NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC CLOSED DOOR OPERATING CABLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND FRACTURED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC OPENING FEATURE DID NOT WORK AND WOULD ONLY OPERATE IF OPENED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CABLE AND MOTOR WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 04/06/17 LJ UPDATED 08/07/2017*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 55 MPH ON AN INCLINING OR DESCENDING SURFACE, THE STABILITY CONTROL WOULD SUDDENLY ACTIVATE AND THE SPEED WOULD SUDDENLY DECREASE. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO FREQUENTLY OCCURRED WHEN SWITCHING LANES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THIS CAR IS EXPERIENCING SUA. IT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AN RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO A CEMENT WALL. IT ALSO HAPPENED ON A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD.
SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS BREAK AT VERY LOW MILEAGES (AROUND 40K OR 50K MILEAGES) IMPAIRING RIDE, STEERING AND BRAKING MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BESIDES THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS CORRODING, THERE SEEMS TO A LARGER PROBLEM OF THE ENTIRE UNDERBODY CORRODING WITH THE TOYOTA SIENNAS.
PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR HAS SNAPPED CABLE. VAN WAS PARKED AND BUTTON WAS USED TO OPEN DOOR. HEARD POP/CRUNCH SOUND. WAS ABLE TO FORCE DOOR SHUT. DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED AND REMAINS CLOSED; EVEN WHEN POWER SLIDING DOOR OPTION IS TURNED OFF. NO DAMAGE SEEN INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE.
PASSENGER SIDE RACK AND PINION LEAKING FLUID WAS DISCOVERED AT DEALERSHIP WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE.
POWERED PASSENGER DOORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VAN MALFUNCTIONED AND THEN CABLE SYSTEM BROKE AND LOCKED THE DOORS IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THIS HAPPENED ONE AFTER THE OTHER IN ABOUT A THREE-WEEK PERIOD. THE CABLE IS CLEARLY RUSTED AND SHREDDED ON THE ONE SIDE. I CANNOT TELL WHY THE CABLE PULLED OUT AND STOPPED WORKING ON THE OTHER SIDE. AS I TRANSPORT 3 OR MORE CHILDREN AT A TIME, IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE CAR IN CASE OF EMERGENCY IS THROUGH ONE OF THE FRONT DOORS OR THE BACK TRUNK HATCH. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS NEW AND I AM TOLD THIS IS OUT OF WARRANTY/ISN'T COVERED AND WILL COST AT LEAST $6,000 TO FIX. I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT. I AM APPARENTLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO'S HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VAN, YET TOYOTA IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS.
STRUTS ON THE REAR DOOR ARE FAILING. THE DOOR COMES DOWN WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND VERY DANGEROUS. I SEE YOU HAVE HAD A RECALL ALREADY BUT IT DOESN'T LIST MY SPECIFIC YEAR. FAILING STRUTS IN 2008 ARE FAILING. I WANT TOYOTA TO FIX THIS FOR FREE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CAPISTRANO TOYOTA (33395 CAMINO CAPISTRANO, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675, (949) 276-6886) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR MALFUNCTIONED AND COULD BE OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECENT FAILURES WERE NOT RELATED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL, BUT THE CONTACT DISAGREED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
