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.
Fan belt started squealing upon engine start, took to dealer and replaced serpentine belt. Several months later groaning noise started coming from engine, suspected misaligned belt or bad pulley. Took vehicle to the dealer and they found wear on the exterior of the timing belt cover caused by the partial separation of the crankshaft pulley. Several reports online of owners experiencing this problem with Toyota. Checked with dealer and Toyota customer service and they claim my VIN is not covered by the recall they issued in 2011 for the very same failure I am experiencing (11V539000). How is it possible that a known defect in their vehicles can be excluded because their experts have made the determination that the "cause" was a problem at one factory or part supplier when other owners that don't fall into the specific parameters have had the very same problem and were forced to pay for repairs out of pocket?
There is a crack in my Toyota Sienna 2004 radiator and the coolant is leaking. I received a letter from Toyota with information that they had received reports of cracks in radiators in 2004 and 2005 Toyota Siennas. As a result of these reports Toyota was extending the warranty on these radiators to 6 years or 72,000 miles from the in-service date. Since I noticed the crack in the radiator in my 2004 Toyota Sienna when it had 85,000 miles, Toyota has refused to pay even a % of the cost of replacing the radiator. I bought the Toyota Sienna and paid the higher price because of Toyota's reputation for using very high quality parts in its cars. I previously owned a Toyota Camry and had almost 200,000 miles on it. I did not have any problems with the radiator in my Toyota Camry. I called Toyota's customer service department about this problem and they refused to do anything about it, saying that the car is out of the warranty period since it has 85,000 miles. Clearly, the crack in my 2004 Toyota Sienna is directly due to the defective radiator. So many 2004 and 2005 Toyota owners are having problems of cracked radiators after the expiration of the extended warranty period of 6 years or 72,000 miles. The arbitrary extended warranty period of 6 years and 72,000 miles does not protect the Toyota Sienna owners from the defective radiator because in most cases the radiator will crack just after the extended warranty has expired. Toyota should take responsibility for using a defective radiator and at least reimburse owners 50% to 70% of the cost of replacing the defective radiator when it cracks after 72,000 miles.
This is a complaint, not necessarily a safety one, but a complaint nonetheless. The air conditioning went out twice & had to be replaced two times. Very expensive repair. Disappointed in my Toyota.
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 my van when I noticed the A/C was not blowing cold air, it was more cool than cold. Then it would blow hot air on occasion then it would eventually blow cold air again. Eventually the air wasnt cold at all and it would constantly blow hot air. This was very unconfortable due to the fact that it was summer and I live in Florida. I took it to a mechanic and he told me it was the compressor, so I had it replaced. The ac was blowing cold again, this lasted for about 12 months. The same issue started to happen again. First cool air then on and off hot air and now nothing but hot air. I took it back to my mechanic and he told me it might be the relays, I replaced both of the relays and the air is still not cold. I then found out that it was the compressor again. I cannot afford to replace the compressor and im afraid to replace it if the problem will just continue. I feel a recall for the faulty part is in store. I am aware the vehicle itself is a few years old but my other vehicle is a 99 and I have no problems with the ac other than I have to turn it off at times because its too cold. Ive gone to online forums and read up on the 2004 Toyota Siennas and found out that I am not the only one with an ac problem. This problem is with many more vans.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
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I have 2 different complaints. Driver side seat heater burned legs of 3 different drivers before complete failure. Heat was not adjustable. Driver and passenger heaters stopped working at same time. Took to dealer, recommended new heating element ($1000+). opted not to fix. 2nd complaint, check engine, vsc, and trac off lights illuminated. The van has been sent to the dealer on at least 3 occasions. Gas cap has been replaced several times, spark plugs changed. Will go off for brief periods, but always to return. This has been going on for at least 30,000 miles. I could live with the check engine light on, but if the other lights are illuminated, that indicates these components are not working-kind of important-skid control & traction control!! there are many complaints out there on blogs, doesn't look like anyone has filed any reports with your office regarding this same problem, which is too bad because it's obviously a problem not with just Sienna but several other models as well. Extremely frustrating when even the dealer can't determine what the problem really is!! we purchased this vehicle because of the safety features. Not so sure about it if their safety features malfunction!
