111 of the
2,588 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Sienna are about the
throttle and cruise control — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
62,896 miles.
F
111
Complaints
26
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
10090.1%
Accelerator Pedal
76.3%
Cruise Control
43.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Toyota Sienna year
Vehicle often applies brakes on its own . At first it was only in turns . However now it does it when driving straight on the the freeway or just down the street at 45mph. I have fixed my alignment ,new tires, all of the front suspension and nothing prevents the car from trying to brake for me. it is a safety feature that is not safe at all. a car slamming on your brakes at any speed is dangerous in addition to that it seems to cut off your fuel , leaving you unable to accelerate until its done beeping which can take a long time. the vsc , chenk engine and trac off flash there is no crash to report I have been lucky so far
NHTSA complaint #11649266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Jose, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Was driving on highway at 60-65 mph. The car continued to accelerate. Pressed on brake and wasn't slowing the vehicle. The driver was weaving in and out of cars as the van started to creek up to 92 mph. The driver and passengers thought they were going to crash and possible die. The driver tried the brake multiple times and nothing. The driver said the accelerator pedal wasn't pressed all the way down to the floor. It was half way and driver had to go down and pull up on the pedal while driving. The van then started to slow and driver was able to pull over to have the van evaluated . The throttle body was reached and cleaned of carbon because it said that this may have been part of the issue. Never has this van taken off like this. The throttle body cable wasnt loose or disconnected either. So far we havent been able to recreate but 3 people could have been killed.
NHTSA complaint #11635166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesFayetteville, GA1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and the speed of the vehicle increased to over 90 MPH. During the failure, the braking system had failed and would not stop the vehicle while pressing the brake pedal. The front passenger was able to view the fuel pedal was stuck to the floor and was able to physically pull the fuel pedal up from the stuck position and the vehicle's speed was reduced. The incident lasted for approximately 10 minutes. During the incident, the police were on the scene. A police report was later filed at the scene and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure was due to a missing fuel pedal pen. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact expressed experiencing emotional stress and anxiety during and after the incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11576843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saratoga Springs, UT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The trac control is activated while the car is driving variable speed and brake the car and and the driver loose control of acceleration.
NHTSA complaint #11533834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fletcher, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Traction control engaged at high speed(70 mph on interstate) causing the vehicle to brake abruptly and pull the vehicle to the right. Had I been traveling in the left hand lane, I could have been forced into the right hand lane causing a collusion with another vehicle. Also occurred at lower speed(30 mph on a windy road) causing the same issue as described above, almost causing the vehicle to leave the paved surface. - Mechanic was able to duplicate the issue - Mechanic diagnosed intermittent traction control activation, scanned computer for codes. Yaw rate/steering angle correlation causing false activation ABS/traction. Replaced hub bearing and spindle. Four wheel alignment, including check castor, camber and adjust toe. Performed zero point calibration and reset ABS memory. - Traction control lights up briefly
NHTSA complaint #11498401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
About a year ago the Vehicle Stability Control warning light along with an audible alarm started coming on intermittently while turning on highways going uphill or downhill in dry weather and with no risk of any tire slipping. At first this only happened at higher speeds 65+mph. Over time, it has occurred more and more frequently and can occur at speeds down to 25 mph. At times, the Anti-lock Braking System is also activated resulting in jerky braking and loss of throttle. When people have been following me too closely, this has almost caused accidents. When these symptoms occur, it is always on a curve (of any degree, even slight curves) and while driving at least 25 mph, and even happens on flat turns now. The weather has always been dry with no risk of tire slippage.
