524 of the
10,828 complaints filed about the Toyota Sienna
are about the steering —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
My 2015 Toyota Sienna has “Sticky” steering. When on a curve, like an highway curved ramp, the steering locks in place. I have to pull the steering wheel back to keep the car on track. When it sticks I can literally let go on a curve and it will hold it’s position. Even when driving straight this occurs. The steering wheel will stick in place requiring me to turn it to get the steering wheel to come back to the desired or correct position. I’m seeing that this is a regular problem for Toyota steering across multiple models. Having your steering get stuck in place has the potential to be a very serious safety issue. This may cause an accident and resulting death. The complete repair for this safety issue to the consumer is over $3000.00. This is ridiculous! This is my first Toyota. I think their reliability night be really over rated.
NHTSA complaint #11744995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The power steering has a notch or almost a stickiness when turning. In turns around interstate ramps the steering almost locks in place requiring physical effort to get the steering to straighten back out. Even driving in a straight line one can feel this notch like feeling where the steering wheel is not operating in a smooth manner. This gives me a serious concern over the safety of driving this vehicle. In researching this specific issue it is notable that Toyota issued a large scale recall on other models for steering issues exactly as I’m experiencing on my vehicle. It appears this overall safety concern extends beyond the vehicles listed in Toyota’s original power steering safety issue recall.
NHTSA complaint #11731392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The battery light came on suddenly and the power steering went out making it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle. An accident was narrowly avoided. We replaced the battery, alternator, and serpentine belt. The problem resolved for over 6 months, then reappeared. It starts with no issue, is charging properly, the serpentine belt is intact. The power steering will come on and go off sporadically, the only warning being the battery indicator on the dash that comes on first. This creates a substantial hazard and risk as the steering is severely impacted with little warning.
NHTSA complaint #11687324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Traction Control System commonly malfunctions while making turns on curving road sections. I will lose power through turns as the TCS light blinks on my dashboard and makes a beeping sound. On some occasions the brakes will automatically engage in the tire that the car perceives as experiencing slippage. This problem is continuously worsening and commonly endangers me and my passengers, as the car engages brakes or cuts power to the engine at unexpected and in opportune times.
NHTSA complaint #11659970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
While driving typically around 35 mph and either left or right turn the vehicle traction control engages and the van brakes and steering is affected. The roads have always been dry and in each instance the speed of the van was at or below the speed limit - traction was never lost and yet the traction control engaged as if we were in a skid. This occurred at least 12 times while driving to and from a day trip in the mountains (windy road). It has also happened multiple times at around 50 mph while turning left on a nearby flat freeway. An independent service shop has not been able to replicate the problem. The safety of the driver and passengers were at risk when it occurred on the freeway as a driver behind us got close to rear ending the van while it was in its brake mode.
NHTSA complaint #11641856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had the traction control go on while driving on the highway even when I turn it off. Sometimes the VSC and TRAC OFF lights go on while driving. The roads are dry. Whenever I take it in to the mechanic, all the lights are off. They pulled a zero calibration code and recalibrated. It still kept happening. Then I was driving around a curve on highway speeds when the traction control light went on and the van suddenly braked on its own and I almost lost control. The tires are new and the roads were dry.
NHTSA complaint #11641052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving around 30 MPH when the vehicle suddenly turned off. The engine stopped running, all instrumentation turned off, no power steering and no brakes. The car became uncontrollable until it coasted to a stop.
NHTSA complaint #11604798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!