The sliding automatic door on my 2003 Toyota Sienna frequently closes without warning and several times it has closed on my daughter. It is suppose to have a sensor that would prevent it from completely closing if something or someone is in the way but it doesn't work. I've had to pull my daugher way from the door as it was pressing against her. This is a real safety concern. The van has also recently begun to "automatically" lock without warning.
Engine overheated on numerous occasions, slow loss of radiator coolant noted, and 2 engine thermostats replaced before cracked radiator was discovered. While owner was investigating problem, it was discovered that Toyota issued a couple of years ago a tsb and a limited warranty extension to replace radiators from this year (2004) and the next (2005) of the Sienna van. However, we have been only owner of this van and have received every other notice from Toyota regarding this model year of van including the bad door hinges (replaced under warranty), gas struts on rear hatch (replaced under warranty), and bad seat belt bezel (replaced under warranty) - but we never received any notice of the radiator issue - our radiator is now damaged beyond repair and needs replacement and Toyota will not replace even though this is apparently a well known issue at Toyota. There should be a full recall on this item given the amount of known bad radiators out there. This is a safety issue as the radiator is prone to sudden and catastrophic failure. The only known repair is to replace the radiator. There is extensive online documentation of this issue - but Toyota continues to stonewall most owners on this problem due to the expense (this is much more expensive to fix than the bad hinge, gas strut, and seat belt bezel that did have safety bulletins issued on them. www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sienna/2004/tsbs.shtmlwww.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php"topic=58487.0 www.edmunds.com/maintenance/recalltsb.html?type=tsb&styleid=100458140&zip=#18 www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbresults_drilldown.cfm?start=1&searchtype=drilldown&type=vehicle&year=2005&make=Toyota&model=Sienna&&typenum=1&submit=retrieve+recalls&printversion=yes townhall-talk.edmunds.com/webx"ed_searchresults@@.F0B4803!keywords=allin%3amsgtext%20limit%3A.F0B4803%20radiator&count=20&skip=20.
Driving about 15 mph through parking lot...an alarm sounded followed by a "loud noise" from the rear. This was followed by the car braking and pulling to the right. Engine did not stop. The car would only crawl when attempts were made to drive it. Any faster than 2-5 mph caused repeat of the event. No information lights were activated on the dashboard. Car was taken by flatbed to Toyota dealership. Access to the onboard computer by the service people at dealer did not reveal any faults. An attempted solution was to reprogram the ABS module. This did not resolve the problem. At this time, the car remains at the dealership. Report filed with Toyota regional by both dealer and myself.
2004 Toyota Sienna le. Vehicle hesitates when acceleration. There is a big delay before the car gains speed. This is a on going problem. Dealer states that the car was made that way and there is nothing that they can do to correct the problem. This hesitation can cause an accident at any time.
Driving 55 mph the engine warning light illuminated. Smoke came from the rear of the vehicle. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined.
Email fm lisa dawn jones (ky) re her defective 2001 Toyota Sienna, the gas tank & radiator have been replaced & the engine gelled. The consumer recently purchased a 2004 Sienna after learning that it was totally redesigned including the engine. Immediately after purchasing the vehicle the consumer heard that there was a problem with the gas tank. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer several times. To date the consumer has had the gas tank replaced, the radiator replaced and is in the process of having the gas tank replaced a second time.
Vehicle stalled while driving. Consumer pulled vehicle off the road. Consumer was unable to restart the vehicle. On May 14, 2004 vehicle was towed to the dealership. However, dealership was unable to determine the cause of the problem.
Hesitation, bogs on a acceleration, delay in a acceleration no power for a few seconds. Looses speed and cars behind catch up very quickly and worried about getting hit in rear end. My wife refuses to drive and had to pull off road twice to avoid rear end collision. Toyota dealer felt the problem, but I have no offer for repairs.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rapid City, SD, USA