NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Sienna. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
THE CABLE ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA SLIDING DOOR SNAPPED. FIRST THE REMOTE BUTTONS FAILED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL EITHER FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE BECAUSE THE CABLE SNAPPED. I CAN SEE THE BROKEN CABLE UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW. TOYOTA IS TELLING ME THEY WANT ABOUT $2K TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE AND AM SURPRISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT OFFERING TO HAVE THE REPAIR FULLY OR AT LEAST PARTIALLY PAID FOR BY THEM. *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR CABLE IS FRAYED AND HAS APPARENTLY JAMMED THE MECHANISM SUCH THAT THE DOOR IS STUCK HALF-OPEN (I'M AN OPTIMIST OR I'D HAVE SAID HALF-CLOSED). *TR
THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING SIDE DOOR ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA QUIT WORKING. THE CABLE BROKE AND THE DOOR STILL WORKS MANUALLY. WITHOUT THE CABLE, THE HEAVY DOOR SLIDES CLOSED WITH GREAT FORCE. IF THE VAN WERE TO BE PARKED ON A DOWNWARD SLOPE, A PERSON COULD EASILY BE INJURED BY THE OUT OF CONTROL DOOR. IT APPEARS THE CABLE WAS THE SAFETY MECHANISM FOR THE DOOR. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *TR
STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AND ERRATICALLY JUMPED WHEN TURNED. DEALER REPLACE STEERING SHAFT AND INDICATED IT WAS CLOSE TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR
THE SIENNA 2004 FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE GETTING FREQUENTLY JAMMED AND FOLDED AND UNABLE TO FULLY RETRACT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH ALOT OF THE SIENNA OWNERS. THE BELTS ARE GETTING JAMMED, AND UNLESS YOU USE A PLIER TO TWIST TO UNFOLD TO BE ABLE TO GET IT TO ITS RETRACTING POSITION. IT IS A DRIVING HAZARD AS THERE IS ALOT OF SLACK ON THE SEAT BELT WHEN THE RETRACTION IS JAMMED. I TOOK TO DEALER AND SAID THE WHOLE SEAT BELT SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THE MANUFACTURING AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE ON THIS ISSUE. IT IS HAPPENING ON THESE VEHICLE AFTER 4-5 YEARS OF USE. *TR
THE CABLE IN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR (PASSENGER SIDE) HAS CAUGHT. THE DOOR IS STUCK PARTWAY OPEN. I CANNOT OPEN IT FURTHER NOR CLOSE IT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY MANY OTHER CLAIMS. OF COURSE, TO OPERATE WITH THE DOOR PARTIALLY OPEN WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. HERE ARE TWO URL'S THAT INCLUDE SIMILAR ISSUES: HTTP://WWW.TUNDRASOLUTIONS.COM/FORUMS/SIENNA/103978-2004-SIENNA-POWER-SLIDING-DOOR-CABLE/ HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/TOYOTA-SIENNA-FAULTY-POWER-SLIDING-DOORS/233250320033754?SK=WALL. *TR
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.
HARD TO STEER AND STEERING WILL NOT TURN BACK. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GO BACK INTO THE LANE. NO RECALL NOTICE YET FOR STEERING SHAFT. SPOKE TO REP FROM TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT., SAID NO ONE HAS REPORTED SUCH PROBLEM YET. *TR
THE PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR BEGAN MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE. WHEN WE LOOKED INTO THE MATTER, WE SAW THAT THE MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS THIS IS A CABLE THAT IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. THE CABLE HAD RUSTED AND SNAPPED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY POOR DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TT
THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR BECAME STUCK ABOUT HALF OPEN. IT TOOK ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO GET DOOR TO MOVE WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE IN THE COLD AND MY THREE SMALL CHILDREN INSIDE ASKING THAT I CLOSE THE DOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE DOOR MOTOR/CABLE ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED EITHER WITH A RECALL OR VOLUNTARY SAFETY "RECALL" BY TOYOTA. *JS
SIDE SLIDING DOORS BECOME FROZEN MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OPEN TRAPPING GUEST IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT IS TWISTED AND WILL NOT RETRACT AND IS THEREFORE UNSAFE FOR USE. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, I ASKED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY ARE AWARE OF. REQUEST TOYOTA TO INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND TAKE PROMPT ACTION IN RESOLVING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. IF THERE IS A RECALL / SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED OR IN THE WORKS, PLEASE LET US KNOW. *TR
