Toyota Sienna Complaints (2003)

105 consumer complaints on file.

#10296048December 16, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA CE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295915December 15, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. I BELIEVE I HAD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTENED THE CAR AND I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD FULL FORCE AND WAS STOPPED BY A CONCRETE AND WIRE RETAINING WALL. THE ENGINE DIED AT IMPACT. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED. I WAS STUNNED. I WENT INTO THE BUILDING AND AFTER A SHORT TIME FELT CHEST PAIN AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. I RECEIVED A CHEST WALL CONTUSION, PROBABLY CRACKED RIB(S), DEEP TISSUE CONTUSION AND A LARGE BRUISE FROM THE SEAT BELT. I WAS GIVEN VICODIN FOR PAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BUT THE DAMAGE HAS NOT BEEN ESTIMATED YET. I AM AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION IN TOYOTA SIENNAS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BOTH THIS AGENCY AND TOYOTA BEFORE (NHTSA REPORT #10265288). WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OR THE VEHICLE RECALLED? ARE YOU WAITING FOR ANOTHER TRAGEDY LIKE THE ONE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON BY THE MEDIA? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10278340July 26, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILURE (PASSENGER SIDE). THE DOOR STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS CLOSING COMPLETELY. THE DOOR WOULD SENSE RESISTANCE AND OPEN, WHEN NO RESISTANCE WAS PRESENT DURING THE CLOSURE PROCESS. WITHIN 30 DAYS THE DOOR NO LONGER MOVES AND IS PROVING A HAZARD TO ATTEMPT CLOSURE. THERE IS NO TRUE MANUAL OVERRIDE TO OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR AS THE SENSORS KICK-IN. WHEN THE DOOR IS EVENTUALLY CLOSED THE DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING AND WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE DOOR IS REALLY SAFE. TOYOTA OFFERS TO REPLACE ALL THE PARTS AND THE DOOR MOTOR FOR OVER $1800.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276150July 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN PICKING UP MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA TOWN IN STOCKTON, CA, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON FOLLOWING A 60,000 MILE SERVICE. THE MECHANIC RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO US WITHOUT EXPLANATION. THEN AFTER TWO VISITS IN THE SAME DAY TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, MY HUSBAND DEMANDED AN EXPLANATION. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS OUR PROBLEM THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE OR "GEL" IN THE OIL THAT WAS RELEASED WHEN HE REMOVED THE HEAD FOR SERVICING. AFTER CHANGING THE OIL HIMSELF TWICE, MY HUSBAND SAW THE OIL LIGHT GO OFF. THINKING THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, WE TOOK IT ON THE HIGHWAY THE NEXT DAY. WITHIN 100 MILES THE ENGINE FROZE, LEAVING US STRANDED ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA RECENTLY SETTLED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODELS. OUR VAN IS A 2003. THIS PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY CONTINUES TO EXIST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272965June 5, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH VERIFIED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $4,000 AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 66,669. UPDATED 03/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272432May 31, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DROVE VEHICLE INTO A GAS STATION TO FILL UP WITH GAS. AFTER THIS WAS COMPLETED, RESTARTED VEHICLE AND USED GEAR SHIFT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE INSIDE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. GEAR COULD NOT BE CHANGED. CAR WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. FORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AT A GAS STATION STAFFED WITH A MECHANIC. REPAIR TOOK ONE WEEK -- LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ORDER WRONG PARTS TWICE BEFORE ORDERING THE CORRECT ONES. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269895May 26, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DESIGN DEFECT ON HORN FOR 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. 1. ONLY ONE OUT OF THE TWO HORN BOTTOM CONTACT PLATES IS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED. 2. THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT DIRECTLY GROUNDED BY THE SPIRAL CABLE. GROUND FROM SPIRAL CABLE IS USED FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL AND REMOTE RADIO CONTROL. THE GROUND FOR THE HORN IS ONLY INDIRECTLY GROUNDED THROUGH THE SHAFT. I JUST HAVEN'T USED THE HORN UNTIL RECENTLY. HORN IS NOT RELIABLE. SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T WORK. ESPECIALLY WHEN PRESSING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HORN PAD. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING OF HORN MALFUNCTION ON TOYOTA CAR OWNER BOARDS AND TOYOTA NOT BEING ABLE TO REPAIR IT PROPERLY (REPLACING SPIRAL CABLE AND RELAY), ON MY VAN, THE CONNECTION TO THE RELAY IS MISSING (NEVER INSTALLED) ON THE LEFT SIDE CONTACT PLATE AND ACTIVE GROUND IS MISSING. I HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX THESE SAFETY DEFECTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249306November 19, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
