2004 Toyota Sienna equipment problems

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FRACTURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS RUST ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE HINGE WAS REPLACED. THE SLIDING DOOR FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. ...UPDATED 10/17/12 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2012

NHTSA complaint #10477323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STOPPED WORKING. THE BUTTONS DO NOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DOOR IS SO HEAVY THAT IT CANNOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED EASILY. THE CABLE THAT MOVES THE DOOR SNAPPED AND VISIBLE (HANGING OUTSIDE THE BODY). WE HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 7 YEARS AND THE CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, BUT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE DEALER SAYS THE WHOLE MOTOR, NOT JUST THE CABLE, SHOULD BE REPLACED, ASKING FOR MORE THAN $1500 FOR PARTS AND REPAIR. SNAPPED CABLE, LOOSE AND VISIBLE MOVING PARTS OUTSIDE THE BODY OF THE VAN, AND A HEAVY AND HARD TO OPERATE "POWER" DOOR PRESENT A SAFETY PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WITH THE KIDS GOING IN AND OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ISSUE AND HAVE TOYOTA OWN UP TO ITS DESIGN PROBLEMS. THIS ISSUE HAS ITS OWN FORUMS ONLINE, HAS ITS OWN FACEBOOK PAGE AND IT SEEMS THAT TOYOTA WILL NOT LISTEN ONE CUSTOMER AT A TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10447867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN AND I AM VERY DISTURBED BY THE POWER DOOR PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD SINCE DAY 1 OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE. THE SLIDING DOORS FREEZE UP ALL THE TIME IN THE WINTER. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROX. 30-45 MINUTES THE DOOR WILL UNFREEZE & COME OPEN! I HAVE TWO CHILDREN!!! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS WELL AS BEING A NUISANCE. ALSO THE POWER DOOR CABLE SNAPPED IN TWO. I CALLED HICKORY TOYOTA & SPOKE WITH MAINTENANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHICH INFORMED ME THAT THIS JUST DOES NOT HAPPEN. I SAID WELL, IN MY CASE IT DID! I WANT THIS FIXED BEFORE ONE OF MY CHILDREN GET HURT & THIS BECOMES A LAW SUIT! THIS IS MY 2ND SIENNA VAN & HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH IT. I'VE HAD THREE CAMRYS AND THEY WERE ALMOST PERFECT. WHAT IS UP SIENNA??!! MAYBE I NEED TO CONVERT TO HONDA AFTER ALL. :(

NHTSA complaint #10378310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED POWER SLIDING DOOR CABLE SNAPPED AND DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING THIS ON GOING ISSUE WITH THESE SIENNA VANS. THERE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. DEAL COST TO FIX THIS IS OVER $2000. THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR FOR CONSUMERS TO PAY SUCH HIGH COST REPAIR FOR WHAT TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IN FIRST PLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10340147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

WHILE I WAS TRYING TO OPEN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA PASSENGER POWERED SLIDING DOOR THE CORD RIPPED. IT IS TOO COSTLY FOR US TO REPAIR THIS ITEM AND I CAN NOT USE THE DOOR WITH CHILDREN AS IT IS TO HARD TO OPEN FOR A MINOR.

NHTSA complaint #10321640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

I WAS ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM 1300 EAST ONTO FT. UNION BLVD, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY EVEN AFTER I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR. I PROMPTLY PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, BRAKED RAPIDLY, AND NARROWLY AVOIDED REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD NOT TELL IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR MATS, BUT REARRANGED THEM QUICKLY AND THE ENGINE RPMS QUICKLY DROPPED TO AN IDLE SPEED. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, LARRY MILLER OF MURRAY, UT. I SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, HE EXAMINED MY CAR, INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, ASSERTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO REPORTS OF ISSUES WITH THE 2004 SIENNA, AND THAT THE PEDAL ON MY CAR WAS NOT OF THE TYPE IMPLICATED IN THE RECALLS. HE HAD ME TAKE THE CAR TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND TESTING. THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURE CODES PRESENT AND NO CHECK LIGHTS WERE ON. THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR 10 MILES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NO PARTS WERE REPAIRED NOR REPLACED. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN BY THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10321006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

FLOOR MAT ENTRAPMENT ON 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE AWD.

NHTSA complaint #10311297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 09V234000 (EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS) IN EARLY NOVEMBER. WHEN HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. HE SPECULATED THAT THE FAILURE REFERENCED IN THE RECALL CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHEN ACCELERATING PAST 75 MPH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000.

