2004 Toyota Sienna Complaint Log

THE RIGHT POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE HAS JAMMED. THE CABLE ATTACHED TO THE DOOR IS STUCK IN THE DOOR MECHANISM. THE DOOR WAS ACTIVATED VIA THE REMOTE CONTROL ON THE DAY OF THE MALFUNCTION AND IT SIMPLY JAMMED OPEN. THE DOOR WONT CLOSE WITH THIS CABLE JAMMED INTO THE GEARS. WE HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH THE DOOR IN AN OPEN POSITION. TOYOTA'S DEALERS SAY THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT. WHEN I BROUGHT THE TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN - POWER SLIDING DOOR INOPERATIVE ? EL004-04 DOCUMENT TO THEIR ATTENTION, THEY STILL REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS OVER THE 36,000 MILES TSB WARRANTY, BUT SINCE WHEN DOES A DEFECTIVE PART ON SAFETY OF A DOOR BECOME LIMITED TO A MILEAGE ISSUE? THEY INSISTED THAT I PAY A $120 FEE TO 'DIAGNOSE' THE PROBLEM, BUT THEN STATE THAT THE COSTS FOR REPAIRS ARE AT LEAST $1800, AS THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE CONTACTED NATIONAL TOYOTA AT 800-331-4331 AND THEY SAY THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST ME. I HAVE SWITCHED OFF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS OF THIS DOOR, BUT IT STILL WONT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. IT IS A TOTAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

THE REAR LIFTGATE ON MY VAN WILL OPEN THEN CLOSE SUDDENLY. IF A PERSON WERE TO GET IN THE WAY THEY COULD BE CRUSHED AND SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

BOTH SLIDING DOORS ON THE MINIVAN BEGAN RUBBING AGAINST THE BODY ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO GET WORSEN. ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE DOOR HAS RUBBED DOWN TO THE METAL AT THREE POINTS ON THE BODY WHERE THE BACK OF THE DOOR CLOSES INTO TO THE DOOR HOUSING. ADDITIONALLY, THE DOOR IS SAGGING ENOUGH ON THE HINGES THAT THE PAINT IS BEING RUBBED OFF ALONG THE TRACK OF THE DOOR AS WELL. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS ALSO BEGUN TO SAG ON IT'S HINGES AND HAS RUBBED THE PAINT OFF THE BODY IN ONE SPOT. THE ISSUE IS CLEARLY RELATED TO THE DOOR SAGGING ON IT'S HINGES - WHETHER THE ISSUES IS DESIGN FLAW, OR PARTS THAT CAN NOT HANDLE THE WEIGHT I DO NOT KNOW. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HINGES AND FIGHT FOR 100% COVERAGE FROM TOYOTA (THE CARE HAS 51000 MILES AND AM PAST WARRANTY). *TR

THE LATCH ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR HAS BROKEN. IT IS A THREE BOLT ASSEMBLY AND TWO OF THE THREE BOLTS HAVE PULLED THROUGH THEIR HOLES. THE LATCH IS NOW ONLY ATTACHED BY ONE BOLT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR DISENGAGED WHICH CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT RUSTED CABLES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,000. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR ON THE REAR PASSENGER EXIT, THE DOOR FAILED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. HE HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE DOOR AJAR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR MOTOR OR CONTROLLER FAILED. HE RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT BY CUTTING THE CABLE, THE DOOR WOULD SHUT. THE CONTACT CUT THE CABLE AND THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO CLOSE. THE REAR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR CONTINUED TO FAIL AND WOULD NOT LATCH OR LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE MOTOR IN THE DOOR AND THE LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $2,300. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE HAD THE POWER SLIDER DOOR CABLES SNAP WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF ONE ANOTHER, ONE AT 39,000 MILES, THE OTHER AT 40,000 MILES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE VAN FOR MY KIDS NOW. THERE ARE NO HANDLES TO CLOSE THESE DOORS, AND MY KIDS HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THEM. I HAVE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS SIENNA OWNERS, YET TOYOTA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL ITEM. I USED TO LOVE MY TOYOTA'S, BUT AFTER THIS, I WILL HAVE TO RETHINK MY POSITION. I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL AND PROTECT THEIR REPUTATION. *TR

