2004 Toyota Sienna complaints

AFTER 5 MONTHS OF PURCHASING A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO LAG AND LURCH.*AK

AS I WAS DRIVING ON A DRY ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (VSC ) INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OFF, FOLLOWED BY A CONTINUOUS BEEPING FROM THE DASHBOARD, BY A VIBRATION OF THE VEHICLE (MORE THE LEFT SIDE) AND BY AN AUTOMATIC INTERMITTENT APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES ON SELECTED TIRES AS IF THE MINIVAN WAS TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL AND PULLING TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE MINIVAN IMMEDIATELY SLOWED ITS SPEED TO LESS THAN 5 MPH AND WHEN TRIED TO REAPPLY FOR ACCELERATION, AS SOON AS EXCEEDED 5 MPH THE BEEPING RESTARTED, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN AND THE PULLING TO THE LEFT AND THE AUTOMATIC BREAKS WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IS STILL UNDER REPAIR. APPARENTLY THEY INDICATE THERE IS A TSB RELATED TO THIS MATTER. *AK

DRIVING APPROXIMATE 45 MPH ON STRAIGHT, DRY AND CLEAR RESIDENTIAL ROAD WHEN VSC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND RAPID BEEPING OCCURRED. ABS PROCEEDED TO KICK IN CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH WHILE MOVING. THE BRAKES WILL APPLY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING AT A PARTICULAR SPEED. WHICH THEN ENALBE YOU FROM DRIVING AT ALL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THE DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM ,AND THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE ON THE ONBOARD COMPUTER SO NO FIX COULD BE MADE. THE FINAL TIME WE CITED TSB BR08-04 (AFTER MUCH SEARCHING ON THE WEB) AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR.*AK

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH A TRANSMISSION HESITATION PROBLEM. (A PROBLEM TOYTOA DENIES BUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT TO DEALERS) IT IS DANGEROUS IN SNOWY CONDITIONS AS THE 2 SECOND HESITATION RESULTS IN A SLOWING DOWN BEFORE AN ABRUPT UPSHIFT/POWER SURGE THAT BREAKS THE WHEELS LOOSE IN THE SNOW. THIS THEN CAUSES THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. I WAS STUCK REPEATEDLY AND IN MANY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN THE MOUNTAINS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET TO A SKI AREA DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA NEEDS TO HAVE SOME PRESSURE PUT ON THEM. *AK

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE VAN CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 5,660 MILES. ODOR PROBLEMS FROM BEGINNING AND EVENTUALLY, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WATER HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY FLOODING INTO THE VAN FROM UNDERNEATH. WATER PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED, BUT THE VAN STILL HAS A STRONG MOLDY ODOR AND PEOPLE DEVELOP CONSTANT HEADACHES WHEN DRIVING IN VAN. VAN WAS BOUGHT AT 2,330 MILES AND MISREPRESENTED AS A DEMO VAN, WHEN ACTUALLY IT WAS PRE-OWNED. APPARENTLY PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE UNABLE TO USE VAN BECAUSE OF BEING SICKENED BY ODOR AND NOW VAN IS STANDING FOR SAME REASON. CURRENTLY IN TALKS WITH DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REGARDING PROBLEM. VAN NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO DEALER/MANUFACTURER. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED SINCE APPARENTLY THERE IS MOLD FROM THE WATER THAT WAS ALLOWED TO STAND FOR ALMOST A YEAR, AND THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE.*AK

VSC ACTIVATES WHILE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING STRAIGHT. THIS CAN AND HAS CAUSED THE VEHISCLE TO SHIFT LANES AND STOP SHORT. IT HAS HAPPENED A DOZEN TIMES AND THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THIS.*AK

