Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 105

2003 Toyota Sienna complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 24, 200867,000 milesCO

UNINTENDED HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND I BRIEFLY USED THE BRAKES TO ALLOW A LARGE TRUCK TO GO PAST BEFORE MERGING. I'M NOT SURE IF I THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE, BUT THE 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN AS THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN SET AT 100 MPH AND IT WAS TRYING TO GET THERE! I DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT THE TIME. I THEN PUT ON THE BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED, AND I WAS ABLE TO REDUCE THE SPEED BUT THE BRAKES WERE DEFINITELY FIGHTING AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S DESIRE TO GO 100 MPH. I PULLED THE CAR OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS UNSURE OF THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MY 2 KIDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS SAYING SHE WAS VERY SCARED. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND PULLED OVER. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF WHILE THE VAN WAS STILL MOVING JUST TO GET IT TO STOP. AFTER 5-10 SECONDS I TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AT A HIGH RPM. I TURNED IT OFF AGAIN, WAITED A WHILE LONGER, AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN THE VAN BEHAVED NORMALLY. I FEAR THAT IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURY. IF ANYONE HAD BE IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP. MY MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. HIS GUESS IS THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I READ ABOUT OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS INVOLVING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH TOYOTA SIE

Seat BeltsCrash3 injured
Filed May 12, 2008114,000 milesOH

THE FRONT AND SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS DIDN'T HOLD IN A REAR END CRASH CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND A JUVENILE IN THE SECOND ROW TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *TR

Structure › Body › Door
Filed May 9, 20085,000 milesMD

MY MINIVAN PASSENGER DOORS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER FAIL TO OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. MOST OFTEN THE DOORS WON'T OPEN AND PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE OR FRONT. OCCASIONALLY THE DOORS WILL NOT CATCH WHEN CLOSED, FORCING ME TO DRIVE SLOWLY WITH HAZARDS UNTIL IT GETS "UNSTUCK". I'VE HAD THESE PROBLEMS INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE VAN WAS LESS THE 1 YEAR. THE DEALER HAS TENDED TO BLAME ME OR MAKE A REPAIR WHICH HASN'T LASTED. MOST RECENTLY THEY REPLACED A DOOR HANDLE AND SUPPOSEDLY ADJUSTED A CABLE AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND GUARANTEED FOR 6 MONTHS AND THEN WANTED TO CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL PARTS AND SERVICE WHEN BROUGHT BACK IN 5 WEEKS LATER WITH ONGOING PROBLEMS. IN REVIEWING YOUR WEBSITE THIS IS A PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS. SOMETIMES THE THUMB PIECE STICKS, OTHER TIMES THE HANDLE FAILS TO OPEN THE DOOR. A THIS POINT BOTH DOOR HANDLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND YET PROBLEMS STILL OCCUR, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HOT AND HUMID OR VERY COLD. DATE GIVEN IS WHEN PROBLEM FIRST STARTED, STILL OCCURS IN 2008. *TR

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Apr 24, 2008101,000 milesFL

THE LEFT 2ND ROW SEATBELT REPEATEDLY GETS TWISTED IN THE MECHANISM AND WILL NOT WORK. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON 2004 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2003. *TR

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Mar 28, 2008VA

MAKE: TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 WINDSHIELD SEAL IS COMING OUT. ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, CAUSING WIND NOISE. I SEARCHED INTERNET LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINS ON WINDSHIED SEALS. MY FRIEND HAVE HONDA ODYSSEY, HAND HAVE NO PROBLEM (7 YEARS OLD CAR). *TR

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Oct 16, 200732,000 milesVA

WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED DOWN THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE MOONROOF SHATTERED. THE SHATTERED WAS SPONTANEOUS AND MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN IT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A ROCK, DEBRIS OR OBJECT AT OR PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE MOONROOF/SUNROOF SHATTERED INTO PIECES. AFTER RESEARCH ON-LINE, I SEE THERE WAS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF TOYOTA TACOMA, SCION AND SIENNA. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Sep 25, 200765,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD BLEW OPEN AND DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. HE FELT THAT THE LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS SCHEDULED TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 21, 200758,000 milesVA

MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS HAS STARTED EXPERIENCING A HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TOOK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK, AND THEY UPDATED WITH THE PATCH. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER IS CALLING IT A "HARD SHIFT" THAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T DO IT THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. CAR IS ALMOST OUT OF ITS 60K WARRANTY, AND THEY INDICATE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 2, 200790,000 milesOR

OUR 2003 SIENNA VAN (TOYOTA) HAS BEGUN THROWING BLUE SMOKE OUT THE EXHAUST. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THAT TOLD US THAT IT'S A VALVE,RING SLUDGE PROBLEM IN THE MOTOR . HE SAID IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO THIS PARTICULAR MODEL . I RESEARCHED IT ON GOOGLE AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE FROM OTHER OWNERS OF SIENNAS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND HAS IN FACT FOUND A "LOOPHOLE"THROUGH AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROBLEM. SO, HERE I AM WITH MY COMPLAINT. HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP US OUT AS I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE. THANK YOU. *JB

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Apr 10, 200759,000 milesMD

2003 TOYOTA SIENNA CE 5-DOOR V6 W 59K MILES. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR BROKE. DOOR CANNOT BE OPEND FROM OUTSIDE AFTER THE BREAK.*AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Apr 9, 200712,000 milesNJ

I HAD TO REPLACE THE 3RD ROW SEAT BELTS IN 2003 SEINNA 3 TIMES ON EACH SIDE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AT TOP AND WILL NOT FIT ARROUND MY CHILDREN OR IT WAS TOO LOOSE. IT HAS BEEN A A SAFTY ISSUE NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN IT BROKE ON VACATION , AND MY CHILD HAD TO SEAT UP FRONT. *AK

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Dec 22, 200665,000 milesIL

THE SEAT BELT ON THE SECOND ROW OF THE TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN, BECOME INOPERATIVE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT MAKING THE SEAT USELESS. *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Dec 8, 200679 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP CLOSING IF THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT IN THE WAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 20, 200638,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED WHO DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED FOR ANY WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE. SO THUS FAR THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Aug 23, 2006TX

THE SLIDING DOOR ON MY SIENNA SYMPHONY JUST QUIT WORKING. THE DOOR WAS OPENED AUTOMATICALLY AND JUST QUIT CLOSING USING THE SAME 'AUTO OPEN/CLOSE BOTTOM'. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE AUTO SYSTEM SINCE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS SINCE THEN THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM INSIDE AND ONE HAS TO GET OUT TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY AND THE LEAVING THE VAN BECOMES LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 30, 200621,000 milesCT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BUTTON USED TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS JAMMED. THE OCCUPANTS IN THE BACK SEAT WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - THE CONSUMER LUBRIACTED THE BUTTON AND NOW THE DOOR WORKS. *NM

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jun 30, 200634,000 milesMD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN HOT, HUMID WEATHER, THE REAR DOORS WERE CLOSED AND WOULD NOT OPEN. IF THE OPENED, THEY WOULD NOT CLOSE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE OPENER WITH NO SUCCESS. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