THE CABLE ON THE POWER DOOR OF MY MINIVAN HAS SNAPPED. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, LEAVING ONLY 1 ACCESS DOOR OUT OF THE REAR OF THE VAN. *TR

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA ONLY HAS 29,000 MILES AND THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN HARDLY USED. THE A/C SYSTEM FAILED WORKING ABOUT 3 MONTH AGO DUO TO THE CONDENSER O-RING FAILURE. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY 2004 SIENNA USERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

REAR SLIDING DOOR CABLE BROKE. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ($1600) NO HELP FROM DEALERSHIP. TOLD ME TO CALL MANUFACTURER. CAR HAD 50,000 MILES. SEEMS LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT ALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPERATE. HE STATED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,500. THE DEALER REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED, THE MANUFACTURER PAID HALF OF THE REPAIR COST FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

SLIDING DOOR ISSUES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WASN'T FUNCTIONING AT ALL AUTOMATICALLY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS FREEZING AND NOT WORKING AUTOMATICALLY ALL THE TIME. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLE AND MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN OBSTRUCTION CAUSING MY PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR (A POKEMAN CARD). THE WAS IN THE SPRING OF 2008. NOW IN THE FALL OF 2008 I WENT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE PASSENGER DOOR ISN'T WORKING AT ALL. THEY HAVE TOLD ME IT WILL BE $2400.00 FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

IN MAY OF 2008, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA INTO THE GARAGE. I WAS IDLING WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF. I WAS STANDING WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND COULD NOT STOP. I CRASHED THROUGH THE REAR OF THE GARAGE AND HIT A TREE WHICH RIPPED THE RIGHT TIRE AND AXLE FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. AT THAT POINT, I CAN TO A STOP HOWEVER THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD BEEN RIGHT OUTSIDE THE BACK DOOR OF THE GARAGE WHEN I CRASHED THROUGH. SHE WAS SOMEHOW PUSHED OFF TO THE SIDE. THE BACK PORTION OF THE WALL AND THE BACK DOOR WENT ABOUT 30 FEET INTO THE BACKYARD. THE TREE I HIT WAS ABOUT 45 FEET BEHIND THE GARAGE. I TRAVELED FOR ANOTHER 50 FEET AFTER HITTING THE TREE AND LOSING MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. WHEN WE HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SIOUX CITY, IA, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SINCE IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL WILL QUIT WORKING AT TIMES AND THERE ARE ERROR LIGHTS THAT SHOW UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I BELIEVE IT IS AN ESC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT SHOW UP WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL QUITS WORKING. ONCE THESE LIGHTS GO AWAY, THE SPEED CONTROL WILL CONTINUE WORKING AGAIN. *TR

DUNLOP RUN FLAT TIRES WEAR, REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT. *TR

MY WIFE HAS BRAND NEW FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ST TIRES PUT ON HER TOYOTA SIENNA VAN ON APRIL 15 2008 AND ON MAY 2, 2008 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE HER TIRE CAME APART. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALLS (WHICH WERE STILL ON THE RIM) AND WENT FLYING OFF STILL COMPLETELY ROUND . LUCKILY IT WAS A REAR TIRE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL HER VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP. THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BECAUSE WE DIDN'T FEEL SAFE WITH THIS BRAND. WE DID HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIM ON THE BLOWN TIRE AS IT BECAME BENT SOMETIME DURING THE ORDEAL. *TR

REAR HATCH STRUTS ON 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILED ON APPROXIMATELY 01MAY08. LIFTGATE CLOSED ON MY WIFE AND SIX YEAR OLD NEPHEW. HAD TO USE CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO REVERSE THE ACTION OF DOOR. TOOK THE CAR WITH REAR LIFTGATE STRUT WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT TO THE DEALER ON 21MAY08 AND THE REPAIR WAS MADE,BUT THE LIFTGATE STILL FAILS TO STAY UP. *TR

NO EVENT OR WARNING OF PENDING FAILURE. PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING POWER DOOR. CABLE SNAPPED. MOTOR/CABLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. ESTIMATE OF $1800.00 TO REPLACE REPAIR. *TR

SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN: AT 0830AM PST, APRIL 29TH 2008 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT MY SCHOOL WHERE I WORK AS A TEACHER. WHILE MAKING A SLOW U-TURN, WITH MY FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE VAN SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AND ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY LIKE A ROCKET AT MAXIMUM VELOCITY. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NEVER PRESSED DURING THIS INCIDENT. I HAD JUST A SPLIT SECOND TO REMOVE MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO LOOK DOWN AT THE FLOOR BOARD TO ENSURE NOTHING WAS PINNING THE PEDAL DOWNWARD, NOTHING WAS THERE AND THE VAN WAS STILL ACCELERATING LOOKED UP IN HORROR AS VEHICLE WAS CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. I QUICKLY STEERED THE VEHICLE AND DODGED A SCREENED CHAIN-LINK FENCE TO AVOID AN AREA WHERE CHILDREN USUALLY STAND WAITING FOR PARENTS. WITH VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATING AT FULL POWER I QUICKLY PASSED THE FENCE AREA, APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH GREAT FORCE, BUT THEY FELT UNRESPONSIVE TO THE ACCELERATION FORCES. WITH VEHICLE MOVING AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND STILL ACCELERATING, I SAW A PARKED VEHICLE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AND COULD NO LONGER CONTROL THE VEHICLE, I BRACED FOR IMPACT. THE VAN VIOLENTLY SMASHED INTO AN UNATTENDED FORD EXPEDITION VEHICLE, ENGINE BRIEFLY REVVED HIGH AND THEN FINALLY SHUT DOWN. HAD THERE NOT BEEN A PARKED VEHICLE THERE I WOULD HAVE GONE DIRECTLY INTO THE RESIDENTIAL HOUSE ABOUT 50 FEET AWAY. IT ONLY TOOK ABOUT 3 OR 4 SECONDS FOR THE VAN TO TRAVEL THE 22 YARDS FROM WHERE THE ACCELERATOR MALFUNCTION STARTED TO THE IMPACT AREA OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS SITUATION WILL OCCUR AGAIN TO SOMEONE ELSE. LIVES WILL BE LOST AND DRIVERS WILL BE FALSELY HELD ACCOUNTABLE. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT THE NHSTA INVESTIGATE THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. I AM SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT I AM SENDING A COMPLETE DISSERTATION TO ALL TV NETWORKS (20/20, ETC) HOPING THAT SOME AGENCY WILL EXPOSE THIS TO A HIGH LEVEL OF PUBLIC AWARENESS. *TR

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE 7 PASSENGER LIMITED VAN. MY REAR LIFTGATE WILL NOT STAY OPEN IT WILL RAISE TO FULLY OPEN AND IMMEDIATELY BEGIN RAPIDLY CLOSING. I BARELY GOT OUT OF THE OPENING BEFORE IT CLOSED. NO SENSORS REACTED TO STOP THE AUTOMATIC POWERED DOOR FROM CLOSING. THIS OCCURS EITHER FROM USING THE REMOTE BUTTON ON THE KEYHOLDER OR FROM THE BUTTON INSIDE THE VAN NEAR THE SUN ROOF SWITCH. THIS DEFECT CAN AND WILL HURT, INJURE OR COULD KILL A CHILD OR ADULT USING THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE STEERING WOULD TIGHTEN AND HESITATE TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE U JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND HAD LOTS OF "PLAY". THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $523.71. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,208.

ON APRIL 18, 2008 THE STEERING ON MY TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN TO FEEL DIFFICULT. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON MAY 6, 2008. *TR

