2009 Toyota Sienna Complaint Log

UPON OPENING THE DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR, THE CABLE SNAPPED, AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. WE DISENGAGED THE POWER AND FIGURED WE WOULD CONTINUE TO USE THE DOOR IN A MANUAL SETTING. HOWEVER, ONCE THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, WE DISCOVERED THAT YOU CANNOT OPEN IT IF THE CABLE IS SNAPPED. IT OPENED UP ABOUT 8-12 INCHES, BUT WOULD GO NO FURTHER. ALTHOUGH OUT OF WARRANTY, TOYOTA AGREED TO FIX THE ASSEMBLY DUE TO AN ENHANCED SERVICE AGREEMENT. IN JAN. 2015, THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WE COULD AGAIN NOT USE THE DOOR. AFTER TAKING IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER AGAIN, WE WERE TOLD THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THE ENHANCED SERVICE BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN COVERED IN ERROR THE FIRST TIME. WE ASKED THEM TO JUST GET IT TO A POINT WHERE WE COULD OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY, BUT THEY SAID THE FULL REPAIR ($1600) HAD TO BE DONE TO DO THAT. UPON DOING RESEARCH, WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MANY TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS. WE ARE FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO NOT BE ABLE TO EVEN MANUALLY OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS WHEN THE POWER ASSEMBLY FAILS. IF THERE IS A SWITCH FOR MANUAL OPERATION, IT SHOULD ALWAYS FUNCTION IN MANUAL MODE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF BOTH DOORS WERE BROKEN AND THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY? CHILDREN (OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER) WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE, NOR WOULD EMERGENCY WORKERS BE ABLE TO GET THEM OUT QUICKLY. THESE REPAIRS ARE AROUND $1600 PER DOOR. MANY FAMILIES CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND THIS KIND OF MONEY TO MERELY GET A DOOR TO FUNCTION IN A MANUAL SETTING. *TR

HIGHBEAMS ON HEADLAMPS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. CAN USUALLY FLICK THEM IN THE CORRECT SWITCH POSITION, SO I KNOW THE BULBS ARE WORKING. LOW BEAMS WORKING. BUT HIGHBEAMS FREQUENTLY DO NOT WORK IN THE CORRECT SWITCH POSITION, AS DESCRIBED IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL. OCCASIONALLY THEY DO WORK, BUT I NEVER KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE. ON LONG TRIPS AT NIGHT, I HAVE NO HIGHBEAMS AS A RESULT OF THIS MALFUNCTION. *TR

FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE JAMMING AND FOLDING AT MECHANISM WHERE BELT SHOULD RELEASE AT SHOULDER ADJUSTMENT POINT FROM THE INTERIOR SIDE WALL OF THE VAN. THE DRIVER IS LEFT WITH A COMPLETELY EXTENDED LAP AND SHOULDER BELT, RENDERING THE SAFETY DEVICE USELESS. THE COMBINATION OF AN AIR BAG WITH A FAULTY SEAT BELT MECHANISM IS DEADLY. THIS VEHICLE'S DEFECT OVER MULTIPLE MODEL YEARS HAS BEEN WELL-DOCUMENTED AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC REAR LIFT GATE CLOSES PREMATURELY. THE ABOVE DATE IS THE LAST TIME AN INJURY WAS CAUSED. I THINK THAT THE GAS STRUTS ARE DEFECTIVE, AND CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE LIFT GATE, WHICH CAUSES THE GATE TO CLOSE PREMATURELY. THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. ON ONE OCCASION, THE GATE STRUCK THE BRIDGE OF MY NOSE AND CAUSED A SMALL LACERATION. I THINK THAT THE STRUTS CAN NO LONGER SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE LIFTGATE WHEN IT IS OPEN, SO THE LIFTGATE WILL FALL ABOUT TEN INCHES AFTER IT REACHES THE FULLY OPEN POSITION, AT WHICH POINT THE POWER MOTOR WILL ENGAGE THE POWER LIFTGATE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THIS HAS CAUSED INJURY TO ME BECAUSE I WAS STRUCK BY LIFTGATE WHEN IT FALLS OR CLOSES. I THINK THAT TOYOTA SHOULD CORRECT THE DEFECT BY REPLACING THE GAS STRUTS WITH REDESIGNED GAS STRUTS THAT HAVE LONGER SERVICE LIFE. *TR

