C1231 code in owner complaints

Code C1231 is named in 10 US owner complaints. Models: 2, model years 2001–2003.

There is little data for this code or its meaning is ambiguous, so this page is not indexed.

What the code means

This is a manufacturer-specific code: the meaning depends on the make and sometimes on the year.

How to read C1231: the letter C means chassis (brakes, ABS, steering, suspension); the second digit 1 marks a manufacturer code whose meaning is set by the make; the last three characters 231 identify the specific fault.

ABS/ESC codes: wheel speed sensors, the ABS hydraulic unit and pump, brake booster, pressure and yaw sensors. A hit to a wheel or suspension often damages the wheel speed sensor or its wiring, so on a damaged car this code is a reason to inspect the hub, knuckle and control arms, not just swap the sensor.

Key figures

Complaints with this code: 10
Models: 2
Model years: 2001–2003

Which models and years

Models whose owners name this code (2). Years link to the model year problems page.

Model	Years	Complaints
Toyota Sequoia	2001, 2003	6
Toyota Sequoia SR5	2003	4

Components named together with the code

Component as the owner filed it (one complaint can list several).

Electronic stability control 5
Service brakes 5
Other 3
Vehicle speed control 3
Electrical system 1

Complaints by model year

2001 1
2003 9

What to do if an auction car has this code

Inspect the wheel and suspension on the impact side: the wheel speed sensor is often damaged together with the hub or knuckle.
Check whether the ABS and ESC lights stay on after start-up.
After replacing sensors or the hydraulic unit, bleeding and scan tool adaptation may be required.

What owners report

Excerpts of owner complaints in the original wording. Owner statements not verified by the regulator; personal data removed.

Vsc and vsc of lights are oncodes C1223 abs control system malfunction, C1231 steering angle sensor, and C1247 stroke sensor indicates needs the skid control ecu t 2.0 replaced skid control ecu 08/01/2010 check engine light found P0031 af sensor b1s1 t1.0 parts replaced.
Toyota Sequoia 2003 · 2013-07
After zpc vsc trac and vsc off lights were on. Code pulled C1231 steering angle. Zpc again. Code and lights still, code will not clear with toyota intelligent 2 scanner. Monitoring steering sensor with scanner show both positive and negative numbers with zero at wheels straight.
Toyota Sequoia 2001 · 2012-04
The system failed at 54,546, again at 78,358, again at 93,939, again at 104,238, and the last time at 145,000. The first time code c124 C1231 replaced steering sensor. The second time code C1231 replaced steering angle sensor. The third time code C1203 1231 replaced and reprogrammed steering angle sensor.
Toyota Sequoia SR5 2003 · 2011-07

Related codes

Sources: public official US data (owner complaints) and the SAE J2012 standard. Complaints are owner statements not verified by the regulator. A code from a complaint does not replace a scan tool diagnosis. Data updated 2026-11-10.