Sienna XLE

• 16,000 miles

Here is my story. I bought my brand new Sienna XLE Limited last August. I drive from CA to WY a couple times a year and wanted a safe, smooth ride for my family. I chose the Sienna and spent the first winter very happy - we live in WY Jan, Feb and Mar. April we returned to CA, and by the end of April had out first FLAT. I was alone with my daughter, 12:30 AM, on a Saturday night, when my ride felt rough and after about 5 miles the tire indicator came on. I pulled off the freeway, I80 in Sacramento, CA, to the nearest gas station and called Triple A. While waiting I began to look for my spare tire - EVERYWHERE. Pulled out the manual, read about my run flats and realized I did not have a spare. Triple A came and to make a long story short I decided to risk the 80 miles home. We made it - scary as hell going 40miles an hour on I80 - by 3:30 AM.

First thing Monday morning I called the dealer and expressed my dissatisfaction with this tire design. They were unsympathetic and sent me to Bridgestone. Bridgestone of San Francisco, did not have a tire. The closest one was in Chicago they said and soonest I could get it would be Friday. I was without my car all week. Fri AM I called to be sure the tire had arrived and it had not. Tracking it showed it would be there by Monday. I called Toyota again, expressing my disbelief that they could sell such a "new" product without making sure it was in stock. They put me on hold, had me talk to several supervisors, managers, all who said apologetically they could do nothing - the tires were under Bridgestone warranty.
Monday I get my new tire at the mere price of $345. I am not happy.

Three weeks later I get my second flat. This time I am in Monterey for my goddaughter's college graduation, when indicator light goes on I have great disbelief that this could really be happening again. Soon I determined it was indeed happening again. I call my Toyota dealer and tell them I can't believe this but I have another flat. He says go to the Monterey Sullivan's Tire Store and let them know to patch my Run Flat as I am only traveling 10 miles this time and it is reparable, but make sure not to plug it but to patch it, and it can be repaired. Again to make a long story short, Sullivan's tells me they do not carry run flats, they cannot repair a run flat, and there is no other tire made the same size as my runflat to put on. The closest run flat is in San Jose CA and I will have to wait a day to get it. I needed to return that night as my children were with a sitter and I had an early morning appointment. Again to make the story short about the hours of research, phone calling, arguing, and thinking - I ended up going to the Monterey Toyota Dealer, talking them into selling me a Dunlop regular tire that is the right size for my car for $135 and taking it to Sullivan's who agreed to put in on for me. Toyota would not as they would not be liable for my driving a car with a regular tire on it without a spare. Sullivan's said if they were me they would get rid of this car as they see on average one a week in there with a flat - one week a lady came in three times.

I decide Toyota will now surely help me out. I go back to them. It soon became clear they were not going to help me. Meanwhile it is time for my 20,000 mile maintenance. I bring my car into a Toyota repair garage as I am too angry with my Toyota Dealer to continue using them for my servicing. When I pick up my car they show me my tires. My RunFlats need to be replaced as they have worn unevenly and where they have worn they are bald! I cannot believe as this shows even the tires that did not go flat now need to be replaced at $345 each. NO THANK YOU! and they will last no longer than 20,000 miles. Why pay so much for such a lousy product?

It is suggested I have not kept the air pressure or alignment. Upon inspection it is agreed my alignment is fine, my tires have been properly, and on time, rotated AND, being that my husband, is a PILOT - He and I check the tire air pressure, always, as though it were an airplane ready for take off.

I have been speaking with the Toyota 1 800 customer service line and Bridgestone 1800 and to date have received no sympathy or help. Toyota is calling me back on Monday.

I have to make the drive to WY on July 25th and if nothing else is offered I have already decided I will be putting Dunloop regular tires on my Sienna and purchasing a spare tire as the jack etc. are already on board. I am disappointed in Toyota and Bridgestone and open to advice as to what to do next.