2003 Toyota Sienna Complaint Log

A plug-in battery charger failed. You may inspect it. It got hot and smoked, and I suppose was a fire hazard. The problem has not been confirmed nor inspected. There were no symptoms of the problem before the failure. - - - - I used the automotive charger to charge a battery after a light had been on overnight, discharging the battery. I removed the battery from the vehicle because the terminals might have been corroded. When I first put the charger on the battery it indicated full and did not start to recharge it, so I used jumper cables to charge the discharged battery from a good battery in my car and left the charger at 10 amps on the good battery at the same time so that battery would not become discharged. I left it to sit, figuring it would take several hours at that setting, and after about 5 minutes I saw smoke. Both 12v wires were hot and insulation burned or melted off. There is damage to the car where the wires rested on the painted plastic bumper and a plastic bit near the battery, and of course the charger is useless. I wrote to the manufacturer on March 28 to make them aware, and ask how to avoid it in the future, and ask if it can be repaired. I have not heard back. - - - - The user manual for this product is at http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/60000-60999/60653.pdf The current year model of this product is at https://www.harborfreight.com/10250a-12v-manual-charger-with-engine-start-60581.html - - - - The charger is sold by Harbor Freight Tools under the Cen-Tech brand.

TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED IN CAR BEING AIRBORNE AND ROLLING OVER. CAR WAS TOTALED. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAR WENT THROUGH 50 FOOT OF CORNFIELD AND LANDED ON THE ROOF. WINDOWS WERE ALL COLLAPSED DOOR RIPPED OFF ITS HINGES. I HAVE PICTURES ON MY PHONE I CAN PRINT AND GET TO YOU.

MVA - OTHER PARTY REAR-ENDED US AT 35-40 MILES/HR. WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BACKS BROKE. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOTALED , OTHER VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . APPEARED TO BE MINIMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE. PICTURES OF BOTH VEHICLES AVAILABLE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 3/13/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT FIND ANYTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD BACK TO THE DEALER. UPDATED 04/09/2013 *JS

THE REAR WINDOW AT DRIVER SIDE STARTED TO LOOSE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. AT THE BEGINNING, IT MADE NOISE WHEN OPEN THE REAR WINDOW. SO WE KEPT IT CLOSED ALL THE TIME. BUT GRADUALLY, IT IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. NOW EVEN WITH THE WINDOW CLOSED, THE WINDOW STILL SHAKES AND MAKES NOISES, SOUNDS LIKE THE WINDOW GLASS WILL DROP AT TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WAS LOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEELS WOULD SEIZE AT TIMES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES FOR A DIAGNOSIS, HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,618.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN THE PAST IN WHICH BOTH REAR DOORS WOULD EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY LOCKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK AND WHEN THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS 30-40 MPH, IT SLOWS DOWN AND THE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSORS FOR THE COMPUTER, BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

SOME TIMES WHEN AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH(GO). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH TOYO EXTENSA TIRES, TIRE SIZE 215/65/15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN OBJECT PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND A PATCH WAS USED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THREE MONTHS LATER THE SAME TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AGAIN BY A SMALL ROCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,800.

DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR STARTED MAKING LOUD CLICKING SOUNDS WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS BACK IN MAY OF LAST YEAR. THEN ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE FULLY AND WOULD ONLY OPEN UP A FEW INCHES. AFTER I WAS ABLE TO OPEN UP, I NOTICED THE DOOR WELD HAD SNAPPED AND BROKEN OFF (WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE DOOR). I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SIENNAS AND THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH NOT FOR MY YEAR. FROM WHAT I'VE READ, DOOR WELDS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO BREAK OFF ON DOOR AND THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. *TT

WE HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR NOW WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE A DAUGHTER WHO IS HANDICAPPED AND THIS IS THE EASIEST DOOR TO PUT HER IN THE CAR, SO AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CAR THAT HOLDS HER WHEELCHAIR IS COMPLETELY USELESS TO US. TOYOTA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IS SHE WAS IN THE CAR AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND WE COULD NOT GET HER OUT???? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT THROUGH THE CONTACT'S GARAGE AND INTO THEIR LIVING ROOM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

