North Alabama. I even put on some performance mods to give it an extra kick and the engine still runs like new. I’m having the regular manifold leak so I’m about to upgrade to some LT headers in about a year. The only time the car wouldn’t start throughout our 16 years of ownership is when the battery died in 2016 😂. My ball joints are even the original ones, I get them checked out multiple times a year and just this past weekend, I took it to Toyota and they said they’re still fine. The shocks are worn out though so I purchased some bilstein 4600s and am waiting for those to come in. All in all, my family has had multiple cars, spanning from a 98 4runner, a 2017 Lexus Es350, a 2014 Infiniti qx80, and a 2021 Silverado, but we still think that our sequoia is the best car we’ve ever had. It’s the one car that has never given us any issues and it’s the only one that tows in my family because it tows so comfortably with the rear air suspension. I told my parents that no matter what happens, I’m never getting rid of the car for sentimental reasons and the fact that it’s literally bulletproof, doing all of the hard work I’ve needed it to do.

I ended up finding a good deal on an ‘03 about 5 years ago. Stack of maintenance records and 330 k miles. Haven’t had problems with the brake booster or valve cover gaskets. Timing belt done around 350k. Shocks/struts, ball joints, rack bushings, OEM coils/new plugs, GX brake upgrade, and other various small things. Sitting at 425k now and it’s a daily driver. Helps I can DIY. Might not be worth it if I was paying a shop.

This engine is bullet proof with maintenance. The abc construction of the this block will never fail if respected. The cam seals aren’t so hard to do. Also when you buy a used car, be aware you will spend money the first year. ALSO USE OEM PARTS. Toyotas hate aftermarket junk. They spit it right out.

Good. Gracious! I would have so many extra bolts/screws it would be ridiculous. 😂 Can’t wait to hear it fired up again!

Awesome video! Keep us updated! Also the secondairy air injection systems tend to go on these engines.

Just passed 350k with my '02. Not a lot of unexpected issues beyond old-car things. It's 20 years old so things like rubber hoses, gaskets and bushings need replacing. Suspension components like ball joints, tie rods, bearings and shocks wear out. Brakes, tires, and batteries are normal things. The alternator lasted for 300k. Radiator 320k. Still orig starter. Never adjusted the engine or the trans besides fluids. The only things that broke were the tailgate stuff, and there's a water trap behind the rear doors that breeds rust. That's about it beyond regular maintenance items.

Ive experienced a lot of the same... the worst is the SAS... When that goes, just get a bypass kit. Truck is still worth it. All cars require maintenance EOD. Keep up with the Sequoia's and it's not too bad at all.

i had the timing belt replaced May of 2022 and im glad i bought the full kit instead of just the timing belt and water pump. its expensive to do but well worth it.

Bought my 2004 for $4k in 2020. Now has 180,000 miles. Bought aisin timing belt and water pump kit for $170 and paid local mechanic $400 to install. Original belt looked almost new.

Very helpful men and I have a 2001 Toyota sequoia 4x4

would you upgrade the fuel tank? And if so is it possible because I would want to do it to mine. I want to upgrade my limited with a lot of the same stuff as yours. If you don’t mind me asking how much has all of this costed with purchase and maintenance fees?

I have a serious question, since the brake booster and power steering have a vacuum line, yes the power steering has a air control valve and if that is bad will that cause brakes to become soft/squishy since both vacuum hoses run to the intake manifold?

I would add two more things to your list. Steering rack seals start leaking with age. Don't let this condition go on for very long, or you will be replacing a lot of other stuff. A genuine Toyota/Asin rebuilt rack is the only way to go for a replacement. The 2nd thing is the 2 "T" fittings connecting the heater hoses near the fire wall in the engine bay. These are made of micarta. The ones on my Sequoia lasted 22 years before I began to smell anti-freeze and observed a pink "mud" buildup at the connections. They deteriorate with age and become porous before they fail altogether. Inexpensive and easy to replace.

Biggest problem with my 02 tree is the frame has quite a bit of rust, at a glance it just looks like surface rust, fingers crossed that's all it is

Where did you get that instruction manual from?

The timing belt took me 2 weeks waiting for parts. Might as well buy a new aisin fan bracket too. There is a oring behind that water neck you left on. These belts last I have a 02 that is original. The truck only has 141k miles. It's on my to do list. My neighbor use to commute and had 300k on his belt that was round 10 years old. He had no idea it needed to be replaced. I moved and lost contact with him but I'm sure he eventually got it replaced.

What about thick noise of exhaust manifold

I’ve heard from a few people that the secret is overhauling the cooling system every 7 years. Also obviously be diligent about timing belt, water pump, tensioners etc.

370,000 on my 2002 Sequoia and it runs amazingly well.