THE CABLE ON MY LEFT POWER SLIDING DOOR "POPPED" OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR (2012), THUS RENDERING THE POWER-SLIDING FUNCTION USELESS. THE FAILURE IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED BY MANY DISGRUNTLED CUSTOMERS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES. ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS INCONVENIENCE, THERE IS AN INTRINSIC DANGER INASMUCH AS THE DOOR CAN ROLL FORWARD AND CAUSE PHYSICAL INJURY, ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN. SURPRISINGLY, I FOUND OUT THROUGH A LOCAL AUTO BODY PAINT SHOP (ON 10/20/2012) THAT A WARRANTY EXTENSION NOTIFICATION HAD SUPPOSEDLY GONE OUT TO CUSTOMERS OF SIENNA'S FROM 2004 ON. TO THIS DAY (10/29/12) I HAVEN'T RECEIVED IT. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY INDICATED THAT MY UNIT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BECAUSE THERE IS A 9 YEAR/120,000 MILE LIMITATION. SINCE I PURCHASED MY UNIT IN MARCH OF 2003, I'M TECHNICALLY 7 MONTHS PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. HENCE, EVEN THOUGH THE MECHANICAL FAILURE IS APPLICABLE TO AND NECESSARY FOR MY 2004 UNIT, THE "BENEFIT" OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIR HAS BECOME ACADEMIC. I BELIEVE TOYOTA'S DETERMINATION IS UNFAIR BECAUSE THE 9-YR. COVERAGE DOESN'T CONTEMPLATE THE 2004 UNITS THAT WERE PURCHASED IN EARLY 2003. MOREOVER, IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA PURPOSELY RUN OUT THE CALENDAR TO PROFIT FROM THE EXCLUSION OF UNITS. IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMIC LOSS THAT THIS FAILURE REPRESENTS, I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN, WHO MAY POTENTIALLY SUFFER SEVERE PHYSICAL HARM FROM THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT, PREVALENT IN TOYOTA SIENNA'S. *TR
THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE MANUAL OVERRIDE DOES NOT WORK; IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT CLOSE. USING A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE, WE FINALLY GOT IT CLOSED AFTER ARRIVING HOME, BUT NOW WE CANNOT OPEN IT. *KB
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DOOR HINGES ARE NO LONGER WELDED. ACCORDING TO 3 REPAIR CENTERS AND TOYOTA DEALER STATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON REPAIR BUT THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A DEFECT AS THE AUTO SHOP THAT I AM SPEAKING WITH REGARDING MY CAR HAS HAD ABOUT 3 TO 4 VANS (INCLUDING MINE) WITH THIS ISSUE. MY REPAIR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $315 PLUS OR MINUS. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS INSTEAD OF JUST LABELING AND CATEGORIZING IT AS "SERVICE BULLETIN" INSTEAD OF A "RECALL". THERE ARE MULTIPLE ODI CASES LISTED IN THIS WEBSITE. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE? I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND FEEL I DO NOT HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS OUT OF MY CONTROL. BOTH FRONT DOORS SHOULD BE SERVICED UNDER A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THANK YOU, *TR
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLES PLACES, AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WOULD ALLOW THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY UNINTENTIONALLY HENCE CREATING AN ACCIDENT. THE SITUATION WITH THE CRACKS CONTINUES TO THE EXTENT THAT THERE ARE CRACKS ACROSS THE WHOLE DASHBOARD, AGAIN IN MULTIPLE PLACES. *TR
CABLE SNAPPED ON RIGHT HAND POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENER. THE CABLE PROTECTIVE COATING HAD SHOWN SIGNS OF CRACKING AND ALLOWING THE CABLE TO RUST AND ULTIMATELY FAIL.. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY UNTIL THE CABLE WAS CUT. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS THROUGH THE DEALER IS APPROXIMATELY $1800! THE PART ALONE IS $1200! THE FACT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR "RUSTED TIRE CABLE" THAT PRESENTS A HAZARD, LEAVES ME TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA DID NOT ADEQUATELY TEST THEIR CABLES THAT ARE EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT CONDITIONS. I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM REPLACING THE FAULTY COMPONENT IF THE PRICE WAS SOMEWHAT REASONABLE.. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT STAY OPEN WHEN USING THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM OR WHEN OPENED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DOOR STAY KIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
