Page 32 of 42 · complaints 1,551–1,600 of 2,062

2004 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 2004 record →

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Nov 30, 200735,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LIFTGATE WAS POWER-OPENED, IT UNEXPECTEDLY POWER-CLOSED ON ITS OWN. THE DOOR WOULD RE-OPEN IF IT MET RESISTANCE; HOWEVER, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO CLOSE. AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OPEN (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA06020). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate1 injured
Filed Nov 28, 200738,000 milesNJ

THE CAR HAS A POWER LIFTGATE. THE GAS STRUTS THAT HOLD UP THE REAR LIFTGATE INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AND THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS WILL ALSO CAUSE THE POWER LIFTGATE TO ENGAGE AND IT WILL ATTEMPT TO SHUT THE LIFTGATE WHILE YOU ARE STANDING UNDER IT. THE DOOR HAS CLOSED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES AND HAS CAUSED INJURY. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Nov 23, 2007NY

(1) WE WERE PACKING OUR CAR TO RETURN HOME FROM VACATION. I USED MY KEY FOB TO REMOTELY OPEN THE POWER HATCH. WE HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE HATCH. (2) THE HATCH ROSE TO THE TOP BUT DID NOT CATCH. WE ATTEMPTED SEVERAL TIMES MORE USING THE KEY FOB, DEPRESSING THE INSIDE POWER HATCH BUTTON, AND OPENING IT MANUALLY, BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED EACH TIME. WE OBVIOUSLY HAD TO STORE THINGS IN THE BACK SO WE HELD IT OPEN MANUALLY. UPON RETURNING HOME, WE TRIED TO HOLD IT OPEN USING A LACROSSE STICK, BUT THAT STICK SLIPPED AND THE DOOR BEGAN CLOSING. IT DID NOT STOP WHEN IT APPROACHED MY WIFE AND WORSE CONTINUED TO CLOSE AFTER SHE PUSHED BACK ON IT. LUCKILY, WE SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. (3) WE ARE TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. IT DOES NOT OPEN MORE THAN 1/2 WAY NOW. *TR

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1 injured
Filed Nov 20, 2007MD

POWER TAILGATE/REAR HATCH COMES DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. IT WOULD ONLY DO IT ONCE AND A WHILE BUT NOW ITS EVERYTIME. MY WIFE HAS BEEN CAUGHT WHEN IT COMES DOWN. EVEN WHEN MANUALLY PULLING THE TAILGATE UP IT DOES NOT STAY UP. THIS IS A VERY HEAVY TAILGATE AND IS DANGEROUS IF A CHILD WOULD GET CAUGHT IN BETWEEN THE OPENING AND THE TAILGATE. *TR

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Nov 20, 2007CA

TOYOTA REF #200711200190 (CUSTOMER SATISFACTION REFERENCE #) MY HUSBAND MINI VAN SLIDING DOOR CABLE SHOOT A VERY HARD PIECE OF PLASTIC OUT AND THE CABLE DISLODGED FROM ITS HINGE. LUCKILY THAT WE DID NOT HAVE ANY ONE SITTING IN THE PATH OF THE HARD PLASTIC WHICH HAS A LOT OF SHARP ANGLES, AND A POINTING CORNER. I SEE THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. BUT THE CUSTOMER SAT. REP (DANNER ??)IS NOT TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. I TALKED W/ THE DEALER REPAIR PERSON THAT HE SAID THAT HE HAD SAW A FEW OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT I WOULD FEEL VERY BAD SOMEONE ELSE IS HARM BY THIS DEFECT. I TOLD TOYOTA THAT I INTEND TO REPORT THIS TO THE CONSUMER SAFETY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE AWARE OF THIS DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Nov 19, 200739,336 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING OIL LINE WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A REPAIR GARAGE FOR INSPECTION IN APRIL AND NOVEMBER OF 2007. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE EXAMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,336. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE POWER STEERING HOSE POPPED OFF. UPDATED *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut1 injured
Filed Nov 19, 200729,451 milesNY

