2004 Toyota Sienna Complaint Log

DRIVER SIDE DOOR WELD HAS FAILED ON THE HINGE. THIS CAUSES THE DOOR TO EXTEND BEYOND THE INTENDED RANGE OF MOTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V429000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR FURTHER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

IN THIS INITIAL INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVY ROAD AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 30MPH. MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED, AS IF I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, WHICH I WAS NOT, AND MY STEERING WAS COMPROMISED. IN ADDITION THE VSC INDICATOR AND SYMBOL FLASHED ON MY DASHED AND BEEPED. THE ROAD WAS DRY. THIS HAS OCCURRED 10+ TIMES SINCE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC, WITHOUT TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AFTER THE OCCURRENCE SO THAT HE COULD "READ" THE COMPUTER BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AVAILABLE. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THEY "REBOOTED" THE SENSORS AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE. IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, ON THE FREEWAY GOING UPHILL AT 55 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL AT 60 MPH AND HAS BEEN CLOSE TO CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION EACH TIME. *TR

AT VARYING RATES OF SPEED, ON DRY ROADS, MY VAN'S VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL ICONS WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH, THE ACCELERATION WILL CEASE AND THE BRAKES WILL PUMP 2-4 TIMES, AND THE STEERING WILL STICK. ORIGINALLY, THIS OCCURRED ONLY ON ROADS THAT CURVED HOWEVER THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS INCREASING AND IT NOW OCCURS ON STRAIGHT ROADS AS WELL. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE PURCHASED USED WITH A POWER SLIDING REAR PASSENGER DOOR. IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, 2014, THE DOOR STARTING MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR AND NEEDED ASSISTANCE WHEN CLOSING. WITHIN TWO DAYS THE DOOR FAILED AN WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. WE WERE INFORMED THIS WAS A MOTOR FAILURE AND WOULD COST $1,800 TO $2,000 TO REPAIR. THE THREE MECHANICS WE ASKED ALL WERE AWARE OF PROBLEM BEING THE DOOR MOTOR AND/OR BROKEN DOOR CABLE. NOT HAVING USE OF THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND A REAL CONCERN IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE CAR THAT TOYOTA ULTIMATELY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 9 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REMOVED THE CABLE AND DISASSEMBLE ENOUGH OF THE MOTOR SO THAT THE DOOR WORKS MANUALLY. GIVEN THE CRITICAL NEED FOR A FAMILY PASSENGER VEHICLE TO HAVE A WORKING PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR THIS WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE VERY LEAST THEY SHOULD HAVE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE DOOR A MANUALLY OPERATING DOOR AFTER THE 9 YEARS, 120,000 MILE WARRANTY EXTENSION. *TR

RIGHT PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS SOME SORT OF WATER LEAKING INTO THE HEADLIGHT. A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MOISTURE ACCUMULATES AND CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. *TR

IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT ,PUT GROCERIES IN DRIVER SIDE BACK POWER SLIDING DOOR . WENT TO SHUT AND DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT ALL THE WAY . IT WAS STUCK .FINELY GOT IT SHUT AFTER ,ABOUT 30 MINUTES .GOT HOME POWER CABLE HAD BROKEN RUSTED AND FRAYED .RECALL WAS FOUND ,BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX !!! THIS HAPPEN 2YRS. AGO 2014 & STILL TRYING TO GET THIS RECALL FIXED ..THEY SAID I HAD TO MANY MILES ON THE VAN ,THAT I GOT IN 2011.. IT HAD 146,892 MILES WHEN THE DOOR CABLE BROKE & WAS INSPECTED . THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS .I WILL NOT LET ANY CHILDREN SIT NEXT TO THAT BROKEN POWERED BACK DRIVER SLIDING DOOR !! THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL !! MILES SHOULD NOT BE A CONCERN ! LIFE OF A PERSON SHOULD BE . I'M STILL FIGHTING TO GET THIS FIXED & IT'S 2016 .. BROKEN ,RUSTED & FRAYED POWER CABLE NOT FUNCTIONAL & INOPERATIVE & CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS ! BECAUSE IT'S POWERED WITH OR WITHOUT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR FEATURE .TOYOTA NEEDS TO UP DATE THIS RECALL TO A SAFETY MANDATORY RECALL WITH NO LIMITS !!!!