NHTSA complaint #11479980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sometimes when I take turns in my Sienna, the VSC starts going off and braking individual wheels without my control. This happens unexpectedly on highway bends at speeds of 60+ mph and it is difficult to control the car and keep from swerving into another lane. If the roads were icy when this happens, it would probably cause a dangerous accident. Toyota has a technical service bulletin for this, but not a recall - which it should since this is a significant safety issue. The TSB is BR008-04. There are many others experiencing this same issue: https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/13855/toyota/sienna/vsc-sudden-activation-2004-toyota-sienna
NHTSA complaint #11450254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soquel, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I had the control arms replaced, then one of the bolts came out after a few thousand miles. I had that bolt replaced and the problem started happening intermittently after that. Everything will be functioning fine and then the speed of my vehicle is inhibited and it is hard to accelerate. It is very difficult to get from 40 MPH up to 50 MPH. On slight curves, not always, it will beep and the slip indicator light comes on and will apply the brakes on what feels like one side. This has happened at 35-60 MPH. The slip indicator will beep sometimes until I decrease my speed to under 25 MPH. I took it into a reputable tire and front end shop and they replaced a wheel bearing with sensor, and 2 front tires. The problem happened again within 5 miles and the shop said I need to take it to Toyota dealer to have it the steering angle sensors recalibrated. The Toyota dealership said that this is something that the vehicle does itself. They inspected it and took it for a test drive and said nothing is wrong. The problem happened again within a few miles of leaving the dealership. I have read countless forums of people experiencing the same thing in their Toyota Sienna and having the dealership telling them there is not a problem. I have also found that the solution could very well be worn rack and pinion bushings that are creating the play that are triggering the sensors. I don't think they gave it a proper inspection. This is a very dangerous problem, and even more so when the dealership is saying there isn't a problem. I am feeling very lost on what to do with my van right now. I have spent $1100 and 3 days of my time with the same thing happening. I
NHTSA complaint #11426725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesChandler, AZ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THE VEHICLES' VSC WILL ENGAGE. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF, THERE IS A LOUD INTERIOR BEEPING SOUND, THE ABS ENGAGES, THE CAR SLOWS DOWN DRASTICALLY AT ONCE. THE ROADS ARE DRY. AT FIRST THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING NORMAL SPEED EXITING OR ENTERING AN HWY OFF/ON RAMP. THEN HAPPENED YESTERDAY AS I WAS DRIVING ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH. I COULD HEAR A RUBBING ON THE BACK TIRES AS IF THE BRAKES WERE ON.
NHTSA complaint #11256542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clara, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN FOR NO REASON, TRATION BEEPING AND TIRES LOCK,AT FREWAY SPEED TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATES AND CUTS OFF SPEED DRAMATICALLY.VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #11118437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,800 milesSAN Luis Obispo, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR FASTER, GENERALLY ON A RIGHT HAND BEND, THE VSC WILL ACTIVATE PULSING THE BRAKE AND VIOLENTLY PULLING THE CAR TO THE LEFT AND TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE SKID LIGHT GOES ON, AND THE CAR BEEPS UNTIL YOU ARE OUT OF THE TURN AND THEN IT GOES AWAY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS BUT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT IN THE PREVIOUS 2 MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES. THE BEST THEY CAN SAY IS "YOU'RE GOING TO FAST..." WHICH IS A WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER CONSIDERING WE ARE GOING THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC AND NO MORE THAN 0-10 OVER THE SPEED LIMIT.
NHTSA complaint #10940130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHonoluolu, HI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 13V429, MFR RECALL NUMBER D0R IS LISTED ON THE SAFECAR.GOV WEB SITE FOR MY VIN NUMBER AS BEING AN INCOMPLETE RECALL, BUT THE TOYOTA SERVCO SERVICE CENTER SAYS THEY HAVE ALREADY FIXED THIS RECALL ON MY CAR. I HAD AN INCIDENT RECENTLY THAT WAS TRACED TO THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE BUSHING. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, PUT INTO PARK, IGNITION TURNED OFF, AND THEN STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD, THE BRAKE DIDN'T WORK TO STOP THE ROLLING SINCE THE IGNITION WAS OFF, LUCKILY THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO STOP THE ROLLING BEFORE ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE, IT WAS A VERY GRADUAL SLOPE. I SEE THAT THE LATER 2014 MODEL SIENNA HAS A RECALL FOR THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE, BUT MY YEAR DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I HAD TO PAY ~ $600 TO GET THIS FIXED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT AND NO PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10898993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesCentennial, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WE HAVE HAD THE VSC INDICATOR LIGHT TURN ON WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND ALSO SWERVE. OUR CAR IS AWD SO THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE THOUGHT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN BLACK ICE ON THE ROAD (EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD APPEARED DRY). IT FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, ALTHOUGH IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. WE DROVE HOME YESTERDAY THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND IT HAPPENED FOUR TIMES ON OUR TWO HOUR DRIVE. IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHILE GOING DOWNHILL FOR US, AND HAS HAPPENED AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH - 30 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING (BOTH DIRECTIONS) AND GOING STRAIGHT. IT IS VERY SCARY FOR BOTH MY WIFE AND I, AND I FEEL UNSAFE WITH HER DRIVING OUR CAR WITH OUR FOUR CHILDREN. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE US LOTS OF MONEY TO TRY TO FIX WHAT THEY "THINK" THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SIENNA OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE SO KNOW IT IS NOT JUST OUR CAR, DRIVING, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10871899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesWalnut, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT AND TRAC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10850213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesSuwanee, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IT STARTED A YEAR OR SO AGO THE WHILE DRIVING ON DRY ROAD ABOVE 50MILES THE VSC LIGHT WOULD LIT WITH A ALARM SOUND, THE VAN WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY BRAKES AND SLOW THE SIENNA. SINCE THIS WAS EXTRA VAN AND WE WERE DRIVING MOSTLY SEDANS WE HAD AND DUE TO BUSINESS I COULD NOT SPEND ANY TIME ON IT.. NOW IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY AND IT RISK OUR LIFES ON HIGHWAY. UPON SEARCHING INTERNET VARIOUS FORUMS CAME WITH WITH PROBLEMS PERTAINING ONLY TO THIS YEAR AND MODEL, PLEASE SEARCH (SUDDEN VSC ACTIVATION) AND YOU WILL FIND MULTIPLE OWNER ONLY OF 2004 COMPLAINING FOR SAME ISSUE.. IN FACT THERE ARE TO TWO TSB ARTICLES TO POINT TO THIS PROBLEM ( TSB-BR001-04 AND TSB-BR004-03) . I WOULD KINDLY REQUEST TO INVESTIGATE THE SUDDEN VSC ACTIVATION IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. I HAVE SPENT MONEY TO REPLACE TIRES, ALIGMENT BALANCING TO FIND THE ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD.