THE REAR DOOR OF MY 2004 SIENNA COLLAPSED ON ME. THE DOOR WAS NOT TOUCHED AND IT JUST COLLAPSED ON ME. I REPORTED THIS EVENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY SAID THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. I THEN REPORTED THIS FAILURE TO TOYOTA USA WHO THEN REFERRED ME BACK TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER AGAIN INFORMED ME THAT I NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 1 MONTH. THE LOCAL DEALER WANTED APPROXIMATELY $200-$300 FOR THE REPAIR. THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THE ONLINE SIERRA OWNER'S CLUB, I FOUND OUT THAT THE STRUT ON THE BACK RIGHT SUPPORT WAS BROKEN. I ORDERED 2 STRUTS FROM AN AUTOPARTS DEALER AND REPAIRED IT MYSELF IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES FOR ABOUT $50. I INSTALLED 2 STRUTS BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST THE TOYOTA STRUT AT ALL. *TR

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Nov 19, 200736,840 milesCT

OUT OF THE BLUE OUR TAILGATE NO LONGER STAYS UP. THE TRUNK STRUTS NEED REPLACING ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. OUR FIVE YEAR OLD TOLD US OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK. LUCKILY HE WAS NOT INJURED. WE ARE GOING TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I'VE READ ONLINE THAT AN INVESTIGATION THROUGH YOU HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE DEC. 2006. I'M CONCERNED THAT WE HAD NEVER BEEN TOLD THIS IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM IN A RELATIVELY NEW CAR. I'VE READ OF OTHER CLOSE CALLS FOR INJURIES AND AM SURPRISED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NONE CONSIDERING THE WEIGHT OF THE TAILGATE AND THE FORCE WITH WHICH IT CLOSES. *TR

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Nov 14, 200746,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR POWER LIFTGATE CLOSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE STRUTS THAT SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE. AS OF NOVEMBER 14, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut1 injured
Filed Nov 12, 2007TX

WHILE REMOVING ITEMS FROM THE REAR SECTION OF THE VEHICLE THE LIFT GATE DROPPED DOWN AND BEGIN CLOSING ON ME. AS THOUGHT THE LOCKING DEVICE FAILED HOLDING IT UP AND OPEN, IT DID NOT STOP ONCE GENTLY TOUCHING ME AND I HAD TO USE FORCE TO STOP IT FROM CLOSING FURTHER UNTIL I COULD GET OUT FROM UNDER IT. THE ONLY THING I HAVE NOTICED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT IS THAT THE GATE SEEMS TO OPEN/CLOSE SLOWER THAN PREVIOUSLY. NOW I DO NOT USE THE REAR STORAGE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND EVEN THEN, I DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO WORK UNDERNEATH IT WITHOUT A SECOND PERSON BEING THERE FOR SUPPORT. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock
Filed Nov 11, 200734,000 milesNJ

THE REAR HATCH OPENS FINE BUT STARTS CLOSING AUTOMATICALLY (IT IS ELECTRIC) A FEW SECONDS AFTER IT OPENS ALL THE WAY WHEN COLD EVEN WHEN NO BUTTONS NOR THE DOOR ARE TOUCHED. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 10, 2007120,000 milesCA

HEADLIGHT, HID, PASSENGER SIDE. LENS FILLED WITH WATER (CONDENSATION?) AND WOULD NOT DRY. WATER WOULD ACTUALLY STREAM DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE LENS. SOON MY HID BULB STOPPED WORKING. DEALER WANTED $350.00 FOR A NEW BULB. I TOLD THE DEALER I HAD SWITCHED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BULBS AND THEY BOTH WORKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND NEITHER WORKED ON PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER THEN QUOTED $1,000 FOR NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. DEALER TOLD ME THE WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE LENS WAS NORMAL BUT HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR WHY THE DRIVER SIDE WAS DRY. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND ALSO CHECKED SIENNACLUB.ORG AND FOUND VERY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT WET PASSENGER SIDE LENSES AND PASSENGER SIDE FAILED HID BULBS. BY THE WAY, I BOUGHT A NEW SYLVANIA HID BULB, NEW IN THE BOX ON E-BAY FOR $45.00 (DEALER WANTED $350.00 FOR THE BULB!) TOYOTA CARE DENIED MY REQUEST FOR NO-CHARGE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENS ASSEMBLY. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch
Filed Nov 10, 200738,000 milesIL

OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE REAR DOOR DOES NOT STAY UP. IT RISES AUTOMATICALLY, HOLDS FOR A SECOND OR SO AND THEN STARTS CLOSING. IT TAKES A LOT OF FORCE TO STOP. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FAIRLY CONSISTENTLY LATELY. THE FIRST OMINOUS SIGN WAS IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT WAS NOT OPENING AS HIGH AS IT USED TO. *TR