POWER STEERING RACK FAILURE ON 2004 VEHICLE WITH 36,000 MILES. STEERING IS ERRATIC AND ODD FEELING. CONCERN IS THAT A TOTAL PS FAILURE COULD OCCUR MAKING VAN VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 76,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS ONE OF THE FIRST OWNERS WHEN THE NEW MODEL WAS INTRODUCED. IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED THROUGH MOLLE TOYOTA, KC MO THAT I HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. I HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT INITIALLY AND TOYOTA MOTOR SALES ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF IT AND PROVIDED EXCELLENT SERVICE AND FOLLOW UP. HOWEVER, THE REPUTATION THAT THEY HAVE BUILT OVER THE COURSE OF 4 YEARS HAS COME UNRAVELED. ONE OF MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT RECENTLY AND I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED, ASSUMING IT NEEDED A NEW BULB. I WAS PRESENTED WITH A PROJECTED PRICE OF $ 900.00 TO FIX ONE HEADLIGHT. $ 800.00 OF THIS WAS A ?IGNITER? PART FROM TOYOTA AND $ 100.00 OF THIS WAS LABOR FROM THE DEALER. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA MOTOR AND IT WAS BOUNCED BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DELIVERED THE MESSAGE THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO PAY THIS, DUE TO THE HIGH MILEAGE. CLEARLY, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS AND CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. A REALISTIC REPAIR EXPECTATION WOULD BE TO REPLACE A BULB. THIS IS AN OUTRAGEOUS EXPENSE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD INCUR. THANK YOU, PATRICE LOFQUIST *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE REAR SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT HOLD IN PLACE. THE CABLE FOR THE DOOR WAS ALSO FRAYED. ALSO IN FREEZING COLD WEATHER, THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS EVER REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN THE DEALER OPENED THE DOOR, HE NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT SHUT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE DOOR MOTOR AND CABLE AT HER EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE COMPLETELY CLOSING THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. IT HAS A BROKEN LATCH MECHANISM (THE DOOR IS MANUAL, NOT POWER). THE LATCH IS HELD IN PLACE IN THE DOOR WITH THREE BOLTS. TWO OF THEM HAVE SHEARED OUT OF THE METAL OF THE DOOR. *TR

TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 AUTOMATIC DOOR (PASSENGER SITE) CABLE THAT OPENS THE DOOR SNAPPED AND BROKE. A BURNING SMELL OCCUR BUT NO FIRE. I WAS LOOKING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $ 1800.00. I FOUND ON SEVERAL BLOGS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE -DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HINGE POPS, CALLED DEALER, ASKED IF THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS, BUT THEY SEND THE VAN TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS (RE-WELDING) AND THAT WILL TAKE 4 DAYS. BECAUSE IT IS UNDER A SERVICE BULLETIN AND NOT A RECALL, THEY DO NOT PROVIDE A "LOANER" OR RENTAL VEHICLE. *TR

IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE MOUNT FOR THE LEFT REAR DOOR'S LOCK ON MY 2004 SIENNA 8LE IS BROKEN. THE DOOR ON THE BACKSIDE HAS MOUNTS FOR THE FEMALE RECEPTABLE TO THE U-SHAPED BOLT ON THE CAR BODY. THE SCREWS ON THAT MOUNT HAVE TORN THROUGH THE SHEET METAL AND NOW THE DOOR WONT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. I THINK THE U-BOLT FROM THE BODY IS NOT SITTING COMPLETELY INTO THAT RECEIVER ON THE DOOR AS A RESULT OF A SMALL MISALIGNMENT. THE TOYOTA DEALER INFORMED ME THAT HE'S SEEN THIS BEFORE AND SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE THE CAR TO A BODY SHOP TO HAMMER AND WELD THE THING BACK INTO PLACE. OTHERWISE, HE'D HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR. *TR

FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO, THE POWER LIFT GATE SEEMED TO NOT GO UP/RAISE AS HIGH AS I THOUGHT IT DID. THEN YESTERDAY THE POWER LIFT GATE UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED DOWN. USING THE KEY FOB/REMOTE I RAISED IT ONLY TO HAVE IT CLOSE AGAIN. I TRIED LIFTING IT MANUALLY AND IT CLOSED AGAIN. I LOCKED THE CAR AND TRIED THE LIFT GATE AGAIN AND IT CLOSED DOWN. THIS MAKES THE REAR OF THE CAR INACCESSIBLE SINCE IT IMMEDIATELY CLOSES DOWN. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING SINCE THE DOOR IS VERY HEAVY AND THIS IS A MINI-VAN WHICH IS FREQUENTLY PURCHASED BY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TERRIFYING AND POSSIBLY FATAL TO MY YOUNG CHILDREN IF THEY WERE BY THE REAR OF THE MINI-VAN WHEN THIS THING UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED. *TR

ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO A HALF HOUR DRIVE THE STEERING SUDDENLY FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING DURING TURNS. THE FORCE REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNPREDICTABLE, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL LOCAL GARAGE (NOT AFFILIATED WITH TOYOTA) COULD INSPECT STEERING. THEY REPORTED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT, BUT THAT THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. FOUND ON NHTSA WEBSITE THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM IN JANUARY 2007. GIVEN THE RAPIDITY OF THE ONSET OF THIS PROBLEM, SUGGEST THAT OWNERS IN HIGH SALT AREAS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER. TOTAL MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 56,000. WILL KEEP DAMAGED PART WHEN REPLACEMENT ARRIVES. *TR

REAR LIFT GATE STRUTS REPLACED ON 3/11/2008 BY TOYOTA DUE TO REAR LIFT GATE NOT STAYING OPEN AND CLOSING DOWN ON TOP OF US BY ITSELF. REAR LIFT GATE STRUTS REPLACED AGAIN ON 12/18/2009 BY TOYOTA DUE TO THE SAME THING HAPPENING. REAR LIFT GATE STRUTS ARE AGAIN FAILING AS OF 12/2012. CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT IT AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM STATING THEY ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. THE REAR LIFT GATE OPENS SLOWLY, THEN BEGINS TO CLOSE DOWN ON TOP OF YOU BY ITSELF. THE REAR LIFT GATE TAKES GREAT FORCE TO STOP IT FROM COMING DOWN ON TOP OF YOU. THE SAFETY MECHANISM/AUTO REVERSAL DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK PROPERLY AS IT TAKES A VERY STRONG PERSON TO REVERSE IT. A WOMAN OR CHILD COULD EASILY BE CRUSHED BY THE REAR GATE AS THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FORCE IT BACK UP. BEING THAT THESE NEW STRUTS IN 2009 WERE SUPPOSE TO BE "LONGER LASTING" ACCORDING TO TOYOTA, THEY ARE HAVING TO BE REPLACED MUCH SOONER THAN MOST CONSUMERS WOULD EXPECT. NEW STRUTS BEING REPLACED EVERY 3 YEARS IS NOT WHAT THE CONSUMER EXPECTS OF "LONGER LASTING" STRUTS. AT SOME POINT, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED BY THESE DEFECTIVE REAR LIFT GATE STRUTS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA CE(MANUAL HATCH):THE HATCH IS HARD TO LIFT OPEN AND DOES NOT STAY UP--JUST SLAMS DOWN SHUT. VERY DANGEROUS!! NEED 1 PERSON TO HOLD HATCH OPEN WHEN ACCESSING INTERIOR. *TR

A SHAFT IN THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SALT. COMPLETE FAILURE WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. I REPLACED THE PART PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA SLIDING DOORS MALFUNCTIONING. OVER TIME, THE DOORS APPEAR TO WEAR OUT AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY OR BY USING THE POWER OPERATION FEATURE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO OPEN IT AND ADJUST IT BUT TOLD US THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN UNLESS WE PAID APPROXIMATELY $1200 PER DOOR TO REPLACE THE WORN PARTS. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

REAR HATCH LIFT GATE CAME DOWN ON MY DAUGHTERS BACK....NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED, BUT IT TOOK A LOT OF FORCE TO FREE HER. LATER THE SAME DAY THE LIFT GATE OPENED ALL THE WAY AND THEN CAME DOWN ABOUT A FOOT AND HIT MY WIFE ON THE HEAD....KNOCKED HER TO THE GROUND AND CAUSED A PRETTY BAD HEADACHE FOR A DAY. AFTER THE GATE HIT HER, IT CONTINUED TO CLOSE. RIGHT NOW THE LIFT GATE OPENS HALF WAY AND THEN SLAMS SHUT. *TR

BROKEN CABLE IN SIDE SLIDING DOORS (AUTOMATIC). WOULD NOT OPEN MANUALLY. CHILDREN STUCK INSIDE HAD TO EXIT THROUGH FRONT DOORS. MANUAL OVERRIDE NOT FUNCTIONING. DEALER WANTS $2,000.00 PER DOOR TO REPAIR. VAN ONLY 4 1/2 YEARS OLD WHEN CABLES BROKE. *TR