MY TOYOTA SEINNA 2008 , HAS BEEN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING....FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN 2016 MY SLIDING DOORS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK UP AND WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH MY REMOTE OR ANY OTHER WAY...I CAN UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WITH A KEY,BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO UNLOCK THE SLIDING DOORS...RECENTLY I HAD TWO FRIENDS RIDING WITH ME...WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION AND I GOT OUT TRIED TO UNLOCK SLIDING DOORS WITH MY REMOTE,THEY DID NOT UNLOCK...MY FRIEND SITTING IN THE SECOND ROW SEATING COULD NOT GET OUT .SHE IS HANDICAPPED....I HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH THE REAR DOOR AND HELP HER UP OUT OF HER SEAT AND THEN CAREFULLY CRAWL ON THE FLOOR OF THE VAN TO THE REAR DOOR AND CLIMB OUT.THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY HAZARD AND CANNOT BE DISMISSED....SOMETIMES THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND SOMETIMES THEY WON'T .....SO WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO WORK FOR THEM......MY VAN RUNS WELL AND I HAVE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH IT.I FEEL IF THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER CAN DESIGN COMPUTERIZED DOORS THEN THEY HAVE TO HAVE A WAY TO FIND AND FIX THE PROBLEM.MY FIRST THOUGHT IS,WHY DID THEY NOT DESIGN KEY ACCESS TO THESE SLIDING DOORS ? SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
POWER SLIDING DOOR CABLE BROKE. DOOR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN MANUALLY UNTIL I CUT THE CABLES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR. CABLE BROKE. UNKNOWN CAUSE. APPEARS THE CABLE SNAPPED OFF WITH A CLEAN BREAK. THE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS NOT USEABLE AND NOT SAFE. BOUGHT THE VAN USED THIS APRIL 2016 WITH 54000 MILES PUT 7000 MORE MILES ON IT AND I HAVE NO WARRANTY AND LOOKING AT REPAIRS BETWEEN $1500 - $3000. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN CABLE BROKE. HEARD GRINDING SOUND AND INTERNAL PARTS FALLING TO THE BOTTOM INSIDE THE VAN AND THE IS DOOR BOUND SHUT WON'T OPEN AND NOT WORKING.
SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY MAY ALLOW ROLLAWAY 13V429000 MY SIENNA HAD THE ABOVE RECALL WORK COMPLETED. MY LITTLE DAUGHTER BUMPED THE GEAR SHIFT AND KNOCKED IT OUT PARK AND THE CAR ROLLED AWAY. THE SIENNA WAS IN PARK, THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT TOUCHED. MY CONCERN IS THAT FIX PROVIDED FOR THE RECALL DID NOT ACTUALLY CORRECT PROBLEM COMPLETELY. IF YOU HAVE A SIENNA FOR THE EFFECTED YEARS AND HAVE HAD THE ABOVE RECALL WORK COMPLETED YOUR VEHICLE MAY STILL ROLL AWAY. TO TEST PARK ON A FLAT SURFACE APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE GRASP GEAR SHIFT APPLY PRESSURE TO MOVE IT TOWARD REVERSE WHILE JIGGLING THE GEAR SHIFT UP AND DOWN - DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHILE DOING THIS. IF GEAR SHIFT STAYS IN PARK YOU ARE GOOD. IF IT FALLS INTO REVERSE YOUR CAR IS NOW IN NEUTRAL AND CAN ROLL AWAY PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK.
OCTOBER 2016 THIS PROBLEM OF MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA STARTED- ON SLIGHT CURVES DOING 30-40MPH I WOULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE COMING SOMEWHERE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT RIGHT END ALMOST AS IF UNDER THE DASH, THE VSC LIGHT WOULD FLASH. I TOOK TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, HAD A MECHANIC TEST DRIVE WITH ME THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THAT MY TIRES WERENT ALIGNED WITH MY LAST TIRE CHANGE(WHICH WAS DONE AT THEIR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP) TOYOTA TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES AND HAVE THE WHEELS ALIGNED. I DID THIS, PROBLEM CONTINUED. I TOOK MY VAN IN AGAIN TO TOYOTA, THEY LIED AND TOLD ME I NEEDED NEW BRAKES, AND SOME OTHER THINGS I DIDNT NEED. DECIDED TO GET A 2ND OPINION FROM 2 OTHER AUTO SHOPS AND FOUND OUT TOYOTA LIED ABOUT THE BRAKES, THEY WERE FINE AND THEY BOTH WERE UNABLE TO FIND OUT MY PROBLEM. I FOUND THIS OUT GOING TO 2 OTHER AUTO SHOPS ASKING FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM. NOW TODAY MAY 2019 THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. NOW-THE VSC LIGHT COMES ON, IT STILL CLICKS, THE ABS LIGHT AND WARNING SOUND GOES OFF, FEELS AS IF ABS ENGAGES, AS IT JERKS AND IM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE DURING THIS TIME UNTIL IM ON A STRAIGHT AWAY. VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS THE VAN STARTS JERKING AND UNABLE TO ACELERATE, NOT SAFE TO TAKE MY FAMILY IN. NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA AGAIN...
THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR'S PULLEY CABLE SNAPPED WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTING AUTOMATED DOOR OPENING OPERATION. THERE WHERE SOME GRINDING NOISES WHILE THE DOOR ATTEMPTED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A LEVEL SURFACE. UPON INSPECTION OF FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED, THE BRAIDED CABLE APPEARED FAULTY AND WAS CORRODED. MEANWHILE THE LOSS IN TENSION RESULTED IN LOOSE CABLE PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM OPENING AND CLOSING PROPERLY. THE CABLE WAS THEN CUT BUT THE EXCESS CABLE IS HANGING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR IS NOW OPENED MANUALLY BUT IT IS HAVING DIFFICULTY HOLDING ITSELF WHEN OPENED. I DO HAVE THREE YOUNG CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 7 WHO FREQUENTLY USE THESE DOORS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE DOOR OPENING IS NOT WAS I PURCHASED/EXPECT AND SECOND THE COST OF REPAIR IS VERY HIGH ($1200-$2500) WHEN HEARING THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AS THESE VEHICLES ARE SURPASSING THEIR WARRANTY EXPECTANCY. I DO NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS BUT STILL HAVE THE FAULTY CABLE IF PICTURES ARE REQUESTED AT A LATER TIME.
THE SLIDING DOOR CABLES HAVE BROKEN JUST LIKE IN THE 2007 MODELS THAT A RECALL HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS ON MY 2008 MODEL BECAUSE THE NHTSA HAS NOT REQUESTED IT AND BECAUSE THEY SUPPOSEDLY HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH REPORTS OF FAILURES. NOW OUR DOOR DOES NOT COMPLETELY SEAL SHUT AND GOING DONE THE ROAD, THE DOOR ALARM GOES OFF INDICATING A DOOR IS OPEN THAT HAS NEARLY CAUSED MY WIFE TO JUMP OUT OF HER SKIN THINKING THAT OUR AUTISTIC SON IS OPENING THE DOOR WHILE SHE IS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN RECALLED IN 2007 BUT NOT IN THE 2008 WHICH IS THE SAME PROBLEM. CABLES ARE DANGLING OUT THE SIDE OF THE VAN WHIPPING IN THE WIND.
IN 2015, HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT END, TOOK TO DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN. WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. IN AUGUST 2016, NOTICED CLUNKING IN THE REAR--THIS TIME THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN. NOT COVERED.
PASSENGER REAR POWER SLIDING DOOR. CABLE BROKE. KNOWN PROBLEM. NOT SAFE AND NOT CONVENIENT. $1300 JUST FOR PART AND $2000 REPAIR. PROBABLY DRIVER SIDE WILL BE NEXT. 76000 MILES AND GARAGE KEPT. WHY NO HELP FROM TOYOTA? VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN CABLE BROKE. HEARD GRINDING SOUND, THEN DOOR BOUND, NOW NOT WORKING
OUR LEFT REAR SLIDING DOOR WON'T FUNCTION OR OPEN ANY MORE. THE CABLE BROKE. THEN 2 DAYS LATER THE RIGHT REAR SLIDING DOOR WON'T FUNCTION OR OPEN ANYMORE. SAME PROBLEM. CABLE WAS SEVERED OR SNAPPED. LOOKS LIKE IT WAS RUSTED ON BOTH CABLES, BOTH SIDES, AND SEVERED IN THE SAME POSITION OR LENGTH. SO, BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS DO NOT FUNCTION. THEY ONLY OPEN TO ABOUT 1 FOOT, AND NO FURTHER. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CLOSE OR OPEN DOORS AT ALL. THE MINIVAN WAS STATIONARY BOTH TIMES WHILE OPENING DOORS FOR MY KIDS TO GET IN. I WAS PARKED ON A STREET. THE LEFT SIDE BROKE ON JULY 1, 2016, AND THE RIGHT SIDE BROKE 2 DAYS LATER ON JULY 3, 2016.
THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS FLASHING WHEN THE VAN IS TURNED ON.
TOYOTA CABLE FRAYED ON AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR (IT WAS FINE ONE OPEN THEN HAD A TERRIBLE SOUND THE NEXT AND WE COULD VISUALLY SEE THE FRAYED CABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE), HOWEVER THE 2008 IS NOT IN THE DESIGNATED YEARS (2004-2007) TO HAVE IT FIXED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. ORIGINALLY 3 CALLS TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE PROVIDED ME THAT IT WAS COVERED BUT I HAD TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR AFTER READING THE PAPERWORK ONLINE TO EXPLAIN THAT ALTHOUGH I WAS PART OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR CABLE AND LATCH MECHANISMS, THAT THE LATCH MECHANISM IS THE ONLY PART THAT APPLIES TO THE 2008. IT'S SO CONFUSING, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM TELL THE 2008 CABLE ISN'T COVERED WOULD HAVE COST ME $110. THE REPAIR IS $1500-2000 ON A CAR ONLY WORK 8K OR SO. BEING THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN THE PAST IS UPSETTING. AND THE FACT THAT THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT BULLETIN IS SO CONFUSING THEIR OWN EMPLOYEES DON'T UNDERSTAND IT IS ALSO RIDICULOUS. FROM READING ONLINE IT SEEMS OTHERS ARE STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE.
MY TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 82,000 MILES ON IT SUSPENSION HAS SEVERAL NOISES AND THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BOOTS ARE LEAKING, ON THE TOYOTA NATION WEB SITE AND TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS WEB SITE, THERE ARE ABOUT 75 TO 90 OTHER PERSONS WITH THIS PROBLEM, PLUS THE ONES THAT DO NOT BOTHER TO POST LIKE US. WHEY HAVEN'T THE GOVERNMENT FORCE TOYOTA TO RECALL THIS VEHICLES? I HAVE CHANGED STRUTS, SHOCKS, THE TIRES ARE NEW AND IT IS ALIGNED. TOYOTA IS RISKING THE LIVES OF ITS CLIENTS AND NO ONE CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, DUE TO THE APATHY AND HUMAN DISREGARD OF LIVES.!
POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE A COMMON PROBLEM OF THE CABLE BREAKING AND THE POWER SLIDING FEATURE STOPS WORKING. THE DOOR CAN STILL BE USED IN MANUAL OPERATION, WHICH IS JUST AN INCONVENIENCE. THE POWER REAR LATCH IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE DOOR CAN SUDDENLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING, OR OTHER TIMES REMAIN LOCKED SO AS THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS PROBLEM IS COMPOUNDED WHEN BOTH DOORS ARE AFFECTED, AND I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE REPAIRS DONE TO BOTH DOORS TO A POINT WHERE I CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE FREQUENCY OF HOW OFTEN THE DOORS FAIL. TO SUMMARIZE, POWER SLIDING FUNCTION GRANTED IS A LUXURY THOUGH AN EXPENSIVE ONE WHEN TOYOTA DOES NOT WARRANTEE THE REPAIR. THE LATCHING PROBLEM IS MOST CERTAINLY A SAFEY ISSUE AS THE DOORS EITHER DO NOT STAY CLOSED, OR ARE STUCK SHUT FORCING THE REAR PASSENGERS TO CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN AN EMERGENCY.
CABLE MECHANISM ON BOTH POWER SLIDING DOORS BROKE. THE CABLES HAVE SNAPPED. ONE DOOR IS JAMMED SHUT AND IS UNABLE TO OPEN. I HEAR THE MOTOR WORKING, BUT I SEE THE CABLES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VAN AND I SEE THE CABLES SNAPPED IN HALF.
