TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Toyota Sequoia brakes problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 14 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Toyota Sequoia, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Toyota Sequoia in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs. The following recommendations are intended to provide general tips for the inspection and/or installation of Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) front brake pads and discs. Always refer to the model specific Repair manual and TIS publications for specific repair instructions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 Sequoias describe brake system failures tied to illumination of VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, and brake warning lights. The core complaint: brakes go unresponsive or fail entirely while driving, especially during backing maneuvers, parking lot exits, or stops from highway speed. Some owners can temporarily restore function by restarting the vehicle; others cannot. One owner's brakes locked completely at 20 mph, forcing the vehicle through an intersection. Another experienced loss of power assist at 60,000 miles.
The problem hits hardest in cold weather—owners cite temperatures under 40 degrees, morning startups, and moist conditions as triggers. One owner reported it happening 95% of the time in four-wheel-drive mode. Intermittent codes (C1223, C1247, C1310) point toward ABS system faults, but many shops pull no codes at all and cannot diagnose.
Repair attempts run deep: master cylinders replaced, brake boosters swapped, sensors retorqued, skid control ECUs rebuilt. One Sequoia went through six dealer visits over a year with no resolution. One owner paid $2,000 for a booster and ECU replacement only to have the problem recur. Dealers frequently claim the lights are non-critical or that they cannot fix what diagnostic scanners don't reveal—a position owners rightfully challenge as unsafe.
Same Toyota Sequoia brakes reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
ABS/VSC warning lights with loss of braking power
Illumination of VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, and brake warning lights accompanied by actual brake failure or unresponsiveness. Owners report brakes becoming non-functional or requiring hard pedal pressure, sometimes forcing vehicle through intersections. Issue resolves temporarily after restarting vehicle.
When: Between 60,000–92,000 miles; occurs intermittently, often in cold weather or during warm months, sometimes without warning
Symptoms owners cite: VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, and brake warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Brakes fail or become unresponsive; Loss of braking power while driving or backing; Stuck brake pedal; Problem clears after engine restart; Frequent recurrence
Codes mentioned: C1223 (ABS system fault), C1247, C1310
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement, brake booster replacement ($2,000), replacement of $200 unspecified part, sensor replacement and retorquing, skid control ECU replacement; multiple shops unable to diagnose or repair despite six repair attempts in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case 1002137212 opened; manufacturer stated they would contact dealer for callback. Dealer suspected antilock brake malfunction but was unsure.
Persistent warning light illumination with no diagnostic codes
VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, and brake lights remain on continuously or at random intervals for extended periods (up to a year in one case), despite multiple repair attempts. Technicians report no trouble codes present in the system.
When: Years of operation; lights illuminate at random times, often when cold or in morning startup
Symptoms owners cite: VSC TRAC light on; VSC OFF light on; Brake warning light on; Tire pressure warning light (one case); Lights come on and go off randomly; Lights go off when engine is shut off; Lights illuminate more in cool weather
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replaced, sensors replaced and retorqued to specification, booster assembly replaced; lights persisted after all repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technicians claim no codes in system and cannot repair what they cannot diagnose; stated it is not a safety issue
Traction control activation without warning
Traction control system activates unexpectedly during normal driving, sometimes interfering with acceleration and vehicle control.
When: 95% of the time when vehicle is in four-wheel-drive mode at one site; occurs at 86,000–89,000 miles in one complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses power when attempting to accelerate from a stop; Vehicle drifts instead of accelerating; Vehicle stability control light illuminates; Delayed acceleration after several seconds; Traction control activates without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Estimated repair cost $2,500; dealer suspected antilock brake malfunction but was uncertain
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer case 1002137212 opened; promised callback from dealer
Brake seizing in cold weather
Brakes seize or lock up during cold temperatures when attempting sudden stops, accompanied by brake warning indicator illumination. Issue recurs multiple times.
When: 92,000 miles; occurs in temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes seize; Brake warning indicator illuminates; Occurs during sudden stops
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic unable to diagnose
Brake unresponsiveness in moist/resting conditions
Brakes fail to function properly under specific environmental and operational conditions, particularly after vehicle has been at rest.
When: Normally after vehicle has been at rest and in moist conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes do not work under certain conditions; Issue occurs after vehicle at rest in moisture
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
For almost a year, the vsc trac, vsc off, and emergency brake lights have been illuminated on the dash of our 2006 sequoia. It has been in for repairs six times, and many remedies have been attempted, to no avail. The three lights continue to light at random times in the past week, the master cylinder has been replaced, they have replaced and retorques sensors to spec, and replaced the booster…
ABS system goes on without warning leaving me unable to brake, usually when I am backing out of a parking space & it's cold outside. Has happened intermittently over the last year. When I turn the car off & back on it seems to clear up the issue. Took it in and was given the codes c1223 (fault in ABS system), c1247, c1310, was then referred to a dealer. Did some research online & saw I am not…
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Toyota Sequoia?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Toyota Sequoia?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 51,000 and 109,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,000; a quarter make it past 109,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Toyota/Sequoia.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.