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Nov 7, 2007MI

DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT AS THE STRAP GETS CAUGHT IN THE OPENING WHERE IT RETRACTS. IT DID THIS ON RARE OCCASION UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOW DOES IT CONSTANTLY. THERE FORE THE SEAT BELT IS VERY LOOSE AND DOES NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. THE REAR BELTS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS TYPE OF DEFECT AND WERE WORKING FINE AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN IGNORED BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW THEY SIMPLY WORK IT FREE WHEN WE BRING IT IN, DESPITE US TELLING THEM THAT IT RECURS DAILY. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Nov 5, 2007CA

SINCE I BOUGHT IT, MY 2004 SIENNA BACK DOOR WON'T LIFT UP EASILY. I NEED TO LIFT IT UP. I NEED TO PULL HARD TO GET IT DOWN AND CLOSE. RIGHT AFTER 3 YEARS OF STRUGGLE, ONE OF THE AIR STRUT FAILED. IT WON'T GO IN AND THE ROD WAS BENT. *TR

Structure › Body › Tailgate
Filed Nov 4, 2007CA

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA OPENED BACK DOOR DROPPED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING MINOR HEAD INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock1 injured
Filed Nov 1, 200717,450 milesTX

I HAVE A2004 SIENNA XLE. LAST SUNDAY OCTOBER 28,2007 THE LIFT BACK DOOR WHEN OPENED (POWERED ) AND REACH IT'S HIGHEST POINT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT JERKED DOWNWARDS FORCEFULLY ND HIT MY HUSBAND(-TRYING TO PUT GROCERY). IT SHOULD HAVE STAYED UP. THE MILEAGE IS JUST 17,000+ EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BOUGHT JULY 2004. IT HAS SINCE NEVER WORKED. IT DOES OPEN BUT JERKS BACK DOWN AGAIN WHEN IT REACHED THE TOP. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate2 injured
Filed Oct 31, 2007CA

WE HAVE A SIENNA 2004 LIMITED. BUT RECENTLY THE REAR DOOR CLOSED IT ITSELF AND HURT MY DAUGHTER AND SON. THE PROBLEM IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO SAFETY OF KID AND PLEASE MAKE A RECORD OF THIS PROBLEM. WE HOPE YOU MAY HELP TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. BTW, THE CARD WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENTS. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate1 injured
Filed Oct 31, 200730,000 milesCA

POWER LIFT GATE ON 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA DROPPED DOWN AND STRUCK DRIVER ON BACK OF NECK CAUSING INJURY. AS IN PAST, THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO LIFTGATE COMING DOWN APPROX 1-2 FEET. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWO WEEK PRIOR BY DEALER, WITH NEW LIFTGATE STRUTS AND BRACKETS FOR SAME REPORTED PROBLEM. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 31,000 MILES AND WAS 3 MONTHS PAST 36 MONTH WARRANTY PERIOD. HAD TO REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

Structure
Filed Oct 29, 200730,000 milesFL

DASHBOARD CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. DEALERSHIP ARRANGED REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE. SIX MONTHS LATER ANOTHER CRACK OF A 18" IN LENGTH APPEARED IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX. OLD CRACK IS ALSO VISIBLE AGAIN. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 25, 2007NY

THERE IS 2 TO 3 SECONDS DELAY AND SLIGHT ACCELERATION LAG EVEN WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. COUPLE OF TIMES I WAS CLOSE TO RUN INTO ACCIDENT. *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Oct 25, 200730,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUTS ON THE REAR DOOR THAT SUPPORT THE LIFT GATE FAILED. THE LIFT GATE COULD BE OPERATED MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THE REAR DOOR CLOSES ON THE PERSON UNDER THE DOOR, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION (EA06020). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,302 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Oct 24, 2007NY

TOYOTA PRE-2007 TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) DESIGN FLAW. IT ONLY WORKS WHEN YOU "SUDDENLY LOSE PRESSURE" WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING ABOVE 20 MPH. IT DOES NOT DETECT TIRE PRESSURE LOSS ANY OTHER TIME, EVEN IF ONE TIRE IS AT ZERO PSI AND YOU START DRIVING, OR IF YOU HIT A NAIL AT A RED LIGHT AND TIRE PRESSURE WENT TO ZERO BEFORE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WHEN YOU START MOVING AGAIN. COMPOUNDED WITH RUN-FLAT TIRES, THE DRIVER MAY NEVER KNOW THEY HAVE A FLAT UNTIL THE TIRE EXPLODES. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Oct 24, 2007NY

