2004 Toyota Sienna Complaint Log

THE PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE HAS FAILED RESULTING IN THE DOOR BEING INOPERABLE. NO EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE, JUST NORMAL USE. THE FAILURE, IN THIS CASE THE MOTOR FAILED, RENDERS THE DOOR COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, MEANING IT CANNOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. IN ORDER TO OPERATE IT MANUALLY, THE CABLE CONNECTED TO THE MOTOR MUST BE CUT, AND IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY, THE MOTOR MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2,019 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHO ALSO CHECKED THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND NOTED THIS DOOR, IN ADDITION TO THE PASSENGER DOOR, WAS GETTING READY TO FAIL TOO. I FOUND ONLINE A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN EL004-04, NOT A RECALL, BUT CLEARLY STATES THE FAILURE PROBLEM AND THE ENSUING PRODUCTION DESIGN CHANGE. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON MY 2004 SIENNA XLE WOULD NOT OPERATE.THE OPENING CABLE HAD FRAYED. THE TOYOTA DEALER WANTED $1,700. TO REPAIR THIS WHICH IS WAY TOO MUCH FOR A PROBLEM I DIDN'T CAUSE. THE DEALER CUT THE CABLE AND IT NOW WORKS MANUALLY BUT I CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT . I CAN'T USE THE DOOR IN AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS. *TR

CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE WITH MANUAL LIFTGATE. THE LIFTGATE USED TO WORK PROPERLY - SUDDENLY ON A COLD WINTER DAY IT STOPS WORKING ANYMORE, CONTACT CAN HEAR A HISS AND THE DOOR FALLS DOWN. CONTACT CAN SEE VISIBLE OIL LEAK AROUND THE GAS STRUT. AFTER THAT, IT'S HEAVY TO OPEN THE DOOR. *TR

I WAS ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM 1300 EAST ONTO FT. UNION BLVD, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY EVEN AFTER I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR. I PROMPTLY PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, BRAKED RAPIDLY, AND NARROWLY AVOIDED REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD NOT TELL IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR MATS, BUT REARRANGED THEM QUICKLY AND THE ENGINE RPMS QUICKLY DROPPED TO AN IDLE SPEED. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, LARRY MILLER OF MURRAY, UT. I SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HE EXAMINED MY CAR, INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, ASSERTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO REPORTS OF ISSUES WITH THE 2004 SIENNA, AND THAT THE PEDAL ON MY CAR WAS NOT OF THE TYPE IMPLICATED IN THE RECALLS. HE HAD ME TAKE THE CAR TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND TESTING. THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURE CODES PRESENT AND NO CHECK LIGHTS WERE ON. THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR 10 MILES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NO PARTS WERE REPAIRED NOR REPLACED. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THEM. *TR

IT HAPPENED TWICE DURING 2 WEEKS AGO ( DURING HEAVY RAIN). I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA ON A PARKING LOT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN, IT SEEMS LIKE I LOST THE POWER STEERING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VAN, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. NEXT DAY, MY WIFE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN SHE IS PICKING UP OUR KIDS FROM SCHOOL. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS VANS AND THE DEALER REFUSE TO FIX IT, I HAVE SEAT BELT PROBLEM, IT IS NOT EASY TO RELEASE AFTER DRIVING, DEALER WANTS 300 TO FIX. ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR PROBLEM ETC. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2004 FROM PHILLIPS TOYOTA IN LEESBURG FL. THREE TO FOUR WEEKS AGO, WE STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEN FIRST STARTING IN THE MORNING. IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS JUMPING BETWEEN WORKING AND NOT WORKING WITH NO WARNING INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE FEELING IS THAT OF HAVING NO POWER STEERING UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED FOR TWO TO THREE MINUTES, THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR AUDIBLE SOUNDS. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY MORNING. *TR