STEERING IN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA IS VERY TIGHT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. THE PROBLEM APPEARED LAST SPRING, WHILE IT WAS STILL COLD OUTSIDE. STEERING IMPROVED DURING THE WARM SUMMER MONTHS. NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS COOL AGAIN, THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, BUT WORSE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHANGED, WITHOUT HELP. DIFFERENT AUTO SHOPS, INCLUDING MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, HAVE OFFERED VASTLY DIFFERENT OPINIONS OF WHAT IS WRONG. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST WANTED TO REPLACE A 'LEAKING' POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE, DESPITE A NORMAL FLUID LEVEL. THEN THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT'S THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE JOINT (U JOINT). AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAYS THE INTERMEDIATE JOINT IS FINE, BUT IT'S THE RACK AND PINION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ONLINE FORUMS HAVE OFFERED VARIOUS ADVICE, INCLUDING THE AFOREMENTIONED FIXES, AMONG OTHERS, INCLUDING JUST LUBING THE U JOINT. IN OTHER WORDS, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH CERTAINTY. I'VE READ ON VARIOUS FORUMS THAT OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR HAVE HAD IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT TIGHT STEERING WHEN COLD, BUT TOYOTA CONSIDERS THE PROBLEM 'CLOSED'. NOW I'M FACED WITH SPENDING OVER $1000 TO FIX A STEERING PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED LONG AGO. EVEN THEN, I CAN'T EVEN BE CONFIDENT THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED, GIVEN CURRENT LACK OF CONSENSUS AMONG EXPERIENCED MECHANICS. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD WHO RIDES WITH ME DAILY, SO THIS STEERING PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! CLEARLY THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE POWER STEERING FOR MY MODEL YEAR. POOR STEERING IN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROMPT NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE (WHICH HAS AFFECTED MANY SIENNA OWNERS), AND A RECALL BASED ON THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT!! *TR

SUMMARY: SENSOR IN STABILITY CONTROL FAILED AND FALSELY REPORTED CRISIS SITUATION, CAUSING COMPUTER TO SEIZE CONTROL TO SLOW VEHICLE AND CHANGE COURSE. LONG VERSION: WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON CITY STREET, SUDDENLY VEHICLE SLOWED AND PULLED TO SIDE, STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND AUDIO ALARM ACTIVATED, HEARD GRINDING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE ABS. CONDITION PERSISTED IF DRIVING OVER 5-10 MPH. CRAWLED TO NEARBY NON-DEALER REPAIR SHOP. DIAGNOSIS/SOLUTION: STEERING ANGLE SENSOR REPORTING WHEELS AT 250 DEGREES WHEN ACTUALLY STRAIGHT AHEAD, WOULD NOT RECALIBRATE, CIRCUIT INTEGRITY OTHERWISE GOOD, SENSOR WAS REPLACED. NO RESIDUAL PROBLEMS NOTED SO FAR SINCE THEN (ONE DAY). I HAVE THE FAILED SENSOR. THIS SENSOR PROBLEM WAS CAUSE OF A PRODUCTION CHANGE AND TSB BR008-04 IN THE FIRST YEAR. OBVIOUSLY TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS, BUT NO RECALL. OTHER ACCOUNTS EXIST ON LINE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. IT'S THE MECHANICAL EQUIVALENT OF RIDING WITH A DRIVER ON LSD WHO IS BRAKING/SWERVING TO AVOID HALLUCINATIONS. I WAS LUCKY TO BE GOING SLOWLY ON AN UNCROWDED STREET, BUT AT HIGHER SPEED OR CROWDED CONDITIONS THIS COULD BE A DISASTER. TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN TERRIBLY HELPFUL SO FAR, BUT DISCUSSION WILL CONTINUE.... *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID RECALL NOTICE, RECEIVED AFTER ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD, AFTER TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE STOREFRONT WALL. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB UPDATED 08/07/14