BOTH OF THE SLIDING DOORS ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE STOPPED WORKING. FIRST, THE CABLE SNAPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN THE DRIVER SIDE GOT LOCKED IN AN OPEN POSITION. AFTER MUCH STRUGGLE, EACH TIME WE WERE ABLE TO CLOSE THE BROKEN DOOR IN ORDER TO SAFELY DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIXED. BOTH TIMES, WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE DOOR FOR $2000. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT THEY ARE SEEING ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. SEEMS LIKE TOYOTA SHOULD BE PROVIDING A MANUAL SOLUTION OR A RECALL IF IT'S REALLY AS WIDESPREAD AS THE DEALER INDICATED - ESSENTIALLY, THE VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH DOORS STUCK IN AN OPEN POSITION. *TR
DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SIDE MANUAL DOOR WILL OPEN BUT WILL NOT CLOSE. INTERNAL LATCH APPEARS TO BE BROKEN OR LOOSE CAUSING THE DOOR NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. CAR IS UNDRIVEABLE AS DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. *TR
THIS HAS HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES. HAPPEN LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR. THE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE IN MIDDLE OF JOURNEY WHICH FORCES YOU TO DRIVE WITH KIDS WITH DOOR OPEN UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE DOOR FIXED.. LAST YEAR IT WAS WITH LEFT SLIDING DOOR TODAY THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR GOT STUCK IN MIDDLE OF MY SHOPPING TRIP AND WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH TWO KIDS 3 YRS AND 6YRS WITH RIGHT SLIDING DOOR OPEN TO HOME. THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM ON INTERNET AND HIGHWAY SAFETY SHOULD CONSIDER A PUBLIC RECALL TO THIS SLIDING DOOR PROBLEM. *TR
ELECTRICAL MOTOR AND CABLE THAT CONTROLS SLIDING DOOR (DRIVER SIDE) HAS CORRODED AND BROKEN. DOOR INOPERABLE POSING SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
THE MOTOR IN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR BURNT OUT. THE PULLEY CABLE GOT CAUGHT AND OVERHEATED THE MOTOR. NOW THE DOOR IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION THE PULLEY CABLE IS TAUGHT AND IT WILL NOT CLOSE. *TR
DRIVERS SEATBELT FOLD OVER AND BECOMES STUCK IN ITS RETRACTION SLOT. SEATBELT IS UNUSABLE. I NEED TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEATBELT. UNABLE TO FIX BY SELF. I THEN NEED TO TAKE TO DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE SEATBELT UNTWISTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST 3-5 YEARS. [INTERNET SEARCH FINDS NUMEROUS PERSONS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR 2004 SIENNA]. *TR
ONE DAY WE NOTICED A SCRAPING NOISE THAT OUR PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING POWER DOOR WAS MAKING WHEN WE OPENED AND CLOSED IT. THE NEXT DAY WE PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER AND AFTER GETTING OUR TWO YEAR OLD TWIN GIRLS OUT OF THEIR CAR SEAT, WE PUSHED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND IT GOT STUCK HALF WAY. WE COULD NOT PUSH IT OPEN OR CLOSED. THE CABLE HAD FRAYED AND THE PROTECTIVE COVERING OVER THE CABLE HAD COME OFF. WE PANICKED BECAUSE WE DID NOT KNOW HOW WE WOULD GET HOME SINCE THE DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT TO SAFELY DRIVE OUR CHILDREN HOME. FORTUNATELY AFTER SOME TIME WE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF CUTTING THE CABLEWITH WIRE CUTTERS SO WE COULD AT LEAST GET IT CLOSED. IT WORKED AND THE DOOR IS NOW MANUAL BUT THE DOOR MAY BE COMPROMISED FROM THIS CABLE FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT MANY SIENNA OWNERS FEEL TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS DUE TO THE INADEQUATE MATERIALS USED TO OPERATE THE POWER SLIDING DOORS AND THE HEFTY EXPENSES TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR LEFT AND RIGHT ARE NOT OPERATIONAL. ONLY WORKS MANUALLY. *TR
BOTH SLIDING DOORS WORKED ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. THEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR GOT STUCK OPEN AND WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE ALARM BLARING. COULD NOT GET THE DOOR OPEN OR SHUT. APPROX 3 DAYS LATER, THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR GOT STUCK SHUT AND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN IT I HEARD A LOUD SOUND. THE CABLE SNAPPED AND THE DOOR IS STUCK SHUT. OUR KIDS HAD TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VAN BY GOING IN THE FRONT DOOR AND CLIMBING AROUND TO THE BACK. IF THERE IS A REASON TO NEED TO GET OUT OF THE VAN QUICKLY THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO SO. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE W/ SIENNAS AND IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