Equipment
Filed Jun 21, 200672,900 milesVT

I SECURED A BOX SPRING TO THE FACTORY INSTALLED ROOF RACK. THIS LOAD WAS WITHIN THE OWNERS MANUAL SPECS FOR WEIGHT AND SIZE LIMITS. AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE RACK SHEARED AT THE CONNECTION POINT WHERE THE RAIL THAT RUNS FROM BACK TO FRONT MEETS THE PLASTIC FOOT WHICH MOUNTS TO THE ROOF WITH 2 BOLTS AND EXPANSION NUTS. THE BOX SPRING FLEW OFF THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT SKIDDING DOWN THE ROAD AND WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. SO FAR THE DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ROOF RACK. ACCORDING TO THEM A BOX SPRING PUTS TO MUCH STRESS ON THE RACK AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LOADED ON THE VEHICLE. THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT MAKE ANY MENTION OF THIS AND THERE ARE NO SAFETY LABELS ON THE RACK ITSELF. THIS LOAD ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL WAS ACCEPTABLE. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO VEHICLES BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. THE BOX SPRING COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF IT HAD HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I FIRST CALLED THE DEALER AFTER THE PROBLEM I ASKED ONLY WHETHER THE ROOF RACK SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE HAVING A FULL SIZE BOX SPRING ON IT. THE PERSON I ASKED TOLD ME IT WOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE LOAD. I THEM LET THEM HIM KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT WASN'T DESIGNED FOR THIS. BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE PRESSURE AND STRESS CREATED BY THIS ITEM. IT VERY WELL COULD HAVE BEEN A CANOE, KAYAK, BICYCLE OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER ITEMS AND ALSO AT SPEEDS MUCH GREATER THAN THE 45 MPH THAT I WAS TRAVELING. *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 26, 200630,000 milesUT

FIRESTONE TIRES 205/70R15, THIS IS THE 3RD TIRE OF 4 THAT HAS SPLIT. THE TREAD HAS SPLIT AWAY FROM THE BELT WITH PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. I DRIVE THE FREEWAY 27 MILES EACH WAY TO WORK AND I COULD HAVE HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. ONE OF THE 3 DID BLOW BUT I WAS GOING SLOW AND I DID NOT ROLL THE CAR. *JB

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Feb 8, 200680,000 milesVA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALL REAR SEAT BELTS ARE JAMMED AND WILL NOT PULL OUT FOR USE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 30, 20051,500 milesCA

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS PROBLEMS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVEN TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK

Tires
Filed Jul 24, 200527,868 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WASHINGTON STATE, AND NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD WAS SEPERATING FROM THE SIDEWALL AND STEAL. MY SON THEN FOUND THAT THE PASSANGER REAR WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I HAD TO CALL HOME AND FIND THE CLOSEST PLACE TO REPLACE THE TIRES. EUGENE. OR. WAS THE CLOSEST AND IT WAS 49 MILES. ABOUT 15 MILES OUTSIDE OF EUGENE, THE TREAD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS THROWN OFF OF MY CAR AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY VAN. I REGAINED CONTROL AND GOT THE CAR TO COSTCO WHERE I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed May 4, 200524,000 milesKY

CONTACT STATED: DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED IN A THOUSAND OF PIECES OF GLASS WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE WHILE DRIVING 65-68 MPH ON FREEWAY. JUST DRIVING ALONG AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED WITH NO OUTSIDE DAMAGE EXCEPT THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE GLASS. THERE WERE NO EXTERNAL CAUSES. WAS CHECKED BY A STATE TROOPER. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS RARE, AND HAD HAPPENED AT THE DEALERSHIP ONCE BEFORE. CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY STRESS ON THE GLASS. THIS WAS BEING FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, AND REPAINTED THE DAMAGED PARTS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 2, 200522,000 milesVA

WE OWN A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA THAT WE BOUGHT NEW IN JANUARY 2003. DURING MARCH 2005, NOTICED KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE DURING COLD STARTUPS. TOOK TO TOYOTA AND AFTER 4 DAYS OF VARIOUS REMEDIES WHICH DIDN'T WORK (CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT, OIL CHANGE, ENGINE CLEANING), THEY CHALKED IT UP TO A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH "PISTON SLAP" AND SAID IT CAN'T BE FIXED, THAT "THEY ALL DO IT", AND RETURNED VAN TO US.*AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Feb 25, 2005130,000 milesNJ

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH, WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONSUMER PASSED SEVERAL VEHICLES, CHANGING LANES, TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO STRIKE A CONCRETE BARRIER. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *NM

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables
Filed Jan 31, 200518,010 milesNY

TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 BRAND NEW CAR THE BATTERY LEAK AND CAUSE THE RADIATOR DAMAGE DEALER STATE THAT THIS IS NOT A WARRATY REPAIR. THIS IS A WARRANTY REPAI AND THATS WHAT THE LEMON LAW SAYS . THE DEALER WHICH IS BAY RIDGE TOYOTA AND MAN WHO IS MANAGER TOM SCARPACCI SAYS THIS IS NOT WARRANTY REPAIR. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 3, 200520,000 milesNV

CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 45-50 MPH. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION . *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 29, 2004NY

UPON DEPRESSING THE BUTTON FOR BOTH SLIDING DOORS CONSUMER HAS TO PUT BODY AGAINST IT TO MAKE IT DISENGAGE. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CLOSING THE DOOR. THE EXTERNAL HANDLER WILL NOT RELEASE THE LOCK TO OPEN THE DOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD THE DOORS GREASED. BUT, IT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 9, 200420,000 milesTN

SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN MAY LOCK AND PROVE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, TRAPPING OCCUPANTS.*AK

Suspension
Filed Oct 5, 2004231 milesNJ

MY 2003TOYOTA SIENNA HAS A DISTINCT PROBLEM WITH PULLING . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES SINCE MARCH OF 2003 . THE FRONT END WAS REALIGNED WITH 231 MILES AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. SINCE THAT INITIAL REALIGNMENT THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED TO PULL AND HAS BEEN RE-EXAMINED, REALIGNED AND TESTD 5 MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE'S 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED ON OCTOBER 1ST AND IT WAS AGAIN REALIGNED. THE VEHICLE STILL PULLS AND ON OCT. 4TH THE SERVICE MANAGER AGAIN TEST DROVE THE VAN AND NOW STATES THAT A " SHIM PAK" NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN THE REAR. THIS IS UNNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT. I FEAR THAT IT IS A TEMPORARY FIX FOR A SEVERE UNREPAIRABLE PROBLEM . *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift1 injured
Filed Sep 28, 2004103,400 milesMD

WHILE IN PARK VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK....VEHICLE WA SIN PARK AND NOT RUNNING. CONSUMER WENT TO TURN OFF MOTOR FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, AS CONSUMER BACKED OUT AFTER CHECKING THE GEAR SHIFT TO BE SURE IT WAS SRILL IN PARK POSITION. THE FRONT DOORKNOCKED CONSUMER DOWN WHEN HE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE LYING ON THE GROUND THE FRONT WHEEL ON THE RIGHT LEFT SIDE OF CONSUMER. HE SUSTAINED SEVERAL BROKEN RIBS, ROAD RASH TO RIGHT LEG, BURNS ON ARMS, SIDE AND LEG. WAS HOSPITALIZED AND HAD PHYSICAL THERAPY. *AK

Tires
Filed Jul 6, 200417,000 milesOK

SO FAR THERE IS NO FAILURE OF MY DUNLOP SP-40 TIRES OTHER THAN POOR TREAD WEAR. AT 17,000 MILES I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW TIRES. THE DUNLOP TIRES ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 60,000 MILE LIFE. TOYOTA IS NOT ANY HELP AS OF THIS DATE. I ALSO E-MAILED DUNLOP MY COMPLAINTS AND GOT NO RESPONSE FROM THEM. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE JUST CHEAP TIRES. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MY TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT LEAST TWICE AND POSSIBLY A THIRD TIME. I REALLY DON'T FEEL THAT THE WEAR IS FROM POOR MAINTENANCE. I AM A STAY AT HOME MOTHER WHO DRIVES VERY LITTLE. IF SOMEONE WILL CHECK INTO THIS, I BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BOTH TO TOYOTA AND DUNLOP REGARDING THE WEAR OF THESE TIRES ON THE SIENNA MINIVANS!! *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads
Filed Jun 22, 2004AZ

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 20, 20043,330 milesFL

WHEN BRAKING VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKED. IT FELT LIKE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CREPT FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED. *NM

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Mar 17, 2004WI

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. *LA THE PULLING INCREASED AS THE CONSUMER DROVE FASTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH NO RESULTS. A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NORMAL. A MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER IN HIS OPINION, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STEERING GEAR BOX. *JB