STEERING SHAFT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT STEERING & SUSPENSION POWER STEERING NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME. SEEMS TO GET TIGHTER AND TIGHTER FROM TIME TO TIME. VERY DIFFICULT MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURN... *TR

WHILE I WAS CLIMBING TO THE BACK OF THE CAR, (THE CAR BEING PARKED, EVER-SO-SLIGHTLY INCLINED TO THE BACK), THE LEFT BACK SIDE-DOOR SHUT CLOSE AND TRAPPED MY RIGHT HAND (WHICH I WAS USING FOR SUPPORT TO CLIMB UP), FOR ABOUT TWO MINUTES. I COULDN'T GET IT TO OPEN..! UNDER EXCRUTIATING PAIN, I TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO OPEN THE DOOR. NOTHING WORKED. THE RETRACTABLE CABLE HAD POPPED OUT TWO YEARS BEFORE, SO THE BEEPER DIDN'T RESPOND ADEQUATELY. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET IT TO OPEN. I BELIEVE I HAD ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA ABOUT THE THE POWER-SLIDING DOOR. THE MECHANICAL FAILURE ON MY CAR'S POWER SLIDING-DOOR IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED BY MANY DISGRUNTLED SIENNA OWNERS, ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. NEITHER TOYOTA USA, NOR TOYOTA PUERTO RICO, HAS ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY. THEY'VE ACTED NEGLIGENTLY. AS I MUST'VE DESCRIBED IN MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, THEY'VE OBVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED A FACTORY MALFUNCTION --INASMUCH AS THEY HAVE CONDUCTED A RECALL CAMPAIGN--. HOWEVER, THE CAMPAIGN WASN'T CARRIED OUT RESPONSIBLY. DESPITE THEIR HAVING MY TELEPHONE NUMBER, EMAIL ADDRESS AND PHYSICAL ADDRESS, THEY FAILED TO CONTACT ME. I FOUND OUT BY A THIRD PARTY (AN AUTO-BODY SHOP). WHEN I CONFRONTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE CAMPAIGN HAD EXPIRED. THIS SITUATION IS SHAMEFUL. *TR

THE REAR POWER WINDOW WAS ROLLED UP AND CAUSED INJURY TO TEN YEAR OLD FEMALE. MY CONCERN / QUESTION IS WHY THERE IS NOT A SAFETY FEATURE ON THE WINDOWS THAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY GO DOWN IF ANY RESISTANCE WAS APPLIED TO THE WINDOW. IF THE VEHICLE HAD THIS TYPE OF SAFETY FEATURE IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED INJURY. *TR

POWER SLIDING DOOR IS JAMMED. RECEIVED CUSTOMER SUPPORT LETTER FROM TOYOTA LAST YEAR (2013) THAT STATED THEY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM BUT ONLY AN EXTENSION OF WARRANTY FOR 9 YEARS PAST DATE OF SERVICE FOR VEHICLE AND/OR 120,000 MILES (WHICH WE ARE PAST). OVER $1100 JUST ON PARTS TO FIX ONE DOOR! TODAY THE OTHER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, SO I HAD 2 DOORS JAMMED AND HAD TO CLIMB INTO BACK SEAT AREA CLIMBING OVER CENTER CONSOLE TO GET TWO YOUNG CHILDREN OUT OF THEIR CAR SEATS AND OUT OF THE CAR BACK OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND OUT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE ALARM SYSTEM STARTED TO SOUND CONSTANTLY EVEN THOUGH DOOR WAS SHUT ALL THE WAY. THIS CREATED AN UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION TO DRIVING NOT TO MENTION THE OBVIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS OF BACK DOORS THAT WILL NOT OPEN. *TR

THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT. ONCE EXTENDED, THEY GET STUCK IN THE EXTENDED POSITION, MAKING THE SEAT BELT RESTRAIN SYSTEM COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE SEAT BELT WILL CLICK INTO THE LOCK MECHANISM, BUT THE BELT IS COMPLETELY LOOSE, AND THE RETRACT/LOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I RESEARCHED ONLINE TO TRY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM MYSELF, AND I FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE, EACH WITH VARYING MILEAGE ON THEIR 2004-2010 MODEL YEAR SIENNAS. ITS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SELLING MINIVANS, DON'T YOU THINK TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE?? *TR

REAR SLIDING DOOR ISSUE - THE TRUNK KEEPS FALLING ON THE HEAD WHEN PUTTING SHOPPING BAGS. POWER SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY - THE SLIDING DOOR KEEPS CLOSING AND INJURING WHEN PUTTING THE SEAT BELTS FOR MY BABY IN THE CAR SEAT. THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES AND CAUSING INJURY. *TR

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FAIL TO RETRACT, REMAINING MUCH TOO LOOSE TO PROVIDE SAFETY TO PASSENGER. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FOOL WITH THE MECHANISM IN VARIOUS WAYS AND GET THE SEATBELT WORKING AGAIN UNTIL TODAY -- 3-28-14. DRIVER'S SIDE IS FULLY EXTENDED, FOLDED OVER, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IT UNFOLDED AND REACTIVATE THE RETRACTING NOW THAT IT IS FULLY EXTENDED. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN FUSSING WITH THIS ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT IN THE LAST MONTH IT IS CONSTANT. I LOOKED FOR A SOLUTION ONLINE AND DISCOVERED IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR SIENNA OWNERS. ALL AGREE THAT ONCE THE BELT IS ALL THE WAY OUT, IT CANNOT BE FIDDLED WITH ENOUGH TO FIX IT. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHENEVER OPENING AND CLOSING. IT CREAKS AS IF IT IS A 50 YEAR OLD CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN. NOW WHEN OPENING THE DOOR IT SWINGS OPEN WITHOUT CONTROL. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 AND I EVEN FOUND A LETTER IN MY VEHICLE (THAT I HAD FORGOT RECEIVING) INFORMING ME THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THIS VAN AND THAT TOYOTA WOULD FIX IT IF WE HAD A PROBLEM. IT SAID IF WE DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM TO FILE IT IN OUR OWNERS MANUAL WHICH I DID. NOW WE HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO FIX IT SINCE IT IS NOW OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY WINDOW . THIS IS CORRUPT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN ISSUE BUT NOT FIX IT IMMEDIATELY AND NOW WHEN THE PROBLEM ARISES DECLARE THAT IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

DRIVING IN PASSING LANE OF INTERSTATE 70 MPH, VERY LOUD CRASHING NOISES FROM UNDERCARRIAGE THAT CONTINUED AS LONG AS CAR WAS MOVING FORWARD. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID POWER TRAIN (DRIVE LINE HE CALLED IT) HAD COME OFF. MECHANIC IDENTIFIED CAUSE AS TRANSFER CASE SEIZING UP, PROBABLY BECAUSE OF SOME INTERNAL PART COMING LOOSE. RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ALSO SEIZED UP. DAMAGE TO VAN IS CATASTROPHIC - IT'S TOTALED. MIRACULOUSLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO SHOULDER WITHOUT CRASHING. *TR

SLIDING DOORS FREEZE SHUT DURING COLD WEATHER, HANDLE OF SLIDING DOOR PULLED RIGHT OFF DURING COLD WEATHER. IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEATS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SAFELY AND QUICKLY PULLED OUT OF THE CAR. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE DOOR HANDLE PULLED OFF. WE REPAIRED THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR EARLIER THAN 2014 AND THE HANDLE PULLED OFF AGAIN AT THE DATE STATED ON THIS REPORT. THE DOORS FREEZE SHUT IN ALMOST ANY WINTER COLD WEATHER SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

RIGHT SIDE POWER DOOR CABLE FRAYED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN BROKE RENDERING THE RIGHT DOOR USELESS. CANNOT OPEN AND CLOSE IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY.