ALL FOUR DUNLOP SP SPORT 4000T DSST RUN-FLAT TIRES ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE AWD ARE COMPLETELY WORN AFTER 20,000 MILES AND NEED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA AND DUNLOP DEALERS. THESE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE MINIVAN. DUNLOP INFORMED ME THAT THESE TIRES HAD NO MILEAGE RATING. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS TIRE (SEE COMMENTS ON WWW.TIRERACK.COM). I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT WARRANTY TIRES AND THIS IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW TO PUT THIS PARTICULAR TIRE ON A MINIVAN IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DUNLOP AND A TIRE DEALER THAT THIS IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE, SHORT LIFE TIRE. THIS MINIVAN DOES NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE TIRE AND THERE IS NO PLACE FOR A SPARE TIRE IN IT, WHICH IS LIKELY WHY TOYOTA CHOSE TO EQUIP IT WITH A RUN-FLAT TIRE. CONSUMERS HAVE VERY LIMITED ALTERNATIVES FOR REPLACING THIS TIRE AND THEY ARE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. ACCORDINGLY, IN MY VIEW, TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE (I) SELECTED A MORE DURABLE TIRE FOR THIS VEHICLE (II) CLEARLY DISCLOSED THE TIRES EXPECTED USEFUL LIFE TO CONSUMERS OR (III) INCLUDED A SPARE TIRE AND WELL IN THE VEHICLE. I VIEW THIS SITUATION AS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE DRIVERS MAY NOT BE CHECKING THESE TIRES FOR WEAR AT 15,000 MILES AND COULD EASILY HAVE TIRE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *JB

ATTENTION: SAFETY PROBLEM / DESIGN FLAW IN ORDER TO LISTEN TO THE STOCK TOYOTA DVD PLAYER THAT COMES FACTORY INSTALLED THROUGH THE VAN'S CABIN SPEAKERS, THE VOLUME OF THE STEREO MUST BE TURNED ALMOST ALL THE WAY UP TO A VOLUME OF OVER 53. THE OTHER AUDIO SOURCE (CD, RADIO, TAPE) ARE NORMALLY LISTENED TO AT A VOLUME OF ABOUT 34. WHEN THE DVD PLAYER IS STOPPED AND ANOTHER AUDIO SOURCE (CD, RADIO, TAPE) IS PLAYED , THE VOLUME LEVEL IN THE VAN INSTANTLY BECOMES DEAFENING AND STARTLING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN WHICH THE DRIVER HAS BEEN STARTLED TO THE POINT OF ALMOST LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND TEMPORARY HEARING DAMAGE OF SEVERAL OCCUPANTS HAS ALSO RESULTED. THIS DESIGN FLAW HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS. THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE TOYOTA FACTORY ENGINEERS AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THIS IS "NORMAL" OPERATION AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION BY TOYOTA HAS BEEN INDICATED. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT "NORMAL" AS A VEHICLE COLLISION OR HEARING DAMAGE SHOULD NEVER BE THE DIRECT RESULT OF CHANGING THE AUDIO SOURCE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM T THAT SHOULD RESULT IN A EXPEDITIOUS RECALL THAT RESULTS IN THE EQUALIZATION OF THE VOLUME LEVELS FOR ALL AUDIO SOURCES (DVD, CD, RADIO, TAPE) IN THE VEHICLE.*JB

THERE IS A SLIGHT, BUT ANNOYING AND UNSAFE, HESITATION WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A TURN OR FROM STOPPING. I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR NUMEROUS TSB UPGRADES, INCLUDING REPLACING OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, NOTHING HAS CHANGED !!!!!!

OVERHEATING RADIATOR, I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PRODUCT RECALL FROM TOYOTA,I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, NOR DO I SEE THE RECALL MENTIONED ANYWHERE,I WAS ALSO TREATED VERY RUDELY AT BOCH TOYOTA IN NORWOOD MA WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. *NM

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO THE HAZARDS OF TOWING WITH THE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WHICH I OWN. THIS MODEL IS ADVERTIZED AS TOWING READY WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT EXCEPT A HITCH AND HAS A TOWING CAPACITY OF 3500 POUNDS. WHEN THE HITCH IS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE THE CLEARANCE OF THE RECEIVER IS DANGEROUSLY LOW TO THE GROUND WITHOUT A TRAILER ATTACHED. ONCE THE TRAILER IS ATTACHED WITH A TONGUE WEIGHT LESS THAN MAXIMUM, THE RECEIVER SITS 3 INCHES ABOVE THE GROUND. THIS EXTREMELY LOW CLEARANCE PROVIDES VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS ON A VEHICLE THAT IS ADVERTIZED AS SUITABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF USE. THE HITCH BOUNCES AND BANGS OF THE ROAD SURFACE AND NEGATIVELY EFFECTS HANDLING. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AN AIRLIFT SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED IN THE REAR SUSPENSION TO ELEVATE THE REAR END WHILE TOWING. THIS IS SUITABLE AS IT STIFFENS THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN A LOAD IS APPLIED. HOWEVER, WITHOUT A LOAD THE REAR SUSPENSION IS TOO STIFF WITH THE AIR BAGS INFLATED, YET THE REAR END IS TOO LOW WITH A HITCH AND TH EBAGS DEFLATED. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DO NOT HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS.