POWER LIFT GATE UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSES UPON OPENING AND HAS CLOSED ON THE PERSON STANDING THERE. AND HAS ON OCCASION NOT REPELLED BACK AFTER MAKING STRONG CONTACT WITH THE PERSON STANDING THERE. AS A RESULT, THE INDIVIDUAL HAD TO QUICKLY SQUEEZE THEIR WAY OUT WHILE THE LIFT GATE CONTINUED TO CLOSE COMPLETELY. *TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Oct 24, 2007NY

IN WINTER TIME, ONLY REAR VENTS BLOW COLD AIR EVEN IF THE REAR THERMOSTAT SWITCH ON RED COLOR. DEALER INSPECTED AND SAID THAT IS NORMAL. LEAVE THE VAN RUNNING FOR 25 TO 40 MINUTES UNTIL GET WARM AIR. ALL LAST WINTER I HAD TO TURN OFF REAR VENTS. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Oct 23, 200760,000 milesNY

OUR VAN HAS POWER SLIDING DOORS. IN THE SUMMER OF 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS OPENING WHEN THE CABLE SNAPPED. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO GET TOYOTA TO SUPPLY THE PART ($1,000) AND CHARGED APPROX. $300 FOR LABOR TO INSTALL NEW MOTOR & CABLE ASSEMBLY EVEN THOUGH THE VAN WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (APPROX. 65,000 MILES). IN THE SUMMER OF 2007, THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPENING WHEN THE CABLE ALSO SNAPPED. THE SAME DEALER TOLD US TO CONTACT TOYOTA DIRECTLY, WHICH I DID. THEY HAD US GO BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. CONTACTED TOYOTA AGAIN BUT WAS TOLD THE SAME INFORMATION THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AND OUT OF WARRANTY. (APPROX. 90,000 MILES) *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut1 injured
Filed Oct 21, 200743,000 milesMN

THE REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILED TO HOLD UP THE BACK TAILGATE. IT COLLAPSED ON MY WIFE AND BRUISED HER NECK. SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED TO A SMALL CHILD I THINK WITH THE WEIGHT OF THIS DOOR COULD SEVERELY INJURY. WE HAVE NOT REPLACED THESE SHOCKS YET AS THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. WE DO NOT USE TAILGATE WITHOUT SOMEONE TO HOLD IT UP. TOYOTA NEVER MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE LIFTGATES OR HAVE EVEN UPGRADED THE REPLACEMENTS SO THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Oct 21, 200743,000 milesMN

NO WARNING GIVEN. DRIVER'S DOOR CHECK (NOT SURE IF THAT IS TECHNICAL NAME- NOT THE HINGE) STARTED MAKING POPPING AND CLUNKING NOISE WHEN OPERATING DOOR. TRIED LUBE, NO IMPROVEMENT. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE WELD MUST BE BROKE. THEY AGREED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH WE ARE JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. BODY SHOP CALLED TO TELL US IT CANNOT BE FIXED, BROKEN TOO BADLY. THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE DOOR! *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Oct 19, 2007NY

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS I FOUND ZERO TIRE PRESSURE IN ONE OF THE TIRES ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE AWD AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM GAVE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. REPORTING IT TO 2 DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS, THEY SAID NOTHING IS WRONG.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate1 injured
Filed Oct 18, 2007NY

TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 LIFTGATE SLIPPED DOWN AND HIT CAR OWNER IN THE HEAD WHILE UNLOADING GROCERIES FROM TRUNK. NOW, IT SLIPS DOWN EVERY TIME WE OPEN IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS. CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. CONTACTED OUR TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP TO SCHEDULE REPAIR. IS THIS DEFECT STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION? PLEASE INFORM. THANK YOU. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Oct 18, 200753,000 milesCA

