2004 Toyota Sienna door lock problems

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO JERK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE FAILURES WENT AWAY AFTER THIRTY SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES RANDOMLY STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO AND GREW WORSE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE LOCK ON THE SLIDING DOOR SHOWED THAT IT WAS UNLOCKED; HOWEVER, NO ONE COULD EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11099913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WHEN OPEN OR CLOSE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR, THERE IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THE WELD-ON HINGE BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE BODY IS BROKEN. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE PROBLEM WILL DETERIORATE IN THE COMING DAYS. THE DOOR WILL SWING FREELY WHEN OPEN, POTENTIALLY HIT PEOPLE AND OTHER CARS NEAR BY. THE WINDOW ON THE DOOR MAY GET STUCK AND NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED OR CLOSED. TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS EARLY AS 2007. IT ISSUED TWO WARRANTY EXTENSIONS BUT TOLD THE OWNERS TO KEEP THE WARRANTY LETTER IN FILE IF THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. I FOLLOWED TOYOTA'S INSTRUCTION AND KEPT MY WARRANTY EXTENSION IN FILE SINCE THE SYMPTOM IN MY CAR DID NOT OCCUR AT THE TIME. HOWEVER, WHEN THE PROBLEM DID OCCUR LAST MONTH, TOYOTA REFUSED TO HONOR IT, CLAIMING THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I AM NO LONGER COVERED. THEY DID OFFER $350 TOWARDS THE REPAIR BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR HELP TO COVER THE FULL REPAIR COST. THIS IS A CRYSTAL CLEAR CASE OF A PROBLEM CAUSED BY AN INHERIT MANUFACTURE DEFECT. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE ISSUED AN UNCONDITIONAL RECALL AND FIXED IT FOR ALL IMPACTED CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF ITS SAFETY CONSEQUENCES. INSTEAD, THEY KEPT EXTENDING THE WARRANTY, HOPING OLDER CARS EXPIRES BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WAS UNCOVERED. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AND OTHER SIENNA CUSTOMERS HAVE DESCRIBED THE SAME PROBLEM AND SYMPTOMS THAT MY DEALERSHIP DESCRIBED (SEE HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/TOYOTA-SIENNA-VAN-DOOR-WELD-ISSUE-CREATING-POPPING-NOISE/101820339938012)

NHTSA complaint #10618322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

VEHICLE RANDOMLY SELF-LOCKS WHILE IN PARK WITH CAR TURNED OFF, WITHOUT ANY INDICATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH MY KEYS INSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE SEAT WHILE PUTTING GROCERIES IN THE BACK AT THE STORE AND AT HOME. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME NOW, AND ITS SCARY, BECAUSE I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD WHO I STRAP INTO THE CAR SEAT AND THEN WALK AROUND TO THE DRIVERS SIDE, USUALLY AFTER PUTTING MY PURSE AND KEYS DOWN ON SEAT UP FRONT. IF CAR SELF LOCKS, KIDS COULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE. RESEARCH ON LINE SHOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER TOYOTAS, POSSIBLY HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SECURITY SYSTEM HARNESS GLITCH OR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR?

NHTSA complaint #10572672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT SLIDING DOOR CAME OFF TRACK, AFTER THE CABLE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE DOOR FELL DOWN TO THE SIDE STEP, IT SHATTERED THE LEFT REAR WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #10495643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH DOORS ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING A PARTICULAR PART ON THE VEHICLE, AND SHE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE OPENED THE LIFTGATE, IT WOULD FLY OPEN TOO QUICKLY AND WHEN SHE CLOSED IT, IT WOULD ESSENTIALLY CRUSH SOMEONE UNTIL IT FINALLY RE-OPENED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SAFETY MECHANISM WAS CLEARLY FAULTY. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO, THE LEFT REAR SLIDING DOOR BECAME DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE.