BOTH OF THE REAR DOORS IN MY TOYOTA SIENA WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN AM EMERGENCY PEOPLE HAVE TO CLIMB OVER TO THE FRONT SEATS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V160000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

THE HANDLE ON THE LIFT GATE FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BROKE OFF RIGHT IN MY HAND. THE GATE REMAINS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO OPEN IT. *TR

I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OPENING OR CLOSING THE TRUNK DOOR OF MY 2003 SIENNA VAN. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASE MY SIENNA IN 2007, I DID NOTICE THE TRUNK HANDLE, WHICH IS COVERED FROM ALL ELEMENTS, WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. TO SEE THE CORROSION YOU MUST GET ON YOUR KNEE AND LOOK UP PAST THE LICENSE PLATE OR OPEN THE TRUNK DOOR AND LOOK UP INTO THIS SAME GROOVE.. I INFORMED THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER ABOUT THE CORROSION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANT AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. AFTER A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE ON LABOR DAY, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE REAR SEAT TO UNLOAD THE VAN. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR. HOW CAN THAT PART BE TOTALLY CORRODED THE WAY IT IS COVER? *TR

BROKEN CABLE FOR SLIDING DOOR OF MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA XE. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V160000 (STRUCTURE). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REMEDY REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE TIME FRAME PROVIDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONTACT'S WORK HOURS. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER SHOULD PROVIDE A FREE RENTAL VEHICLE DURING THE TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE WAS NO FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

OPENED TAIL GATE ON 03 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. REACHED IN TO GET SOMETHING AND GATE SUDDENLY CAME DOWN STRIKING ME ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD CAUSING A CONCUSSION. GAS STRUTS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

WHILE I WAS FULLY STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *TR

2003 TOYOTA SIENNA,WHEEL BROKE LOOSE FROM VEHICLE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE WHEEL BROKE FROM THE LUGS. ROTOR. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0221-91. *JB

2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN, BOTH SLIDING DOORS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE DRIVER SIDE STAYS SHUT ALWAYS AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER SLIDER WILL OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE IF YOU PLACE THE CHILDPROOF LOCK ON. THIS HAPPENED ON AND OFF AND GOT TO BE CONSTANT AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS UP. THIS IS NOT FROM WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS A KNOWN 'SIENNA PROBLEM FORUM' ISSUE AND EVERY TIME SOMEONE GOES TO TOYOTA, THEY DENY THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. DOES THAT SOUND FAMILIAR? IS IT SAFE WHEN YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF YOUR DOOR? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, THE SLIDING DOOR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 17,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACTS HOME. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN. THE CONTACT DIDN'T SAY IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 05/18/10. *LJ

HERE IS A LIST OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS INDICATING MANUFACTURING DEFECTS ON MY TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CURRENT MODELS RECALLED BY TOYOTA MOTORS DO NOT COVER ALL VEHICLES WITH DEFECTS. BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, TOYOTA MOTORS HAVE A LOT OF LYING EMPLOYEES IN THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. IN SHORT, TOYOTA MOTORS PUT THEIR BUSINESS INTEREST WAY AHEAD OF THE LIFE SAFETY OF AMERICAN PEOPLE. I HOPE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WILL CHECK THIS MANNER AND ENFORCE PROPER REGULATION. UPDATED 03/14/10 *BF *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE AND COOLANT. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED HE HAD PROBLEMS STOPPING THE VEHICLE, WHICH LED TO AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED IVOQ 10/12/10

THE SPARE TIRE IN OUR 2003 SIENNA FELL OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE VAN. LUCKILY WE WERE ONLY GOING 25 MPH AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND US. IT APPEARS THE WIRE HOLDING THE TIRE RUSTED AND BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL. *TR

I OWN TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 CE. I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR FROM INSIDE. THIS IS BEEN PROBLEM FOR A WHILE. IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT THAT EVERY TIME SOME ONE HAS TO STEP OUT TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE. THIS CAN BE SOME TIME SAFETY ISSUE IF DRIVER HAS TO STEP OUT TO OPEN PASSENGER DOOR, RISKING DRIVER OPEN TO INCOMING VEHICLE. *TR