I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY AND AFTER PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL THE VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BEYOND MY CONTROL. I EASED OFF THE PEDAL AND THE VAN CONTINUED TO SERGE AHEAD WITH NO WAY FOR ME TO STOP OR SLOW IT DOWN AS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I SAW THE RPM REACH LEVEL 6 AND SPEED INCREASE TO 70 IN SECONDS BUT AS IT WAS THE EXPRESSWAY, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP MY DISTANCE FROM CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SWITCHED THE LEVER TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE VAN SLOWED DOWN AND THEN I WENT BACK TO DRIVE AND IT ROARED BACK UP TO 70 MPH WITH THE RPM AGAIN AT 6 AND I TRIED TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THEN BRAKING TO SEE IF IT WOULD SHUT DOWN THE GAS BUT NO LUCK. I WENT BACK AND FORTH FROM D TO N FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AND THEN ON ONE OF THE MOVEMENTS FROM N TO D IT SHUT DOWN BACK TO NORMAL. I DROPPED THE VAN OFF AT MY TOYOTA DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND AM WAITING TO SEE WHAT "HEADQUARTERS " DECIDES. *TR

THE REAR HATCH IS POWERED ON THIS MODEL. THE GAS SPRINGS THAT HOLD THE DOOR IN THE UPRIGHT (OPEN) POSITION DON'T PROVIDE ENOUGH FORCE TO KEEP THE DOOR IN THE OPEN POSITION. WHEN THE HATCH DROPS APPROXIMATELY 10 INCHES, THE POWER FUNCTION ACTIVATES AUTOMATICALLY, CLOSING THE HATCH. THIS POWERED CLOSING OPERATION FREQUENTLY OCCURS WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO LOAD OR UNLOAD ITEMS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE HATCH COMES DOWN WITH SURPRISING FORCE AND HAS KNOCKED SOME FAMILY MEMBERS TO THE GROUND AND ACTUALLY PINNED MY 8-YEAR-OLD IN A PRONE POSITION WITH HIS HEAD IN THE VEHICLE AND HIS FEET ON THE GROUND. THE SAFETY AND MENTAL ANGUISH CONCERNS ARE OBVIOUS, AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR "CERTAIN 2004 TO 2006 VEHICLES." CHECKING WITH TOYOTA, THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER MY VIN, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE SEEING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. IS THERE SOME WAY TO REDRESS THIS PROBLEM, OR DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE DOOR TO ACTUALLY INJURE SOMEONE AND GET A LAWYER? *TR

DURING BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND ACCUMULATING PRECIPITATION, SLIDING DOORS CAN FREEZE SHUT TO THE POINT OF NOT OPENING. I RECENTLY HAD TO KICK THE SIDE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE IN ORDER TO GET THEM OPENED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURING THE VEHICLE AT 20 MPH OR WHEN PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, (THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRING NOVEMBER 2013 AND MOST RECENT 6/23/2014), THE STABILITY//TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM SUDDENLY ENGAGED. MOST OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY WITH SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-55 MPH, USUALLY ON STRAIGHTAWAY SECTIONS, SOMETIMES DURING A GENTLE BANK USUALLY TOWARD THE RIGHT. ON ALL OCCASIONS, THE ROADS WERE DRY AND THE DRIVER WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES AT THE TIME. WITHOUT WARNING, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ENGAGE CAUSING THE VAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS LUNGING FORWARD AND MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. A SERIES OF RAPID BEEPS WOULD OCCUR AND THE TRACTION SENSOR WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE ENTIRE EPISODE WOULD LAST FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. DURING THESE EPISODES, THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND PASSENGERS/OTHER DRIVERS ARE IN DANGER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V429000 (POWER TRAIN). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ADVISED THE CONTACT OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID IN THE INTER LOCK SYSTEM. UPDATED 12/23/13