NHTSA complaint #10489941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

ONE REAR SLIDING DOOR COMES OPEN AFTER LATCHING (ONCE WHEN THE SIENNA HAD STARTED MOVING) AND CAN ONLY BE SECURELY CLOSED BY AN ADULT STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR, PUSHING WHEN IT LATCHES AND QUICKLY HITTING THE POWER LOCKS. THE OPPOSITE REAR SLIDING DOOR: AFTER IT FULLY OPENS, IT "BOUNCES BACK" AND BEGINS TO CLOSE AGAIN. A CHILD CANNOT STOP IT; AN ADULT MUST STAND THERE AND USE FULL FORCE TO STOP IT FROM CLOSING. THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE INCIDENT WHERE A CHILD WAS NEARLY CAUGHT BY THE CLOSING DOOR AND ONLY MISSED INJURY WHEN HIS MOTHER SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSHED HIM BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND PUT HERSELF BETWEEN THE MOVING DOOR AND THE BODY OF THE SIENNA. ORIGINALLY THIS WAS HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY BUT IS NOW NEARLY CONSTANT. ORIGINALLY TOYOTA DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF AN ISSUE, AND THEN SENT A "TOYOTA CARES" WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE FOR 04-07 SIENNAS WITH THIS ISSUE. BROADWAY TOYOTA REQUIRED THAT WE PAY FOR AN HOUR OF LABOR ($95) TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM, AND SAYS THAT IT ISN'T COVERED ON ONE SIDE BECAUSE IT IS A DIFFERENT PART THAN WHAT IS COVERED (ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME) AND ON THE OTHER UNLESS WE HAVE COSMETIC DAMAGE REPAIRED FIRST, AND THEN PERHAPS NOT THE OTHER SIDE EITHER. SO THEY MADE MONEY AND DID NOTHING AND WE STILL HAVE A DANGEROUS VEHICLE. *TR UPDATED 03/12/13

NHTSA complaint #10486377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

POWER SLICING DOOR CABLE ASSEMBLIES...... WORK AND THEN NOT WORKING ON AND OFF... DID NOT FILE COMPLAINT BEFORE BECAUSE CHILDREN COMPLAIN NOT WORKING BUT WHEN I TRIED... IT WORKS ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE PAST. FIRST INSTANCE IN 2008. //// NOW NOT WORKING COMPLETELY/STUCK. THE POWER IS WORKING, BUT LOCK APPEAR STUCK TO WHERE THE LOCK BUTTON WONT UNLOCK SO DOOR CAN NOT BE OPEN BY BUTTON OR MANUALLY. ***** THE WARRANTY IS 120,000 MILE FOR POWER SLICING DOOR CABLE ASSEMBLIES .... MY CAR DOOR IS COMPLETELY STUCK / WONT OPEN NOW AT 142,000.

NHTSA complaint #10485120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MANUFACTURER DESIGN FLAW LEADS TO JAMMED SLIDING DOORS, POSSIBLY LOCKING PASSENGERS INSIDE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE. TOYOTA APPARENTLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM AS IT HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THOSE PARTS TO 9 YRS OR 120K MILES. MAILING LETTERS EARLIER THIS YEAR. I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THEM WHEN MY CAR HAD 7 YRS / 130K MILES. I THINK THEY ARE NOT BEING PROACTIVE ENOUGH WITH AN ISSUE THAT RENDERED ONE OF MY DOORS INOPERATIONAL. IT IS NOT THAT I CAN'T USE THE ELECTRIC DOOR OPENING MECHANISM, THE DEFECT ALSO IMPEDES THE DOOR FROM OPENING AT ALL. I THINK IT BECOMES A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE COVERED NO MATTER WHEN. IT IS NOT MY FAULT IT TOOK THEM SEVERAL YEARS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM - MY CAR WOULD BE COVERED HAD THEM MAILED THE LETTER ONE YEAR BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10483787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

OUR 2004 SIENNA'S DRIVER-SIDE MANUAL-SLIDER DOOR DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY. 2 OF THE 3 BOLTS HAVE BECOME DETACHED. TOYOTA STATES THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE "REAR SLIDING DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY" WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE, ALTHOUGH DETACHED BOLTS AND FAILURE OF THE REAR SLIDING DOOR TO PROPERLY LATCH IS CLEARLY A LATCH ASSEMBLY ISSUE. THIS IS ALSO A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN AS MY SON RIDES IN THAT SIDE OF THE CAR AND IF THE DOOR WOULD BECOME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING HE COULD BE INJURED NOT TO MENTION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AS I (THE DRIVER) ATTEMPT TO CONTROL/ASSESS THE PROBLEM AND PROTECT MY SON IN A MOVING VEHICLE. MY "DOOR OPEN" DASH LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON AND THIS IS A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING NOT TO MENTION WHEN I IGNORE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE OF THIS PERSISTENT PROBLEM, I MAY BE MISSING OTHER DOOR-OPEN ISSUES. THERE ARE ONLINE POSTS OF OTHER SIENNA OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IS IT POSSIBLE TO URGE TOYOTA TO MAKE THIS OBVIOUS "LATCHING" DEFECT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM OR TO RECALL AFFECTED VEHICLES?