NHTSA complaint #10291438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AC IN OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WENT OUT IN AUGUST (VERY HOT!); WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP. TURNS OUT THE AC COMPRESSOR AND MULTIPLE RELATED PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEM. CALLED AROUND TO ENSURE FAIR PRICE- MANY SHOPS REPORTED HAVING HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. HAD NECESSARY REPAIRS COMPLETED AT A COST OF OVER $1500. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR ON A 2003 MODEL WAS ONLY $950 PLUS TAX, BUT SUBSEQUENT YEARS HAD MORE PROBLEMS AND REQUIRED MORE PARTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF DESIGN PROBLEMS. HAVING AC IS NOT ONLY COMFORT, BUT ALSO SAFETY- WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE WE HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEY WOULD GET QUITE HOT, SWEATY, RED-FACED, ETC. WITHOUT REAR AC IN OUR FORMER VEHICLE. IT SEEMS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I'VE READ TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR AC (ALTHOUGH OWNERS WEREN'T INFORMED, AND WE ARE PAST THAT LIMIT ANYWAY); HOWEVER, IF THIS IS SUCH A HUGE PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL WITH THE A PREVENTIVELY FIX RATHER THAN WAITING FOR OWNERS TO INCUR SUCH HUGE BILLS AND NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO KEEP THEIR FAMILIES COOL WHILE THEY DRIVE. THIS MAY SEEM MOSTLY COMFORT, BUT FOR THOSE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AND OTHER AT-RISK POPULATIONS, AC IS ALSO VERY MUCH ABOUT SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10280289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA THAT HAS MANUAL SLIDING REAR DOORS. I HAVE REPLACED THE HANDLES ON BOTH DOORS WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE LATEST ONE I REPLACED WAS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE APPARENT REASON FOR THESE BREAKING OFF IS THE FACT THAT THE DOORS ARE JAMMING AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPEN THE DOOR. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER HANDLE, IT STILL WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE...IT DOES OPEN ON "OCCASION" BUT IT IS FINICKY.. I HAVE GONE ON LINE AND NOTICED THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WHICH LEADS ME TO FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS SHOULD BE A "RECALL" ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA!! I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN THAT TRAVEL IN THIS VEHICLE AND THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE, GOD FORBID!

NHTSA complaint #10279445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

A/C FAILURE, THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS SUB-STANDARD, VALVES, LINES, COMPRESSOR. HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 2 YEARS. NOTICED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE FOR THIS MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10276308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

THE VAN WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE, THE CABLE BROKE AND JAMMED THE DOOR OPENED. IT TOOK 1 HOUR TO GET THE DOOR CLOSED. IT HAS BEEN JAMMED SHUT EVERY SINCE. THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS $1500.

NHTSA complaint #10274286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

THE CABLE OF THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR BROKE. THE DEALER CRYSTAL TOYOTA AT GREEN BROOK, NJ SAID THEY CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE CABLE. INSTEAD, THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND CABLE UNIT ALTOGETHER. THE COST WILL BE $2600. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID THE OTHER SIDE WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITHIN WEEKS. THAT IS, IT WILL COST $5200 JUST TO FIX THE 2 PIECES OF CABLE. SINCE THIS DEFECT IS RELATED TO THE DOORS WHICH IS BASIC SAFETY ISSUE, I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD DEFINITELY ISSUE RECALL ON IT AND NOT RIPPING OFF PEOPLE'S MONEY.

NHTSA complaint #10245274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA ONLY HAS 29,000 MILES AND THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN HARDLY USED. THE A/C SYSTEM FAILED WORKING ABOUT 3 MONTH AGO DUO TO THE CONDENSER O-RING FAILURE. I CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY 2004 SIENNA USERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10236702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING AND THE TEMPERATURE ON THE THERMOSTAT CONTINUED TO RISE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE COOLANT AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO ANTIFREEZE; THEREFORE, SHE REFILLED THE RADIATOR. THIS DID NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM OVERHEATING. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR CORE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