START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STEERING WHEEL, IT IS HARD TO MOVE WHILE MOVING AND IT DOESN'T GO BACK TO STRAIGHT POSITION BY ITSELF. HAVE TO MOVE THE STEERING BY FORCE TO GET IT TO THE RIGHT POSITION. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. EVEN WHEN POWER IS TURNED OFF, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS MY KIDS CAN NOT EXIT THE CAR FROM THAT DOOR IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A CSP LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT THIS EXACT DOOR PROBLEM BUT THE LETTER STATES THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS GOOD FOR 9 YEARS OR 120K MILES WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. UNFORTUNATELY, I RECEIVED THE LETTER JUST AFTER I HAD THE CAR FOR 9 YEARS. IF I HAD RECEIVED THE LETTER AND KNOWN ABOUT THE DOOR ISSUE BEFORE THE 9 YEARS, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN TO BE FIXED. QUOTE FOR FIXING DOOR IS OVER $1,100. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR CABLE SNAPPED AND WILL NOT OPEN. PASSENGERS CAN BE TRAPPED IN THE VAN AND NOT ABLE TO GET OUT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVANS WITH ELECTRIC DOORS. IN ADDITION, THE MOTOR IS OFTEN KNOWN TO FAIL. THE THE CABLE HAS A BLACK SHEATHING THAT IS INADEQUATE AND WEARS CAUSING IT TO JAM IN THE PULLEY AND BREAK OR EXPOSING IT TO LATER CORROSION AND THEN IT WILL BREAK AS WELL. TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND DOES NOT ISSUE A RECALL. YOU ONLY NEED TO CHECK THE TOYOTA FORUM TO CONFIRM THE PROBLEM WITH MANY OWNERS REPORTS. REPAIRS RUN $1,200 TO $2,000 AT THE TOYOTA DEALER. *TR

OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR KIDS TO AN EVENT IN OCTOBER 2013. SHE STATED THE STEERING FELT "LUMPY" OR INTERMITTENTLY DIFFICULT. THE EFFECT WAS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD, BUT IMPROVED SOMEWHAT WHEN WARMED UP. NOW IN DECEMBER, THE STEERING PROBLEM IS SUCH SHE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VAN ANYMORE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE VAN WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC AND POSED A DANGER TO MY WIFE AND OTHER VEHICLES. I DROVE THE VAN AND CONFIRMED THIS PROBLEM AND DO NOT WANT HER DRIVING THE VAN EITHER, AS THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME AND KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN THE TRAFFIC LANE WAS HARD TO DO AT TIMES. RESEARCH ON LINE INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW EXCEPT HAVE THE STEERING COMPONENT REPLACED SO VAN IS DRIVABLE AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND EVERY TIME THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED OR CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR HINGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FRACTURED WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE SPEED DID NOT INCREASE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED NORMALLY AFTER THE SENSOR DIMMED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

THE SIENNA WAS IMPACTED FROM THE REAR WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE REAR, MOVING VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 30-40 MPH. THE TOYOTA SIENNA THEN HAD IMPACT AT THE FRONT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS THREE CAR PILE UP RESULTED IN THE SIENNA BEING A TOTAL LOSS/NOT REPAIRABLE. THE AIR BAGS FOR THE FIRST AND THIRD VEHICLES DEPLOYED ON IMPACT, AND NO INJURIES IN THOSE VEHICLES WERE REPORTED. THE AIR BAGS IN THE SIENNA DID NOT DEPLOY, AND RESULTED IN THE DRIVER RECEIVING A SEVERE NECK SPRAIN AND LOWER BACK PAIN. DRIVER WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL AND RELEASED WITH WORK RESTRICTIONS FOR THREE DAYS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK DOOR FAILED TO STAY IN PLACE, IMPACTING THE CONTACT ON THE HEAD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

THE REAR LIFT GATE IS NOT STAYING IN PLACE WHEN LIFTED, IT FALLS ABOUT 10 INCHES AND THEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR CLOSE ENGAGES. IF YOU TURN OFF THE AUTOMATIC DOOR, THEN IT SLAMS SHUT. THE STRUTS WERE ALREADY REPLACED ONCE UNDER THE FIRST RECALL. *TR