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA GETS TWISTED AND STUCK WHERE IT RETRACTS INTO THE SIDE PANEL. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIX. SOMETIMES FIXING IT REQUIRES RIPPING APART THE SIDE PANEL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE ABOUT 2007. WE ARE OFTEN LEFT WITHOUT A WORKING SEAT BELT AND EVEN MORE OFTEN LEFT WITH AN ILL FITTING SEAT BELT. THE DEALERSHIP WANT $500 TO REPLACE BUT I FEEL IT WAS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN SHE MADE RIGHT TURNS, THE OPEN DOOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE LEFT REAR SLIDING DOOR. THE WEEK AFTER THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO LATCH THE DOOR SHUT. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE BOLTS AND FOUND THAT TWO OF THEM WERE PULLED THROUGH THE METAL SHEET AND THE THIRD BOLT WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST HER. REPORT 1001129940 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,319. UPDATED 02/01/10 *BF UPDATED 02/02/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO THE RESIDENCE GARAGE. THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, FOLLOWED BY AN INTENDED ACCELERATION. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE LICENSE PLATE WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

THE CABLE TO THE AUTOMATIC PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR RUSTED AND SNAPPED. WE PUSHED THE BUTTON BY THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE IT A MANUAL DOOR SINCE IT WAS GOING TO COST BETWEEN 1,400 AND 1,600 DOLLARS DEPENDING ON THE DEALERSHIP WE ASKED. HOWEVER THE ONLY WAY TO CLOSE THE DOOR ONCE FULLY OPENED IS TO REACH INSIDE THE DOOR AND PULL THE INSIDE HANDLE TO UNLOCK THE HOLDING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM SLIDING SHUT. MY 10 YEAR OLD SON WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND SHUTTING THE DOOR BY USING THE INSIDE HANDLE TO UNLATCH THE DOOR WHEN HIS FINGERS WERE SMASHED IN THE DOOR. *TR

POWER SLIDING DOOR ON MY VAN QUIT WORKING. DOOR IS STUCK HALF OPENED. TOOK TO TOYOTA SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT THE WARRANTY WONT COVER. THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO DOOR SAG DUE TO HINGE BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE I CUT A STEEL CABLE AND WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR MANUALLY. IT WORKS FINE MANUALLY YOU WOULD THINK IT WAS DUE TO WHAT THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T CLOSE AT ALL. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND TOYOTA IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CABLE BROKE. THE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED MANUALLY. SIENNA IS NO LONGER UNDER THE SECRET WARRANTY AND TOYOTA WANTS TO CHARGE ME $3000 FOR THE REPAIR. ALSO DOOR WOULD FREEZE EASILY DURING WINTER TIME AND BECOMES VERY HARD TO OPEN. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM FAILED AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUT WITHOUT WARNING, HITTING A PASSENGER WHO WAS REACHING INTO THE BACK SEAT. IT DID NOT SPRING BACK. THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO THE RUDY LUTHER DEALERSHIP IN GOLDEN VALLEY, MN AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000 TO FIX. RATHER THAN PAY THIS, WE ELECTED TO PAY $112 TO HAVE THE CABLES CUT AND THE SWITCH UNPLUGGED. WE ARE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS FAILURE AND IN THE DEALERSHIPS RESPONSE. THE CAR ONLY HAD 51,641 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR

THE RIGHT AUTOMATIC REAR PASSENGER DOOR IN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MALFUNCTIONED SUDDENLY, RENDERING IT TOTALLY INOPERABLE. IT WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. THEN IT WOULD NOT OPEN. THE DEALER GOT IT CLOSED AND SAID IT WOULD BE $2,000 TO REPAIR AND THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSURE ME THAT IT'S CURRENT CLOSED STATE IS SAFE. THE HAZARD IS THAT THE ONLY DOOR FOR PASSENGERS TO EXIT NOW IS THE SAME SIDE AS THE GAS INTAKE, SO IF THERE IS EVER A FIRE, ALL PASSENGERS WILL HAVE TO CLIMB OVER AND OUT THE FRONT DOORS. THE DEFECTIVE DOOR (IT APPEARS TO BE METAL FATIGUE -- ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR!) IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN AT ALL. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF MANY, MANY INSTANCES SUCH AS THIS. IN SOME CASES, BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAVE FAILED WITH THE PASSENGER OCCUPANTS TRAPPED INSIDE. *JB

WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE THE SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA SEEM TO "FREEZE" SHUT. THEY DO NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENS TO BOTH THE POWER AND NON-POWER DOOR. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA THE AC BEGAN TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND NOW STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR AT AROUND 75,000 MILES. INITIAL DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED THAT THE GAUGES AND CLIMATE CONTROLS INSIDE THE CABIN WERE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. FREON LEVELS APPEAR TO BE AT ADEQUATE LEVELS. *LN

