15 of the
250 complaints about the 1999 Toyota Sienna are about the
braking system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
56,000 miles.
ON OCTOBER 18, 2010 MY 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA DASHBOARD VSC (VARIABLE SKID CONTROL)/OFF TRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALERSHIP MADE REPAIRS THAT WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND ASSURED ME THAT THE VAN WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010, THE SAME VSC/OFF TRACK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, I WAS INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID NOT HAVE AVAILABILITY UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2010. SERVICE ADVISOR ASSURED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, AS LONG AS I STAYED IN TOWN, AND WASN'T PLANNING ON TAKING THE CAR ON ANY LONG TRIPS. HOWEVER, I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO RETURN MY VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010 IT STARTED TO MAKE UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISES AND ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. NATURALLY, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP BY BRAKING, BUT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN TO BRAKE, BUT TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOTHING, NO MATTER HOW MUCH I PUMPED IT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANY PEDESTRIANS OR CARS BY STEERING UP THE CURB AND INTO A LAMPPOST. THE VAN CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL IT FINALLY CAME TO REST ON THE STEPS OF THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE!
NHTSA complaint #10380837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesHarvey, ILCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1999 TOYOTA SIENNA 56000 MILES ,, WE WERE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON I 294 SOUTH AND THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED ,,,MY WIFE KEPT PUMPING THEM AND LOST CONTROL , WE HIT THE MEDIAN AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER THRICE AND ENDED UP STOPPING ON THE ROOF ,, ME, WIFE AND TWO KIDS WERE SAFE BY THE WILL OF GOD ,, ALL INSEAT BELTS ,,HAD GOTTEN OIL CHANGE ,ROUTINE MAINTENANCE 13 DAYS AGO ,, STILL HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM JIFFY LUBE THAT SAYS BRAKE FLUID OKAY ,,, WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE ANY CAR NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10278321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,500 milesLOS Alamos, NM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR -- NO BRAKING OCCURRED. HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ON A CITY STREET. *TR SEEMINGLY RANDOM FAILURE WHICH THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO FIX SINCE IT'S INTERMITTENT. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED SINCE EVERYTHING IS SUPPOSEDLY WORKING CORRECTLY. THE DEALER WANTS TO SEE THE CAR AGAIN IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN -- BUT THE CAR MIGHT BE TOTALED BY THEN - -HOPEFULLY NO ONE WILL BE HURT.
NHTSA complaint #10275058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,669 milesTucson, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEEL CYLINDERS REPLACED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID YEARLY SINCE OWNING THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10093949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manhattan Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ALL THE ABOVE DATA IS AN ESTIMATE BECUASE WE ARE WAITING FOR COPIES OF ALL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECORDS FROM TOYOTA - - BUT WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING SCREECHING BRAKES, LEFT VEER WHEN DRIVING, BAD TRANSMISSION (REPLACED TWICE),SMOG CHECK FAILURE DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR AND/OR ENGINE PROBLEMS, CLUNKING NOISES IN ENGINE, A SHUDDERING OF VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OR BRAKING. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERS FOR AS LONG AS 3 WEEKS; DEALER ADMITS NOT KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG. FAILED
NHTSA complaint #10068983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesStone Ridge, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OUR 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN HAS 73,000 MILES WE REPLACED THE ROTORS 2 TIMES AND WE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES WE GET VIBRATION ON THE PEDAL. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THIS CAN BE DUE TO THE WEIGHT OF THE VAN. ALSO IT COULD BE THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS TO SMALL FOR THIS VAN. IS THIS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10054972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
REAR BRAKE DRUMS SQUEAK VERY LOUDLY, PROBLEM FIRST NOTED IN APRIL 03. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THE PROBLEM IS IN THE MAKE OF THE DRUMS AND TOYOTA IS STUDYING THE PROBLEM BUT NO TIME FRAME FOR ITS DECISION.
NHTSA complaint #10026073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montebello, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES SQUEAL SINCE DAY ONE.
NHTSA complaint #757680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE IN LIGHT, POWDERY SNOW CONDITIONS. SKIDDED THROUGH A FOUR-WAY STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. LONGER BRAKING DISTANCES NOTED AT TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #756225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS LEAKING FLUID CAUSING THE BRAKES TO SQUEAK, THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL STOP SALES ORDER ISSUED ON ALL BRAKE PARTS AND THE DEALER HAD TO WAIT FOR PARTS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING FLUID. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #878672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
CONSUMER STARTED TO HEAR A SLIGHT SQUEAK WHEN STOPPING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THEY SAID BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT BRAKE CALIPERS WERE LEAKING.*AK THE DEALER FOUND OUT THE FLUID THAT WAS LEAKING WAS NOT BRAKE FLUID BUT WAS ASSEMBLY LUBE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO RETURN FOR INSPECTION AFTER 500 MILES BUT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #878678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP.
NHTSA complaint #738008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vienna, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
SEVERE VIBRATION AT 60 MPH. EXIT HIGHWAY AND TOWED VAN TO DEALERSHIP. STATE REAR BRAKE DRUMS "WARPED FROM HEAT" AND WERE REPLACED. BRAKE SHOE MAY BE STICKING! PLEASE EXPLAIN.
NHTSA complaint #726822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbridge, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #850834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.