2004 TOYOTA SIENNA Complaints

2004 SIENNA LE: FAILURE OF DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING IN JANUARY 2012, PASSENGER SIDE IN JANUARY 2013. EACH SPRING CRACKED CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP WHILE IN MOTION. METAL IN CRACKED AREAS APPEARED POROUS POSSIBLY SUGGESTING FLAWS IN METAL DURING MANUFACTURE. 2013 FAILURE INCLUDED CRACK NEAR MIDDLE OF SPRING, WITH A SHARP BROKEN PIECE STICKING OUT CLOSE TO TIRE. THANKFULLY OCCURRED WHILE PARKING/AT LOW SPEED; FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED MAY HAVE RESULTED IN PUNCTURE OF TIRE/LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. 2012 FAILURE INCLUDED CRACK NEAR TOP. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE 2012 SPRING ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. VEHICLE IS IN GOOD CONDITION, WITH ONLY ~65,000 MI AT TIME OF FIRST INCIDENT. DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS, LIGHT LOADS. BODY RUST FREE WITH MINIMAL SURFACE CORROSION OF UNPAINTED/UNDERCARRIAGE ITEMS. CONTACTED TOYOTA IN 2012, FILED CASE. WAS INFORMED SIMILAR ISSUES HAD NOT BEEN REPORTED, FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED. NOTING EXTREME HAZARD POSED BY BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURING TIRE, ENCOURAGED FURTHER EVALUATION. OBTAINED/REPLACED AT MY COST SPRING FROM LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, HAD ALIGNED. CONTACTED TOYOTA IN 2013 REGARDING SECOND FAILURE. NOTED WAS SECOND OCCURRENCE/EXTREME HAZARD POSED BY PUNCTURING TIRE, ENCOURAGED FURTHER EVALUATION. OBTAINED REPLACEMENT/HAD ALIGNED AT MY COST. RECENTLY CONTACTED TOYOTA; NO NEW INFORMATION AVAILABLE. BROKEN SPRINGS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AS CAN TIRE PUNCTURE. FAILURES I EXPERIENCED OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS; IF AT HIGHER SPEEDS, RESULTS MAY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. NOTING LIGHT USE AND EXCELLENT CONDITION OF VEHICLE AS WELL AS APPEARANCE OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS, TOYOTA PARTS STAFF AND OUTSIDE MECHANICS INDICATED THAT MANUFACTURING ISSUES MAY BE CAUSE OF FAILURES. REPLACEMENT SPRINGS INCLUDED DIFFERENT COLOR CODING; PARTS STAFF INDICATED THIS MAY CORRESPOND TO MORE RECENT PRODUCTION, SUGGESTED THAT NEW PARTS MAY BE OF BETTER QUALITY.

THE LEATHER DASHBOARD OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS DEVELOPED LARGE HORIZONTAL CRACKS FROM ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO THE OTHER. THERE ARE ALSO VERTICAL CRACKS FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DASHBOARD. MY CONCERN IS THAT THESE CRACKS WILL ALLOW LARGE PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD TO BECOME PROJECTILES IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE FRONT AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THESE CRACKS DEVELOPED, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AT TOYOTA'S EXPENSE, SINCE THE CRACKING OF THE DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL.

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!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AND THE WIRES WERE CORRODED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TRANSMISSION CABLE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFT CABLE BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE VAN TO ROLL, EVEN THOUGH THE INDICATOR SAID IT WAS IN PARK. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SHIFT CABLE SOLENOID. *JB

