ToyotaSequoia2003Overview/toyota/sequoia/2003/base/

2003 Toyota Sequoia

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Sequoia.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Toyota Sequoia is an SUV equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and an engine oil capacity of 6.5 quarts using 5W-30 API viscosity, carrying EPA fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined. This model year generated 682 total owner complaints—just ten fewer than the 2002 peak of 692—alongside seven recalls with structural issues representing the top complaint category. Standing as the second-most complained-about year in the model’s 2001-2022 history, the 2003 model sits near the height of reported reliability concerns before later production years saw grievances plummet to a single complaint by 2022.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/17/14 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZD3. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHZOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J/7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZD3
Engine air filter1780107010
Fuel filter2303050010
Spark plug9091901166
Front wiper blades852220C012 alt 852120C012
Serpentine belt9091602792
Thermostat9091603100 alt 1634650010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length203.9 in
Overall width75.2 in
Overall height73.6 in
Wheelbase118.1 in
Curb weight5269 lb
Track (front / rear)66.1 / 66.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 17 / 14 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sequoia of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.6–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.60 sec — 2004 SR5
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002Limited 4.7L V89.10 sec17.00 sec240 hp4x4
2004SR5 4.7L V88.60 sec16.60 sec240 hp4x4
2004SR5 4.7L V89.30 sec16.85 sec240 hp4x4
2001Limited 4.7L V89.10 sec16.80 sec240 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.5 qt
Transfer Case Fluid75W-90 · GL-4 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity2.5 Pints

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14MM

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug27.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5-15 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca
Optional BCI Group Number27F

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13.4-14.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression142-192 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle90 ft-lbs / 65 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in / 0.0039 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.611 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9020 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across the Sequoia's generation, federal complaints peaked in the early production years before dropping substantially in 2004, falling from 692 complaints in 2002 down to 379 in 2004. The 2003 model year sits near the apex of this high-complaint arc with 682 complaints, 7 recalls, and a generation-high 5 investigations, implying it inherited the unresolved issues of the earlier models rather than the refinements seen later. Specifically, 2003 owners report major concerns with the Structure (71 complaints), Electronic Stability Control (70), Service Brakes Hydraulic (47), and Air Bags (38), resulting in 18 crash and 2 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Because the 2003 Sequoia falls squarely within the generation's most problematic window just prior to a major improvement in reliability metrics, it is not a recommended year to purchase when later models offer a significantly better federal record.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
168
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
682
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 682 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure71
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)70
Service Brakes, Hydraulic47
Air Bags38
Vehicle Speed Control28
Traction Control System28
Electrical System25
Unknown Or Other17

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V741000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/10/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front…

18V883000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 12/12/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with… Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 168 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…
T-SB-0062-23 Rev22024-12-03StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sequoia. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Sequoia take?

6.5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Sequoia have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Sequoia get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined mpg.