REAR POWER LIFT GATE ON 2004 XLE LTD SIENNA UPON OPENING DOES NOT STAY OPEN AND COMES DOWN ON PERSON STANDING UNDER LIFT GATE. WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO ORDER PARTS FOR FIX . COULD BE VERY DANGORUS IF A CHILD IS STANDING UNDER THE GATE AS IT DOES NOT STOP AND COULD CRUSH SOMEONE.

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL THEN HESITATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. *NM *NM

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. CONSUMER AND HIS CHILDREN WERE LEFT STRAINED FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE HELP ARRIVED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO D REPLACED THE RADIATOR, WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER A RECALL. CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL.*AK

(1) 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER PUSHED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. IT CLOSED ON HER HAND. (2) THE DOOR FAILED TO REOPEN AUTOMATICALLY, COMPRESSING IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30-60 SECONDS UNTIL IT COULD BE OPENED MANUALLY. HER HAND WAS SO SWOLLEN IT WAS UNUSABLE FOR A WEEK. NOTHING WAS BROKEN. (3) CORRECTIVE MEASURE WAS TO DISABLE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR.

MY TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 MINIVAN AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS HAVE FAILED TO OPEN ON EIGHT SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2004. THE DOORS ARE FROZEN SHUT AND CANNOT EVEN BE OPENED MANUALLY. I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE BEEN FORCED TO HAVE TWO CRAWL IN THROUGH THE REAR TAILGATE OVER THE SEATS OR HAVE THEM CLIMB IN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER DOOR AND THEN OVER THE SEATS. I HAVE TO LIFT A INFANT IN AN INFANT SEAT INTO THE CAR IN THE SAME MANNER. ONCE YOU TRY TO OPEN THE DOORS THEY FAIL TO RECLOSE COMPLETELY SO WHILE I AM DRIVING THE DOOR OPEN ALARM IS BEEPING BECAUSE THE DOORS ARE NOT FULLY CLOSED, EVEN WHILE THEY STILL CANNOT BE OPENED. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE WITH THE CHILDREN IN THE REAR THIS WAY, THEY COULD NOT GET OUT QUICKLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR EMERGENCY AND I AM UNSURE IF THE DOOR IS "OPEN" WHILE WE ARE DRIVING WHILE IT IS BEEPING AND UNABLE TO OPEN/CLOSE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD A HANDFUL OF SIENNAS IN DURING THE LAST FREEZE BECAUSE PEOPLE HAD MANUALLY RIPPED THE DOOR HANDLES OFF TRYING TO OPEN THE DOORS. *AK

CONSUMER IS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *TC

ON TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS AND IN TWO SEPARATE CAR WASH ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SUNROOF ON MY 2004 SIENNA JUST PURCHASED IN JULY '04 LEAKED. INCIDENT #1 BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I WITNESSED THE BACK EDGE OF THE SUNROOF OPEN UP WHILE GOING THROUGH THE DRYING PROCESS AND HENCE THE H2O THAT WAS ON TOP OF THE ROOF AND GLASS TRAVERSED AROUND THE EDGES AND INTO THE CAR. INCIDENT #2 I WAS NOT WATCHING FOR A SIMILAR OCCURRENCE BUT I RECEIVED A BATH OF WATER ON TOP OF MY HEAD, COAT AND LAP. I EXAMINED THE SUNROOF AND IT WAS WET ON AT LEAST 3 SIDES (2 SIDES AND BACK SIDE). UPON LEAVING AND THEN BRAKING H2O CAME DOWN AROUND AND THROUGH THE OPENINGS SURROUNDING THE MAP LIGHTING IN BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT SEATS. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY SUNROOF IS OPERATING NORMALLY AND THAT A CAR WASH IS NOT A NORMAL CONDITION. I DISAGREED W/THEM. THEY SUBJECTED THE VEHICLE TO HIGH PRESSURE WATER BUT DID NOT RE-CREATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE THROUGH A CAR WASH. THEY WERE QUESTIONED ON THIS. THEY'RE STILL CONTENDING THAT MY CAR IS FINE. I SAY IT IS NOT, A SUNROOF ON A 2004 VEHICLE W/LESS THAN 10K MILES SHOULD NOT LEAK OR OPEN UP. INVESTIGATING THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *NM