WE OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LIMITED MINIVAN AND SEVERAL TIMES THE BACK DOOR HAS STARTED TO SHUT ON MY WIFE AND SON. THE BACK DOOR IS AUTOMATIC, AND WHEN MY WIFE OR SON HAS LEANED IN TO GET SOMETHING OR PUT SOMETHING IN, IT HAS ATTEMPTED TO SHUT ON THEM. FORTUNATELY IT WILL SENSE THAT THEY ARE THERE AND NOT CONTINUE TO CLOSE, ALTHOUGH IT DOES TAKE SOME FORCE BEFORE IT REVERSES. *JB

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Oct 17, 200745,000 milesVA

DRIVER'S DOOR STOP IS DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRES A WELDING PROCEDURE IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WARRANTIES DO NOT COVER THE REPAIR AND TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ALTHOUGH THEIR ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE DOOR WILL MAKE A VERY LOUD BANGING SOUND WHEN WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED OR CLOSED. I HAVE 2 OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE AME VEHICLE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Oct 16, 200775,000 milesAL

NO SIGNIFICANT EVENTS OCCURRED UP TO THE FAILURE BEYOND NORMAL EXPECTED USE. DEFECTIVE WELDS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STRAP RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DOOR STRAP MECHANISM. TOYOTA HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Oct 13, 200740,000 milesGA

DOOR CHECK FAILURE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THIS CAUSES LOUD POPPING NOISES WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Oct 12, 200740,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT 26,000 MILES BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS MAKING A LOUD POPPING, SQUEAKING, AND CLUNKING SOUND WHEN DRIVING OVER A SLIGHT INCLINE OR BUMP. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. AT 41,898 MILES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING NOISE AGAIN, BUT ONLY MUCH LOUDER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE WELL MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR FAILED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE DOOR WAS $3,000. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,898 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Oct 12, 200740,000 milesMA

IN REGARDS TO A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE MODEL WITH HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLAMPS: IN JUNE OF 2007 WITH VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY BY MILEAGE, BUT NOT TIME, DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. INITIAL RECOMMENDATION BY DEALER (BOCH TOYOTA OF NORWOOD, MA) WAS TO REPLACE HID COMPUTER AT A COST OF 1,100 DOLLARS. FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF HID COMPUTER, LIGHT OPERATED FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS BEFORE BEGINNING TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. WAS THEN TOLD BY DEALER THAT THERE WAS A "SHORT IN THE BULB" AND DEALER RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE BULB ASSEMBLY AT COST OF 400 DOLLARS. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THIS REPAIR, I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER AND TOLD THE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. AGAIN, HEADLIGHT IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. TODAY DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE HEADLIGHT HOUSING AT A COST OF 1,100 DOLLARS. A BRIEF REVIEW OF POSTINGS TO TOYOTA OWNERS' FORUMS REVEALS MANY MENTIONS OF HID HEADLIGHT FAILURE IN NEW VEHICLES, PARTICULARLY THE 2006-2007 PRIUS MODELS. ALL DRIVERS REPORT INTERMITTENT OPERATION AND DEALERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE COMMON SOLUTION, "TOGGLE YOUR HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN" IS A CLEAR SAFETY CONCERN, AND NOT AN APPROPRIATE REPAIR. *TR

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock3 injured
Filed Oct 8, 200740,000 milesNC

THE LIFT GATE HAS FALLEN UNEXPECTEDLY ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS. MY WIFE, MY MOTHER-IN-LAW AND MY CHILD HAVE ALL BEEN "HIT" ON SEPARATE OCCASSIONS BY THE GATE DURING THIS MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT THE STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Oct 8, 200741,000 milesCA

WE OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. IT HAS 41,789 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 41,000 MILES MY DRIVES SIDE DOOR STARTED MAKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOOR. IT SOUNDS AS IF IT IS CATCHING ON SOMETHING WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED. I HAD TAKEN THE VAN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER 2005 BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A HORRIBLE GRINDING SQUEAKING SOUND WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE DEALER LUBED AND ADJUSTED THE HINGES AT THAT TIME. NOW 2 YEARS LATER, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE WHOLE DOOR HAS TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF OVER $3,000.00 AND SINCE I AM OUTSIDE OF MY WARRANTY IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. THE MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, WE SEE IT ON THESE SIENNAS ALL THE TIME". IF THIS IS THE CASE WHY ISN'T TOYOTA DOING A RECALL ON THE DOOR WELD/HINGE. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SENT OUT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WITH THE VIN NUMBERS OF THE VEHICLES THAT IT AFFECTS, BUT ONLY TO FIX IT IF THE CAR IS UNDER 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS. THE SERVICE BULLETIN IS FOR SIENNAS YEAR 04 - 06. I WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF THERE ARE STILL 04 OUT THERE THAT ARE STILL UNDER THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD 4 RECALLS, WHY AREN'T THEY RECALLING THE DOOR? *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Oct 4, 200726,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LIFTGATE WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH PISTONS FAILED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. AS OF OCTOBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR THE STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA06020). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 26,500. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Oct 1, 200754,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND ACCELERATING. THE SPEED WAS 4 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL PANEL AND LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,347 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Sep 23, 200743,000 milesOH