THE CABLE BROKE ON THE POWER SLIDING DOOR DUE TO THE PLASTIC COATING BEING WORN, EXPOSING THE CABLE TO THE ELEMENTS AND RUSTING IT. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. *TR

THE CHILDREN LIFTED BACK LIFT GATE TO PUT SCHOOL BOOKS INTO THE VAN AND THE GATE FELL ON ONE OF THEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHERS SINCE THEN. A TOYOTA REP SAID HE HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND SAID HE USES A HOCKEY STICK TO PROP OPEN THE GATE. WE TRIED THAT FOR A WHILE BUT IT SOMETIMES FAILS. WE HAD IT REPLACED (NOT BY TOYOTA) IN AUGUST OF 2013 AND IT CONTINUES TO FAIL AS SOON AS THE WEATHER GETS COLD. *TR

THE MIDDLE SEAT IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATING SLAMMED DOWN ONTO MY 10 YEAR OLD SON'S HAND AND SEVERELY BROKE AND MANGLED HIS FINGER. HE REQUIRED SURGERY AT A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY TO REPAIR IT. THE FIRST AND THIRD SEATS IN THE SECOND ROW SHUT AND LOCK INTO THE FLOOR RELATIVELY SAFELY, BUT THE MIDDLE SEAT SLAMS DOWN LIKE A GUILLOTINE. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND MY SON WAS HELPING CLEAN IT OUT. *JS

BOTH AUTOMATIC REAR SLIDING DOORS STICK AND HAVE TO BE USED MANUALLY. I'VE ALREADY HAD ONE DOOR FIXED A FEW YEARS AGO.

THE SLIDING BACK DOOR WAS BEING CLOSED FROM THE POWER BUTTON NEAR THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE SO THE BUTTON WAS PRESSED AGAIN. THE DOOR THEN SLAMMED SHUT WITH GREAT FORCE AND COULD HAVE INJURED ANYONE IN IT'S WAY. NOW IT IS INOPERABLE AND NEEDS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. APPARENTLY THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION OF THE TOYOTA SIENNA VANS AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THEIR VEHICLE AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE FROM THE FRONT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS SECURED AT THE WAIST BUT DID NOT STOP THE PASSENGER FROM FLYING FORWARD AND SUSTAINING INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND ABRASIONS NEAR THE EYES. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.

MY 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA WON'T UNLOCK! WHEN I USE BOTH MY REMOTES, IT WILL ONLY OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. EVEN WHEN I OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR, AND TRY TO USE THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, INCLUDING THE SLIDER DOORS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWICE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS DOING THAT. RECENTLY THE SLIDER DOORS STOPPED OPENING! IT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A VAN, IF YOU CAN ONLY GET IN THROUGH THE DRIVER SEAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A DISABLED CHILD, A TWO YEAR OLD, AND ANOTHER CHILD. TOYOTA, HAS BEEN HORRIBLE, IN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, DON'T CARE, HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NOTHING GETS RESOLVED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE MIDDLE SEAT ABRUPTLY FLIPPED FORWARD ONTO A CHILD, CAUSING THE CHILD TO SUSTAIN A BROKEN LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,356.