THE STEERING ON THE 2004 SIENNA LACKS PRECISION AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. UPON CORRECTING IT APPEARS TO HAVE AN UNDERDAMPED BUT RESPONSIVE RESPONSE THAT CREATES AN UNSTABLE FEELING WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM IS EXEMPLIFIED DURING WINDY DAYS WHERE ABOVE NORMAL CORRECTIONS ON NON WINDY DAYS BECOME EXTREME CORRECTIONS ON WINDY DAYS. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS BECOMES A VERY STRESSFUL DRIVING CONDITION. WHEN ALL OTHER DRIVING RESPONSIBILITIES ARE THROWN INTO THE MIX IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA'S CHOICE OF STEERING COMPONENTS ARE INFERIOR RELATIVE TO THEIR ADVERTISED QUALITY. *NM

THE DVD PLAYER IN THE REAR HAS BEEN ADVERTISED TO BE FOR ALL PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEATS. IT ALSO CLEARLY HAS TWO POSITIONS TO THE SCREEN AND APPEARS TO HAVE BOTH POSITIONS SO THAT WHEN CHILDREN OF LEGAL SIZE AND AGE ARE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE AREA THEY CAN SEE THE SCREEN VS IT LOOK LIKE A NEGATIVE (PHOTO FILM). THE DVD SCREEN IN OUR NEW SIENNA DOES NOT WANT TO STAY IN THE REAR-MOST POSITION. THE SCREEN CAN NOT BE VIEWED FROM THESE MIDDLE SEATS UNLESS A PERSON IS AS TALL AS THE HEAD RESTS W/OUT THE SCREEN BEING IN THIS REAR-MOST POSITION. HENCE I DRIVE AND CONSTANTLY REMOVE MY HAND FROM THE WHEEL, CHANGE MY STATURE AND FOCUS OF DRIVING TO REPOSITION THE SCREEN BECAUSE WITH EVERY BUMP OR EXPANSION JOINT MY CHILD REQUESTS, "PUT IT BACK PLEASE." "PUT IT BACK PLEASE." "PUT IT BACK PLEASE". TOYOTA TOTES QUALITY BUT THIS IS POOR DESIGN AND IT WILL GET WORSE AS THE CAR LOOSENS FROM WEAR. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS WHAT WAS INTENDED FOR THE DESIGN. THE DEALER STATES THAT IT'S OPERATING NORMALLY. I ASKED FOR A TECHNICAL BULLETIN DESCRIBE THE DESIGN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. THIS HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED TO DATE. *NM

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT DELAY, DEAD SPOT OR TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT GEAR IT WANTS TO BE IN. PRIMARILY WHEN ACCELERATING IF HESITATION OR A LIFTING OF THE PEDAL TAKES PLACE AND THEN GAS IS APPLIED AGAIN THE CAR LURCHES AFTER HESITATION AND DOWNSHIFTS JERKING THE CAR. THIS CAN'T POSSIBLY BE HEALTHY FOR THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION LONG TERM AS WELL AS OTHER CAR PARTS. I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY DRIVING HABITS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE POOR DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION. I'VE REGISTERED MY COMPLAINT W/THE DEALER AND THEY'VE CHECKED TO SEE IF THE LATEST SOFTWARE WAS ON MY VEHICLE AND IT WAS. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE. THE MAJOR CONCERN IS LONG TERM AND IF MY TRANSMISSION GOES BAD 3-5-7-10 YEARS FROM NOW, HOW MUCH OF THIS IS ACTUALLY TOYOTA'S FAULT FROM POOR DESIGN BUT THEN I HAVE TO INCUR THE COST. AT A LARGE PRICE TAG INITIALLY THIS IS NOT FAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

THE STEERING SENSOR IS CAUSING THE TRACTION CONTROL TO COME TO A HALT AND SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP FOR THE SIXTH TIME AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