WHEN TURNING CORNERS, STEERING SUDDENLY SEIZES UP MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM OPERATING SAFELY AT LOW TO MEDIUM SPEEDS. IT SEEMS AS IF THE STEERING PROBLEM HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT IS COLD OR WET OUT. OFTEN WE ARE REQUIRED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE THE STEERING LOOSENS UP AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

DASH IS FALLING APART DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. STARTED OUT AS A STICKY AND SHINY DASH THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN. CRACKS BEGAN TO APPEAR AT ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD AND NOW THE DASH IS FALLING APARTS AS MORE AND MORE CRACKS APPEAR AND PIECES START FALLING OFF! THIS CAR IS AND HAS BEEN STORED UNDER COVER ALL ITS LIFE! THERE ARE CRACKS ALL OVER THE DASH, TOP, BOTTOM, LEFT AND RIGHT!

1. NO EVENTS LEAD TO THE FAILURE. 2. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR CABLE AND MOTOR OF A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED QUIT WORKING, BROKEN CABLE. NOW WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN / CLOSE SLIDING DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE. 3. HAVING CABLE/MOTOR REPLACED EST COST $1000. *TR

BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS REFUSE TO OPEN, INTERMITTENTLY AND RANDOMLY. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN WEATHER IS SOMEWHAT COLD AND WET FOR THE MANUAL SLIDING DOOR. FOR THE "AUTOMATIC" DOOR, IT HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY. WE'VE HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED IN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS...BUT NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. KIDS HAVE HAD TO GET INTO AND OUT OF THE CAR VIA THE BACK HATCH. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

IN JANUARY OF 2010 THE CABLE FOR THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER FROZE UP AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. AS A RESULT, I PURCHASED AND REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER IN JANUARY OF 2010. I RECEIVED THE RECALL FOR THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER (NHTSA 10V160000) NOTICE FROM TOYOTA IN AUGUST OF 2010. I SUBMITTED MY PART RECEIPT AND INFORMATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT WAS DENIED.

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE . WHEN ACCELERATING THE VAN HESITATES. HAVE TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR HARDER TO FORCE A HARD DOWNSHIFT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN A PREDICTABLE ACCELERATION IS NEEDED SPECIALLY MERGING HIGHWAY. *TR

ONE SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS ON MY TOYOTA SIENNA WON'T OPEN AND YOU CANNOT MANUALLY OVERRIDE WITHOUT LOSING FUNCTION OF THE OTHER DOOR AND WE HAVE FOUND SITE AFTER SITE WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING TO MORE THAN JUST US AND WE ARE CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY IN A VEHICLE WHERE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. THE FIX ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IS ANYWHERE FROM 1200.00 TO 1800.00 AND WE FEEL AS THOUGH THAT IS STEEP AND THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS SINCE IT IS NOT JUST ONE FAMILY REPORTING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 SIENNA XLE LIMITED THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN CRACKING FOR SOMETIME NOW AND WHAT ONCE STARTED AS A SMALL CRACK, IS NOW A SPIDERWEB OF CRACKS THAT EXTENDS OVER THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH. WHEN SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR A USED DASH I CAME ACROSS THE FOLLOWING THREAD: HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T959673-DISCUSS2004_SIENNA_CRACKED_DASHBOARD.HTML AND DISCOVERED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, THAT IT HAS, IN FACT, OCCURRED IN MANY 04 SIENNA'S. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE ALREADY CRACKED DASH IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY. I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT AND WAS ASSIGNED CASE #: 1207232487. I HAVE ALSO EMAILED TOYOTA WITH A COMPLAINT AS WELL. BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS, I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. I NEED A NEW DASH, AND BECAUSE IT'S OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN SLIDING DOOR FREEZE SHUT OR PARTIALLY OPEN. SOMETIMES I CAN NOT GET THE DOORS OPEN TO GET MY KIDS IN OR OUT IN FREEZING WEATHER. ALSO, THEY FREEZE PARTIALLY OPEN AND WON'T SAFELY LOCK!! *TR

OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE, POWER SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN, OR LATCH CLOSED ALL THE WAY. IT OCCURRED DURING A COLD SPELL IN OUR AREA, AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT YET. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET MY INFANT AND MY OTHER CHILDREN IN AND OUT OF THE VAN WHEN BOTH DOORS WON'T OPEN. NEITHER WILL OPEN WITH THE POWER BUTTONS IN THE CAR, THE BUTTONS ON OUR KEYS, OR MANUALLY. THERE HAS BEEN NO WAY TO GET THEM OPEN, AND SINCE THEY AREN'T LATCHED CLOSED, THE VAN CAN'T BE LOCKED, AND WHEN I DRIVE IT CONTINUOUSLY BEEPS, ALERTING ME TO THE "OPEN" DOORS WHILE I AM DRIVING. ONCE AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE HOW UNSAFE THIS IS, AS IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY, THERE WOULD BE NO QUICK WAY THAT I, OR ANY EMERGENCY PERSONNEL COULD GET ANY PASSENGERS OUT OF THE BACK SEATS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY. APPARENTLY IT COSTS MORE THAN $1200 PER DOOR FOR THE DEALER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA EQUIPPED WITH TPMS DOES NOT FUNCTION. I HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT THE LIGHT DIDN'T GO OFF. CANNOT RELY ON THIS MONITORING SYSTEM.*TR

TOYOTA SIENNA '04 DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING DOORS. TOYOTA ISSUED A LETTER TO CUSTOMERS TO GET THE DOOR FIXED BUT I NEVER GOT A LETTER. WHY DID TOYOTA SENT OUT LETTER TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOT CALL IT A RECALL. PLEASE HELP TO GET MY DOOR FIX. *TR

2004 SIENNA XLE POWER SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. THE POWER SLIDING FUNCTION HAS BEEN A TROUBLESOME ISSUE WITH THIS DOOR FOR OVER 2 YEARS BUT SINCE IT DID NOT START TO FAIL UNTIL JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED TOYOTA INSISTS THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE FOR THEM TO ADDRESS. WE HAVING BEEN USING THIS DOOR IN MANUAL OPENING MODE WITH POWER ASSISTED CLOSING FOR 2 YEARS. LAST WEEK THE CABLE BECAME SNAGGED IN THE MECHANISM BUT THE DOOR STILL WORKED IN FULL MANUAL MODE. 3 DAYS AGO MY WIFE PLACED OUR DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR WAS NEARLY CLOSED THE TOP AND CENTER ROLLERS CAME OUT OF THEIR TRACKS AND THE DOOR FELL OFF THE VEHICLE IN HER HAND. THE SHARP BOTTOM EDGE OF THE DOOR NEARLY HIT HER TOES AND COULD EASILY HAVE SEVERED THE END OF HER FOOT. THE BOTTOM HINGE BRACKET IS NOW BENT AND THE BACK CORNER OF THE DOOR IS DAMAGED FROM STRIKING THE GROUND. DEALER QUOTE FOR THE REPAIRS IS OVER $4000. FROM READING VARIOUS POSTS ON THE INTERNET THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE A COMMON DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I COUNT US FORTUNATE THAT NEITHER MY WIFE NOR MY DAUGHTER WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THIS OCCURRENCE. HAD SHE NOT CAUGHT THE DOOR BEFORE IT STRUCK THE VEHICLE BESIDE HER OR SWUNG INWARDS TOWARD MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SITTING RIGHT BESIDE IT, THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA AUTOMATIC PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR STOPPED WORKING AND WOULDN'T SHUT. THIS DOOR ALSO CAME OPEN WITHOUT WARNING, PRESENTING A SAFETY HAZARD TO CHILDREN RIDING IN CAR. *TR

DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THIS 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE VAN. RIGHT SIDE POWERED DOOR SEIZED. DOOR FAILED TO OPEN COMPLETELY, AND THEN IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHUT AND LOCK. I TOOK THE SIENNA TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (HEARTLAND TOYOTA, BREMERTON, WASHINGTON) ON 13JAN10, AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED MOTOR, CONTROL CABLE, AND COMPUTER (ECU). THEY ALSO INFORMED ME IT WOULD COST $3,050 TO REPAIR. I WAS IN SHOCK. I CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A CHRONIC FAILURE WITH THE 'AUTOMATIC' DOORS OF TOYOTA VANS. TOYOTA CORPORATE INSTRUCTED ME TO WORK WITH THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO ARBITRATE REPAIRS SINCE THE DOOR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, OR RECALL. I URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THESE DOORS. THEY SHOULD NOT FAIL AND SEIZE AFTER 5 YEARS OF NORMAL WEAR. *TR UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF UPDATED 10/05/10