WAS HIT ALMOST IN A T-BONE FASHION, OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH. NO SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND WHEN CONTACTED BY TOYOTA, THE WOMAN SAID THAT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT AND WHEN WE BOUGHT IT THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO SELL US A CAR. CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND HAS BEEN IN A SHOP FOR TWO WEEKS. *TR

REAR HATCH STRUTS STOPPED WORKING (MANUAL DOOR). EXTREMELY HEAVY REAR DOOR OF THE SIENNA IS NOW EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ONCE OPENED THE DOOR JUST CRASHES SHUT. IT COULD EASILY KILL SOMEONE WHO WAS STANDING UNDER IT. *TR

TIRE FAILURE. *TR

2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FIRE *TGW THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM A FAULTY VALVE AND SEAL IN THE MANIFOLD COVER. HOWEVER, TOYOTA PROVIDED A DIFFERENT EXPLANATION AS TO HOW THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THEY STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY SPILLED OIL AND OVERFILLING OF OIL. TOYOTA STATED THEY HAVE A PHOTO OF THE DIP STICK PROVING THAT THE OIL WAS OVERFILLED, BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE PICTURE. *JB

WE WERE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE AT THE HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE WALMART. THE VAN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, THEN THE BRAKES FAILED. NO AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WOULD STOP THE VAN. WE STOPPED BY HITTING A PARKED CAR, DOING SOME DAMAGE TO IT. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE EXTERIOR REPAIRED. WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. AFTER BEING REPAIRED, WE HAD IT TOWED TO LANDER'S IN LITTLE ROCK WHERE IT WAS PRONOUNCED SAFE TO DRIVE. A FEW WEEKS LATER WE SOLD IT AND BOUGHT A 2011 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. (AN ACCIDENT REPORT WILL FOLLOW ON THE 2011 TOYOTA VAN VIN#[XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE ELECTRIC DOOR PANEL CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS ON FILE. THE FAILURE CAUSED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

MY 2009 SIENNA VAN SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 2 CHILDREN IN THE BACK AND WHEN I WENT OVER RAIL ROAD TRACKS THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OPENED. THIS IS A GREAT CONCERN FOR ME ESPECIALLY WITH THE KIDS IN THE BACK. TOYOTA WANT $1500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ON A 2009 WITH 47,000 MILES ON IT. THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE THEM FIX THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW IT WOULD BE A MAJOR RECALL BUT THE SAFETY THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS IS AN EXTREME CONCERN!!!!! THIS VAN COST ME OVER $35,000 AND THE ONLY REASON I BOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY OF THE VAN. WELL THAT WAS A MISTAKE AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT TOYOTA IS LOOKING TO MAKE MONEY OFF ME. I AM A SINGLE MOM WHO CAN HARDLY KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING ELSE BUT THIS IS JUST WRONG, AND I THINK OUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE KIDS START FALLING OUT OF THE VANS ONTO THE STREETS AND GETTING FUN OVER!!! PLEASE HELP ME! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN AND THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE FOREHEAD WHEN HIS HEAD STRUCK THE DASHBOARD. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEAT BELT BURNS ACROSS THE CHEST. THE DRIVER RECEIVED BURNS AND BRUISES TO THE CHEST. THE MANUFACTURED WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE DOORS BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN X RADIAL TIRES, SIZE: 215/65/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES BEGAN LOOSING AIR. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY AFTER THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED ABNORMAL WEAR AND RIPPLES THROUGHOUT THE TREAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 25,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

LIFT GATE STRUTS ON 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE FAILED MEANING THAT THE REAR DOOR DOES NOT HOLD ITSELF UP WHEN OPENED. THERE ARE TWO STRUTS AND BOTH HAVE FAILED. THE STRUTS MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $200 EACH FOR A TOTAL OF $400. *TR

DURING ACTIVE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLS AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING COMPONENTS NO LONGER FUNCTION. ON ONE OCCASION, THIS WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE SECOND ON A BUSIER STREET. THE SECOND OCCASION OCCURRED ON A HILL AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NECESSARY TO STOP THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO BE SERVICED AND NO CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION WAS IDENTIFIED. WE ARE NOW ASKED TO RESUME DRIVING OF THE CAR WITHOUT ANY REPAIR. *TR