I LIVE ON THE US-CANADIAN BORDER IN NORTH DAKOTA. WE HAVE A LOT OF SNOW AND VERY COLD WINTERS. WE HAVE FOUND THAT AS WE DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY SNOW THAT ACCUMULATES ON THE ROOF THAT MELTS DRIPS DOWN INTO THE SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDES. THE RUBBER SEAL CATCHES THE WATER, AS IT SHOULD, AND THEN THE WATER REFREEZES, SOMETIMES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS DUE TO THE EXTREME COLD. THIS CAUSES THE DOORS TO FREEZE SHUT. NO AMOUNT OF PULLING OR PUSHING WILL OPEN THEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCAISIONS. WE HAD HOPED THAT ONCE TEMPS. STAYED BELOW FREEZING AS THEY DO DEC.-FEB. IT WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM, BUT APPARENTLY JUST DRIVING FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE SNOW TO MELT THUS CAUSING THE FREEZING DOOR PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE: 1) I CANNOT GET MY 3 CHILDREN INTO THE VEHICLE AND 2) IF WE WERE IN A CRASH AND THE DOORS FROZE SHUT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. *AK I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS. NEITHER DEALER HAD HEARD OF THE PROBLEM OR OFFERED ANY SOLUTION. I CONTACTED THE NATIONAL NUMBER FOR TOYOTA AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THEY TOO, HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOT OFFER ANY SOLUTIONS.

THIS IS REGARDING THE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. IT IS NOT A FAILURE, BUT A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAN BE CORRECTED BY REPLACING A COMPONENT OR ADDING NEW COMPONENTS. WHEN THE AUDIO ON DVDS IS PLAYED THROUGH THE AUX IN-CABIN SPEAKER SYSTEM, THE VOLUME MUST BE SET AT ABOUT 50 TO HEAR IT. THE SOUND SYSTEM DOES NOT INCLUDE A MEMORY RECALL FOR THE VOLUME OF EACH SOURCE. THE RESULT IS THAT WHEN THE DVD IS TURNED OFF, THE SOUND SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO RADIO OR CD, AT A TREMENDOUS VOLUME THAT HURTS THE EARDRUMS AND ALSO PRESENTS SERIOUS DANGER BECAUSE OF THE DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER FROM THE SUDDEN BOOMING VOLUME, AND ITS EFFECT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS, INCLUDING INFANTS. TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL THE VAN AND INSTALL NEW COMPONENTS-- MORE SPECIFICALLY, MEMORY COMPONENTS TO CONTROL THE VOLUME OF THE VARIOUS AUDIO SOURCES BEING ROUTED TO SPEAKERS (CD, RADIO, DVD). NOTHING AS BEEN DONE YET BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT THIS, THOUGH AN INQUIRY TO TOYOTA HQ REMAINS OUTSTANDING.*AK

REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK, MAKING IT UNSAFE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM , AND WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING MY TOYOTA VAN (SEINA 2004) AN ELEVEN YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO WRAP THE SEAT BELT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AROUND HIS NECK. THIS WAS DONE WHILE PLAYING IN THE BACKSEAT. HE BEGAN TO CHOCK AND REQUIRED A FIREMAN TO CUT THE BELT TO SAVE HIS LIFE. *JB

TOYOTA SIENNA AWD CAME WITH RUN-FLAT TIRES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND NO SPARE. HAD A FLAT AND AUTO DEALER CLAIMED TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, TIRE COULD NOT BE REPLACED FOR THREE DAYS, REPLACEMENT COST $280. STRANDED FOR THREE DAYS FAR FROM HOME. I OBJECT TO NOT PRIOR DISCLOSURES FROM AUTO DEALER OR MANUFACTURER CONCERNING LIMITED AVAILABILITY & REPAIRABLE, OR COST OF RUN-FLAT TIRES. *JB

THE REAR DOME LIGHTS ARE WIRED SUCH THAT THEY CAN BE TURNED ON BY PRESSING ON THEM (BY THE PERSON SITTING AT THAT PARTICULAR SEAT POSITION). IF THE LIGHT IS TURNED ON THIS WAY, IT WILL NOT TURN OFF UNTIL 1) THE DRIVER TURNS OFF ALL THE REAR INTERIOR LIGHTS BY USE OF A BUTTON ON THE DASHBOARD OR 2) THE BATTERY DIES. THIS IS HAZARDOUS BECAUSE YOU RUN THE RISK OF YOUR BATTERY DYING IF YOU DON'T MANUALLY OVERRIDE AND TURN OFF ALL REAR LIGHTS. IF YOU DO MANUALLY OVERRIDE AND TURN OFF ALL THE REAR LIGHTS, THEN WHEN THE REAR DOORS ARE OPENED, NO LIGHTS TURN ON. AT NIGHTTIME, YOU CANNOT SEE WHERE YOUR FEET ARE GOING, AND IT IS VERY EASY TO TRIP OVER ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE ON THE FLOOR (OR YOUR OWN FEET) (THE MANUAL OVERRIDE NOT ONLY TURNS OFF THE DOME LIGHTS ABOVE THE PASSENGER, BUT ALSO TURNS OFF THE COURTESY LIGHTS WHICH WOULD NORMALLY SHINE ON THE FLOOR OF THE VAN WHEN THE REAR DOORS ARE OPENED. *AK