NHTSA complaint #10777777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesSAN Rafael, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AT VARYING RATES OF SPEED, ON DRY ROADS, MY VAN'S VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL ICONS WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH, THE ACCELERATION WILL CEASE AND THE BRAKES WILL PUMP 2-4 TIMES, AND THE STEERING WILL STICK. ORIGINALLY, THIS OCCURRED ONLY ON ROADS THAT CURVED HOWEVER THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS INCREASING AND IT NOW OCCURS ON STRAIGHT ROADS AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10700861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,550 milesTahoe City, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PURCHASED 2004 SIENNA XLE AWD LIMITED 2/18/15. WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM RANDOMLY ACTIVATES IN DRY CONDITIONS (USUALLY ON DOWNHILL ANGLED TURN) CAUSING LOSS OF POWER, ACTIVATION OF FRONT RIGHT BRAKES, AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED FROM MY HANDS (RESULTING IN TRANSIENT OVERALL LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE). THIS DEFECT HAS OCCURRED 6 TIMES IN 2 DAYS AND I AM CURRENTLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WITH A 3 MONTH OLD. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE REPORTS ON EDMUNDS.COM AND OTHER TOYOTA FORUMS THAT SUPPORT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED TO PREVENT INJURY OR FATALITY AND TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH THE TCS. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE TCS MANUALLY AND THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10690057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120 milesEdison, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 AND IT WAS CLOSE TO 25 OR SO. WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 40 MPH WITH ENGINE TEMP STILL SLIGHTLY ABOVE COLD(NOT AT OPTIMAL WHICH IS ALMOST HALF WAY) AND SLOWED DOWN BY USING GENTLE BRAKES(NOT HARD BRAKES). JUST BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMES TO A FULL STOP, THERE IS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND I COULD SEE EVEN THE RPM(SCALE) TO SPIKE TEMPORARILY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY TIME WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP IS COLD AND VEHICLE IS DRIVEN WITH COLD OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE COLD ENGINE TEMPERATURE. THERE IS A RISK OF HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE OR MEETING ACCIDENT IF MISJUDGE MY BRAKING BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.. PLEASE NOTE : THIS PROBLEM DISAPPEARS WHEN ENGINE TEMPERATE IS AT OPTIMAL AND I HAVE DRIVING A HONDA ACCORD 2008 EXL FOR LAST 7 YEARS(WAS BOUGHT NEW ONE), I NEVER HAD EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN THAT CAR EVEN WHEN DRIVEN WITH COLD ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10689426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesBloomington, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE CURB, AND WAS STOPPED BY A PILE OF SNOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10678207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DASH BOARD HAS A CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT WHERE THE AIR BAG IS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY NOTICED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SPEEDOMETER READING WENT TO 0. STOPPED COUNTING MILES AND CAR GOING ON 65 BUT SPEEDOMETER READS 0. ALSO GAS TANK LEVEL INDICATOR GOES FROM HALF TANK TO EMPTY AND GAS LIGHT TURN ON. IT IS NOT SAFE AS I DON'T KNOW AT WHAT SPEED MY CAR IS GOING ON AND ALSO IF THE CRACK ON THE DASH BOARD GETS BIGGER, AIR BAGS MIGHT POP OUT. NEED SOMEBODY TO LOOK INTO THIS AS THE VAN IS DRIVEN ONLY 49000 MILES. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL .
NHTSA complaint #10671864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,495 milesHampton Bays, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN DECELERATION OF VEHICLE: 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE. THE VSC ENGAGES, WITHOUT WARNING, ON SMOOTH, DRY ROADS AND WHEN CORNERING OR NEGOTIATING A CURVE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS UNTIL THE FIRST INCIDENT IN LATE OCT. 2014. WE DID NOT TAKE ANY ACTION BECAUSE ALTHOUGH ROAD CONDITIONS GOOD, WE WERE ROUNDING A SHARP BEND IN THE ROAD AND ASSUMED THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE INCIDENT. VEHICLE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED, THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON AND A RAPID BEEPING ALARM SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO ONE SIDE AND STEERING THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE WHOLE INCIDENT, START TO FINISH, LASTED APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS. THE NEXT INCIDENT HAPPENED IN EARLY DECEMBER 2014. AGAIN, ALL THE ABOVE DESCRIBED THINGS HAPPENED, EXCEPT VEHICLE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH GOING AROUND A GENTLE CURVE IN THE ROAD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE BUT DO NOT SEE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR RECALLS OFFICIALLY ISSUED BY TOYOTA. IT APPEARS MOST OF THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TODAY (DECEMBER 26, 2014), THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENED FIVE TIMES WITHIN 40 MINUTES. MY WIFE MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND WE CALLED OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, DESCRIBED THE ISSUE AND THEY INFORMED US THEY HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING RAPID DECELERATION OF THIS MODEL YEAR, BEFORE OUR PHONE CALL. I'VE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR DECEMBER 30, 2014 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AND HAVE RECALL WORK DONE CONCERNING THE "SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID ASSEMBLY". WILL UPDATE AFTER APPOINTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10668382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSanta Clarita, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. ..UPDATED 12/02/14 *BF THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES. UPDATED 01/13/15
NHTSA complaint #10649223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,200 milesNyack, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE VSC ACTIVATES, THE BRAKES ENGAGES, THE CARS SLOWS DOWN AND IT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME MORE THAN 10 TIMES. MIND YOU ITS ON A DRY SURFACE AND NO CURVES. VERY SCARY I DRIVE IT WITH NOBODY INSIDE JUST IN CASE... THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10649314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,500 milesSAN Rafael, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IN THIS INITIAL INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVY ROAD AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 30MPH. MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED, AS IF I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, WHICH I WAS NOT, AND MY STEERING WAS COMPROMISED. IN ADDITION THE VSC INDICATOR AND SYMBOL FLASHED ON MY DASHED AND BEEPED. THE ROAD WAS DRY. THIS HAS OCCURRED 10+ TIMES SINCE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC, WITHOUT TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AFTER THE OCCURRENCE SO THAT HE COULD "READ" THE COMPUTER BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AVAILABLE. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THEY "REBOOTED" THE SENSORS AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE. IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, ON THE FREEWAY GOING UPHILL AT 55 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL AT 60 MPH AND HAS BEEN CLOSE TO CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION EACH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10628426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesEllicott City, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STARTING FROM A STOP AND ACCELERATING UP TO APPROX 20 MPH, ABS TRACS VSC LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH BEEPING ALERT, AND ACTIVATION OF BRAKES CAUSING A SUDDEN DECELERATION. THE ROAD WAS DRY, LEVEL PAVEMENT, NO ICE, NO GRAVEL, DRIVING STRAIGHT AND THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING APPLIED. THERE WERE NO CONDITIONS THAT WOULD NECESSITATE THE TRACTION CONTROL. AS THE BRAKES WERE NOT BEING APPLIED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT HAVE ILLUMINATED. THEREFORE, ANY DRIVER BEHIND OUR VEHICLE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALERTED TO THE SUDDEN DECELERATION WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST WAS IN NOV. 2007 (46000 MILES IN THE VEHICLE). TOYOTA SERVICE WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A FAULT, NO CODES STORED AND NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AT THAT TIME. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A CORPORATE CONTACT GET IN TOUCH WITH ME. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM. NOTHING WAS RESOLVED. THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO TSBS RELATED TO THE VSC ISSUE (TSB BR004-03 AND BR008-04). NEITHER WAS IMPLEMENTED.