THE FOLLOWING HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS. THE LATEST 2 TIMES WERE ON A RAMP AT ABOUT 25MPH COMING OFF AN INTERSTATE AND AT ABOUT 65MPH AN INTERSTATE. WHILE CORNERING TO THE LEFT A FAIR AMOUNT, BUT WELL UNDER CONTROL, THE VSC STARTED ALARMING AND KICKED IN. WHEN IT KICKED IN, IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE HARD TO THE RIGHT AS IF IT HAD LOCKED UP THE BRAKES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN BOTH CASES, THE VEHICLE SWERVED INTO AN ADJACENT LANE. HAD ANYTHING BEEN IN THAT LANE OR HAD WE BEEN IN AN OUTSIDE LANE, THE VCS WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WHATEVER THE CAUSE, THE VSC IN THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS. OVER THE 12 YEARS WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE, IT'S UNLIKELY THAT THE VSC HAS COME ON MORE THAN 5 TIMES. SINCE IT'S SO RARE, WE DRIVERS HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH THE BEHAVIOR AND THE VEHICLE IS COMPLIANT UNTIL THE VSC KICKS IN. WHEN IT KICKS IN, THE CAR HAS PRESUMABLY DETERMINED THAT SOME STABILIZING ACTION NEEDS TO HAPPEN, YET, INSTEAD OF PROVIDING SAFETY - THE VERY PURPOSE OF VCS, IT UNEXPECTEDLY LOCKS UP THE BRAKES ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSES IT TO SWERVE OUT OF ITS LANE. NOTE, THE VEHICLE HAS RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE JOB. UNDER HARD BRAKING, THE VEHICLE STAYS IN ITS LINE, AND DOES SWERVE AT ALL, SO IT'S WHATEVER THE VSC IS DOING TO "PROVIDE STABILITY" THAT'S CAUSING THE LOCKUP/SWERVE ISSUE. FINALLY, FROM THE INTERNET, A COUPLE QUICK QUERIES LED ME TO POSTINGS BY OTHER SIENNA OWNERS WHO'D EXPERIENCED VERY SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, SO THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE UN-LODGED FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V273000 (TIRES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V273000 (TIRES) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. MA 10/2 *CN

THE ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE. IT CONSTANTLY SHUTS AND OPENS. IF A PERSON IS STEPPING INTO THE CAR THE DOOR WILL CLOSE ON THE PERSON UNLESS THEY PHYSICALLY MANHANDLE THE DOOR. AN ADULT HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STOPPING THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ON HER. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. SOME HOW THE HANDLE RELEASE THE DOOR AJAR BEEPING NOISE BUT THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. PEOPLE NEED TO CLIMB TO THE BACK FROM THE FRONT. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BUT WHEN WE TOOK OUR CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS BEYOND THE 9 YEAR LIMIT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE OVER $1000 TO REPAIR. WE HAVE SINCE HAD AN ACCIDENT RELATED TO THE SPARE TIRE RECALL THAT WE THOUGHT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REMEDIED. I NOW REALIZE THE PROBLEM AND ISSUES WITH MANUFACTURE ERRORS AND RESPONSIBILITY. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPAIR THE SLIDING DOOR ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS CRUSHED IN THE ELECTRIC SLIDER. IF EVER WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT IN THE WINTER, HOW WOULD THE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE ROWS EXIT THE CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER SYSTEM TO INFORM CONSUMERS OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. MANUFACTURERS NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE BEFORE AN INCIDENT OCCURS. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA, THEY SAID THAT I DID NOT HAVE A SERVICE HISTORY OR BRAND LOYALTY. WE HAVE OWNED OUR TOYOTA FOR 8 YEARS! WE HAVE TAKEN OUR CAR TO LOCAL MECHANICS EXCEPT FOR ISSUES OF RECALL. OUR FRIENDS BOUGHT A TOYOTA SIENNA DUE TO OUR RECOMMENDATION AND CAR HISTORY. 2 WEEKS AGO WE JUST PURCHASED A TOYOTA PRIUS FOR OUR DAUGHTER. THAT IS CUSTOMER LOYALTY.

MY VAN WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVE WAY. SUDDENLY I SAW GASOLINE FLOWING FROM BELOW OF THE VAN. THERE WERE NOT MUCH GASOLINE LEFT. SOMEHOW I COULD MANAGE TO TAKE TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER. HE SAID THAT IT MUST BE WATER DRAINAGE FROM AC SYSTEM. AFTER DRIVING 200 METERS IT STOPS COMPLETELY. I BROUGHT GASOLINE IN A JAR AND CAR STARTED BUT SAW THAT THE GASOLINE IS DRIPPING FROM BELOW. AGAIN GAVE BACK TO TOYOTA DEALER TO TAKE A LOOK.