Toyota Sienna Complaints (1998)

294 consumer complaints on file.

#10331991May 24, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD REV HIGH EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR WAS IN PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE THEN REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING. UPDATED 06/22/10. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320263March 16, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PRIUS IN CALIFORNIA THE SAME DID HAPPEN TO US BACK IN 1999 WITH OUR TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-5 IN OREGON. SHE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO OVERTAKE A CAR AND THEN WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. SHE DROVE INTO THE HWY MEDIAN FENCE TO STOP THE CAR. WHEN WE CONTACTED TOYOTA, THEY DIDN'T ADMIT ANY FAULT WITH THEIR CAR (THE SAME WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW) AND TOLD US IT WAS OUR FAULT THAT WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO USE THEIR BRAKES. WE HAVE SEVERAL CARS BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER CARS. I DIDN'T BUY A TOYOTA AFTER THAT CRASH BUT I AM ALSO WORRIED WHO ELSE THE PART SUPPLIER HAS BEEN SUPPLYING PARTS TO. I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313932February 24, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING A TOYOTA SIENNA, SUPERVISED BY MY WIFE. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VAN ACCELERATED ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAUSING A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE VAN WAS TOTALLED AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT THE ONCOMING CAR WAS ALSO A TOYOTA, SPEEDING THROUGH THE TRAFFIC. I ASKED THAT BOTH VEHICLES BE INSPECTED FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND POLICE FOUND IT EASIER TO BLAME THE ACCIDENT ON MY DAUGHTER THAN INVESTIGATE THE VEHICLES.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312558February 21, 2010
STEERING
I BOUGHT A TOYOTA SIENNA MY '98 BRAND NEW IN MAY 1998 AND STILL OWN IT. THIS CAR ALSO HAS DEMONSTRATED A SIMILAR PROBLEM EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ' VEERING TO RIGHT. THE DRIVER HAS TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR MOVING STRAIGHT. EVEN AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS IN '98, '99, AND 2000, RESPECTIVELY, WERE MADE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BY A TOYOTA DEALER (COPY OF THE PAPERWORK CAN BE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST), THE PROBLEM HAS YET BEEN CORRECTED SUCCESSFULLY AS OF TODAY. THIS PROBLEM INCREASES DRIVING FATIGUE ESPECIALLY LONG TRIPS AND IN TURN MAY INCREASE THE CHANCE OF AUTO ACCIDENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283614September 10, 2009
SEAT BELTS
I HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA LE. ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE PANELS WITHOUT HELP FROM THE PASSENGERS. IF YOU LEAN FORWARD THEY STAY WHERE THEY ARE EXTENDED TO. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOKED AT AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THE RETURN SPRINGS HAVE ALL RELAXED. THIS IS THE 4TH TOYOTA AUTOMOBILE I HAVE OWNED AND ALL OF THEM HAVE DONE THIS. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS CAN BE SAFE? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279384August 4, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY 98 SIENNA XLE HAS HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE (MANUAL) SLIDING DOORS NOT OPENING WITHOUT AND ADULT PULLING OUTSIDE. THEN MYSTERIOUSLY THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. TODAY MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE ABOUT TOWN AND COULDN'T GET THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR TO CLOSE. THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS LOCKED IN THE CLOSED POSITION. SHE HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN TRAFFIC HOLDING A BUNGEE CORD TO KEEP THE DOOR MOSTLY CLOSED WHILE THE KIDS WERE IN THE VERY BACK SEAT. I WORKED ON IT FOR A WHILE WHEN I GOT HOME BUT THERE ISN'T A WAY TO GET THE MECHANISM TO OPEN. IT WILL ROTATE FURTHER BACK (DOWNWARD, AWAY FROM THE LATCH LOOP), BUT NOTHING MORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279171August 3, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1998 TOYOTA SIENNA MINI VAN. INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHERE THE MINI VAN RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ACTUAL COLLISION OCCURRED AFTER THE BRAKES WERE FULLY APPLIED WHEN IT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE SIENNA, SO MUCH SO THAT THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND LEAKING. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT NEITHER THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND ALL MECHANICAL WORK HAD BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER OR OTHER CERTIFIED MECHANIC. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AND DID WORK PROPERLY. A CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS IN USE IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT AND IT ALSO WORKED PROPERLY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238730August 18, 2008