NHTSA complaint #11576496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bought the van used last year. Previous owner said mechanic could not diagnose the issue. On slight curves similar to on-ramps while accelerating the Vehicle stability control (VSC) will engage unexpectedly, sound an alarm and jerk the steering wheel. Some times to the point of pulling the vehicle out of its lane. Road speed is decreased dramatically as it feels as though the ABS is engaging. This has happened to me at least half a dozen times since June 2023. The condition will continue for maybe five or ten seconds until the wheel is straightened and speed reduced. Searching the Internet seems it's a fairly common problem. The fix might be to replace the steering rack or disable the VSC system. It's reported by those experiencing the issue get little to no help from the dealerships which strikes me as quite strange... From what I've read it seems to affect 2004-2009 Siennas
NHTSA complaint #11548154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving on the highway, the van will suddenly brake and the steering will lock up for about 10 seconds. It is truly frightening. It has happened many times, even with the anti-lock button off. I love this vehicle otherwise, but cannot drive it for safety reasons. And I feel bad selling it to anyone else because I don't want anyone to die! The scariest part when it's on a windy 2 lane road. It really becomes non responsive and also the brakes come on when you are going 60+ miles an hour! HELP! I DONT WANT TO DIE
NHTSA complaint #11547272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering assist. Additionally, the "Check Vehicle Stability Control System", "Pre-Collision System Malfunction", and "Lane Departure Alert" messages were displayed. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the rack and pinion was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was then notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no open recalls on the VIN. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V532000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11547302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Issues with VSC. The sensor alarm goes off when driving at more than 50 mph and slightly turning the steering wheel. The car brakes itself and this is DANGEROUS. It happens all the time, it has been more than 5-6 years and we are to the point of not using the car on the freeway to prevent a potential fatal accident. I found posts describing the same issue with this model of Toyota. Car should be recalled to get this fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11532504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The slip indicator light and alarm comes on sporadically, engaging the ABS suddenly and unexpectedly, when we are on completely dry roads. Happens while driving 40-80 mph. And doesn’t matter if I’m going straight or turning.
NHTSA complaint #11531539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My wife let me know that when turning to the right (not an aggressive turn, but a normal turn from one lane to the next), the whole electrical system of the minivan would shut down and then come back on. I had a mechanic check it out and they say that this is due to the electrical steering system and will have to be replaced by the dealer. He was able to reproduce the same condition where he was able to get the minivan to lose power when changing lanes. He STRONGLY advised that we should have the vehicle towed to the dealer as he felt that it wasn't safe to drive due to this. I feel that this will end up causing a lot of crashes and also that this should be covered by the manufacturer under a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11528362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Power steering light came on while driving causing the steering system to lose power suddenly. Almost got into an accident because I couldn't effectively turn the wheel. Mechanic inspected and found the steering motor was bad and that CPU needed to be replaced costing almost $4000 in repairs. Now my car is not driveable unless this is fixed. Car has only 140k miles. This is a VERY common problem with Toyota Siennas around these model years
NHTSA complaint #11527078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on a dry road, going 70mph when my car began flashing the abs indicator and it began breaking and controlling my steering taking me into another lane. The car slowed my vehicle suddenly down to 60 mph and then went off like it never happened. I then had control. There was no reason for the car to do this. There was nothing in the road and luckily no one was to close to me or there would have been an accident. I almost over corrected due to the pulling of the steering and the breaking of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11518385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY PERSONAL MECHANIC BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TIGHTEN AND THEN RELEASE WHENEVER TURNED TO RIGHT AND RELEASE ON LEFT TURN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON A REGULAR BASIS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC DID RECOMMEND THAT I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO CHECK IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM. WHICH I DID. RESPOND WAS NO AND SO I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE REPRESENTATIVE. THERE IS NOT A FAILURE OR INCIDENT EXCEPT THE STEERING WHEEL KEEPS ON TIGHTENING AND I'M JUST BEING CAUTIOUS. NO MANUFACTURER, POLICE, OR INSURANCE HAS INSPECTED IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO ACCIDENT. THANK GOD! JUST CONCERNED BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS SOMETHING FOR THE DEALERSHIP. SOMETHING TO DO POSSIBLY WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN/CHANNEL COMPONENT. NOT SURE WHICH IS RIGHT, BUT TO CHECK FOR RECALL BY MANUFACTURER. I TOOK IT TO TIRE KINGDOM BUT SOMETHING ELSE WAS REPAIRED. SO I'M STILL HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING WHEEL STIFF TIGHTENING UP LIGHTLY. I WOULD FEEL IT TIGHTEN WHENEVER DRIVING 45 MILES OR MORE.
NHTSA complaint #11514086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.