NHTSA complaint #10233613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED'S ALTERNATOR BELT GOT CUT AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED ON THE ROAD AND HAD TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER SAYS MY VEHICLE HAD A "CATASTROPHIC AC FAILURE" WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO BREAK AND SAYS IT WILL COST $2400 IN PARTS AND $1600 IN LABOR. HE THEN CONTACTED TOYOTA AND SAID THAT TOYOTA WILL PAY FOR THE PARTS. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN A LOT ON THIS MODEL, I SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND COULD FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES AND TOYOTA HAS STILL NOT DONE ANY RECALL ON THE AC UNIT. SINCE THIS SEEMS TO A TOTAL DESIGN FLAW, I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO PICK UP THE FULL TAB FOR THIS REPAIR. ANY HELP IN THIS REGARD WILL BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA complaint #10232173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10209542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

SIENNA 2004 XLE WITH INSTALLED HITCH, THE HEIGHT LEFT FROM GROUND TO THE LOWER PART OF THE HITCH IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAFELY LOAD ANY CARGO ABOVE 150-175 POUNDS ON YOUR REAR WITHOUT HITTING THE PAVEMENT EVERYTIME A BUMP IS ON THE ROAD, ALL IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BUILT TO BE USED ON A TOYOTA SIENNA, APPEARS THAT THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REMOVE IT OR INSTALL A SAFE LEVELING AIR SYSTEM REAR SHOCKS, IS IT AVAILABLE? WELL... MORE MONEY ON AN ALREADY EXPENSIVE VEHICLE... NO THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10201140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

TOWING PACKAGE/TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED BY TOYOTA DEALER CONSISTENTLY SCRAPES THE ROAD WITH AND WITHOUT A LIGHT LOAD. WHEN HAULING A LIGHT LOAD, LOAD IS APPROX ONE HALF OF THE STATED TOWING CAPACITY (3500 LBS). THE HITCH SCRAPING THE ROAD CAUSES DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING AND MULTIPLE "COLLISIONS" BETWEEN THE HITCH AND THE ROAD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (JAY WOLFE TOYOTA) AND CORPORATE TOYOTA (CASE # 2007-08020957). EVEN THOUGHT THE PROBLEM IS DOCUMENT ON SEVERAL FORUMS, TOYOTA HAS FAILED TO PROVIDE AIR SHOCKS OR ANY OTHER MEANS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TOW A POP-UP CAMPER THAT IS TWICE THE WEIGHT I AM TOWING KNOW, BUT STILL UNDER THE STATED TOWING CAPACITY. I HAVE SNAPPED ON SET OF SAFETY CHAINS DUE TO THE CHAINS GETTING SMASHED BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE HITCH WHEN IT BOTTOMS OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10198324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

IN DECEMBER, 2006, MY TAILGATE CLOSED ON ITS OWN, INJURING MY WIFE. TOYOTA REPLACED THE REAR STAYS (STRUTS) UNDER WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE ADDITION OF SOME BRACKETS. AT FIRST EVERYTHING WAS FINE. BUT WHEN THE WEATHER TURNED COLDER (BELOW 20F), THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN ON ITS OWN UNLESS OPENING UNDER POWER. AND THEN A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO (STILL VERY COLD), THE HATCH CLOSED ON ITS OWN UNDER POWER AGAIN. THIS TIME, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE BOTH IN ITS PATH, BUT FORTUNATELY, SO WAS A SHOPPING CART. THERE WERE FORTUNATELY NO INJURIES THIS TIME. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT JUST 45 DAYS AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS "REPAIRED" IT IS ALREADY HAPPENING AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10181252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

I BOUGHT 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN IN DEC. 2005 AS A USED VEHICLE WITH 28,000 MILE AND MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT. RIGHT FROM DAY ONE WE NOTICED THAT NAVIGATION SYSTEM THAT COSTS NEARLY $2,000 DIDN'T WORK AS EXPECTED. IT TENDS GO OFF COURSE BY SEVERAL AND SOMETIMES BY AS MUCH 30-40 MILE OFF COURSE. WE TOOK IT TO TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS AT LEAST 5 TIMES. EVERY TIME WHEN WE BRING THE CAR TO DEALER THEIR FIRST RESPONSE IS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT WITH FURTHER PRODDING THEY HAVE PUT NEW SOFTWARE AND CHANGED GPS RECEIVER (ANTENNA), BUT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM , EVEN THOUGH BETTER THAN BEFORE, STILL GETS OFF COURSE BY MILES. MY WIFE WHO DRIVES THE CAR MOST OFF THE TIME IS AFRAID TO GET LOST IN SOME BAD SECTION OF CITY OF PHOENIX, AZ. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET PROPER REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE SYSTEM AS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO. WE HAVE HAD THE WITH ALEXANDER'S TOYOTA ONCE FOR ALMOST ONE MONTH AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10178382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