STEERING BECAME HARD AND WOULD CATCH IN CERTAIN TURNING SITUATIONS SO THE CAR FELT AS IF STEERING LOCKED UP. NEEDS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED. CAR WENT INTO SHOP ON FRIDAY 3-7-08. PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. NONE ARE AVAILABLE IN USA. A TSB WAS ISSUED 1-2007 CONCERNING REPLACEMENT OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING ASSEMBLY WITH MODIFIED PART IN HIGH SALT AREAS. THE ORIGINAL DESIGN ALLOWS SALT TO GET IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND CORRODE IT CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME DIFFICULT. TOYOTA HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW DESIGN. THEIR FAILURE RATE MUST BE HIGH IF THEY HAVE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS IN THE USA FOR 2 WEEKS AND ONLY STATES WITH ROAD SALT ARE AFFECTED. *TR

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT JAMS WHERE IT COMES OUT OF THE SEATBELT GUIDE ASSEMBLY CAUSING EXCESS SLACK IN THE SEAT BELT SO THAT IT IS INOPERABLE. I HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO UNCANNY IT ONCE AND HAVE HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT SEAT BELT PROTECTION TO HAVE THEM UNJAM IT. THEY SOMEHOW YANK IT LOOSE BUT WE HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS ONCE (TODAY). IT IS STARTING TO JAM ALMOST EVERY TIME ITS USED NOW AND DESPITE BEING VERY CAREFUL, IT HAS COMPLETELY JAMMED 5 TIMES NOW. IT IS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LIMITED MINIVAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER REAR SLIDING DOOR LOCKS WERE DEFECTIVE. PREVIOUSLY, ONE OF THE DOORS CAME OFF TRACK AND CAUSED THE GLASS TO SHATTER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DOOR AND GLASS. ON JULY 1, 2008, THE CONTACT'S CHILDREN WERE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CHILDREN HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY DID NOT TAKE A REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

OUR 2004 SIENNA SLIDING DOOR BECAME STUCK OPEN AND WE WERE FORCED TO CUT THE CABLE IN ORDER TO SHUT THE DOOR. THE TOYOTA DEALER QUOTED SEVERAL THOUSAND $$ TO FIX IT. THE CABLE REMAINS CUT AND WE NOW USE IT AS A MANUAL OPENING DOOR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT BINDS IN THE BEZEL TRIM PIECE. THE AFFECTED SEAT BELT BEZEL IS LOCATED ON THE SHOULDER PORTION ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE SEAT BELT BINDS IN THE BEZEL, AND THE EXTRA WEBBING RESULTS IN AN IMPROPERLY FITTED SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THERE IS A TSB (NUMBER 10020994) REGARDING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN HIGH ROAD SALT AREAS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

AUTOMATIC REAR TAILGATE DOOR SOMETIMES CLOSES BY ITSELF AFTER OPENING, CAUSING POTENTIAL INJURIES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LEANING INTO THE VEHICLE TO UNLOAD THE VAN. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN, MOSTLY IN THE WINTER ON COLD DAYS. *TR

ON 2/13/2008, I TRIED TO OPEN MY PASSENGER SLIDER DOOR WITH THE AUTO BUTTON. THE DOOR OPENED APPROXIMATELY A FOOT THEN CLOSED ITSELF. I TRIED THIS A SECOND TIME AND AGAIN IT HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND THEN TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FURTHER THAN ABOUT A FOOT AGAIN. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE DOOR AND UPON INSPECTION NOTICED THAT THE CABLE WAS BROKEN. WE CALLED TOYOTA AND FOUND THAT AT THE TIME THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THEN CALL TO SEE WHAT TOYOTA COULD DO FOR US. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, I INFORMED THE SERVICE TECH BEHIND THE COUNTER THAT I WAS BRINGING IN MY 2004 SIENNA TO HAVE THE SLIDING DOOR CHECKED. HIS REPLY WAS "LET ME GUESS, THE CABLE SNAPPED". HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL US THAT THEY WERE HAVING ALOT OF ISSUES WITH THIS. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED MY VEHICLE OVER, CONFIRMED THE CABLE HAD SNAPPED AND STATED THAT IT WOULD COST ROUGHLY $1,600.00. I TOLD THEM THAT THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS MGR. NEEDED TO CONTACT TOYOTA TO SEE WHAT THEY WOULD DO FOR US, AS MY EVERYDAY MECHANIC HAD STATED TO ME THAT FOR A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. THE TECH CONSULTED WITH HIS MANAGER (WHO NEVER EVEN PICKED UP THE PHONE) RETURNED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE PART AND WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ROUGHLY $500-600 FOR LABOR. I AGREED AS I REALLY HAD NO CHOICE. PLEASE HELP NOT ONLY ME, BUT THE OTHER SIENNA OWNERS GET THIS PROBLEM INTO A RECALL STATUS, AS IF THIS EVER SHUTS ON A CHILD SERIOUS INJURY OR A DEATH MAY OCCUR. *TR