NHTSA complaint #10584017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clermont, FLCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID RECALL NOTICE, RECEIVED AFTER ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD, AFTER TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT. THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE STOREFRONT WALL. ALSO, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB UPDATED 08/07/14
NHTSA complaint #10578711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,000 milesTraverse City, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN MOTION ENTERING FREEWAY. PREVIOUSLY HAD NOTICED STEERING DIFFICULTY AT TIMES AND ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON, BUT HAD ALWAYS STOPPED AFTER A SHORT WHILE. AFTER THE FAILURE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. WE FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAD DONE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT HAD NOT INCLUDED OUR VEHICLE IN THE RECALL OR NOTIFIED US. TOYOTA DENIED COVERAGE OF THE REQUIRED REPAIR. DRIVER AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN CARE AT TIME OF FAILURE, JUST ABOUT TO ENTER FREEWAY. OVER $800 IN REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10573389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,455 milesMiddletown, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I ATTEMPTED TO MERGE ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY AND AFTER PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL THE VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BEYOND MY CONTROL. I EASED OFF THE PEDAL AND THE VAN CONTINUED TO SERGE AHEAD WITH NO WAY FOR ME TO STOP OR SLOW IT DOWN AS THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I SAW THE RPM REACH LEVEL 6 AND SPEED INCREASE TO 70 IN SECONDS BUT AS IT WAS THE EXPRESSWAY, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP MY DISTANCE FROM CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SWITCHED THE LEVER TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE VAN SLOWED DOWN AND THEN I WENT BACK TO DRIVE AND IT ROARED BACK UP TO 70 MPH WITH THE RPM AGAIN AT 6 AND I TRIED TURNING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THEN BRAKING TO SEE IF IT WOULD SHUT DOWN THE GAS BUT NO LUCK. I WENT BACK AND FORTH FROM D TO N FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES AND THEN ON ONE OF THE MOVEMENTS FROM N TO D IT SHUT DOWN BACK TO NORMAL. I DROPPED THE VAN OFF AT MY TOYOTA DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND AM WAITING TO SEE WHAT "HEADQUARTERS " DECIDES.
NHTSA complaint #10557933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesSolvang, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY CAR IS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA AWD XLE LIMITED. THE VEHICLE WILL ACTIVATE THE VEHICLE SKID CONTROL (VSC) WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH DRY ROADS. THE EFFECT IS FOR THE VEHICLE TO APPLY BRAKES STRONGLY TO SPECIFIC WHEELS PULLING THE CAR STRONGLY TO ONE SIDE. THIS HAPPENS MOST FREQUENTLY WHILE DRIVING WINDING ROADS AND IN CORNERS. IT HAS BECOME MORE REGULAR IT IT'S OCCURRENCE AND HAS HAPPENED ON RELATIVELY STRAIGHT SECTIONS OF HIGHWAY MOST RECENTLY. A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED APPROX 2 YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME THE RETAILER REPAIRED IT BY ADJUSTING THE STEERING SENSOR USED BY THE VSC AND STATED THAT THIS SHOULD BE DONE PERIODICALLY DEPENDENT ON ALIGNMENT WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS SOLVED THE ISSUE AT THAT TIME. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH TO THE VEHICLE WHICH REQUIRES GREAT EFFORT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND THE VEHICLES FOLLOWING IT WHICH ARE AT RISK OF REAR ENDING THE EFFECTED CAR. THE TOYOTA RETAILER INITIALLY INDICATED THAT A CATALYST FAILURE WAS THE CAUSE (YES THEY SAID THIS). I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAT FAILURE COULD INDUCE OTHER BRAKE AND ENGINE RELATED FAILURES. THE CAT WAS REPLACED AND THE VSC FAILURE HAS RESUMED. AT THIS TIME NO FAILURES OF ANY KIND ARE INDICATED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS TOPIC AND FIND ABOUT A DOZEN IDENTICAL FAILURES ON 2014 TOYOTA SIENNAS DOCUMENTED IN VARIOUS USER FORUMS. AS THERE ARE ONLY A FEW DOCUMENTED ON THE NHTSA SITE I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SITUATION IS UNDER REPORTED. MANY OF THESE USER FORUMS INDICATE THAT THE SYMPTOMS WERE REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. MY MOST RECENT TROUBLE REPORT CASE NUMBER FROM TOYOTA IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10535749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,652 milesStrongsville, OHCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVER HAD FOOT ON BRAKE TO COMPLETE PARKING IN DRIVEWAY WHEN CAR HAD SUDDEN SURGE OF ACCELERATION AND 'JUMPED' INTO A WHEELBARROW AND A PILE OF DIRT BEYOND AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. DEALER CHECKED CAR AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10522290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.