I TURNS MY TOYOTA SIENNA INTO A DRIVEWAY OF A STORAGE FACILITY AND PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK WHILE TRAFFICPASSED BY AS THIS ROAD WAS ALSO THE EXIT ROAD FROM COSTCO. WHEN IT WAS SAFE FROM OTHER VEHICLES AND IS WAS SAFE TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD RAMMING INTO AN IRON GATE BENDING IT WIDE OPEN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH THE GATE EVEN THOUGH I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION , JAMMED MY BRAKES AN TRIED TO PLACE IT INTO PARK ALL TO NO AVAIL. CONTINUING THROUGH THE GATE I WAS ABLE TO REACH A LARGE OPEN AREA WHEREUPON I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY CIRCLE. AFTER A BIT OF TIME THE ENGINE ROARED PICKUP SPEED THEN STOPPED. THIS SAME SURGE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. I BELIEVE I HAD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTENED THE CAR AND I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD FULL FORCE AND WAS STOPPED BY A CONCRETE AND WIRE RETAINING WALL. THE ENGINE DIED AT IMPACT. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED. I WAS STUNNED. I WENT INTO THE BUILDING AND AFTER A SHORT TIME FELT CHEST PAIN AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. I RECEIVED A CHEST WALL CONTUSION, PROBABLY CRACKED RIB(S), DEEP TISSUE CONTUSION AND A LARGE BRUISE FROM THE SEAT BELT. I WAS GIVEN VICODIN FOR PAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BUT THE DAMAGE HAS NOT BEEN ESTIMATED YET. I AM AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION IN TOYOTA SIENNAS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BOTH THIS AGENCY AND TOYOTA BEFORE (NHTSA REPORT #10265288). WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OR THE VEHICLE RECALLED? ARE YOU WAITING FOR ANOTHER TRAGEDY LIKE THE ONE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON BY THE MEDIA? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA CE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

ON 09/04/09, MY 2007 TOYOTA COROLLA COMPUTER FAILURE RESULTED IN POWER LOSE WITHIN SECONDS AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOPPED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA ON 09/08/09 AND COMPLAINT # IS 10283338. HOWEVER, MY ANOTHER TOYOTA CAR ALSO HAD COMPUTER FAILURE IN NOV 2009. ALL OF MY 2 TOYOTA CARS HAD COMPUTER FAILURE IN 2009. I BELIEVE THE TOYOTA CARS HAVE COMPUTER PROBLEMS AND I SUGGEST NHTSA TO OPEN INVESTIGATION. 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA COMPUTER FAILURE RESULTED ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AROUND NOV. 21, 2009. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING REAR DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

2003 SIENA, SLIDING DOORS DON'T WORK AT ALL. *DT

JULY 31, 2009 THIS WAS THE STATE OF THE CAR: DRIVER SIDE DOOR MAKES A POPPING NOISE. AUTOMATIC PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR IS NOT SMOOTH WHEN OPENING. FEB 2, 2012: THE DRIVER SIDE POPPING NOISE HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR NO LONGER WORKS. *KB

2003 TOYOTA SIENNA, SPONTANEOUS, UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. FIRST OCCURRENCE ON OR ABOUT 7/20/09. AT LEAST 3 SUCCESSIVE OCCURRENCES. TOYOTA DEALER (LARRY H MILLER BIG TOYOTA CITY) WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM IN ROAD TESTS. WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME, I THREW TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE HIT REDLINE IN TIME IT TOOK TO TURN KEY TO OFF.(1-2 SECONDS) FIRST MIS IDENTIFIED AS STICKING THROTTLE CABLES. TOYOTA REPLACED CABLES EVENTUALLY (AFTER RECURRENCE) REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. WIFE NEARLY HAD ACCIDENT WITH FIRST OCCURRENCE, HAD TO STAND ON BRAKES TO GET CAR STOPPED. SHUT DOWN VEHICLE IN LEFT TURN LANE ON BUSY SIX LANE ROAD. VEHICLE TOWED. I HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES/ROTORS. ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENT WITH RECURRENCE BY SHOWING WIFE HOW TO THROW TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT DOWN VEHICLE. WIFE DOES NOT TRUST VEHICLE ALTHOUGH NEW THROTTLE BODY SEEMS TO HAVE SOLVED PROBLEM. TOYOTA KEPT VEHICLE TWICE FOR TOTAL OF TWO WEEKS, WE PAID OVER $1,300. TOYOTA NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED NOR ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. OFFERED FREE CAR WASH WHEN WE COMPLAINED TO SERVICE MANAGER. *TR