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH ABOUT 37800 MILES ON THE ENGINE. THIS IS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED TOYOTA AND I BOUGHT IT WITH APPROXIMATELY 33000 MILES ON IT IN NOVEMBER OF 2010. AT ABOUT 37000 I NOTICED A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AT IDLE. IT STARTS AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP; MOSTLY AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 15 MINUTES. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE DEALER STATED THEY HEARD IT AND IT'S ONLY NORMAL ENGINE SOUND. THERE IS A TSB 0094-09 THAT ADDRESSES THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE AFFECTED PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. AS A MATTER OF FACT MY SIENNA WAS MANUFACTURED ABOUT 2000 VEHICLES AFTER THE AFFECTED PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS RELATED TO TSB 0094-09 STILL EXIST BEYOND THE AFFECTED VINS IN THE TSB. TOYOTA SHOULD REALLY FIX THESE PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LOUD TICKING NOISE THAT IS EASILY NOTICED IS NOT NORMAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS ERRONEOUSLY OPENED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DOOR MECHANISM WAS RUSTED AND WAS CAUSING THE DOORS TO NOT SPRING BACK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,463. UPDATED 12/24/13*LJ EACH TIME THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DOOR WOULD POP OPEN AGAIN, DISABLING THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND CAUSES THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TIE THE DOOR SHUT. UPDATED 12/24/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V273000 (WHEELS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA MINI-VAN WITH AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS. THESE DOORS ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. UNLIKE AN ELEVATOR DOOR THAT WILL IMMEDIATELY REVERSE IF SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS IN ITS PATH. THE SIENNA'S DOORS CONTINUE TO CLOSE UNLESS FORCIBLY PUSHED BACK TO RETRACT WITH A SERIOUS AMOUNT OF STRENGTH. MY ARM HAS BEEN BRUISED AND I COULD ONLY IMAGINE A CHILD'S HAND BEING CAUGHT. IT'S INCONCEIVABLE TO ME HOW THESE DOORS DO NOT OPERATE ON THE SAME PREMISE AS AN ELEVATOR. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V273000 (TIRES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A DAYCARE PARKING SPACE WITH OUR TWO KIDS, GOING 3 MPH (ACCORDING TO BLACK BOX READINGS) WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB, HIT A RETAINING WALL HARD ENOUGH TO THROW IT BACKWARDS AND GET STUCK IN A SNOWBANK (LUCKILY), WHERE THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. MY WIFE WAS FLOORING THE BRAKE THE WHOLE TIME, WITH NO EFFECT. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA, WHO SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR WHO INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR. WEEKS LATER WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA'S LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAYING THE INSPECTOR FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR, AND SINCE THIS IS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, THERE IS NOTHING FURTHER THEY CAN DO. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FOLLOW TOYOTA'S ORDERS, SO THEY CANNOT HELP EITHER. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SELL THIS AS I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. *TR

ABS BRAKE IN SIENNA DOESN'T STOP WHEN LIGHT SNOW OR RAIN ON ROAD. I PRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. IT IS VERY TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE. I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCENTED FOR SOMEONE SOMEDAY. THE SIENNA IS YEAR 2009 2WD * PSGR *TR

2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IOWA BEING INCLUDED IN TOYOTA RECALL REGARDING CORROSION OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE.*TGW

IN COLD WEATHER, 32 DEGREES OR LESS, THE POWER REAR HATCH WHEN OPENED AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE KEY FOB OR INTERIOR CONTROL BUTTON WILL OPEN FULLY, THEN CLOSE IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING. IF A PERSON OR OBSTACLE IS IN THE WAY UPON CLOSING, IT IS VERY RELUCTANT TO REVERSE AGAIN. THIS POSES A DANGER FOR SMALLER PEOPLE SUCH AS MY WIFE OR 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IF THE HATCH IS OPENED MANUALLY, IT STAYS OPEN AND IF IT'S WARMER OUTSIDE, THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE WORKS AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING THE WINTER. *TR