WHILE DRIVING & TURNING, HEARD NOISES FROM FRONT END. FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION BOOTS WERE LEAKING, HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, AROUND $900.
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CABLE SNAPPED WHEN CHILDREN WERE EXITING THE VAN. A KNOWN ISSUE THAT WAS COVERED BY CSP FOR YEARS 2004-2007, BUT NOT 2008. SAME EXACT PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, HOT AIR CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE FREON WAS ADDED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER O RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK HIT HER IN THE HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HATCH STRUT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
POWER SLIDING DOOR WON'T OPEN OR CLOSED. LOOKS LIKE THE CABLE IS MESSING UP. CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID NO RECALL ONLY A ADDITION TO THE WARRANTY. 9 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. MY VAN HAS WAY OVER 120,000 MILES! THAT STINKS! THIS MAY COST OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR. I LOOK ONLINE AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES! SHOULD BE A RECALL!
WHEN MY SIENNA WAS 3 1/2 YRS OLD WITH MILEAGE 51,500 IT NEEDED A NEW POWER RACK & PINION DUE TO STEERING FLUID LEAK. IT WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2011 AT THE DEALERSHIP AND COST ME $1,200. NOW RECENT VISIT TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED ON MARCH 25, 2016, THE TECH DISCOVERED AGAIN LEAKING STEERING FLUID AND ANOTHER NEW POWER RACK & PINION REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. THIS TIME IT'S 4 & 1/2 YEARS LATER AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE VAN IS 109,600. LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT WITH THE PARTS AND ONLY LAST APPROX. 50,000 MILES. I DO HEAR A PERSISTENT KNOCKING SOUND WHICH IS ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF RACK & PINION GOING BAD.
WHILE DRIVING THE VSC/ABS SYSTEM COMES ON UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO BRAKE AND EFFECT STEERING. IT IS MOST FREQUENTLY NOTICED WHEN STEERING ON CURVES 30-40 MPH. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS AND DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE. I BELIEVE WHEEL SPEED/YAW SENSOR CALIBRATION IS AFFECTING THE VSC SYSTEM. THIS IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. YOUR BRAKING AND STEERING AFFECTED ALL AT ONCE UNEXPECTEDLY IS DANGEROUS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND PROVIDE SOLUTION ASAP.
I WAS DRIVING ON CITY ROADS AND NOTICED CLUNKING NOISE IN RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY TIRE ESPECIALLY WHEN I WOULD GO OVER UN SMOOTH ROADS OR RAILROAD TRACKS. PIECE OF BROKEN SUSPENSION COIL FLEW OUT ONTO THE ROAD. I WAS FORTUNATE IT DID NOT PUNCTURE THE TIRE. I TOOK INTO DEALER AND SHOWED THEM BROKEN PIECE AND FOUND THAT RIGHT REAR COIL WAS ALSO BROKEN BUT STILL INTACT. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH COILS AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. SINCE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER MAKING NOISE I HAD TO INSIST THEY LOOK AT IT AND WAS CHARGED $69 TO JUST EXAMINE IT. THEN OF COURSE THEY SAW WHAT AN UNSAFE SITUATION IT WAS. THE BROKEN COIL LOOKED RUSTED TO ME IN SPOTS LIKE ITS A MANIFACTURERS DEFECT.
SLIDING DOOR ON OUR 2008 SIENNA STOPPED OPENING OR CLOSING. WE CAN NOT GET IN OUR GET OUT OFF THE CAR ON DRIVER SIDE. WE ARE GLAD IT HAPPENED ON PARKED POSITION. IT IS NOT WORKING ELECTRICAL OR MANUAL MODE. TOYOTA IS ASKING ABOUT $1600-3000 FOR REPAIR. WE ARE TRYING TO USE THE VAN WITH ONE SLIDING DOOR AND IT IS NOR PRACTICAL OR SAFE.
THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. NOT SURE WHEN IT BROKE, WAS ADVISED IT WAS BROKEN BY A MECHANIC DURING AN INSPECTION.
IN VERY COLD WEATHER (APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES OR COLDER), THE AUTOMATIC TAILGATE ON THE BACK OF THE MINIVAN MALFUNCTIONS WHILE PARKED. IT WILL GO UP BUT AS SOON AS IT GETS TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION, IT COMES BACK DOWN AND WILL NOT STOP, EVEN IF YOU HAVE YOUR HAND OR BODY IN THE PATH OF THE TAILGATE DOOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS (THE LAST TIME BEING ON THE EVENING OF 2/12/16 IN BLOOMINGTON IL) AND THE FIRST TIME I BARELY WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK BEFORE THE TAILGATE WOULD HAVE CRUSHED ME. IN SUMMARY, THE TAILGATE DOOR MALFUNCTIONS IN VERY COLD WEATHER (AS IT WON'T STAY OPEN) AND IT APPEARS THE SENSOR THAT DETECTS SOMETHING IN THE PATH OF THE TAILGATE DOOR ALSO IS MALFUNCTIONING SINCE IT WILL NOT STOP IF SOMETHING IS IN ITS PATH. I HAVE SUBMITTED THIS TO TOYOTA VIA OCCASIONAL USER PANEL EMAIL SURVEYS THEY SEND, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE LOOKING INTO IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS CRUSHED, INJURED, OR KILLED.
SINCE DRIVING MY 2008 SEINNA LIMITED OVER 61,000 MILES, I HAVE BEEN NOTICING METAL-RATTLING NOISES. I BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY FOUND THE FRONT, DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT IT'S NOT COMMON, AND I CHECKED ANY RECALLS ON IT FROM TOYATA AND NHTSA WEBSITES. THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS, BUT ON THE INTERNET I SAW THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO 2008 SIENNA IN SEVERAL CASES.
REAR POWER SLIDING DOOR ISSUES. HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE TOYOTA HAS CSP THAT ONLY COMPLETELY COVERS THE ISSUES TO YEAR 2007 BUT 2008-2010 THE CABLE ASSEMBLY IS EXCLUDED. THESE MODELS AND YEARS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S ONLY PARTIALLY COVERED.
WHILE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR IS DOWN SMOKE STARTS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HEAD LINER. WHEN THE VISOR IS PLACED BACK IN THE CLOSED POSITION SMOKE CLEARS OUT AND STOPS. PER THE MECHANIC, A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS RESULTED IN A MELTED ELECTRICAL BOARD AND THE ENTIRE HEAD LINER AND ELECTRICAL BOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VISOR CAN NOT BE USED OR THE SHORT MAY START A FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. VAN FILLED WITH SMOKE QUICKLY. HAD TO PULL OVER AND OPEN DOORS TO CLEAR THE SMOKE.
OUR TOYOTA SIENNA HAS 2 SEAT BELTS THAT WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION PROPERLY. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA (CASE# 1609160545) TOYOTA REFUSES TO STAND BEHIND THIS SAFETY RELATED FAILURE. THIS IS OUR FAMILIES MAIN TRANSPORTATION AND WE KEEP IT MAINTAINED. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. A VEHICLE MANUFACTURER HAS AN INCUMBENT DUTY TO DELIVER A PRODUCT THAT IS SAFE FOR CONSUMER USE. I FIND IT VERY CONCERNING TOYOTA FEELS IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO OFFER SEAT BELTS THAT WILL OPERATE PROPERLY FOR THE LIFE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS VEHICLE. WE HAVE SEATS WE CAN'T PUT OUR CHILDREN IN DUE TO THE FACT, THERE IS NO RESTRAINTS TO KEEP THEM SAFE. IT'S UNCONSCIONABLE.