THE SPOT WELDS FOR THE "CHECK STRAP" ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT DOOR OF MY SIENNA HAVE FAILED. TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS ADVISED ME THAT THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE EXPANDED THEIR WARRANTY TO 5 YEARS/100,000 MILES TO COVER IT. UNFORTUNATELY, MY 2004 SIENNA IS BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE EXPANDED WARRANTY. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS NOT A "SAFETY RECALL" ISSUE COVERING EVERY IMPACTED TOYOTA SIENNA. CLEARLY THIS PROBLEM HAS SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. WITHOUT THIS "CHECK STRAP" IN PLACE, THE DOOR CAN UNEXPECTEDLY SWING SHUT ON A PERSON CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, PARTICULARLY IF IT SLAMS INTO A CHILD. ALSO, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH A CAR DOOR THAT CAN SWING OPEN FREELY. HOW CAN THE NHTSA POSSIBLY ALLOW TOYOTA TO GET AWAY WITH CORRECTING THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON SOME BUT NOT ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE SIENNA MODELS INVOLVED? *TR
AS CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN IN A PARKING LOT THE BRAKES WERE SUDDENLY APPLIED AS THE VSC DASHBOARD LIGHT WAS LITE. THE CAR VIBRATED AND SLOWED IN A NEAR STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEARLY USELESS. THE CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR WITH A DRY MOSTLY LEVEL PAVEMENT. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE VEHICLE ABOUT ONE MILE TO HOME NOT KNOWING IF INCIDENT WOULD BE REPEATED. HOWEVER, IT WAS REPEATED WITHOUT WARNING ABOUT EVERY 5 TO 10 SECONDS. SPEED NEVER EXCEEDED ABOUT 10 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING INTERIOR DOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN WHENEVER ACCESSING MANUALLY. IN NOVEMBER OF 2011, THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD ONLY RELEASE OPEN OR CLOSE WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE EXERTED AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE MALFUNCTION PROGRESSED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
CAR ROLLED BACK WHILE ON A SLOPE WITH PARKING BRAKE FULLY APPLIED, IN PARK, AND ENGINE OFF. ROLLED BACK ABOUT 6-9 INCHES AS SOON AS FOOTBRAKE WAS RELEASED, WITH A CHILD IMMEDIATELY BEHIND CAR AT THAT TIME. I LATER FOUND THE PROBLEM IS A WORN REAR DIFFERENTIAL FRONT SUPPORT ARM USED ON ALL SIENNA AWD'S, AND LIKELY OTHER TOYOTA'S THAT SHARE THE SAME AWD DRIVETRAIN DESIGN. PER THE TOYOTA OWNER BOARDS, IT APPARENTLY COMMONLY FAILS AND SELLS FOR OVER $200 FOR JUST THE PART. HOWEVER, IT REALLY CONCERNS ME HERE BECAUSE WHEN IT FAILS, IT ALLOWS PLAY IN THE DRIVELINE, WHICH THEN RESULTS IN THE CAR BEING ABLE TO ROLL FOR 6 INCHES PLUS EVEN W/ PARKING BRAKE APPLIED UNTIL IT REACHES THE LIMIT OF ITS PLAY. ON A SLOPE AND WITH SOMEONE JUST IN FRONT OR BEHIND THE CAR THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH BY EITHER IMPACT OR CRUSHING. DANGEROUS DESIGN AND POOR RELIABILITY. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR REQUIRES MANUAL FORCE TO ASSIST ELECTRIC MOTOR DURING OPENING AND CLOSING. DOOR APPEARS OUT OF VERTICAL ALIGNMENT AND IMPACTS CAR FRAME DURING OPENING PROCEDURE. EXPOSED METAL OCCURS WHERE DOOR HAS RUBBED PAINT OFF OF FRAME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN MANUALLY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SLIDING DOOR CABLE AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS CORRODED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DOOR PANEL AND THE SLIDING DOOR CABLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR DOOR WAS REPAIRED WITH RECALL BUT IT WOULD STILL FAIL. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. UPDATED 10/15/2012 *JS