CAR: TOYOTA SIENNA CE, 2003 RE: LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATA BASE REGARDING LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE. ON WHICH I ALSO HAVE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE A STICKY (INSIDE) DOOR RELEASE BUTTON PROBLEM. WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED, TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE BUTTON WILL NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED (LATCHES WILL NOT ENGAGE TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT). I ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2005 (OTHER SLIDING DOOR), WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY (INVOICE #310955, 06DEC05). DRIVING WITH THE DOOR UN-LATCHED IS DANGEROUS AND IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED UNDER THIS HEADING (BUT UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF STICKY BUTTON WAS THE REAL PROBLEM), IN YOUR DATA BASE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA FIX THIS ITEM IF IT IS A PROBLEM. DEALER ESTIMATED COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS $170 (INVOICE #425596, 12NOV08). THEY INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE AND SUB-ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL IT NEEDS IS A NEW SPRING OF SOME SORT, BUT I MUST AGREE THAT I HAVE NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM OR HOW IT WORKS. THE HANDLE (NON-MOVING PART, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE) LOOKS GOOD AND IS NOT DAMAGED OR DIRTY IN ANY WAY (VISUAL INSPECTION). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248048November 9, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:VALVE
4 TIRES PURCHASED FROM ARMY AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE, (AAFES) ON 20 NOV 2006 FOR A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO GET THE VALVE STEMS REPLACED. FIRST INCIDENT WAS 10 OCT 2008, THE SECOND OCCURRENCE JUST HAPPENED AND WILL BE REPLACED ON THE 11TH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247819November 6, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLED BROKE ON THE BACK SIDE SLIDING DOOR. IT WAS REPAIRED BUT NOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE YOU HAVE USE BRUTE STRENGTH. IT WILL NOT OPEN EASILY AND THE SHOP IS STATING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SLIDING DOOR OPENS WITH EASE EVEN BY A 10 YR OLD. I SAW ON MANY BLOGS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MOST PLACES (SCHOOL) AND CAMPS AND ANY PLACE ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR KIDS, THEY WILL HAVE TO GET OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THEM TO HAVE TO GO INTO TRAFFIC TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THEN WHAT IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO THE OTHER DOOR. WILL THE CHILDREN BE FORCED TO CLIMB THROUGH THE FRONT TO GET OUT, WHAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE INACCESSIBLE, HOW WILL THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK GET OUT. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243306September 24, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
UNINTENDED HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND I BRIEFLY USED THE BRAKES TO ALLOW A LARGE TRUCK TO GO PAST BEFORE MERGING. I'M NOT SURE IF I THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE, BUT THE 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN AS THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN SET AT 100 MPH AND IT WAS TRYING TO GET THERE! I DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT THE TIME. I THEN PUT ON THE BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED, AND I WAS ABLE TO REDUCE THE SPEED BUT THE BRAKES WERE DEFINITELY FIGHTING AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S DESIRE TO GO 100 MPH. I PULLED THE CAR OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS UNSURE OF THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MY 2 KIDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS SAYING SHE WAS VERY SCARED. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND PULLED OVER. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF WHILE THE VAN WAS STILL MOVING JUST TO GET IT TO STOP. AFTER 5-10 SECONDS I TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AT A HIGH RPM. I TURNED IT OFF AGAIN, WAITED A WHILE LONGER, AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN THE VAN BEHAVED NORMALLY. I FEAR THAT IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURY. IF ANYONE HAD BE IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP. MY MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. HIS GUESS IS THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I READ ABOUT OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS INVOLVING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH TOYOTA SIENNAS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227519May 12, 2008
