VSC-Stability Control System

I have a 2003 4Runner V8 4X4. It just went over 1000 miles. Last weekend when I was driving it in perfect driving conditions (southern caifornia, sunny, dry pavement) on the freeway, the VSC system randomly got triggered on 3 different occasions within about a 15 minute time period. Needless to say, when you're driving along at the speed limit and the vehicle starts brakeing itself from a freeway speeds randomly with no input from the driver, it's a really harrowing experience. I almost lost control of the vehicle, but luckily no one was right behind me or next to me and I didn't crash. The only thing the dealer has done is to check the codes (for which nothing registered) and try drving the truck themselves to see if the condition repeats (which it hasn't in about 50 miles of driving). They're unwilling to replace any components of the system without being able to make the condition repeat. I'm exrtremely worried and don't feel safe driving the car while worrying that this same condition could recur, and I'm extremely frustrated having paid up to get the 4Runner in large part because of it's safety features including the VSC system. Has anyone encountered similar problems? The dealer mentioned that they had a Sequoia that had a similar problem (no codes recorded after random triggering of the VSC), but they were able to repeat the condition while driving it. Does anyone have any ideas of what could be causing the problem so I can suggest the dealer look into that? Otherwise, what do you suggest I do? I love the truck, but absolutely don't feel comfortable driving it or having my family in it without anything being done to address the issue. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Well, what did the dealer find out on that Sequoia that had a similar problem????

VSC may be activated even if YOU are not aware of any slippage. For example, could your 4runner be going over an oil spot or something...or some gravel in your lane?? I don't know, but i have not heard of much problems with Toyota's VSC system.

I would ask them to check the ABS computer and sensors which control all of these systems (VSC, ABS, EBD, and Brake Assist).

Good Luck.

I think the dealer said it turned out to be the ECU(?) in the Sequoia. I certainly don't think I went over some oil or gravel or something, but if it had happened once, I'd probably just write it off to something like that. My VSC system actually triggered 3 different times within about 15 minutes with no visible reason why. This never happened in the first 1000 miles and then happened 3 times in 15 minutes in one trip, so I can't believe there isn't some problem with some component of the truck. The one thing I could think of and that I asked to the dealer to look into is that the truck had recently sustained some minor damage when it got hit in the left front fender/wheel by a drunk while it was parked (I know, my lucky month). It required filling/refinishing a body panel and a 2 wheel reallignment. I pointed this out to the dealer, as I thought it might have been something with the sensor on the tire near where the truck got hit, but the dealer said they looked and didn't see any problem.

JoshC,

Since you mentioned the wreck you were in, I would bet anything that something was jarred or thrown awry by the impact of the other vehicle. Even to the extent the dealer couldn't tell just by taking a look at the externals. Some sensor or something must be damaged on that side that would cause your VSC to kick in.

Jon

Having same problem -Safety Hazard!

I recently experienced the same problem more than three times and it left me feeling unsafe driving it. The first time, the scariest, I was driving along 95 south and suddenly the "VSC off" along with the differential lock light came up and to my surprise the vehicle came to a sudden halt dropping from 65mph to a complete halt in less than 30 seconds. There was no shoulder available to exit to and while the car was still running I could not get the transmission to shift. I ended up turning my hazard light on, turned off the car and restarted after about a minute. Finally I managed to move the car to an area where I could take a deep breath and thank the lord for saving my 6 months baby, my wife and my self from a terrible accident.
Anyway I stopped my wife from driving it and I am battling with Toyota corp. to get this major and serious safety hazard fixed on this model. I know most of you may not experience it but please respond to this message if you came across something similar. We can not let the dealers tell us that no code generated means no problem found.

By the way we all need to petition to get the drive shaft "Clung" issues taken care of too.

Silver 2003 Sport Edition, purchased in December 2002