NHTSA complaint #10481995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SLIDING DOOR MALFUNCTIONED AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE TO OPEN AND THE HANDLE BROKE AFTER TRYING TO PULL THE DOOR OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #10462074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BUTTON TO ACTIVATE THE SLIDING DOOR, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE DOOR COULD ONLY BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,085 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,055. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF UPDATED 07/17/12

NHTSA complaint #10460284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR BEGAN MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE. WHEN WE LOOKED INTO THE MATTER, WE SAW THAT THE MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS THIS IS A CABLE THAT IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. THE CABLE HAD RUSTED AND SNAPPED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY POOR DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10444471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE CABLE ON THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR FRAYED AND BROKE, PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM SECURELY CLOSING. FOR THAT DAY, THE DOOR WOULD SLIDE OPEN OR SHUT DEPENDING ON HOW I DROVE AND THE ANGLE OF THE TERRAIN. THEN LATER IN THE DAY, THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE AT ALL. I WAS ABLE TO SLIDE IT SHUT ABOUT HALFWAY AND THEN IT WOULD GET STUCK. I FIGURED OUT THAT THE BROKEN CABLE WAS GETTING TANGLED IN THE DOOR, PREVENTING IT FROM CLOSING SO I HAD TO CUT THE CABLE TO CLOSE THE DOOR. A LOOSE DOOR LIKE THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS HEAVY AND WOULD SOMETIMES SLIDE BACK ON THE KIDS. THIS DOOR IS A VERY HEAVY DOOR AND CAN EASILY HURT SOMEONE. THE COST TO REPAIR IS PROHIBITIVE SO WE HAVE HAD TO SWITCH THE DOOR TO BE USED MANUALLY, BUT SOMETIMES IT STILL DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE IN THE OPEN POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #10432840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

POWER SLIDING DOOR LOCKS AND WONT OPEN. ITS A SIMPLE POWER DOOR LOCK, WHEN MALFUNCTION, NO ONE CAN OPEN THE DOOR, AND ITS SERIOUS RISK HAZARD. TOYOTA DEALER CHARGES $700 TO REPAIR A DOOR BECAUSE THEY SAY THE WARRANTY OVER AFTER 30K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10427810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN UNTIL EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS USED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #10422727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TOTAL FAILURE OF REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS (MANUAL LIFTGATE). CANNOT SUPPORT WEIGHT OF LIFTGATE; LIFTGATE DROPS IMMEDIATELY WHEN RELEASED. SIMILAR TO PROBLEM IN RECALL 08V244000 FOR SIENNA POWER REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS.

NHTSA complaint #10418220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE CABLE WHICH DRIVES THE SLIDING DOOR IS COMPLETELY EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS. (YOU'LL FIND IT WITHIN THE GROOVE LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SIDE WINDOWS) THIS CABLE IS MADE OF SOME KIND OF METAL (STEEL? WHO KNOWS.) THEN COATED WITH A BLACK PLASTIC/ACRYLIC/RUBBER CASING (SUCH AS AN ELECTRICAL WIRE). WITH TIME, THE CASING BEGINS TO DRY AND BE BRITTLE, CAUSING IT TO CRACK AND FALL OFF THE WIRE, LEAVING THE WIRES COMPLETELY VULNERABLE TO GETTING WET, RUST, FREEZE, ETC, ALSO RUBBING EXTENSIVELY UNPROTECTED AGAINST THE GEARS. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OR EVEN WEEKS, THE METAL CABLE WIRES SNAP THUS GETTING CAUGHT IN THE MECHANISM. ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER AND THE WHOLE CABLE SNAPS, MAKING THE DOOR JAM ALTOGETHER.