I THINK MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE HAS A PROBLEM, I CAN NOT CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE. IT'S EITHER TOO TOO HOT OR TOO TOO COLD. IT DOES IT BY ITSELF. IN THE MORNING WHEN I START THE CAR I USUALLY SET THE TEMPERATURE FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR ALL THE WAY TO HOT POSITION. AFTER 15 OR 20 MINUTES WHEN I START DRIVING THE HOT AIR STARTS COMING FOR FRONT AND IN THE BACK IT STAY TOO COLD. THEN AFTER I REACH MY DISTANCE AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF HOUR START THE VAN HEADING HOME ( TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER STILL IN THE HOT POSITION) IT STARTS TO BLOW HOT AIR BY ITSELF. EVEN IF I TRIED TO PUT THE TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER IN THE COLD POSITION IT STAY THERE BLOWING HOT AIR UNTIL I PARK THE CAR AND SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND LEAVE IT FOR A WHILE. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME EVERYTHING LOOKS OKAY AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. HE DID NOT EVEN TEST ANYTHING) HE JUST TOLD ME WATCH IT AND COME BACK AGAIN. I CHECK ON LINE THERE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10175432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT, SOMETIMES, BUT NOT ALWAYS, AFTER LEAVING SNOWY DRIVEWAY, THE 2004 AWD TOYOTA SIENNA'S TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A VERY LOUD ALARM. THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM THEN ACTIVATED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BRAKE AND THE ABS TO CONTINUOUSLY BRAKE UNTIL THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO APPX. 9 MILES PER HOUR. THE LIGHT AND ALARM WOULD THEN GO OFF. THE WHOLE SCENARIO REPEATS WHEN SPEED EXCEEDS APPX. 9 MILES PER HOUR. THIS PUTS THE DRIVER IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEN IS IT RAPIDLY BRAKING. THIS HAPPENED BOTH AT LOW SPEEDS, START-UP SPEEDS, AND ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS GOING 40-50 MILES PER HOUR, AGAIN, ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE ONLY SAFE OPTION IS TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER DRIVING FOR ANYWHERE FROM 3 MINUTES TO 15 MINUTES, THE PROBLEM MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARS. THE NEXT TIME THE VEHICLE STARTS, IT MAY OR MAY NOT MALFUNCTION IN THIS WAY. THE TIRES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND AT APPROPRIATE INFLATION LEVELS. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY SNOW OR ICE ON OR INSIDE THE WHEELS WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA complaint #10150182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

DESIGN FLAW IN 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE TRAILER HITCH SCRAPES GROUND; TOO LOW TO SAFELY TOW.

NHTSA complaint #10149121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

I AM REPORTING THAT THE SMALL GROUND CLEARANCE OF 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH TOW HITCH RECEIVER IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA AND RECTIFICATION BY TOYOTA.*AK THE GROUND CLEARANCE IS INSUFFICIENT EVEN WITH NO LOAD IN THE BACK. THE TOW HITCH RECEIVER HITS THE GROUND FREQUENTLY WHILE GOING IN AND OUT OF DRIVEWAYS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO 2 TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND COMPLAINTS WERE IGNORED. THIS ISSUE ABSOLUTELY NEEDS THE ATTENTION OF TOYOTA AND TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICES NATIONWIDE AND THE NHTSA. NOT ONLY IS IT CREATING A LOT OF ANXIETY ON US AND OTHER SIENNA DRIVERS BUT ALSO IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY MATTER. WE HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED AND AT AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH THE DRIVEWAY TO AVOID THE TOW HITCH FROM HITTING THE GROUND. IT ISN'T ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO WAIT FOR SUFFICIENT HEADWAY WHEN TURNING INTO MAIN STREAM TRAFFIC. DRIVERS FOLLOWING US HAVE BEEN HONKING AND YELLING WHILE WE WAIT FOR GOOD HEADWAY. SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN A LOT OR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY TO WAIT FOR SUFFICIENT HEADWAY PROVOKE RESTLESS DRIVERS THAT ARE FOLLOWING. ON OCCASIONS, VEHICLES FOLLOWING DIDN'T SLOW DOWN OR BARELY SLOW DOWN (EVEN WITH TURN SIGNAL ON), ASSUMING IT WOULD TAKE LITTLE TIME FOR THE SIENNA TO TURN ONTO DRIVEWAYS. WITH 300 LB. LOAD IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT OR BICYCLES ON THE TOW HITCH, THE PROBLEM BECOMES DISASTROUS. THIS PROBLEM HAS RENDERED THE 7-PASSENGER VEHICLE USELESS. WE ARE FORCED TO AVOID TAKING PASSENGERS WITH US AND TO STOP USING THE TOW HITCH. DESPITE LOOSING FULL USE OF THE VEHICLE, OUR LIVES ARE STILL AT RISK WHENEVER WE SLOW DOWN TO TURN IN AND OUT OF DRIVEWAYS. WE HAVE LOST PATIENCE ON THE MATTER. WHY WOULD WE AND OTHER SIENNA DRIVERS HAVE TO SUFFER AND PUT UP WITH HONKING, NASTY WORDS FROM OTHER DRIVERS, AND RISKING BEING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED GROUND CLEARANCE? SIENNAS WITH A TOW HITCH RECEIVER ARE FLAWED. THE VEHICLE ID NUMBER IS [XXX].TOYOTA WAS NOTIFIED BUT HASN'T RESPONDED. UPDATED 07/17/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA