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILURE (PASSENGER SIDE). THE DOOR STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS CLOSING COMPLETELY. THE DOOR WOULD SENSE RESISTANCE AND OPEN, WHEN NO RESISTANCE WAS PRESENT DURING THE CLOSURE PROCESS. WITHIN 30 DAYS THE DOOR NO LONGER MOVES AND IS PROVING A HAZARD TO ATTEMPT CLOSURE. THERE IS NO TRUE MANUAL OVERRIDE TO OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR AS THE SENSORS KICK-IN. WHEN THE DOOR IS EVENTUALLY CLOSED THE DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING AND WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE DOOR IS REALLY SAFE. TOYOTA OFFERS TO REPLACE ALL THE PARTS AND THE DOOR MOTOR FOR OVER $1800.00. *TR

THE TOYOTA SIENNA'S GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN AND REMAINS INTERMITTENTLY STICKY. IT TAKES SOME FOOT STOMPING TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN I QUESTIONED THEM A FEW YEARS AGO. *TR

WHEN PICKING UP MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA TOWN IN STOCKTON, CA, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON FOLLOWING A 60,000 MILE SERVICE. THE MECHANIC RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO US WITHOUT EXPLANATION. THEN AFTER TWO VISITS IN THE SAME DAY TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, MY HUSBAND DEMANDED AN EXPLANATION. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS OUR PROBLEM THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE OR "GEL" IN THE OIL THAT WAS RELEASED WHEN HE REMOVED THE HEAD FOR SERVICING. AFTER CHANGING THE OIL HIMSELF TWICE, MY HUSBAND SAW THE OIL LIGHT GO OFF. THINKING THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, WE TOOK IT ON THE HIGHWAY THE NEXT DAY. WITHIN 100 MILES THE ENGINE FROZE, LEAVING US STRANDED ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA RECENTLY SETTLED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODELS. OUR VAN IS A 2003. THIS PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY CONTINUES TO EXIST. *TR

DESIGN DEFECT ON HORN FOR 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. 1. ONLY ONE OUT OF THE TWO HORN BOTTOM CONTACT PLATES IS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED. 2. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT DIRECTLY GROUNDED BY THE SPIRAL CABLE. GROUND FROM SPIRAL CABLE IS USED FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL AND REMOTE RADIO CONTROL. THE GROUND FOR THE HORN IS ONLY INDIRECTLY GROUNDED THROUGH THE SHAFT. I JUST HAVEN'T USED THE HORN UNTIL RECENTLY. HORN IS NOT RELIABLE. SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T WORK. ESPECIALLY WHEN PRESSING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HORN PAD. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF HORN MALFUNCTION ON TOYOTA CAR OWNER BOARDS AND TOYOTA NOT BEING ABLE TO REPAIR IT PROPERLY (REPLACING SPIRAL CABLE AND RELAY), ON MY VAN, THE CONNECTION TO THE RELAY IS MISSING (NEVER INSTALLED) ON THE LEFT SIDE CONTACT PLATE AND ACTIVE GROUND IS MISSING. I HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX THESE SAFETY DEFECTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH VERIFIED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $4,000 AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 66,669. UPDATED 03/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB

I HAVE OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA SINCE NEW. I HAD A EXTENDED 100K WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE. AT 80,000 MILES A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WAS REPLACED, AT 82,000 MILES IT CAME ON AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED., THEN AT 94,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED STALLING AND WOULD NOT CRANK FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS IN MY HEAD, NOTHING WAS WRONG, IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS MORE OFTEN, AT 94,400 I TOLD IT BACK AND THE IDIOTS TOLD ME THE SAME THING, I FOUGHT WITH THIS CONDITION UNTIL IT FINAL EFFECTED THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR REVVED UP WIDE OPEN AND CONTINUED UNTIL I GOT IT TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS DOING THE REVVING WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL, THEY FINALLY REPAIRED THE VALUE . I WROTE TO TOYOTAS AND TOLD THEM AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT OF THERE CONCERN, IDIOTS KNEW THERE IS A PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT FIX IT, BUT 800 DOLLARS LATER THEY DID AND NOT UNDER THE WARRANTY. THOSE PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIDING ALL THE CONCERNS, I WANT ME REPAIR MONEY BACK AND PLAN ON CAUSING ENOUGH CRAP WITH THE NEWS MEDIA UNTIL I DO. *TR