STRUCTURE
BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE, IN ADDITION TO BOTH OUTDOOR HANDLES FOR THE SLIDING DOORS (TOTAL OF THREE TIMES), AND THE HANDLE FOR THE TRUNK BROKE. FIRST ONE (EXTERIOR SLIDING DOOR) BROKE FOUR YEARS AGO. THEY CONTINUE TO SNAP TO THIS DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235889July 26, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1998 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN - REAR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR (THE DOOR STUCK). THIS IS THE SECOND HANDLE THAT HAS BROKEN ON THIS VAN. THE REAR DOOR HATCH HANDLE BROKE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED ON BULLETIN BOARDS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS CONCERN THROUGH A GENERAL RECALL AND APPEARS TO BE BLAMING THE OWNERS. I HAVE HAD MY VAN SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS, SO THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A MAINTENANCE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234134July 14, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SLIDING DOOR HANDLE ON EXTERIOR HAS BROKEN OFF. BROKEN OFF WHEN PULLING HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR. NO HISTORY OF ACCIDENT. PART WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231985June 23, 2008
STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DOOR HANDLES ON ALL DOORS HAVE BROKEN OFF. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. REAR SLIDING DOORS ALSO STICK AND AGAIN DO NOT ALLOW ENTRY OR EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT USE OF A LOT OF STRENGTH WHICH IS DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN IN BACK OF VAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229608June 2, 2008
SEAT BELTS
THE SEAT BELTS IN OUR 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE BEEN FAILING. THEY WILL NOT RETRACT. WE HAVE HAD TWO REPLACED AT OUR COST, NOW TWO MORE HAVE FAILED. I HAVE THE PARTS FROM THE SECOND BELT THAT FAILED. IT IS NOT TWISTED AND THERE IS NO FOREIGN MATERIAL IN THE BELT OR IT'S PATH. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OF OUR SEAT BELTS, I TALKED OUR FRIENDS (THE MILLER FAMILY) INTO BUYING A VAN JUST LIKE OURS. THEY WERE HIT BY A RED LIGHT RUNNER MAY 29, 2005. THE SEAT BELT HOLDING THEIR THREE-YEAR-OLD SON, KYLE, FAILED AND HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS KILLED INSTANTLY. THE REST OF THE FAMILY WALKED AWAY FROM THE CRASH. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE FAILURE OF OUR SEAT BELTS. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM OTHER OWNERS (ON THE INTERNET). PLEASE HELP TO HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE. AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE BELTS AT THEIR COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228060May 17, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE SLIDING DOORS LOCKS FREEZE UP AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE AND PRESENT A DANGER IF YOU ARE IN AN ACCIDENT AND CANNOT OPEN THE LOCKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190442May 10, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
REAR WINDSHIELD SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON AN OPEN COUNTRY ROAD , NO OVERHANGING TREES OR OVERPASSES), WITH OTHER TRAFFIC PRESENT. NO SIGN OF ANY IMPACT. SOUNDED LIKE A THUMP", THEN LOOKED BACK TO SEE THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. PULLED OVER AS MY DAUGHTER AND SON WHO WAS IN THE BACK ROW OF SEATS BEGAN SCRERAMING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184982March 13, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE (AND MOST RECENTLY, TODAY), THE SLIDING DOOR HANDLE/LATCH/LOCK HAS FAILED. USUALLY, THE FAILURE IS SUCH THAT THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. SOMETIMES, THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND SOMETIMES THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION, AN INOPERABLE DOOR SPONTANEOUSLY OPENED ITSELF WHEN NOBODY WAS NEAR IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES, TO NO AVAIL, AND SIGNIFICANT PIECES OF THE MECHANISM HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THE COST OF SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. A DIFFERENT, BUT POSSIBLY RELATED, PROBLEM IS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK (THE ELECTRONIC LOCK) HAS ALSO FAILED REPEATEDLY OVER THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184093March 3, 2007