WIFE WAS IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT ATTEMPTING TO PARK, TRAVELING LESS THAN 10 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR/WITH NO BRAKE ACTION. VEHICLE HOPPED A CURB AND STRUCK WROUGHT IRON FENCE. CONSUMER PLACED VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND GOT IT OFF CURB, THEN INTO PARK. VISIBLE DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER & LICENSE PLATE, POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE. IRON FENCE WAS TWISTED/ BENT AND DISCONNECTED FROM GATED ENTRANCE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND TOW TRUCK WAS DISPATCHED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SCOTT"FROM LA COSTA TOWING NOTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOFT, AND WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE. TRAVELED TO DEALERSHIP IN SECOND CAR, ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER STEVE ADAMS COMMENTED THAT BECAUSE WE ALLEGED A MANUFACTURING DEFECT VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TOWED TO THEIR LOCATION BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE AN ADMISSION OF LIABILITY. VEHICLE WAS RETAINED AT TOYOTA CARLSBAD LOT . CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TOMORROW MORNING TO SCHEDULE AN ENGINEER TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. TO DATE, NO WORK HAD BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE OR WHAT WAS NECESSARY TO CORRECT IT. CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2004, AND IT HAD APROXIMATELY 7500 MILES.*AK

WHEN THE MANUAL SLIDING DOOR WINDOW WAS OPEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY IN THE OPEN LOCKED POSITION. IF THE CONSUMER WAS PARKED ON A HILL THE DOOR WOULD NOT STAY OPEN AND CLOSED ON THE CHILDEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. *AK *NM

WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS THERE IS A PAUSE. TOYTOTA SAYS IT'S AN IDENTIFIED PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I HIT THE GAS, THE CAR SHOULD MOVE!*AK

ATTEMPTED TO START OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNE VAN IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME. THE VAN DIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. MY WIFE REMOVED OUR 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS WHO WERE STRAPPED IN THE THIRD ROW AND USED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO GET THEM TO SCHOOL. RETURNED AN HOUR LATER WITH A FRIEND WHO WAS GOING TO HELP START CAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VAN, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS SMELLED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A MASSIVE GAS LEAK AND GASOLINE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE VAN. ATEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE WERE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO WINDWARD TOYOTA IN KANEOHE, HAWAII. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO INSPECTED THE VAN TOLD MY WIFE THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO DID THE GAS TANK/FUEL LINE DURING THE RECALL WARRANTY SERVICE DID NOT REATTACH THE GAS LINE TO THE TANK PROPERLY PROBABLY SINCE THEY WERE RUSHING TO PERFORM RECALL WARRANTY SERVICE ON MANY VEHICLES. THIS WAS THE SECOND VAN AT THIS DEALERSHIP HE KNEW OF BEING SERVICED FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HIS EXPLANATION WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND WE DECIDED TO REVIEW NHTSA WEBSITE. UPON REVIEWING COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE, WE DISCOVERED THERE WERE 9 OTHER REPORTED INCIDENTS INVOLVING MASSIVE GAS LINE/TANK FAILURE. WE FOUND THIS ALARMING SINCE WE REVIEWED OVER 100 COMLAINTS FILED ON THE 03 SIENNA,AND 04 RAV, SEQUOIA, TUNDRA, AND 4RUNNER. NO OTHER VEHICLE REPORTED ANY FUEL TANL/LINE PROBLEMS. A FUEL LEAKAGE PROBLEM CAN HAVE CATASROPHIC RESULTS ESPECIALLY SINCE YOUNG CHILDREN IN

WHILE DRIVING TO FLORIDA NOTED THAT THERE WERE STAINS ON BOTH WINDSHIELDS EITHER FROM A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OR FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER SOLVENT WHICH APPEARED TO BE OF GEL CONSISTENCY. WHEN CHECKED BY THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD IT WAS HARD WATER STAINS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REMOVE THE STAINS. WHEN INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURERS REP AT THE DEALERSHIP HE REFUSED ANY AID. THESE STAINS PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IN BAD WEATHER. NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS THE THIRD STAGE OF THE DISPUTE PROCESS FOR ME AND TOYOTA IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM THAT EXISTS. THIS MAKE VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY ON INTERSTATES LIKE 95 WHEN WE HEAD SOUTH FOR THE WINTER.*AK