POWER DOORS NOT WORKING WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE ON AUTO ALL THE TIME OR ON MANUAL NOW DRIVERS SIDE CABLES HAVE BROKE. *TR

GEICO CLAIM NUMBER: [XXX]FEBRUARY 7, 2011 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: NOTE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'M FILING TO UPDATE MY ADDRESS. ON OCTOBER 18, 2010 MY 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA DASHBOARD VSC (VARIABLE SKID CONTROL)/OFF TRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP MADE REPAIRS THAT WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND ASSURED ME THAT THE VAN WAS SAFE TO DRIVE (A COPY OF THE INVOICE FROM THAT SERVICE IS ATTACHED FOR YOUR REFERENCE). ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010, THE SAME VSC/OFF TRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, I WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT HAVE AVAILABILITY UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2010. SERVICE ADVISOR ASSURED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, AS LONG AS I STAYED IN TOWN, AND WASN'T PLANNING ON TAKING THE CAR ON ANY LONG TRIPS. HOWEVER, I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO RETURN MY VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010 IT STARTED TO MAKE UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISES AND ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. NATURALLY, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP BY BRAKING, BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN TO BRAKE, BUT TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOTHING, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PUMPED IT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANY PEDESTRIANS OR CARS BY STEERING UP THE CURB AND INTO A LAMPPOST. THE VAN CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT FINALLY CAME TO REST ON THE STEPS OF THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ON JULY 29, 2010 AT 5PM MY WIFE PARKED HER CAR IN FRONT MY HOUSE ON COLESVILLE ROAD, FACING THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 23 FEET FROM THE SIDEWALK AND 30 FEET FROM THE STREET. I HAD BEEN ASKED BY MY WIFE TO DRIVE TO THE AIRPORT. WE CLOSED THE DOORS, PUT ON THE SEAT BELTS, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED THE GEAR SHAFT TO DRIVE. THEN I RELEASED THE PARKING BRAKE, THE CAR START ROLLING SLOWLY BY THE TIME I WAS MOVING MY FOOT TO THE GASOLINE PEDAL GENTLY, THE CAR KEPT ROLLING , THE GAS PEDAL FAILED TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE. I PUT MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BREAK TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT SUCCESS. SUDDENLY, I FOUND MY SELF ENTERING THE BUSY STREET AND CARS RUSHING TOWARD ME. TRYING TO TURN RIGHT AND PUSH THE GASOLINE PEDALTO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC, THE CAR KEPT ROLLING SLOWLY AND THE CAR NEVER ACCELERATED. "THE GAS PEDAL FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS THERE WAS NO GAS PEDAL". UNTIL I REACHED THE RIGHT LANE FROM THE SECOND LANE, I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL THE CAR SLOWED AND PUSHED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. THEN I CHANGING TRANSMISSION TO THE PARKING POSITION. THE WHOLE TRAFFIC STOPPED, THEN I TRIED AGAIN TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO DRIVE AND PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL WHICH RESUMED ITS FUNCTION AND THE BRAKE TOO. WHEN I ENTERED COLESVILLE ROAD THE TRAFFIC WAS RUSHING, SPECIALLY ON THE FIRST LANE WHERE FIRST LANE CAR APPROACHING MY CAR, THE DRIVER STARTED HONKING AND SWERVED DRASTICALLY AROUND MY CAR TO THE SECOND AND THIRD LANE TO AVOID HITTING ME. THE FOLLOWING CARS AND THE WHOLE TRAFFIC STOPPED UNTIL I MOVED TO THE FIRST LANE AND RESUMED MOVING. IT WAS A HORRIBLE AND SCARY EXPERIENCE WITH MY WIFE AND THE TWO YEARS GRANDDAUGHTER SCREAMING AND PANICKING. I CALLED THE DEALER, THE ONLY ADVISE I GOT WAS TO GET AN APPOINTMENT AND LOOK AT THE CAR. TONIGHT I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. *TR