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK DOWN TO THE FLOOR CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION UP TO 50 MPH. HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND KICKED THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES AND IT RESUMED THE ORIGINAL POSITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN UP UNTIL THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

TOYOTA (2004 SIENNA) SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER ON DRIVERS SEAT. TOYOTA (JUDY FAUL) INTERVIEWED ME/MY CASE AND SUBMITTED TO TERRENCE CHU (REGULATORY AFFAIRS). HE WROTE ME A LETTER 3 MONTHS LATER AND SAID TOYOTA WAS NOT AT FAULT BECAUSE I HAD A TOWEL (8"X8" BABY BURP CLOTH) ADJACENT TO MY LEG (LEFT OUTER THIGH) AND THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES "NOT TO USE AN INSULATING OBJECT" WITH THE SEAT HEATER OPERATING. HE NEVER CONTACTED ME FOR CLARIFICATION ON THE INCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN DENIED ACCESS TO ANYONE AT TOYOTA. THE DEALER (PEORIA, IL) SAID THEY WILL REPAIR FOR $1337, BUT WILL NOT SUPPORT ME TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THE FAULTY HEATER CREATED. I CAN SEE THEIR LOGIC IF SITTING ON A STACK OF TOWLES, BUT NOT A RAG, OF WHICH THE CONSISTENCY IS LESS THAN THE SKI PANTS WORN (WITH THE HEATER OPERATING) OR MY WIFE SWEATER DRESSES IN THE SAME MANNER. PERSONAL FRIENDS (TORRY OLSEN) HAD THE SAME YEAR VAN AND THE SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA REPAIRED THEIRS AS IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE HEATER ELEMENT IS STILL HOOKED UP (AND DANGEROUS) AND TOYOTA WILL NOT SERVICE UNLESS WE PAY. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ACCUMULATES MOISTURE INSIDE DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHT. THE HEADLIGHT WILL SUDDENLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. TOYOTA CLAIMS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS AN ESTIMATED REPAIR CHARGE OF $1200 TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. MANY TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE HID BULBS THAT ARE BEING USED AND THE DEFECTIVE NATURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. ONCE REPAIRED, IT REPORTEDLY KEEPS OCCURRING. MINE WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK IN THE MOUNTAINS- COULD NOT CONTINUE ON TRIP DUE TO THE HAZARD OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ON THE WINDY DARK ROADS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. EVERY YEAR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING AND THERE IS EVEN SLIGHT PRECIPITATION, MY SLIDING DOORS FREEZE SO I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN THEM AT ALL OR EVEN CLOSE THEM COMPLETELY. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER REPEATEDLY. THEY HAVE LUBRICATED THE SEALS BUT IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. MY DAUGHTER WAS RECENTLY INJURED GETTING INTO THE REAR DOOR WHEN SHE SLIPPED. I LIVE IN FEAR THERE WILL BE A CAR ACCIDENT OR EMERGENCY WHERE MY CHILDREN WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VAN. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINI VAN - WINDSHIELD CRACKS IMMEDIATELY EVEN IF IT RECEIVES AN EXTREMELY SMALL (LESS THAN HALF A MILIMETER) STONE CHIP ON THE EDGES OF THE WINDSHIELD. AS SOON AS THERE IS AN EXTREMELY SMALL STONE / PEBBLE CHIP, IT WILL CRACK RIGHT AWAY. *CN

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE. THE PASSENGER RIGHT POWER SLIDER DOOR HAS STOPPED WORKING ABRUPTLY ON 1/1/2010 WHILE DRIVING. THE DAUGHTER WAS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THE DOOR. DEALER QUOTE IS 1400 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN, SLIDING DOORS FREEZE SHUT ALL WINTER, MY THREE KIDS CANNOT RELY ON WHAT DOOR TO EXIT, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY. ONE SLIDING DOOR HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING, CABLE SNAPPED AND BOLTS SHEARED, LIKELY DUE TO THE EXTRA FORCE NEEDED TO WORK THE FREQUENTLY FROZEN DOORS. PERHAPS THESE VANS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN CLIMATES UNDER 32 DEGREES. I HAVE ALREADY NEEDED TO HAVE FRONT DOORS AND REAR DOOR MECHANISM REPAIRED(RECALLS). THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL WAS DEFECTIVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