I HAVE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN LE MODEL. 2 YEARS AGO TRYING TO GET OUT OF DRIVERS SEAT, AS I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR I HEARD A MOTORIZED CLICKING SOUND AND THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN FROM INSIDE. I TOOK TO A MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT THE METAL WIRE THAT CONNECTS TO THE LATCH HAD BROKEN. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST $250 FOR THE ASSEMBLY THAT CONTROLS THE LATCH TO OPEN THE DOOR. LAST YEAR MY POWER SLIDING DOOR (PASSENGER SIDE) STARTED ACTING UP. SOMETIMES THE DOOR WOULD OPEN AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T WHEN I PRESS THE POWER DOOR BUTTON LOCATED ON THE CEILING CLOSE TO DRIVER'S SIDE. THEN IT WOULD ONLY OPEN FROM OUTSIDE IF I PULL THE LATCH FROM OUTSIDE. THEN ONE DAY WHEN I PULLED THE DOOR LATCH FROM OUTSIDE TO OPEN IT, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE METAL CABLE THAT THE DOOR SLIDES ON SNAPPED! I RECEIVED AN"ENHANCEMENT RECALL" LETTER FROM TOYOTA JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I SEARCHED THE WEB AND SAW COMPLAINTS THAT TOYOTA DOES THIS ON PURPOSE LAST MINUTE EXPECTING THAT CUSTOMERS WON'T SEE IT IN TIME. I CALLED THE SCION DEALERSHIP IN PALATINE, IL AND THEY SAID THAT IT WILL COST ME $120 TO INSPECT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE POWER DOOR AND THERE ARE 4 TO 5 PARTS WHERE 1 OR MORE COULD HAVE GONE BAD. SOME PARTS ARE COVERED AND OTHERS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRAN TY. THIS SHOULD BE SAFETY RECALL AND COULD KILL A SMALL KID. A CLASS ACTION SUIT MUST BE FILED AGAINST TOYOTA FOR RIPPING OFF CUSTOMERS. THEY SHOULD BE FIXING IT FOR FREE SINCE ITS A DESIGN FLAW. I WOULD EXPECT AN ENGINE TO FAIL AT 96000 MILES BUT NOT THE 2 DOORS (FRONT MANUAL DOOR AND POWER SLIDING DOOR). BIG COMPANIES LIKE TOYOTA NEEDS TO CUT OFF BONUS FORM CEO AND BOARD OF DIRECTOR'S PAYCHECK AND USE THE MONEY TO CORRECT THEIR DESIGN FLAWS. I PAID $32,000 AND EXPECT TOYOTA TO RETURN THE COST OF REPAIR WHICH IS $1800+TAX OR FIX IT FOR FREE AND THANK ME THAT I DID NOT FILE A SUIT AGAINST THEM. *TR
2004 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN HAS BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT VSC. AT 10-20 MPH THE ANTI-SKID WARNING LIGHT WILL ACTIVATE WITH WARNING BEEP AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WILL ACTIVE AND BEGIN TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE THE CAR PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT AND IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. TOYOTA ISSUED A TSB BR008-04 IN NOVEMBER 2004 STATING ''SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT VSC ACTIVATION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE AND DRIVING STRAIGHT FROM A STOP POSITION. THIS CONDITION IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL VSC LIGHT AND AUDIBLE WARNING BUZZER TURNING ON AT THE SAME TIME. TO PREVENT THIS CONDITION, THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR HAS BEEN CHANGED. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS RECALL MALFUNCTION. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL? *TR
IN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED AWD, THE UPPER DASHBOARD(BY THE WINDSHIELD & FRONT AIRBAGS IS CRACKING. I AM HIGHLY CONCERNED THAT THESE CRACKS WILL INTERFERE WITH PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. ALSO THE UPPER DASHBOARD MAY BREAK APART IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION AND BECOME AIRBORNE CAUSING FURTHER INJURY TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ONLY COVERED FOR 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS DESPITE THE FACT IT CAN POSE A SAFETY ISSUE. IN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, I FOUND OTHER 2004-2007 TOYOTA & LEXUS OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRACKED DASHBOARD. HERE IS A LINK TO ONE SUCH DISCUSSION: HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T959673-DISCUSS2004_SIENNA_CRACKED_DASHBOARD.HTML. *TR
STEERING BINDS WHEN MAKING TURNS. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND COMPROMISES MY ABILITY TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. *TR
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT TOYOTA FAILING TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE FRONT DOORS OF THEIR SIENNA MINIVAN. LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS, THE WELDS ON MY DOOR HAVE FAILED AND NOW THE DOOR MUST BE COMPLETELY REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $2000. TOYOTA COVERED THIS FAILURE FOR JUST 5 YEARS AND DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS DURING THE COVERAGE PERIOD THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT REPAIRED. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THIS DEFECT. THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO IN THE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THESE WELDS FROM FAILING. THE FAULT LIES WITH TOYOTA MANUFACTURING PRACTICES AT THE TIME MY VAN WAS BUILT AND THE COST SHOULD LIE WITH THEM AS WELL. *TR
DOOR HAS A BROKEN WELD, THE WHOLE DOOR SWINGS OPEN AS THE WELD IS THE STOPPING DEVICE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND I AM NOT ABLE TO GET HELP FROM TOYOTA ON THIS AS IT HAS BEEN BROKE FOR OVER 4 YEARS.
THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STOPPED WORKING. THE BUTTONS DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR IS SO HEAVY THAT IT CANNOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED EASILY. THE CABLE THAT MOVES THE DOOR SNAPPED AND VISIBLE (HANGING OUTSIDE THE BODY). WE HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS AND THE CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, BUT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALER SAYS THE WHOLE MOTOR, NOT JUST THE CABLE, SHOULD BE REPLACED, ASKING FOR MORE THAN $1500 FOR PARTS AND REPAIR. SNAPPED CABLE, LOOSE AND VISIBLE MOVING PARTS OUTSIDE THE BODY OF THE VAN, AND A HEAVY AND HARD TO OPERATE "POWER" DOOR PRESENT A SAFETY PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WITH THE KIDS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ISSUE AND HAVE TOYOTA OWN UP TO ITS DESIGN PROBLEMS. THIS ISSUE HAS ITS OWN FORUMS ONLINE, HAS ITS OWN FACEBOOK PAGE AND IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT LISTEN ONE CUSTOMER AT A TIME. *TR
I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS CONDENSATION ON THE INSIDE. I HAVE NOTICED THE LIGHT APPEARS TO BE GIVING OFF LESS LIGHT WHEN DRIVING. WHEN CHECKING FOR A SOLUTION ON INTERNET I SEE MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE AS THIS CAN CAUSE AN SERIOUS AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT IF THE LIGHT FAILS FROM THE MOISTURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND EXTENDED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE CRACKS COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,028.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VSC AND THE TRACTION OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE BRAKE TO ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING FAILED TO RETRACT AND PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. THE EXCESS WEBBING WAS HANGING ON THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME, DAYS APART, BOTH SLIDING DOORS STOPPED WORKING. THE LEFT DOOR WOULD BEEP CONTINUOUSLY INDICATING THAT IT WAS AJAR. WITH SOME GREASE AND HELP FROM A MECHANIC, THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED BUT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE. TWO DAYS LATER, THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE RIGHT MADE A HORRIBLE SCRATCHING SOUND WHEN CLOSING. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED A SECOND TIME, THE CABLE SNAPPED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IT IS QUITE COSTLY TO REPAIR THIS. I LOVE MY TOYOTA, BUT I AM NOT WILLING TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $1500 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT EVIDENTLY IS AN ISSUE WITH OTHER OWNERS OF SIENNAS. I AM HOPING THAT TOYOTA WOULD CONSIDER A RECALL AS THERE IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW IN THE DOOR MECHANISM CAUSING THE CABLE TO BREAK. *TT
POWER SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR NO LONGER OPERATES WITH THE KEYFOB REMOTE, OR THE DOOR SWITCHES. THE DOOR WILL OPEN IF THE HANDLES ARE USED TO DISENGAGE THE DOOR. *KB
THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CHECK STRAP IS FAILING. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FAILURE OF WELDS WHERE THE STRAP CONNECTS TO THE DOOR. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON LINE OF SIMILAR FAILURES. SOME AS EARLY AS 35,000 MILES INTO THE VAN'S LIFE. THE REPAIR FOR THIS DEFECT IS EXPENSIVE AND REQUIRES THE RE-WELDING OF THE STRAP TO THE INTERNAL PORTION OF THE DOOR. *TR
THE PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS FAILED TO OPERATE DUE TO A FRAYED CABLE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EVEN IN MANUAL MODE WITH THE CABLE IN PLACE. I SNIPPED THE CABLE TO FREE THE DOOR, AND IT WILL OPEN BUT WILL NOT LOCK IN THE OPEN POSITION (USEFUL WHEN OPENING THE DOOR AT A SLIGHT DECLINE). WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR MANUALLY, IT MAKES A LOUD "THUNK" AS THE DOOR EDGE AND FRAME OF THE CAR MAKE CONTACT. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THE DOOR HAS SHIFTED ON ITS HINGES PREVENTING A PERFECT ALIGNMENT WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM. *TR
DASH BOARD CRACKS LOOK LIKE DONE BY A VERY SHARP KNIFE EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE DASH BOARD. MAY INTERFERE WITH PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
LOSS OF POWER TO STEERING WHEEL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN CORNERS, PARK, ETC. *TT