I BOUGHT THE TOYOTA SIENNA ON JULY 4 2003. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE WITHIN A MONTH AND HAD REPAIR DONE ON AUGUST 29, 2003. THE GASOLINE TANK REPAIR WAS DONE INCORRECTLY, RESULTING IN ME BEING STRANDED AWAY FROM MY HOME, WITH TWO KIDS IN THE CAR, WITH GASOLINE OOZING ALL OVER THE GROUND. THIS WAS A CLEAR FIRE HAZARD. THEN IN OCTOBER 2004, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CAME OUT OF THE FRAME. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED IT WAS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND FIXED IT. I FELT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING HOME IN THAT CAR. E NOW HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT STEERING FLUID HOSE DEFECT AND RADIATOR DEFECT. WITH 5 DEFECTS IN ONE YEAR AFTER BUYING A NEW CAR I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH TWO KIDS. THIS IS ALSO THE CAR I USE FOR COMMUTING. I CANNOT RELY ON THIS VEHICLE ANY MORE.*AK

NO THROTTLE RESPONSE FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS, OCCURES ALL THE TIME, MOST NOTICEABLE ON A ROLLING STOP AT A YEILD SIGN. SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS.*AK

THE BRAKES PADS ON MY 2004 SIENNA HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR HE HAS SEEN SIENNAS COMING IN AT 10,000 MILES FOR BRAKE JOBS. A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THE REASON FOR THIS WAS BECAUSE TOYOTA WAS USING SOFTER PADS SO THE BRAKES CAN BE QUITERER. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD LAST INTO THE 30,000 MI. RANGE. THIS IS VERY DISSAPOINTING COMING FROM TOYOTA.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT THE REAR VIEW NAVIGATOR SYSTEM FAILED TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THE POSITION OF THE CAMERA FAILED TO COME ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED AND RECURRED. *AK

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER BRAKING/SLOWING DOWN THERE IS A PERIOD OF SEVERAL SECONDS WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE AND THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE JERKS HARD AND ACCELERATES. WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THIS CAN POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE TOYOTA DEALER ADVISES THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION AS THE VEHICLE "DRIVES BY WIRE" AND HAS NO MECHANICAL THROTTLE LINKAGE. THIS VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED AFTER WE HAD DRIVEN IT FOR A WHILE AND HAS PROGRESSIVLY GOTTEN WORSE. OTHER MANUFACTURERS ALSO USE THE DRIVE BY WIRE COMPONENTS AND DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA CONSIDERS THIS A NORMAL CONDITION.*AK

MY WIFE WAS TRYING TO BACKUP, WHEN SHE PUT THE VAN IN GEAR AND PUSHED THE GAS, NOTHING HAPPENED. SHE LET HER FOOT OF THE GAS AND THE 2005 VAN STARTING ROLLING. SHE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT WORK, THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. SHE THEN ROLLED DOWN A VERY STEEP BACKWARDS AND HIT A TREE, THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM< TOYODA BETTER DO SOMETHING BEFROE SOMEONE DIES. BUT MY GUESS IS THAT SOMEONE ALREADY HAS.*AK

MY WIFE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACKUP UP WHEN SHE PUT THE VAN IN REVERSE IT DID NOT MOVE. SHE TOOK HER FOOT OF THE GAS THE VAN STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP. SHE THEN ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A 75-80 DEGREE BANK FOR ABOUT 75-100 YARDS. ALONG SHE WAS KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES BUT THEY CONTINUED TO FAILED. AT THE END OF HER TRIP THE VAN SLAMMED BACKWARDS INTO A TREE, CAUSING INJURY, AND BIG DAMAGE TO THE VAN. THIS REALLY DID HAPPEN ! AFTER ALL THIS IS TO STRANGE TO BE MADEUP. *AK