WHEN DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AS WELL AS AN AUDITORY WARNING. THE BRAKES ARE ALSO APPLIED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESOLVE IT. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF VEHICLES ARE FOLLOWING BEHIND AS THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED FORCEFULLY. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS BETWEEN 30-40 MPH ON BACK ROADS, ONLY ON CURVES. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS GOING AN APPROPRIATE SPEED FOR THE CORNER, AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ON, BUT HAD TURNED OFF AS IF THE PROBLEM HAD FIXED ITSELF. THE VSC LIGHT TURNED ON ON DECEMBER 24TH 2015 AND TURNED OFF ON DECEMBER 26TH, 2015.
IN A SPAN OF 2 WEEKS WHILE STATIONARY ATTEMPTING TO EXIT VEHICLE THE 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR CABLES FRAYED THEN BROKE AND DOOR JAMMED SHUT.
THE POWER SLIDING DOOR FAILS. IT HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED MANUALLY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL.
THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE POWERED SLIDING DOOR STUCK OPEN DURING A COLD WINTER NIGHT AND WE WERE LUCKY WE WERE AT THE PARKING LOT NOT ON HIGHWAY FOR AN EMERGENCY STOP (WHICH IS POSSIBLE WITH TWO LITTLE ONES ON BOARD SOMETIMES). WE DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS DUE TO AN KNOWN FAULTY SLIDING CABLE ASSEMBLY AND TOYOTA ALREADY HAD A A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM WHICH EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR MODEL YEARS OF 2004 TO 2007. UNFORTUNATELY, OUR CAR IS 2008 AND THE LOCAL DEALER ASKED FOR $2000 TO CHANGE THE CABLE ASSEMBLY. SINCE THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS FOR THE SECOND GENERATION SIENNA, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE SAME PROGRAM. DUE TO THE POTENTIAL RISK OF DOOR STUCK OPEN ON HIGHWAY DURING EMERGENCY STOP, TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THIS AS A RECALL CAMPAIGN.
THE DOOR CHECK ON THE DRIVER SIDE BREAKS PREMATURELY. EACH TIME I OPEN THE DOOR, IT CLACKS. INSTEAD OF HOLDING THE DOOR IN POSITION WHICH IS DESIGNED TO DO, IT MOVES AND SOMETIMES IT CAN BE DANGEROUS.
THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY IS A DEFECTED PART ADMITTED BY TOYOTA. THIS DEFECTED PART CAUSED THE SLIDING DOOR CABLE TO BREAK. TOYOTA HAS SENT OUT AN EXTENDED WARRENTY TO FIX THE DOOR LATCH BUT NOT THE SLIDING DOOR CABLE. I CAN NOW OPEN UP THE DOOR BUT WITHOUT THE CABLE THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY OPEN IF ON A GRADE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFERTY HAZARD AS THE DOOR COULD SHUT ON A PERSON INCLUDING MY FOUR CHILDREN. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE ISSUE AND IT IS NOTED. I FEEL THAT IF THEY HAVE ADMITTED TO A DEFECTIVE PART AND THAT PART CAUSED ANOTHER ISSUE, IT SHOULD BE REPLACED.
RUBBER ON REAR HATCH HANDLE HAS BECOME SOFT AND PLIABLE. THIS STARTED IN 2013 AND WHILE BEING AN INCONVENIENCE BECAUSE THE RUBBER BLACKENED YOUR FINGERS CAUSED NO DANGER. YESTERDAY MORNING IT WAS 31 DEGREES IN ATLANTA AND WHEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE REAR HATCH THE RUBBER WAS HARD AND WOULD NOT OPEN THE HATCH. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF IN COLD WEATHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE ONLY ACCESS TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS THROUGH THE REAR HATCH. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL OR AT THEIR EXPENSE REPAIR THE VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE HANDLES.