NHTSA complaint #10148591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

RADIATOR RUPTURED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED; HOSE REPLACED IN STEERING COLUMN RECALL; RUST PROTECTIVE TAPE RECALL; DVD SCREEN REPLACED AND THE ENTIRE DVD PLAYER REPLACED(SCREEN STILL NOT EASILY VISIBLE IN MIDDLE ROW); PASSENGER SEAT BELT REPLACED; MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILING; GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE OF CAR WITH AC ON RECIRCULATION; DRIVER'S WINDOW FELL INSIDE DOOR IN SNOW STORM AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE TO GET A LOANER VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE LOCKED; TIRES COMPLETELY BALD AND LEAKING UNDER 30,000 MILES, DVD PLAYER MUST BE AT A HIGH DB VOLUME AND WHEN RETURNED TO RADIO/CD WILL ALMOST DEAFEN YOU; INTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE TO BE MANUALLY OVER RIDDEN OR WILL DRAIN BATTERY; CAR HESITATES 1-2 SECONDS WHEN TRYING TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD ALARMINGLY; CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT FUNCTIONING; WAITING TO HAVE FUEL MIXTURE SENSOR REPLACED. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF FIRST 2 RECALLS UNTIL I MY ENGINE OVERHEATED. I DID GET THE RUST RECALL AND A STICKER ON MY SLIDING DOOR INFORMING USER OF DANGER OF HAVING MIDDLE WINDOWS OPEN WHILE OPENING THE MIDDLE DOOR COULD CATCH A HEAD OR OTHER EXTREMITY. TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAYS MINE IS THE ONLY 04 SIENNA EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR THE RECALLS ON THE RADIATOR; THE STEERING HOSE; THE RUST TAPE; AND THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT. NOT SO ACCORDING TO ALL I HAVE READ HERE. MOST OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 22,000 AND 34,000 MILES; THE DVD SCREEN ALWAYS FAILED TO LOCK INTO A GOOD POSITION FOR THE MIDDLE ROW VIEWERS.

NHTSA complaint #10132559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TRAILER HITCHES

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE THAT INCLUDES A TOWING PACKAGE. THE TRAILER HITCH FOR THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT HITS THE GROUND GOING OVER ANY SMALL BUMP WHEN THERE IS NO TRAILER ATTACHED, AND IT IS ONLY INCHES OFF THE GROUND WHEN A TRAILER IS ATTACHED, CONSTANTLY SCRAPING AND CAUSING SPARKS. THIS CAN BE ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS AT GAS STATIONS WHERE THERE ARE ANY FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES IF IT IS NECESSARY TO GO OVER ANY SMALL BUMPS AND THERE ARE SPARKS.

NHTSA complaint #10118157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE THAT INCLUDES A TOWING PACKAGE. THE TRAILER HITCH FOR THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT HITS THE GROUND GOING OVER ANY SMALL BUMP WHEN THERE IS NO TRAILER ATTACHED, AND IT IS ONLY INCHES OFF THE GROUND WHEN A TRAILER IS ATTACHED, CONSTANTLY SCRAPING AND CAUSING SPARKS. THIS CAN BE ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS AT GAS STATIONS WHERE THERE ARE ANY FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES IF IT IS NECESSARY TO GO OVER ANY SMALL BUMPS AND THERE ARE SPARKS.

NHTSA complaint #10118157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

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

NHTSA complaint #10114286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.