HI, I BOUGHT A TOYOTA SIENNA 2WD IN 2009. TOYOTA HAD A RECALL ON THE MINIVANS DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THE SPARE TIRE IN COLD CLIMATES, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE IOWA IN IT. THEY HAVE NOT SENT ANY COMMUNICATION IN THIS REGARDS TO END CUSTOMERS. UPDATED IVOQ 08/05/10 UPDATED IVOQ 08/31/10*JB *TR

REAR SLIDING DOORS WON'T STAY OPEN ON 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE SMALLEST OF INCLINES WILL MAKE THE SLIDING DOORS REFUSE TO STAY OPEN. *TR

2009 TOYOTA SIENNA - RAISED THE POWER REAR HATCH TO LOAD LUGGAGE. WAS UNDER THE HATCH WHEN IT STARTED TO AUTOMATICALLY CLOSE ON ME. I HAD TO USE FORCE FOR IT NOT TO CLOSE ON ME. NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WAS A CHILD PUTTING SOMETHING IN THE BACK. I DON'T THINK A YOUNG CHILD COULD HAVE STOPPED IT FROM SQUEEZING THEM. IT WOULD NOT STAY OPEN UNLESS WE MANUALLY HELD IT. HAD TO MANUALLY HOLD IT OPEN THE WHOLE WEEK OF VACATION. WHEN RETURNED, TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER THE STRUTS WERE BAD AND THEY REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY. WORKS FINE NOW. *TR

REAR HATCH ON 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE CLOSES SPONTANEOUSLY AND DOES NOT STAY UP W/O HOLDING IT. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON OUR VAN HAS CLOSED ON OUR 3 YEAR OLD TWICE, CAUSING MINOR INJURY. THE FIRST TIME, THE DOOR HIT HIS HEAD BUT DID NOT ENCOUNTER ENOUGH RESISTANCE TO ENGAGE THE SAFETY OPEN UNTIL IT HAD PUSHED HIM AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE VAN. THEN THE SAFETY ENGAGED AND THE DOOR OPENED. IT LEFT RED MARKS ON BOTH SIDES OF HIS HEAD. WE TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER ON APRIL 12 2010 TO HAVE THE DOOR LOOKED AT, AND REQUESTED THAT THE RESISTANCE BE LOWERED. ON APRIL 28TH THE DOOR AGAIN HIT OUR CHILD, THIS TIME THE DOOR COMPLETELY LATCHED CLOSED ON HIS HAND, PINNING HIS HAND IN THE DOOR. HIS THUMB HAD A "DENT" IN IT, AND IS NOW EXTREMELY AND IMMOBILE THE NEXT DAY. HE IS BEING TAKEN TO THE DR TODAY. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE 10 MINUTES AFTER THE INCIDENT TO REPORT IT. *TR

I WISH TO REPORT TWO SEPARATE GAS PEDAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE VAN THAT OCCURRED ON THE SAME DAY. ON THIS DAY, I MADE A TRIP FROM MY RESIDENCE TO A LOCAL GOLF COURSE AND ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER I RETURNED TO MY RESIDENCE. ON MY WAY TO THE GOLF COURSE, I WAS TRAVELING IN A HOUSING AREA AT ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE CAR CONTINUED AT THE SAME OR SLIGHTLY FASTER SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE EASILY SLOWED DOWN BECAUSE AT THIS TIME I WAS GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE IN THE ROAD. I HAD TO FIRMLY APPLY MY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR AND I IMMEDIATELY PARKED THE CAR WITHIN ABOUT 200-300 YARDS OF THE INCIDENT. ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER, I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO MY RESIDENCE. I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THEN STARTED TO DRIVE TO OUR RESIDENCE (WE HAVE A RENTED UNIT IN A GATED RESIDENTIAL AREA) AT THE POSTED SPEED OF 15 MPH. AS I REACHED 15 MPH, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPEED UP TO ABOUT 25 MPH. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE BRAKES AND I ALSO DOWNSHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION TO 1ST GEAR. I PARKED THE CAR BUT DID NOTICE, BEFORE I TURNED THE KEY OFF, THAT THE ENGINE RPMS IN THE STOPPED POSITION WERE ABOUT 1000 TO 1100. IT WAS NOT AT THE IDLE SPEED OF ABOUT 700 RPMS WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WHEN STOPPED. SOMETHING PREVENTED THE ACCELERATOR FROM RETURNING TO NORMAL. THESE TWO EVENTS BOTH OCCURRED ON SATURDAY MARCH 6, 2010. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA OF THE DESERT DEALERSHIP IN CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA, ON MONDAY MARCH 8, 2010. THEY CHECKED THE CAR OVER AND TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WE ALSO TOOK A TEST DRIVE WHICH WAS EQUALLY UNEVENTFUL. MY WIFE AND I ARE EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL OF OUR TOYOTA SIENNA? WE DARN SURE HAVE A PROBLEM! *TR