SLIDING SIDE DOORS FREEZE SHUT AND CAN NOT BE OPENED WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. *TR

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON TOYOTA SIENNA FREEZES IN COLD WEATHER AND THE CABLE BROKE MAKING THE DOOR INOPERABLE. DEALER STATES THE REPAIR COST IS BETWEEN 2-3K. UNABLE TO JUST BUY THE CABLE PART WITHOUT THE MOTOR. VAN IS A 2004 MODEL. CABLE BROKE ON 12/30/2009. *TR

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THE SLIDING DOORS EVER SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. A COUPLE OF YEARS INTO OWNERSHIP THE CABLE ON THE MOTORIZED DOOR (PASSENGER SIDE) BECAME SLIPPED OFF ITS TRACK, MAKING CLOSING THE DOOR IMPOSSIBLE. THE CABLE HAD TO BE SNAPPED, CONVERTING THE DOOR TO A MANUAL DOOR, SO THAT THE CAR COULD BE LOCKED AND SECURED. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS EXCESSIVE (FOR ME), THEREBY MAKING THIS TEMPORARY SOLUTION A PERMANENT ONE. THE GREATER PROBLEM RESIDES IN OPERATION OF BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS IN COLD WEATHER. WHENEVER IT'S COLD, THE DOORS STICK AND CANNOT BE OPENED. THE SAFETY CONCERNS ARE TWOFOLD. PRIMARILY, I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CHILDREN CANNOT BE EFFICIENTLY REMOVED FROM THE CAR, IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE OTHER DAY, IT WAS SO COLD, I ACTUALLY SNAPPED THE DOOR HANDLE OFF THE VEHICLE, ATTEMPTING TO OPEN IT. INDIRECTLY, I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT INSTRUCTING MY CHILDREN TO ENTER THE CAR, VIA THE FRONT DOORS, AND TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEATS. WITHOUT ADULT PRESENCE, ANY CHILD COULD INADVERTENTLY KICK THE (AUTOMATIC) GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THEREBY ENDANGERING AN PERSON WHO MIGHT BE IN FRONT OR IN BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IN AREAS WHERE ONE IS ACCUSTOMED TO START A VEHICLE AND LEAVE IT RUNNING TO WARM UP, ALBEIT IT'S VERY REMOTELY POSSIBLE, THERE COULD BE A TRAGIC OUTCOME. PERSONALLY, I WILL TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT THIS, BUT I CAN SEE OTHERS NOT ANTICIPATING THIS OUTCOME. I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF A NUMBER OF SIENNA OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THESE DOORS, AND I AM GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOORS THAT HAVE BEEN FROZEN SHUT. I HAVE TO THINK THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW HERE THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BY TOYOTA. YET, OTHER SIENNA OWNERS HEAR THE SAME THING THAT I DO, SPECIFICALLY THAT WE NEED TO KEEP THROWING MONEY AT THE PROBLEM TO KEEP THE CARS MAINTAINED AND THAT IT'S NOT TOYOTA'S RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

THE CABLE ON THE AUTOMATIC DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR OF OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA SNAPPED. THIS RENDERED THE DOOR UNABLE TO CLOSE UNTIL GETTING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

POWER SLIDING DOOR CABLE SNAPPED ON A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE. DUE TO THIS ISSUE WE CAN NOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR. IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, WE ARE TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ESTIMATED COST TO FIX IS $500.00 AND $100.00 TO IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. *TR

I WISH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 DRIVER DOOR. THERE IS A DOOR CHECK POPPING NOISE WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE DRIVER DOOR FALLING OFF. I BELIEVE THIS OUGHT TO BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA AND REPAIRED IN ALL VECHICLES. *TR

