This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while turing the vehicle at 20 mph or when parking, the steering wheel would seize. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or local mechanic. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Start having problems with the car steering wheel, it is hard to move while moving and it doesn't go back to straight position by itself. Have to move the steering by force to get it to the right position. This is dangerous and can cause an accident.
Steering fluid leak on passenger side eating through rubber boot - requires replacement of rack & pinion & some kind of right & left front bars. This is an unsafe defect in this model year. Apparently, other 2004 Sienna's have had the same issue. This is a very expensive repair.
While driving there was a very loud screech from the motor, on and off, then the power steering went out, very hard to turn steering wheel, luckily I was able to force it the few miles left home. Then I noticed the A/C was not cold, this was intermittent, now, no A/C at all. Just hot air. This stalled of failed while in traffic, I could have had serious problems like getting hit because I could not turn the vehicle readily, or easily.
I was driving 10 mph towards the grocery store parking lot when suddenly the steering wheel will not turn. I almost hit a tree since the car went over the curb. I had to stop the engine. This happened again on my way home that night. It was very dangerous. I immediately called Toyota the following day (1-800-331-4331) and was told that there had never been no record of any complaint with a similar issue on the 2004 Siennas. But tonight, I am so surprised that there had been a lot of complaints about this.
- Rowlett, TX, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Toyota is not reliable anymore like it used to. One problem after another not covered by warranties and too expensive to fix. There should be strict laws to force Toyota to fix loads of design issues for free independent of warranties. Big companies like Toyota always find work around and play with words in order to escape. My steering wheel started making screeching sound everytime I turn. The power steering fluid level is fine. Its hard to turn the steering. This is a safety issue and can cause an accident on the road or highway. These types of minivans are occupied by families and toddlers where multiple deaths can occur if a parent is not able to turn the steering freely to escape an accident. There should be a safety recall and have Toyota fix this for free without any deadlines and independent of warranties where they say this part is covered and this part is not.
Steering on our vehicle slips then becomes very hard to turn, and is becoming increasingly difficult to turn. When completing a turn, sometimes there is overcorrection due to this difficult turning then steering slippage fluid levels are fine, no leaks. Some Sienna's have recalls on crank-shaft pulley that can cause steering problems, but currently our VIN is not included in the recall. Vehicle has 71,000 miles on it ant I am told it needs a $1400 steering rack.
Steering wheel became hard to turn and erratically jumped when turned. Dealer replace steering shaft and indicated it was close to a catastrophic failure.
Steering wheel presents vibration and strange noise when fully turned to any side. Complained to Toyota during the extended warranty and service was denied, stating that is was functional and not broken. Now (Feb 2012, extended warranty expired) it is really getting worse and worse. Would Toyota wait for the part to fail and someone to be killed to address the problem? there is a premature wear in the steering column and steering system.
When turning corners, steering suddenly seizes up making it extremely difficult if not impossible to turn the wheel and preventing the vehicle from operating safely at low to medium speeds. It seems as if the steering problem happens most often when it is cold or wet out. Often we are required to come to a complete stop before the steering loosens up again. The dealer has been unable to recreate the problem.
Hard to steer and steering will not turn back. Very dangerous when turning and not being able to go back into the lane. No recall notice yet for steering shaft. Spoke to rep from Toyota service dept., said no one has reported such problem yet.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact was driving 30 mph when the vehicle became difficult to steer without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 94,000.
Cracks along the entire dashboard and airbag areas of the front dash. Concern about proper airbag deployment or failure and lack of structural integrity of the dash along with steering control during a vehicle crash. Dash failure and debris from dash may affect the steering control if dash debris is lodged against steering area. Noticed dash cracks at about 60K miles and the cracks continue to grow with each use of vehicle. Currently vehicle has 79K miles. Dealer/manufacturer did not want to fix or replace the dash citing out of warranty issue. However, this issue is on all 04 and up Toyota Sienna's and possibly more vehicles with this type of dashboard material.
The steering wheel on my 2004 Toyota Sienna is stiff and it is hard to control the vehicle. Took the vehicle for inspection at the Toyota dealership and they were unable to diagnose the problem. Now the vehicle is not in a drivable condition and will have to be towed another Toyota dealership. Talked to Toyota customer service about the tsb's posted on-line related to the steering problem issue. Reviewed the details about NHTSA campaign id number: PE08041. Also noticed that other Sienna owners have also experienced similar problems with the vehicle.
2004 Toyota Sienna: Having trouble with steering system: Knocking noise while turning left. Also, a vibration like feel at the steering wheel while driving slowly.
I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna with approximately 60,000 miles. The steering seems to have lost power steering capabilities as well as over turning when going around curves and corners.
Without warning steering on 2004 Toyota Sienna became extremely difficult to steer. It felt as if power steering was not functioning. Van was able to be driven to garage for service. The sudden change in steering was extreme. Garage found service bulletin for steering component corrosion issue and confirmed problem. Cost is estimated at $500. Part will be retained.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to steer and the wheel would not return to the standard position when making a turn. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the weather was cold and usually when the vehicle was operated before given a chance to warm up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised that the stabilizer link was corroded. The steering rack and pinion, steering gear and linkage outer tie rods were also replaced. The mechanic also added power steering fluid but to no avail. The failure persisted and the contact returned to the mechanic for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there was a technical service bulletin for the failure under NHTSA item number: 10020994 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ooltewah, TN, USA