WE RECENTLY BOUGHT TOYOTA SIENNA LIMITED 2WD. THE VAN STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT A LOWER SPEED (FROM 10 TO 35 MPH). IN ADDITION, THE VAN MAINTAINS ITS SPEED WITHOUT USING A CRUISE CONTROL. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE VAN IS STARTED, THE IDEAL IS VERY HIGH LIKE SOMEONE IS PUSHING ON THE GAS. WE TRIED TO CONTACT THE DEALER IN HICKORY, NC; HOWEVER, NOBODY HAS CONTACTED US BACK TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. *TR

OUR 2009 SIENNA MAY HAVE HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE, A SUDDEN ACCELERATION SENT IT DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY. SITUATION: PULLING INTO THE CARPORT, WHICH INVOLVES A 90 DEGREE TURN AT THE TOP OF A SHORT (10M) STEEP NARROW WALLED EASEMENT, THE DRIVER OF THE SIENNA COULD NOT MAKE THE TURN IN ONE MOTION AND WAS REQUIRED TO PUT THE SIENNA IN REVERSE AT WHICH TIME THE MINIVAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, SQUEALING ITS WHEELS. THE RESULT WAS A 5M CAREEN DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THE RESULT WAS ABOUT $4,000 BODY DAMAGE, BUT NO INJURY TO THE DRIVER OR MY 2YR OLD DAUGHTER - ALTHOUGH ALL WERE SHAKEN. WE HAVE SINCE GOT RID OF THE CAR - TRADED IT FOR A 2010 HIGHLANDER. *TR

IN NOVEMBER 2009 WHILE PARKING MY CAR IN STORE PARKING, MY FOOT WAS ON BRAKE MY CAR ACCELERATED, SUDDENLY JUMPED ON THE 1 FOOT HIGH FOOTPATH AND CRASHED INTO THE STORE INJURING FEW PEOPLE. NOTHING WORKED EVEN BRAKES JAMMED. I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA AND THEY SENT ME LETTER AFTER 30 DAYS THAT THEY HAVE FOUND NOTHING AND TOYOTA DEALER WAS NOT READY TO TAKE ANY PART IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME RENTAL VEHICLE AND I HAD TO PAY ONE MONTH OF RENTAL CAR AS WELL. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAIN TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IN THIS REGARDS. THANK YOU *TR

I'VE SEEN THAT TOYOTA IS RECALLING MANY VEHICLES BECAUSE OF LOOSE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORMATS, BUT NOT THE SIENNA MINIVAN. AFTER I HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEM I NOTICED THAT BOTH CLIPS HOLDING THE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT BACK HAD COME LOOSE AND THE MAT HAD SLID SEVERAL INCHES TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. I THINK I JUST NEVER THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL I SAW THIS RECALL AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT POOR FAMILY. I HAD TO SNAP THE PLASTIC RETENTION CLIPS BACK INTO THE GROMMET HOLES, BUT I WONDER IF THIS IS HAPPENING ON OTHER CARS AS WELL, AND IF SO, WHY WASN'T SIENNA INVOLVED IN THE RECALL? *TR