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Mar 3, 2004TX

CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOUD/SQUEAKING GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR AXLE WAS NORMAL AND THAT IT'S A HARMONIC DISTORTION ON THE REAR AXLE. *PH *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Feb 18, 2004WV

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 15-30 MPH DEPRESSED BRAKES AND PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

Unspecified3 injured
Filed Dec 30, 20031 milesNJ

THE NEW MODEL YEAR 03 AND 04 TOYOTA CAMRY SEDANS, SIENNA MINI VANS HAVE POORLY DESIGNED AND OR MIS ADJUSTED HEADLIGHTS CAUSING BLINDING GLARE TO ON COMING DRIVERS OR DRIVERS IN FRONT OF THESE VEHICLES. THE EXCESSIVELY GLARING LIGHT CAUSED EYE PAIN TO OTHER DRIVERS AND TEMPORARY BLINDNESS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Dec 13, 200320,000 milesTX

BRAKES SQUEAK WHEN APPLIED AT LOW SPEED. DEALER FIXED IT THREE TIMES, BUT IT IS BACK AGAIN. THE VAN WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IS STILL UNDER 3 YEAR/36,000 MILES WARRANTY.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering FluidFire
Filed Dec 3, 20032,000 milesTX

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID.*MR CONSUMER FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH POWER STEERING FLUID WHEN RETURNING HOME. ONCE HOME HE RETURNED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ORDER HE TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A CHECK UP. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. CONSUMER NOTED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. ONLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN DUE TO LOW POWER STEERING FLUID. *PH

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 3, 2003FL

NUMEROUS TIMES, THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN THE "IN" POSITION. IT WILL NOT COME BACK OUT, AND CAUSES THE DOOR NOT TO LATCH. THE DOOR LITERALLY DOES NOT CLOSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I DRIVE MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE OFTEN. *LA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Sep 29, 20036,000 milesMD

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED THEY SQUEALED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO GET THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, BUT AFTER THE REPAIRS THE SQUEALING DIMINISHED BUT PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch1 injured
Filed Sep 11, 200314,500 milesMD

THE DOOR LATCH BUTTONS ON THE SLIDING DOORS(WHERE MY CHILDREN SIT) HAVE GOTTEN STUCK. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO HEAT (DAYS WHERE THE CAR SITS IN THE SUN WITH TEMPS OF 95+). WHEN THE BUTTON IS STUCK THE DOOR EITHER ( MAY NOT LATCH OR MAY NOT OPEN). IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO MY CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED DOOR LATCH FAILURE, I HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE. *ON 30AUG03 OUR FAMILY WAS GOING TO OUR POOL (IT WAS A HOT DAY). WE ALL GOT IN THE VAN. MY DAUGHTER CLOSED THE SIDING DOOR. UH-OH THE BUTTON IS STUCK , THE DOOR WONT CLOSE AND LATCH. OUR TRIP IN THIS VAN IS OVER. I STAYED WITH THE VAN, CALLED OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND SCHEDULED A TIME TO REPAIR THE DOOR. TOYOTA COULD NOT RECREATE THE STICKING BUTTON AND WILL NOT FIX OR REPLACE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE BUTTON STUCK.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Sep 11, 200324 milesIN