IM WRITING ABOUT MY SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS SUMMER. I LIVE IN A CLIMATE WHERE IT IS BELOW FREEZING FOUR MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR. THE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE THE TEMPERATURE HAS DROP WHERE THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS HAVE FROZE SHUT AND I COULD NOT GET THEM OPEN. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL DIFFERENT MODELS OF VAN AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. THIS IS NOT JUST HAPPENING WHEN THERE'S FREEZING RAIN, ITS SEEMS TO BE WHENEVER THERE IS ANY SORT OF MOISTURE BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE WEATHERSTRIPING. THANK YOU *TR

THE WELD THAT SECURES THE DOOR CHECK MOUNTING PANEL TO THE DRIVER DOOR IS FAILING ON MY 2004 SIENNA LE. I GET THE DREADED POPPING NOISES WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE DOOR CHECK IS THE DEVICE THAT HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN HALFWAY OR FULLY OPEN. THIS DEVICE PROVIDES RESISTANCE SO THE DOOR DOES NOT SWING FREELY. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE (TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN NV003-07) AND EXTENDED THE REGULAR WARRANTY TO 5 YEARS AND 1000,000 MILES FOR THIS SITUATION (TOYOTA MOTOR SALES USA LETTER TO ME IN ~ 2008). STEVINSON TOYOTA (LAKEWOOD CO) TOLD ME THE REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND HAS 111,000 MILES. IF TOYOTA WAS CONCERNED ENOUGH TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY AND COVER THE REPAIR, WHY NOT ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM? JUST BECAUSE MY CAR IS 6 YEARS OLD DOESN'T MEAN THE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO A FAILED DOOR CHECK WENT AWAY. WHEN THE RETAINING MECHANISM WELD FAILS COMPLETELY, THE DOOR WILL SWING FREELY AND COULD CLOSE SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. ANY PERSON IN THE WAY COULD BE HIT AND ANY LIMBS/FINGERS COULD BE TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DOOR AND FRAME. THIS VEHICLE PROVIDES THE FAMILY TRANSPORTATION SO THERE ARE KIDS INVOLVED HERE. *TR

TOYOTA SIENNA 2004. AUTOMATIC RIGHT SIDE DOOR PROGRESSIVELY GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR MOTOR TO CLOSE & LATCH PROPERLY. A WEEK AGO, VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT DECLINE. MY CHILD OPENED DOOR, THE DOOR RECLINED 75% THEN, IN A MANUAL MODE, REVERSED AND STARTED CLOSING RAPIDLY. HAD HIS HAND OR FOOT BEEN IN THE WAY, IT WOULD HAVE CRUSHED THE LIMB. DEALER SAID, 'THIS IS A $1200 - $1700 REPAIR NOT COVERED BY TOYOTA AT THIS TIME" AND THAT A MOTOR AND CABLING, BOTH LOCATED INTERNALLY TO THE DOOR, WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA OUGHT TO BE FORCED TO REPAIR IT. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 SIENNA CE THAT WE BOUGHT NEW. SINCE OWNING THE CAR (IT HAS 125,000 MILES ON IT) THE SLIDING DOORS HAVE FROZEN SHUT WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS COLD. LIVING IN VERMONT, I THOUGHT THAT THIS ISSUE WAS ISOLATED. HOWEVER, WHEN MY SON TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THE HANDLE SNAPPED OFF BECAUSE THE DOOR WAS FROZEN SHUT ONCE AGAIN, I DECIDED TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE OTHER COMPLAINTS. YES THERE WERE...MANY. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE HANDLE REPLACED BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR FREEZING SHUT WAS A TYPICAL COMPLAINT. *TR

UPON ENGAGING THE BRAKE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT OUR LOCAL PIZZA SHOP IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO, OUR TOYOTA SIENNA ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND HIT THE BRICK BUILDING 10 FEET AWAY. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES BUT DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND A WINDOW IN THE PIZZA SHOP WERE SIGNIFICANT. THE CAR WAS STILL GOING AFTER THE CRASH AND IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN A BRICK WALL TO STOP THE CAR I FEAR WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE INCIDENT WAS IMMEDIATELY REPORTED TO THE POLICE AND THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THOUGH WE LOVE THE CAR WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE, NOR ARE WE WILLING TO SELL IT CONSIDERING WHAT COULD HAPPEN. WE NEED A PROPER WAY TO DISPOSE OF IT. *TR