OUR AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR WAS OPENED BUT WOULD NOT CLOSE. NO AMOUNT OF TUGGING, FINESSING, OR CURSING WOULD MAKE IT SHUT. CHILDREN WERE STRANDED IN PHOENIX HEAT IN AUGUST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH A DOOR THAT COULD NOT BE CLOSED. THERE ARE MANY MENTIONS OF THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON VARIOUS BLOGS AND ALL REPORT DIFFICULTY IN GETTING TOYOTA TO OFFER A SOLUTION THAT DIDN'T COST $1-2K. ALMOST ALL OWNERS REPORTED THE "FIXED" DOORS TO HAVE FAILED IN SOME WAY AGAIN WITH DEALERS REFUSING TO COVER THE COST OF THE SECOND (OR THIRD) FIX. THE FAILURE HAD TO DO WITH THE ACTUATOR THAT UNLOCKS THE "U" SHAPED STRIKER ASSEMBLY. IT SEEMS EVIDENT THAT THE CABLE IS EITHER BREAKING, STRETCHING, OR THAT SOME SOLENOID IS NOT DOING ITS JOB. THE OUTSOME OF OUR PROBLEM WAS THAT A SECOND VEHICLE HAD TO BE OBTAINED, CHILDREN AND THEIR SEATS MOVED TO THE NEW VEHICLE AND THE VAN DRIVEN IN AN UNSAFE CONDITION BACK TO OUR HOUSE 10 MILES AWAY BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED. TO COMPLICATE THIS, THE SIENNA WAS DOWN TO NO GASOLINE AND IT WAS THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR THAT WAS STUCK IN OPEN POSITION WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. WHAT IF THIS SAME SCENARIO HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESSERT HERE AT A REST STOP IN 120-DEGREE HEAT WITH NO TOW TRUCK IN 100 MILES AND NO WAY TO DRIVE THE VAN WITH CHILDREN INSIDE? THIS IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT LIKELY. OUR VAN HAS TWO (2) AUTOMATIC DOORS AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY PEOPLE. LASTLY, NO ONE WHO REPORTED THE PROBLEM, REPORTED THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY FIXED BY ANYTHING THE DEALERSHIPS WERE ABLE TO DO. FOR US, THIS FIRST INCIDENT IS PROBABLY COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT HOW ABOUT FUTURE PROBLEMS? THE ACTUATOR ISSUE IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE FUEL DOOR BEHIND SLIDING DOOR MAKES IT AN INCONVENIENT DESIGN FLAW. THAT THIS IS ON A VEHICLE THAT TRANSPORTS CHILDREN, MAKES THE DESIGN FLAW A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. AND THAT TOYOTA IS NOT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM IN ANY SUBSTANTIAL WAY JUST PLAIN SUCKS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE DASHBOARD REMAINED GREASY. WHEN THE SUN REFLECTED ON THE GREASY DASHBOARD, IT WOULD REFLECT ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND HINDER THE DRIVER'S VISIONS. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AREA WAS CRACKED AND THE AIR BAGS WERE VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS A LARGE TRUCK AND VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. TRIED TO BRAKE AND THAT DIDN'T WORK. APPLIED FOOT BRAKE AND THAT DIDN'T WORK. SPEED MAY HAVE INCREASED TO APPROX 70-80 MPH. SPEEDOMETER SHOW APPROX 45 MPH. UNABLE TO STEER VEHICLE. IT WAS AS IF THE MOTOR HAD STOPPED AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AFTER HITTING 2-3 VEHICLES AND THEN THE RIGHT LANE BRIDGE WALL THE FRONT TIRE AND STEERING ASSEMBLY BENT INWARD ND THAT CAUSED THE VAN TO STOP. THAT GOD THAT NOONE WAS INJURED BUT SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG. I'VE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN SIENNA VANS AND THIS NEED MUCH ATTENTION. *TR