TIRES
I PURCHASED 2 COOPER LIFELINER TOURING SLE SIZE 215/ 65R-15. THEY COMPLETE UNRAVELED WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER. ONE WAS REPLACED AS MY DAUGHTER WAS HEADED ON A 350 MILE TRIP BACK TO HER COLLEGE TOWN, AND THE OTHER I STILL HAVE DISINTERGRATED ON HER WAY HOME FROM COLLEGE. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF THEY WERE ON THE FRONT INSTEAD OF THE BACK. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT IT CAME APART RIGHT DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182822February 16, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AT INTERSTATE SPEED I HAD A FEW SECOND DRAG AND THEN COMPLETE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGEMENT. MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE INTERSTATE BY LETTING IT SET A FEW MINUTES AND BEING ABLE TO DRIVE A 1/4 MILE OR SO AT A TIME. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF THE VAN INCLUDING FLUID CHANGES. IT ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES BUT TOYOTA REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT( BECAUSE THERE WARRANTY EXTENSION IS ONLY FOR 8 YEARS 100,000 AND I AM OVER THE 8 YEARS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174880December 1, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON OCT 14TH 2006 AT ABOUT 4:45 PM I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT SLOW SPEED. I CAME TO A STOP AND THEN TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. AS I TURNED THE WHEEL AND APPLIED THE GAS THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A NOISE LIKE BREAKING PLASTIC AND THE CAR MOVED IN A STRAIGHT LINE DESPITE THE WHEEL BEEING TURNED. I INCREASED THE TURNING MOTION UNTIL IT WAS CLEAR STEERING HAD FAILED. SINCE THE LOT WAS EMPTY I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO SANDY SPRINGS TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING SHAFT HAD BROKEN AT THE "KNUCKLE" WHERE THE COLUMN CONNECTS TO THE SHAFT. IN ADDITION I WAS TOLD THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE TO THE AIRBAG HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT. MY CONCERNS ARE THAT HAD THIS OCCURED AT HIGH SPEED OR WHILE ALREADY IN A TURN OR IN TRAFFIC THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. IN ADDITION THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAG MEANT THAT HAD I IN FACT HAD A COLLISION I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE PROTECTION OF THE AIRBAG. I DRIVE THIS CAR DAILY AND I DID NOT DETECT AND CHANGE IN STEERING OR HANDLING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED AND HAS DRIVEN NROMALLY SINCE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161395July 4, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE HAVE A 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA LE WITH ABOUT 88,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR TOO MUCH AND MOST OF THE TIME IT SITS IN OUR GARAGE. ON THE WAY UP TO NH FROM NJ AT JUNE 17 2006, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS, WHICH THE TRANSMISSION WAS SOMETIMES UNABLE TO ENGAGE. WE FINALLY MADE IT HOME AND SENT THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALER TOLD US "THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE." THAT ARE KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED UP TO 100,000 MILES AND 8 YEARS. BUT OUR CAR JUST PASSED IT BY 5-6 WEEKS AND IS WELL UNDER 100,000 MILES. DEALER TOLD US TO CONTACT TOYOTA AS IT JUST PAST THE DEADLINE AND HAS LOW MILEAGE. TOYOTA HAS GIVEN US A VERY HARD TIME. THEY INSISTED THAT IT IS OUR PROBLEM NOW BECAUSE WE DIDN'T DISCOVER IT BEFORE THE 8 YEARS DEADLINE. HERE IS WHAT IS LISTED ABOUT IN THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE THAT LISTS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS: *NM MAKE: TOYOTA MODEL: SIENNA YEAR: 1998 TYPE: PASSENGER CAR SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: TC03014 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10003372 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE REGARDING A NO MOVEMENT OR A SLIPPING CONDITION OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10161039June 29, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
I HAVE 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN OPENING THE REAR DOOR THE HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND! IN LOOKING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART ON THE WEB I SEE THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW, AND DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN AN ACCIDENT THE REAR DOOR CAN'T BE OPENED AT ALL! WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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