NHTSA complaint #10412030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TOYOTA SIENNA AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR FAILED. THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED EVEN IN MANUAL MODE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS MY CHILDREN NEED TO CLIMB OVER SEATS TO EXIT THROUGH THE ONLY DOOR THAT WORKS. WHEN THAT CABLE MECHANISM BREAKS, THEY WILL HAVE NO WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.

NHTSA complaint #10410106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MANUAL SLIDING DOOR (DRIVERS SIDE) DOESN'T LATCH COMPLETELY AND COMES OPEN WHEN TURNING RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10401364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

MY COMPLAINT BEGAN AT 110,000 MILES. I BEGAN CALLING TOYOTA IN 2008 WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR CAUGHT MY DAUGHTERS ARM AND THE SAFETY FEATURE DID NOT REOPEN THE DOOR. ABOUT TWO MONTHS LATER, I DROPPED MY DAUGHTER OFF TO SCHOOL THE PRINCIPAL WAS COMING TOWARD THE DOOR AND THE CABLE SNAPPED! I HAVE CALLED EVERY TOYOTA COMPANY I CAN ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WOULD COST $3,000 AND "ITS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" REALLY? THE CABLE WAS RUSTED BECAUSE THE CABLE IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT AT ALL, AND COULD NOT BE PUT INTO MANUAL BECAUSE OF THE CABLE. I HAVE TAKEN TO ANOTHERMECHANIC AS TOYOTA HAS NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE, WHEN SOMEONE DIES, THEY WILL FIX IT. I HAVE 6 COMPLAINTS ON FILE AND NOONE WILL HELP ME UNLESS I PAY $3,000 TO FIX A CABLE THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR WAS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD. I GOT IT SHUT, AND WITH NO JOB AND BUDGET RESTRAINTS, IT IS NOT FIXED YET. TODAY-5/10/11 THE PASSENGER MANUAL DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM BROKE AND NOW THIS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE CALLED 15 PEOPLE FROM TOYOTA, AND ALL THEY CAN TELL ME IS SORRY. IT IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY CHILDREN ARE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE, HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE SEATS- THIS IS A DEFECT. I HAVE GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND THOUSANDS HAVE THIS ISSUE.I CONTACTED ANOTHER MAN FROM TOYOTA AND HE DIRECTED ME TO YOUR SITE. I WAS TOLD" NO ONE HAD DIED FROM IT, SO ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE." I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A TOYOTA AGAIN! SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE THE DOORS WON'T STAY LOCKED, OR SHUT AND IF THE LOCK BREAKS, THE KIDS ARE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. I AM NOT GOING TO STOP, I WILL CALL MY STATE REPS, CONGRESSMEN, NEWS ATTORNEY GENERAL UNTIL SOMEONE REALIZES THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY THIS IS HAPPENING TOO. PLEASE BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST.

NHTSA complaint #10399918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR FAILURE. CABLE COMPROMISED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW THAT STRIPPED IT OF ITS INSULATION. DESPITE BEING GARAGED, THIS CAUSED THE CABLE TO FRAY AND THEN RUST, MAKING THE DOOR INOPERABLE. THIS INCLUDES MANUALLY, AS THE CABLE CATCHES ON A ROLLER AT THE DOOR HINGE IN THE SLIDING TRACK. ADDITIONAL FEAR IS THAT CONSEQUENT MOTOR STRAIN MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL FAILURE/EXPENSE/FIRE. THE CABLE FAILURE CAUSES IT TO BIND ON THE HINGE ROLLER AND PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM BOTH OPENING *AND* CLOSING. IN AN ACCIDENT, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THAT SIDE IF NECESSARY. DOOR DID OPEN PARTIALLY AND THEN WOULD NOT CLOSE WITHOUT GREAT EXERTION. THANKFULLY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO FORCE IT CLOSED BEFORE HAVING TO TAKE THE HIGHWAY WITH OUR CHILDREN INSIDE AND AN OPEN DOOR. ONCE THE PART FAILS, THE DOOR CAN NOT BE MADE OPERABLE WITHOUT MAJOR REPAIR. TOYOTA HAS TSB EL004-004 ON THIS ISSUE THAT COVERS OUR PARTICULAR VIN, BUT WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR OUT OF WARRANTY. COST OF REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $2,000 AND THE FEAR IS THAT MANY, LIKE US, WILL NOT HAVE THE PART REPAIRED DUE TO THIS COST (AND ANGER OVER *ACKNOWLEDGED* DESIGN FLAW).