DROVE VEHICLE INTO A GAS STATION TO FILL UP WITH GAS. AFTER THIS WAS COMPLETED, RESTARTED VEHICLE AND USED GEAR SHIFT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE INSIDE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. GEAR COULD NOT BE CHANGED. CAR WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. FORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AT A GAS STATION STAFFED WITH A MECHANIC. REPAIR TOOK ONE WEEK -- LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ORDER WRONG PARTS TWICE BEFORE ORDERING THE CORRECT ONES. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

DEFECTIVE VEHICLE CONTROL SENSOR ON 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA CAUSED AUTOMATIC BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT (CAR WAS NOT IN A SKID) AT OVER 10 MPH. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 TIMEFRAME. AFTER READING BLOGS IN HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?14@112.TUXHAXBJDJ5@.F0FA178/49#49, WE FOUND THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT WAS AT THE TIME COMMON TO TOYOTA RAVS. SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MORE PROBLEMS REPORTED INCLUDING THOSE THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH TOYOTA SIENNAS. THIS CAUSED US TO REMOVE THE SENSOR, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE FOR AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH WE SLID OUR MINIVAN OFF OF AN ICY ROAD AND DROPPED 7 FEET INTO A EMBANKMENT WHILE TRAVELING WITH OUR 4 CHILDREN. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED, HOWEVER WE BELIEVE THAT IF THE VSC HAD BEEN PROPERLY FUNCTIONING IT WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED US TO DISABLE IT, AND IT MAY HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN JANUARY OF 2009. MY HUSBAND HAD THE VSC SENSOR SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED THIS PAST YEAR AND HE REPORTED RECENTLY THAT THE VSC HAD AGAIN AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT (NO SKID). I BELIEVE THAT THEIR IS A DEFECT IN THE VSC SENSOR OR THE COMPUTER CONTROL SOFTWARE WHICH ACTIVATES THE BRAKES. I AM REQUESTING THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS FAILURE AS I BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH INCIDENTS TO WARRANT INVESTIGATION. I ALSO KNOW THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

2003 TOYOTA SIENNA MAY ALSO HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA ON TOYOTA'S RECENT RECALL LIST YET? THIS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE, I AM STILL VERY SCARED NOW, BUT I AM PUZZLED WHY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA IS NOT ON TOYOTA'S RECENT RECALL LIST YET. PLEASE SEE THE FOLLOWING LINK FIRST. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F105086 I BELIEVE MY ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2009. VERY FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO INJURY, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT THEN. I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA FROM HOUSTON TO AUSTIN, TX. MY OLDEST SON WAS A FRESHMAN AT THAT TIME AND THE SPRING SEMESTER WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN. MY WIFE, MY YOUNGEST SON, WERE ALSO IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THERE WERE TOTAL OF FOUR IN THE CAR. I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 71 USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. ABOUT 50 MILES (I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY THE LOCATION, BUT I CAN FIND THAT LOCATION IF I DRIVE ON HIGHWAY 71 AGAIN) FROM AUSTIN, THERE WAS A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN I WAS APPROACHING TO THAT TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT ALREADY TURNED TO RED, AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO TRY TO STOP THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. AT THIS MOMENT, SOMETHING SCARING HAPPENED. THE BRAKE DID NOT SEEM TO WORK, AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE IN STEAD. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR, AND MY CAR RUN THROUGH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND EVERYONE IN THE CAR WAS VERY VERY SCARED. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE BECAUSE THE CARS IN THE OTHER DIRECTION WERE STILL WAITING FOR THEIR GREEN LIGHT. FINALLY THE CAR WAS STOPPED APPROXIMATELY 40 YARDS AFTER THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I SLOWLY DROVE MY CAR INTO A GAS STATION NEARBY AND CHECKED THE CAR (BUT I COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS BECAUSE I AM NOT A MECHANIC). AFTER THAT, I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR TO AUSTIN TO DROP MY SON THERE, AND I DROVE BACK TO HOUSTON THROUGH HIGHWAY 290 VERY SLOWLY. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I TOLD THE STORY TO MY COLLEAGUES AND MY CHURCH GROUP. I TOLD THEM IT WAS THE GOD WHO STOPPED THE CARS IN OTHER DIRECTION. *TR