THIS IS FOR A NEW TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. THE STEERING HAS ALWAYS HAD A SHAKE IN IT FROM DAY ONE. DEALER CHECKED TIRES FOR FLAT SPOTS. FOUND ONE BAD TIRE AND REPLACED. SHAKE STILL THERE.TOOK THE VAN TO ANOTHER TIRE STORE TO HAVE BALACES ON TIRES CHECKED AND THEY WERE NOT BALANCED PROPERLY. HAD TIRES RE-BALANCED AGAIN. SHAKE STILL THERE. DEALER THEN CHECKED STEERING COMPONANTS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. DEALER THEN ROTATED AND RE-BALANCED TIRES AND STATED THAT THE SHAKE MAY WORK ITS WAY OUT WITH SOME ADDITIONAL MILEAGE PUT ON THE TIRES AFTER THE ROTATION. WAS ADVISED TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE VAN ON VACATION AND SEE HOW IT GOES. AFTER VACATION MILEAGE OF 1600 MILES,SHAKE STILL THERE. DEALER RE-INSPECTS AND FINDS AN INNER TIE-ROD DEFECTIVE(LEFT SIDE). TOYOTA SENDS A WHOLE NEW RACK AND PINNION STERRING SYSTEM TO BE REPLACED. DEALER COMPLETES WORK BUT SAYS THEY DIDN'T REPLACE RIGHT SIDE OUTER TIE-ROD BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE TIE-ROD WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE. NEXT DAY THE SHAKE STILL THERE. BACK TO DEALER FOR MECHANIC TO TEST DRIVE. HE STATES THERE IS A DEFINATE SHAKE IN THE STEERING BUT DOESN'T KNOW WHY. SO THEY HAVE MY VAN AGAIN TODAY FOR THE FOURTH TIME TO TRY AND FIGURE IT OUT.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Aug 24, 2003200 milesFL

AUGUST 24, 2003 SUBJECT: SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST ENTERS PASSENGER CABIN COMPARTMENT (THIS IS WHAT THE DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS).I HAVE A MODEL 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA THAT HAS A BURNING/SEWAGE SMELL, WHICH THE DEALER CALLS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL, ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING WITH THE AIR ON OR OFF. MY DASHBOARD AIR SWITCH IS ALWAYS SET TO RE-CIRCULATE INTERIOR AIR (NOT TO BRING FRESH AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE IN). THE SMELL GETS SO BAD THAT I MUST OPEN THE WINDOWS TO AIR OUT THE STINK. IT HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT OCTANE OF GAS I USE. IT MAY HAPPEN OR NOT HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I FREQUENT GAS STATIONS NEAR ME THAT ARE NO OLDER THAN TWO YEAR OLD. WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE VAN TO A FACTORY TOYOTA SERVICE DEALER AND AFTER THEY CHECKED IT OUT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NORMAL WITH ALL TOYOTAS ESPECIALLY SIENNAS & SEQUOIAS. THEY HANDED ME A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ENTITLED " SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST" ALL MODELS, DOCUMENT NUMBER EG003-03. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND TSB THIS ON YOUR SITE OR ANY OTHER INTERNET SITE. THIS MAY BE NORMAL TO SMELL AT THE END OF THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE, BUT SHOULD THE SMELL OF SULFUR BE GETTING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN AREA WITH THE DOORS & WINDOWS CLOSED AND THE AIR ON RE-CIRCULATE? SHOULD IT BE SO STRONG THAT IT FORCES THE OCCUPANTS TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR IN THE CAR? WHY IS SULFUR ODOR THAT IS A COMPONENT OF GAS EXHAUST ENTERING THE CAR? HOW SAFE IS THIS FOR US, KIDS, AND INFANTS? SHOULD NOT MY VE

Steering
Filed Jun 26, 2003NY

VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. *MR THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, BOTH LOCK NUT(S) WERE LOOSE AND THE TIE ROD(S) WERE EQUALLY ADJUSTED 1/8 OF A TURN TO COMPENSATE FOR THE STEERING WHEEL, A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, THE TOE IN AND CAMBER WAS ADJUSTED, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MOUNTED AND BALANCED. *SCC *JB

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2003OH

NO PARTS AVAILABLE. RECALL ON AIR BAG LIGHT. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DUTCH MILLER 304-529-2301. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jun 11, 200313,488 milesCA

WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER SAID THAT ROTORS AND BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Jun 10, 2003CA

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL SQUEAL AND MOAN. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension
Filed Jun 3, 20031,000 milesNY

STEERING IS MISALIGNED BECAUSE VEHICLE PULLS EXCESSIVELY TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Toyota Sienna → · Every Sienna year → · How the figures are calculated →