SEAT BELTS
THE FRONT AND SECOND ROW SEAT BELTS DIDN'T HOLD IN A REAR END CRASH CAUSING THE DRIVER TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND A JUVENILE IN THE SECOND ROW TO STRIKE HER HEAD ON THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10227131May 9, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY MINIVAN PASSENGER DOORS INTERMITTENTLY EITHER FAIL TO OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY. MOST OFTEN THE DOORS WON'T OPEN AND PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT WITHOUT CRAWLING THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE OR FRONT. OCCASIONALLY THE DOORS WILL NOT CATCH WHEN CLOSED, FORCING ME TO DRIVE SLOWLY WITH HAZARDS UNTIL IT GETS "UNSTUCK". I'VE HAD THESE PROBLEMS INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE VAN WAS LESS THE 1 YEAR. THE DEALER HAS TENDED TO BLAME ME OR MAKE A REPAIR WHICH HASN'T LASTED. MOST RECENTLY THEY REPLACED A DOOR HANDLE AND SUPPOSEDLY ADJUSTED A CABLE AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND GUARANTEED FOR 6 MONTHS AND THEN WANTED TO CHARGE FOR ADDITIONAL PARTS AND SERVICE WHEN BROUGHT BACK IN 5 WEEKS LATER WITH ONGOING PROBLEMS. IN REVIEWING YOUR WEBSITE THIS IS A PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS. SOMETIMES THE THUMB PIECE STICKS, OTHER TIMES THE HANDLE FAILS TO OPEN THE DOOR. A THIS POINT BOTH DOOR HANDLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND YET PROBLEMS STILL OCCUR, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HOT AND HUMID OR VERY COLD. DATE GIVEN IS WHEN PROBLEM FIRST STARTED, STILL OCCURS IN 2008. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225621April 24, 2008
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE LEFT 2ND ROW SEATBELT REPEATEDLY GETS TWISTED IN THE MECHANISM AND WILL NOT WORK. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON 2004 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2003. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222563March 28, 2008
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
MAKE: TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 WINDSHIELD SEAL IS COMING OUT. ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, CAUSING WIND NOISE. I SEARCHED INTERNET LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINS ON WINDSHIED SEALS. MY FRIEND HAVE HONDA ODYSSEY, HAND HAVE NO PROBLEM (7 YEARS OLD CAR). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205847October 16, 2007
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED DOWN THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE MOONROOF SHATTERED. THE SHATTERED WAS SPONTANEOUS AND MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN IT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A ROCK, DEBRIS OR OBJECT AT OR PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE MOONROOF/SUNROOF SHATTERED INTO PIECES. AFTER RESEARCH ON-LINE, I SEE THERE WAS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF TOYOTA TACOMA, SCION AND SIENNA. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204065September 25, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD BLEW OPEN AND DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. HE FELT THAT THE LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS SCHEDULED TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200346August 21, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS HAS STARTED EXPERIENCING A HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TOOK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK, AND THEY UPDATED WITH THE PATCH. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER IS CALLING IT A "HARD SHIFT" THAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T DO IT THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. CAR IS ALMOST OUT OF ITS 60K WARRANTY, AND THEY INDICATE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198341August 2, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OUR 2003 SIENNA VAN (TOYOTA) HAS BEGUN THROWING BLUE SMOKE OUT THE EXHAUST. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THAT TOLD US THAT IT'S A VALVE,RING SLUDGE PROBLEM IN THE MOTOR . HE SAID IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO THIS PARTICULAR MODEL . I RESEARCHED IT ON GOOGLE AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE FROM OTHER OWNERS OF SIENNAS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND HAS IN FACT FOUND A "LOOPHOLE"THROUGH AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROBLEM. SO, HERE I AM WITH MY COMPLAINT. HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP US OUT AS I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE. THANK YOU. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187457April 10, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
2003 TOYOTA SIENNA CE 5-DOOR V6 W 59K MILES. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR BROKE. DOOR CANNOT BE OPEND FROM OUTSIDE AFTER THE BREAK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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