NHTSA complaint #10398423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

RIGHT POWER SLIDING DOOR IS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH EITHER THE MANUAL HANDLES (INSIDE OR OUTSIDE) OR THE POWER SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10398369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA RIGHT SLIDING DOOR HINGE FAILURE AND DOOR POP OPENED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. DOOR WILL NOT STAY CLOSE AT ALL. DOOR WILL CLOSE BUT WILL OPEN IMMEDIATELY. DOOR WILL STAY COMPLETELY OPEN AFTER TRYING TO CLOSE MANY TIMES. FINALLY MANUAL DOOR SWITCH HAD TO BE ACTIVATED TO CLOSE DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10398265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE REAR, AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR TO MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA IS INOPERABLE. THE CABLE SNAPPED. I'VE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS ON-LINE OF THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT RELATED TO THIS MODEL. THE REPAIR ESTIMATES AVERAGE ABOUT $1500. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A CONSUMER ISSUE AS WELL AS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10397358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE WIRE APPARATUS THAT FUNCTIONS OUR BOTH OF OUR AUTOMATIC SIDE DOORS ON OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS SNAPPED. BOTH DOORS NOW DO NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND CAUSE THE ONE OF THE DOORS TO REQUIRE A LOT OF FORCE TO SHUT. MY ONLINE RESEARCH HAS ENLIGHTENED ME THAT THIS IS IN PREVALENT ISSUE ON THE 2004 SIENNA MINIVAN. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #10396633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

SLIDING DOORS OPEN WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #10395679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. BOTH SLIDING DOORS NOW HAVE BROKEN CABLES AND WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THEY ONLY OPEN WHEN FORCED OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE REPAIR COST FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IS $1,600.00 PER DOOR. THE PART ITSELF COST $1,100.00 PLUS THE LABOR. THE DOORS NOW ARE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE MY SON CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE BACK QUICKLY IF NEEDED. THE CABLES RUSTED AND SEVERED WHILE OPENING. THE DOORS DO NOT HAVE A MANUAL OVERRIDE TO ALLOW OPENING PROPERLY ONCE THE ELECTRONIC OPERATION IS COMPROMISED.

NHTSA complaint #10395284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED AND THE LATCH WOULD NOT CATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AFTER THE THIRD FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PART AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE LABOR COSTS. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR A THIRD REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

NHTSA complaint #10394427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE CABLE ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SNAPPED, CAUSING THE DOOR TO NOT BE ABLE TO CLOSE. MY HUSBAND SAT IN THE BACK SEAT AND HELD THE DOOR SHUT WHILE WE DROVE IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND $1500, SO WE HAD THEM DISABLE THE POWER FEATURE AND WE NOW USE THE DOOR MANUALLY. THIS CABLE SNAPPING ON 2004 SIENNA VEHICLES IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR. THE SLIDING DOORS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND DANGEROUS. I CURRENTLY DRIVE A NEWBORN AND A TODDLER AROUND IN MY SIENNA AND I DON'T TRUST THE DOORS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THEM. PLEASE ENCOURAGE TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX THESE BROKEN SLIDING DOORS!

NHTSA complaint #10392555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

A FEW MONTHS AGO A CABLE SNAPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING SIDE DOORS. WITHOUT THE CABLE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN PROPERLY. RECENTLY, THE SAME CABLE SNAPPED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING SIDE DOOR. NOW THAT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT AN ENTIRE NEW CABLE ASSEMBLY MUST BE PLACED IN EACH DOOR. WITHOUT THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS OPENING THE ONLY MEANS OF INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE IS THROUGH EITHER THE REAR HATCH OR THE FRONT DOORS. IT IS BOTH A SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS VERY INCONVENIENT TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE THOSE DOORS. THE SIDE SLIDING DOORS, BACK WHEN THEY STILL WORKED, WERE ALSO PRONE TO FREEZING SHUT WHENEVER IT GOT COLD OUTSIDE AND THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN UNLESS THEY THAWED. AGAIN, THIS MADE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DIFFICULT TO ACCESS AND DANGEROUS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

NHTSA complaint #10392163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.