RECENTLY STARTED HEARING A POPPING NOISE WHEN OPENING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. MY HUSBAND, A MECHANIC, INSPECTED DOOR AND NOTED THE WELDING AROUND THE DOOR CHECK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS CRACKED 3/4 WAY AROUND AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VAN TO GET MORE INFO AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE SEEN LOTS OF TOYOTA SIENNA VANS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATED THERE WAS A SPECIAL SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2007 BUT IT WAS NOW EXPIRED AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO. WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TORRANCE CALIFORNIA. WAS ADVISED TO GET IT FIXED AS THE DOOR CHECK COULD BREAK LOOSE DAMAGING MY VAN, OTHER VEHICLES AND POSSIBLE INJURING SOMEONE. CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE FAULTY WELDING ON THE DRIVERS DOOR CHECK, BUT THAT WAS EXPIRED. I STATED I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH A BULLETIN OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE TENDED TO IT. WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF I GOT THE BULLETIN OR NOT. I ASKED WHAT I HAD DONE WRONG IN THE CARE AND KEEPING OF THE VEHICLE. THEY ANSWERED NOTHING. I ASKED WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENT REGARDING THE VAN'S DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND HE ANSWERED ...NOTHING. I TOOK VAN TO BODY SHOP AND THEY CAN WELD IT FOR $650, BUT IT WILL JUST CRACK OUT AGAIN. NEW DOOR WILL BE $2000+. I DON'T SEE HOW THE CONSUMER SHOULD EAT THE COST OF TOYOTA'S FAULTY WELDING/MANUFACTURING, WHEN THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES HAVING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

COMPLAINED ABOUT NUMEROUS DASHBOARD CRACKS TO DEALER. DEALER SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE. DEALER REP GAVE ME THE TOYOTA HQ NUMBER TO CALL TO FILE A COMPLAINT. CALLED TOYOTA HQ ON 03/14/2014 AT 3:15 PM EST. EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH QUALITY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY FACTORS. SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IN WARRANTY AND GAVE ME THIS CASE# 1403141508. CRACKS CONTINUE AND NO MELTING HAS OCCURRED AT THIS POINT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN HOUSED IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. IF PARKED OUTSIDE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, A SUN SHIELD IS USED TO COVER THE DASH. TOYOTA HQ WAS TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE TO THEIR QUALITY ISSUE AND POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

TRIED TO OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR AND THE CABLE JUST SNAPPED. NOW I CAN'T EVEN OPEN MY DOOR.I HAVE A CAR SEAT ON THE SIDE THAT WORKS AND MY KIDS HAVE TO JUMP OVER THE CAR SEAT OR GET OUT THE FRONT DOORS. IT'S NOT SAFE AT ALL AND IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO FIX AS A SINGLE MOTHER WITH 3 CHILDREN.

WENT OUTSIDE TO TRY TO OPEN MY DRIVER SIDE ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR AND THE CABLE SNAPPED. I CAN NO LONGER OPEN MY DOOR AND I HAVE A BABY THAT THE CAR SEAT IS ON THE WORKING SIDE AND NOW MY OTHER KIDS HAVE TO TRY TO JUMP OVER THE BABY OR GO OUT THE FRONT DOORS TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR CABLE SNAPPED, NEARLY HITTING A CHILD. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC COVERING OVER THE WIRE HAD DISINTEGRATED AND THE BARE CABLE WAS EXPOSED. *TR

IN JUST NORMAL USE, WITHOUT EVER HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO RESTRAIN A PASSENGER, THE SEAT BELT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OVER EXTENDS AND FOLDS. THE BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND CAUSES THE PASSENGER SEAT TO BE UNUSABLE. THE FOLD IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE AND THE BELT REMAINS EXTENDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, TO MANY DIFFERENT PASSENGERS. *TR

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS OUT. WATER, NOT JUST CONDENSATION, IS VISIBLE INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY. ADVICE BEING GIVEN IS THAT I SHOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY (>$900) OR THE REPLACEMENT BULB (~$140) WILL LIKELY JUST BLOW AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE LEAK THAT IS ALLOWING WATER IN THE ASSEMBLY. *JB

DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR CABLE BROKE. THE HINGE CAME OFF THE TRACK DROPPING THE DOOR AND SCRATCHING THE BODY PANEL. DOOR WILL NO LONGER CLOSE. *TR

SINCE 2010, THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 2004 SIENNA HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING CRACKS AND SPLITS DUE TO AN UNKNOWN QUALITY ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN AN EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE PIECES WILL MORE EASILY COME APART TO BECOME A FRAGMENTED PROJECTILES AND INCREASE THE PROBABILITY OF SERIOUS INJURY. ADDITIONALLY, THEY MAY ALSO IMPACT THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG. IT IS OBVIOUS THIS ISSUE IS THE RESULT OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY IN THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED IN A GARAGE ALMOST ALL THE TIME. WHEN IT'S NOT IN THE GARAGE, A CUSTOM MADE WINDOW SCREEN IS USED THAT FITS THE WINDOW PERFECTLY. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 42K ORIGINAL MILES. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA'S USA HEADQUARTERS (CA) ON AUGUST 13, 2013 TO REQUEST A REPAIR (SINCE THE COST WAS >$1000). THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO TAKE THE CAR IN AT MY EXPENSE TO GET IT CHECKED. IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE AT FAULT, THEY MIGHT HELP OFFSET SOME OF THE COST; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INSPECTION AND ANY OTHER REPAIRS. WE COULDN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS AND DIDN'T TRUST THAT TOYOTA WOULDN'T FORCE US TO PAY ANYWAY. APPROXIMATELY JANUARY 2015, WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE AND STATING THAT IT WOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE END OF MAY 2015. I CONTACTED THEM ON JUNE 1, 2015 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE AND TO CHECK BACK IN A COUPLE MONTHS. I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 4, AND AGAIN WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WEREN'T AVAILABLE AND TO CONTACT THEM AGAIN IN OCTOBER. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD SAVE MONEY BY WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO HANDLE IT, IMPLYING THEY COULD GET THE PARTS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT ADDRESSING. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED ASAP TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY!

THE VEHICLE STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVATED WHILE TRAVELLING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING ON A SECTION OF ROAD THAT CURVED TO THE LEFT. DUE TO THE BRAKING ACTION INDUCED BY THE VSC AT THE HIGHWAY SPEED, THE CAR SWERVED AND ALMOST HIT VEHICLES IN THE OTHER LANES. THE CAR HAS EXHIBITED THIS BEHAVIOR MANY TIMES, AND THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO SECTIONS OF ROAD WHERE I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN AT WILL. DUE TO THE EXTREME DANGER OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE IT IS APPLYING THE BRAKES, I HAVE DISABLED THE VSC SYSTEM, CAUSING LOSS OF ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, VSC, ETC. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON MULTIPLE WEB SITES.

OUR POWER SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR HAS HAD ISSUES OVER THE YEARS WHERE IT WOULDN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND WE HAD IT REPAIRED AT TOYOTA. MOST RECENTLY, THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN AUTOMATICALLY, WE WOULD HAVE TO PUSH IT HARD TO MAKE IT OPEN OR CLOSE. THEN, THE DOOR JUST WOULDN'T CLOSE, AND WE HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH IT PARTLY OPEN. WE BROUGHT IT INTO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER $2,000! WE CAN'T AFFORD THIS, SO WE TOLD THEM WE CAN'T FIX IT, BUT ASKED IF WE COULD MANUALLY OPEN IT. THEY CUT THE CABLE SO WE COULD MANUALLY OPEN IT, BUT THEY TOLD US NOT TO USE IT TOO MUCH OR IT MAY HAVE FURTHER ISSUES. NOW, IT APPEARS WE CANNOT USE THIS DOOR, WHICH MEANS MY CHILDREN NEED TO ENTER THE OPPOSITE DOOR, ENTERING FROM THE STREET. THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR US, BUT WE ARE STUCK BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD THE HUGE REPAIR BILL. *TR

BELT ON DRIVER SIDE REPEATEDLY JAMS WHEN RETRACTING. *TR