I BOUGHT A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN, PUT A HITCH ON IT AND IT SCRAPES THE GROUND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, STEEP DRIVEWAYS, ETC WITHOUT ANY LOAD ON THE HITCH MOUNT. THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH AIR SHOCKS IF TOYOTA WANTS TO ADVERTISE THAT THE VAN CAN TOW TRAILERS. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW DUE TO THE TRUNK SPACE REQUIRED FOR STOWING THE REAR FOLDING SEATS. A HITCH CAN NOT BE MOUNTED ANY HIGHER OR CLOSER TO THE BUMPER BECAUSE OF THE SEAT STORAGE AREA. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT MOVED ABOUT A 1/4". MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, AFTER TESTING THE BRAKES AND THE MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT, MANUFACTURER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS NORMAL, AND THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE SIMILAR. CONSUMER WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE RESULTS. *AK

2004 SIENNA LTD AWD HAS BOTH A HESITATION IN ACCELERATION AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS IF THE VEHICLE IS AT LOW SPEED AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THEN AFTER A DELAY, CAN OVER REV AND THEN ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSON. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE IT CAUSES DANGEROUS DELAYS IN AVOIDING A POTENTIAO ACCIDANT SITUATION. TAKEN THE CAR BACK AND WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE DESIGN. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION.*AK

THE DOOR WAS LEFT AJAR WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED SO THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF AFTER TWENTY MINUTES IF THE IGNITION WAS OFF AND ANY DOORS ARE LEFT OPEN. *NM THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS FEATURE WAS ONLY AVAILABLE IN CANADIAN OR AUSTRALIAN VEHICLES. *TC *JB

LEFT REAR WHEEL STUD BROKE WHEN TORQUED TO 85 FT.LB. TORQUE SPECS IS 76 FTLB AS MENTIONED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL; AND IF ONE STUD CAN FRACTURE AT 85 FTLB, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE OTHERS HAVE GONE INTO YIELD ZONE, TOO. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND A SAFETY RISK. DESIGN SHOULD BE ROBUST TO HANDLE DC NUT RUNNER, PNEUMATIC DRIVES, AND MANUAL DRIVERS; WHICH THIS STUD WAS NOT CAPABLE TO HANDLE.*AK

WHILE LIFTING UP THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE SECOND ROW SEATS THE SEAT SPRING JUMPED BACK FORCEFULLY AND HARD. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *AK

DRIVING 55 MPH THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SMOKE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

THERE IS A DISTINCT DELAY IN THE ACCELERATION OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED QUICKLY. THIS DELAY IS NOT NOTICEABLE UNLESS THE DRIVER IS ALREADY MOVING AND THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED IN SITUATIONS SUCH AS PASSING OR SOME OTHER ACTIVITY THAT REQUIRES QUICK ACCELERATION. I WAS TRYING TO SPEED UP WHILE DRIVING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF A HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE LEFT LANE WAS ALREADY OCCUPIED AND A VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE ROADWAY. MY VAN DID NOT SPEED UP UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE AND THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY DROVE OFF OF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. DURING ANOTHER OCCASION REQUIRING QUICK ACCELERATION A TRUCK LOCKED UP ITS' BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME FROM BEHIND WHEN I MERGED INTO HIS LANE AS I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR ONLY TO HAVE THE VAN FAIL TO SPEED UP FOR TWO SECONDS. TOYOTA PERSONNEL FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN (WORLD TOYOTA OF CHAMBLEE, GA) INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS THE RESULT OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE VEHICLE IN THAT TOYOTA INSTALLED A LASER CONTROL ON THE ACCELERATOR IN LIEU OF AN ACCELERATOR CABLE THAT COULD BE ADJUSTED. *NM

WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN THE TRANSMISSION WILL ON OCCASION HESATATE AND THEN SURGE. *AK

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA EXHIBITS POOR LOW SPEED DRIVABILITY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM SLOW SPEED. THROTTLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO PEDAL ACTION WHICH RESULTS IN UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION TIME AND AMOUNT. POOR, OR NO, ENGINE RESPONSE IS FOLLOWED BY LURCH FORWARD AS THROTTLE (OVER) REACTS AND TRANSMISSION SEARCHES FOR THE PROPER GEAR. MANY 'NEAR MISSES' IN TRAFFIC MERGING SITUATIONS. THE PRIMARY DRIVER, MY WIFE, WILL NO LONGER USE THIS VEHICLE. SEVERAL DEALERS HAVE REVIEWED THIS ISSUE AND STATE THAT TOYOTA CLASSIFIES THIS PERFORMANCE AS A 'CHARACTERISTIC' OF THE 3.3L PLATFORM. THIS PERFORMANCE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND VEHICLE WILL BE REPLACED IF NOT REPAIRED SOON.*AK