THE PRESSURIZED GAS STRUTS ON THE TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 REAR LIFTGATE FAILED RIGHT AFTER OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THE REAR LIFT GATE ALMOST CRASHED ON MY WIFE HEAD. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Sep 23, 200728,000 milesGA

POWER REAR GATE DID NOT STAY OPEN AND CLOSED AFTER THE GATE REACHED OPENED POSITION. BECAUSE IT DID NOT STAY OPEN, REAR CARGO SPACE WAS USELESS. IN ORDER TO STORE SOME THINGS, IT NEEDED TO BE HELD BY ANOTHER PERSON. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Sep 22, 2007FL

POWER LIFTGATE FAILED AND DOOR CAME DOWN ON MY BACK AS I WAS RETRIEVING ITEMS. HAD TO HAVE THE LEAKING LIFTGATE STRUTS REPLACED AT TOYOTA. THEY CHARGED AN OUTRAGEOUS $450.00 TO REPLACE AN OBVIOUS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PART DEFECT. *JB

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 21, 200742,000 milesMA

CONDENSATION BUILDS UP IN THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT. THE CONDENSATION REDUCES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE HEADLIGHT, CREATING A DARK SPOT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2004 MODELS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THREADS ON TOYOTA/SIENNA FORUMS ONLINE WHERE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TOYOTA IS IGNORING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Sep 20, 200765,000 milesSC

THE STRUTS ON THE MANUAL LIFTGATE OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILED AT AROUND 65,000 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT COST AT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, WAS $391.07. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT COMPLAINT AMONG SIENNA OWNERS. IT WOULD SEEM THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Sep 20, 200768,563 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MADE A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN OPENED. HE FELT RESISTANCE WHEN OPENING THE DOOR AND IT HAD TO BE PUSHED IN ORDER TO OPEN FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR CHECK PART WAS UNWELDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,563.

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Sep 20, 2007WI

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA SUNROOF EXPLODED. CUSTOMER STATES THE GLASS IN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHEN SHE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A STOP LIGHT. SHE STATES THAT THE WEATHER WAS COOL AND NOT HOT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE GLASS DID STAY IN TACT. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock
Filed Sep 19, 200740,000 milesVA

REAR HATCH SUPPORT CYLINDER FAILED. I PURCHASED A NEW CYLINDER AND REPLACED IT MYSELF. AT A COST OF $150.00 FOR ONE. I STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM WHEN MY AUTOMATIC REAR HATCH WOULD ONLY RAISE THE HATCH HALF WAY AND THEN RE-CLOSE THE HATCH. 2004 SIENNA XLE LIMITED. 45K *JB UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Sep 17, 2007VA

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA PROBLEMS WITH THE TAILGATE FALLING DOWN. CUSTOMER STATES THE TAILGATE CAME DOWN FROM THE RAISED POSITION WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND HIT HER IN THE HEAD. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS NO INJURED, HOWEVER WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO GET THE BACK DOOR TO GO UP VIA THE BACK DOOR SWITCH OR BY USING THE REMOTE, IT WOULD NOT GO UP AND IF SHE RAISED IT BY HAND IT WOULD NOT STAY UP. *JB

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Filed Sep 17, 200748,000 milesVA

THE CAR HAS A POWER LIFTGATE. THE GAS STRUTS THAT HOLD UP THE REAR LIFTGATE INTERMITTENTLY FAIL AND THE LIFTGATE WILL NOT STAY UP. THIS WILL ALSO CAUSE THE POWER LIFTGATE TO ENGAGE AND IT WILL ATTEMPT TO SHUT THE LIFTGATE WHILE YOU ARE STANDING UNDER IT. THE DOOR HAS CLOSED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED. *JB

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 2004 Toyota Sienna → · Every Sienna year → · How the figures are calculated →