1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: PRESSING EITHER BUTTON (IN THE MAIN CABIN OR ON THE KEY FOB) TOP OPEN THE POWER REAR LIFT GATE 2. FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES: UPON REACHING THE FULLY OPENED POSITION (OR VERY CLOSE TO?), THE POWER REAR LIFT GATE REVERSES AND AUTOMATICALLY CLOSES ON THE OPERATOR WITHOUT USER INTERVENTION. SINCE IT'S COMMON TO PROCEED TO EXTRACT CONTENTS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER OPENING THE REAR LIFT GATE, INJURY ENSUES DUE TO THE POWERED CLOSING OF THE REAR LIFT GATE ON YOUR HEAD/ARM/SHOULD/CHILD. THIS HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS MINOR INJURIES DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT FORCE REQUIRED TO PREVENT THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ON THE OPERATOR 3. THE DEALER HAS NOW REPLACED THE REAR LIFT GATE STRUTS TWICE AND IT'S CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON FOR A THIRD TIME AFTER A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA CORPORATE. THE FAILURES STILL CONTINUE AND THE DEALER HAS SAID THEY HAVE NO CLUE HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM (DURING THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR LIFT GATE STRUTS). *TR

ALL SEAT BELTS STICKING OR NOT RETRACTING. *TR

A DEFECTIVE WELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CHECK ATTACHMENT CAUSED LOUD POPPING NOISE EVERY TIME THE DOOR WAS USED. PROBLEM PROGRESSED INTO A FULL FAILURE OF STRAP/CHECK MECHANISM AND DAMAGE TO POWER WINDOW. THE PERVASIVE MANUFACTURER DEFECT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED AS AN OWNER MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY BY TOYOTA. THE BROKEN PART HAS FALLEN INTO THE DOOR CAVITY. *TR

TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 REAR POWER LIFT GATE - GAS STRUTS FAILED CAUSING THE LIFT GATE TO FALL BELOW NORMAL OPENING. *TR

AUTOMATIC REAR DOOR ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE CLOSES WHILE REMOVING ITEMS FROM TRUNK. I WAS REMOVING A STROLLER AND THE THING STARTED CLOSING ON ME AND I HAD TO FALL TO THE FLOOR TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. *TR

INITIALLY THE DR SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WOULD NOT LIGHT. DEALER REPLACED BULB AND ECU MODULE. WARRANTY REPLACEMENT. CAUSE WAS REPORTED THE ECU FAILED. MONTHS LATER THE DR SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED AGAIN BUT AFTER THE ONE YEAR REPAIR WORK WARRANTY. THIS TIME IT WAS REPORTED TO BE THE BULB AND WAS REPLACED, DLR. WOULD NOT WARRANT THE WORK, EVEN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SUPPOSEDLY DID NOT COVER. COST TO CUST. WAS $395. CURRENTLY THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT HAS QUIT WORKING, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND CUST. BOUGHT DIRECT REPLACEMENT BULB AND INSTALLED IT. THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE ECU FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT MAY BE FAULTY. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT COSTS FOR THE ECU AND DLR LABOR TO REPLACE WOULD COST ABOUT $800. THIS SEEMS TO FALL IN THE SAFETY CATEGORY AND SHOULD BE A RECALL AND WARRANTY WORK. DIFFERENT DLR STATES THAT THEY CAN DIAGNOSE FOR $125 AND DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. OH WHAT TO DO! PLEASE HELP. ALL FOR SEEMINGLY A BURNED OUT HEADLAMP. THE SERVICE ATTITUDE AND ASSOCIATED COSTS BY THE MFR. AND DEALERS ARE PIRACY TO SAY THE LEAST. I WOULDN'T MIND PAYING MY WAY BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN JUST A FEW. EVEN IN SOME OTHER MODELS. UNCONSCIONABLE POLICY! *TR