CAR: TOYOTA SIENNA CE, 2003 RE: LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATA BASE REGARDING LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE. ON WHICH I ALSO HAVE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE A STICKY (INSIDE) DOOR RELEASE BUTTON PROBLEM. WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED, TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE BUTTON WILL NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED (LATCHES WILL NOT ENGAGE TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT). I ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2005 (OTHER SLIDING DOOR), WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY (INVOICE #310955, 06DEC05). DRIVING WITH THE DOOR UN-LATCHED IS DANGEROUS AND IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED UNDER THIS HEADING (BUT UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF STICKY BUTTON WAS THE REAL PROBLEM), IN YOUR DATA BASE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA FIX THIS ITEM IF IT IS A PROBLEM. DEALER ESTIMATED COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS $170 (INVOICE #425596, 12NOV08). THEY INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE AND SUB-ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL IT NEEDS IS A NEW SPRING OF SOME SORT, BUT I MUST AGREE THAT I HAVE NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM OR HOW IT WORKS. THE HANDLE (NON-MOVING PART, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE) LOOKS GOOD AND IS NOT DAMAGED OR DIRTY IN ANY WAY (VISUAL INSPECTION). *TR

4 TIRES PURCHASED FROM ARMY AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE, (AAFES) ON 20 NOV 2006 FOR A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO GET THE VALVE STEMS REPLACED. FIRST INCIDENT WAS 10 OCT 2008, THE SECOND OCCURRENCE JUST HAPPENED AND WILL BE REPLACED ON THE 11TH. *TR

THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLED BROKE ON THE BACK SIDE SLIDING DOOR. IT WAS REPAIRED BUT NOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE YOU HAVE USE BRUTE STRENGTH. IT WILL NOT OPEN EASILY AND THE SHOP IS STATING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SLIDING DOOR OPENS WITH EASE EVEN BY A 10 YR OLD. I SAW ON MANY BLOGS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MOST PLACES (SCHOOL) AND CAMPS AND ANY PLACE ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR KIDS, THEY WILL HAVE TO GET OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THEM TO HAVE TO GO INTO TRAFFIC TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THEN WHAT IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO THE OTHER DOOR. WILL THE CHILDREN BE FORCED TO CLIMB THROUGH THE FRONT TO GET OUT, WHAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE INACCESSIBLE, HOW WILL THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK GET OUT. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR

UNINTENDED HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND I BRIEFLY USED THE BRAKES TO ALLOW A LARGE TRUCK TO GO PAST BEFORE MERGING. I'M NOT SURE IF I THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE, BUT THE 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN AS THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN SET AT 100 MPH AND IT WAS TRYING TO GET THERE! I DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT THE TIME. I THEN PUT ON THE BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED, AND I WAS ABLE TO REDUCE THE SPEED BUT THE BRAKES WERE DEFINITELY FIGHTING AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S DESIRE TO GO 100 MPH. I PULLED THE CAR OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS UNSURE OF THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MY 2 KIDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS SAYING SHE WAS VERY SCARED. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND PULLED OVER. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF WHILE THE VAN WAS STILL MOVING JUST TO GET IT TO STOP. AFTER 5-10 SECONDS I TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AT A HIGH RPM. I TURNED IT OFF AGAIN, WAITED A WHILE LONGER, AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN THE VAN BEHAVED NORMALLY. I FEAR THAT IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURY. IF ANYONE HAD BE IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP. MY MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. HIS GUESS IS THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I READ ABOUT OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS INVOLVING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH TOYOTA SIENNAS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. *TR

THE FRONT AND SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS DIDN'T HOLD IN A REAR END CRASH CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND A JUVENILE IN THE SECOND ROW TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *TR