PURCHASED 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA NEW IN AUGUST 2008. IN NOVEMBER 2015 (90,000 MILES) WITH VEHICLE PARKED, WHEN OPENING THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR, THE CABLE SNAPPED, BINDING THE POWERED DOOR'S ELECTRIC MOTOR, AND CAUSING THE DOOR TO BE "LOCKED IN PLACE" ABOUT 6 INCHES OPEN. WENT TO DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR, OPENED, CHILDREN ENTERED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND UPON CLOSING DOOR THIS CABLE SNAPPED, BUT DIDN'T BIND ELECTRIC MOTOR UNTIL THE DOOR HAD FULLY CLOSED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO BE "LOCKED IN PLACE" IN THE CLOSED POSITION. TRAVELED HOME AND CHILDREN EXITED VEHICLE THROUGH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS. THE CABLES WERE CUT BETWEEN THE ELECTRIC DOOR MOTOR AND THE "C POST" TO GET THE DOORS "UNLOCKED" AND ALLOW FOR MANUAL OPERATION. EXAMINATION OF SNAPPED CABLES REVEALED REMOVAL OF CABLE INSULATION (LIKELY DUE TO FRICTION/ABRASION), WHICH EXPOSED THE STRANDED METAL CABLE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, CAUSING SEVERE CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE METAL CABLE. ONLINE RESEARCH REVEALED MANY OTHER 2008 AND NEWER TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, TO THE POINT WHERE A FACEBOOK PAGE HAS BEEN CREATED REGARDING THE ISSUE HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/TOYOTA-SIENNA-FAULTY-POWER-SLIDING-DOORS-233250320033754/. FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALED THAT TOYOTA HAS A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT FOR THIS PROBLEM (NO: POL12-02), BUT IT ONLY APPLIES TO 2004-2007 MODEL YEARS. WHATEVER CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TAKEN BY TOYOTA BEGINNING IN 2008 OBVIOUSLY HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ASSEMBLY REQUIRED TO REPAIR THESE DOORS COSTS $500 PER DOOR (PART NUMBERS 69631-08030 AND 69641-08030). TO HAVE A DEALER MAKE THIS REPAIR COSTS $1,000 PER DOOR ($500 FOR THE PART AND $500 FOR LABOR).
WE HAD BEEN NOTICING A SMALL LEAK UNDER OUR 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA FOR A FEW MONTHS SO WE TOOK IT IN TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. A TOYOTA SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER STEERING RACK BOOT IS TORN AND THE SEAL IS LEAKING, SO IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH 2008 SIENNAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
NOTICED SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN TURNING RADIUS OVER TIME. VEHICLE TENDS TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. VISUAL INSPECTION IDENTIFIED THAT PASSENGER SIDE POWER STEERING RACK SEAL IS LEAKING. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 67K, ROUTINELY MAINTAINED, GARAGE KEPT WITH NO COLLISIONS.
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL #A9E A COUPLE YR.S AGO AND HAD THE RECOMMENDED REPAIR DONE ON THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE. THEN RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTIFICATION IN 10/15 THAT "THE ORIGINAL REMEDY PROCEDURE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATE." INFORMED THAT THE NEW SAFETY RECALL #E0S NOW SUPERSEDES A9E. TOOK VAN TO DEALER FOR THIS REPAIR ON 10/19/15. AFTER MECHANIC BEGAN WORK HE CAME TO WRITER AND ASKED WHERE THE SPARE TIRE WAS. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NO LONGER A SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VAN-WE HAVE NEVER HAD A NEED TO USE THE SPARE AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT FELL OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CABLE WAS BROKEN AND THAT A NEW WHEEL AND TIRE WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER CENTER AND AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS AND FAILURE OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO RETURN CALLS WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT THE LOSS OF THE TIRE WAS DUE TO THE FAULTY SPARE TIRE CARRIER CABLE BUT THAT THEY ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE CABLE. IT SEEMS ABSURD THAT OUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WAS COMPROMISED BY THE SPARE TIRE FALLING OFF AND ALL THE COMPANY ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR IS THE CARRIER CABLE. WE HAVE NOW ORDERED A NEW WHEEL AND TIRE COSTING $300 TO $400 AND HOPE THAT THE MOST RECENT "FIX" WORKS.