2001 TOYOTA SIENNA Structure Problems

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR HAS SEVERAL TIMES NOW REFUSED TO LATCH, AND WHEN IN EMERGENCY SITUATION I HAVE LOCKED IT AND FORCED IT TO SHUT THEN IT WILL NOT UNLOCK AND IT HAS TO BE TAKEN APART TO BE OPENED AND THE WHOLE LATCH AND LOCK MECHANISM REWORKED BY THE MECHANIC, AND IN THE MEANTIME THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE AND BACK ROWS OF THE VAN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED, SO IT IS DEFINITELY AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE HARDWARE OF THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM ITSELF AND NOT SIMPLY A GLITCH THAT OCCURRED ONCE OR SOMETHING.

Mileage: 147,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HOOD WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND UNLATCHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

THE STEEL CABLE FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SNAPPED WHILE DOOR WAS BEING OPENED ELECTRONICALLY. THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN WIDER THAN A FOOT SINCE THE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE IN OPERATION. PASSENGERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, HAD TO EXIT THE PARKED VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DOOR REMAINED INOPERABLE UNTIL WE WERE ABLE TO CUT THE REMAINING LENGTH OF STEEL CABLE HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROADWAY WITH WIRE CUTTERS. THE DOOR NOW IS A MANUAL SLIDING DOOR UNTIL THE ENTIRE MOTOR AND STEEL CABLE SYSTEM CAN BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO OPEN DUE TO BREAKAGE OF THE CABLE. I AM UNCERTAIN OF WHETHER THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WERE ENGAGED, HOWEVER, THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WIDER THAN APPROX. 6". REAR PASSENGERS HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF THE VAN VIA THE DRIVER'S OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I AM ELATED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE DOORS DID NOT OCCUR DURING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION, SINCE THIS WOULD HAVE PLACED THE REAR OCCUPANTS IN EXTREME DANGER. IF TOYOTA AND NHTSA WAS AWARE THAT THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE CABLES AND THE MANUAL RELEASE OF THE REAR DOORS, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY ALERT AND/OR RECALL OF THE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR OF THE VANS. THE FAILURE OF THE DOORS IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF COSMETIC ISSUES, IT IS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND LIFE THREATENING. AT A MINIMUM, THE DOORS SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR MANUAL OPENING AND CLOSING, IF THE CABLES SHOULD BREAK. THE BREAKING OF THE CABLE, ALONG WITH THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP, SINCE THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN TO ALLOW THE PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I AM REQUESTING, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS, THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. AT A MINIMUM, THE DOORS SHOULD DEFAULT TO MANUAL MODE. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE IN 2001. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS GIVEN US PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME POWER DOOR ISSUE AT LEAST 11 TIMES. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME. THE NTSB SHOULD FORCE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND NOW IT WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL EITHER BY REMOTE OR MANUALLY. *KB

Mileage: 8,000

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE IN 2001. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS GIVEN US PROBLEMS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME POWER DOOR ISSUE AT LEAST 11 TIMES. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME. THE NTSB SHOULD FORCE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND NOW IT WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL EITHER BY REMOTE OR MANUALLY. WE PURCHASED THE DUAL POWER SLIDERS AS A CONVENIENCE AND NOW WE HAVE INCONVENIENCE. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE DOOR PROPERLY FOR YEARS, WE HAVE NEVER HAD THE BENEFIT OF THE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WE PAID FOR. I WOULD REQUEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE VARIOUS BLOGS FOR THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED HERE. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER TEN YEARS WITHOUT A RESOLUTION PROVIDED BY TOYOTA. THE DOORS STILL DO NOT FUNCTION. TOYOTA DOES NOT CARE. *KB

Mileage: 8,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUNNING BOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRACTURED AND COLLAPSED AFTER HE STEPPED ONTO IT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RUNNING BOARD WAS RUSTED UNDERNEATH AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED BY THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Mileage: 101,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 10V160000 (STRUCTURE) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE BACKORDERED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

Mileage: 141,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH A METAL BAR UNDERNEATH THE STEPS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE STEPS HAD MAJOR RUST UNDERNEATH IT. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. HE THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STOPPED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE RUNNING BOARD MELTED AND FRACTURED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE RUNNING BOARD BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER IN STOCK. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,770. UPDATED 11/15/10 *CN THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SOLVE IT. UPDATED 11/26/10

Mileage: 113,770

2001 TOYOTA SIENNA... THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING OFF... THE RIGHT, REAR SLIDER HANDLE BROKE OFF IN 2007. .NEXT THE LEFT, REAR SLIDER HANDLE BROKE OFF... THIS WAS DANGEROUS SINCE THE CHILD LOCK WAS ON PREVENTING OPENING THE DOOR FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CHILDREN TRAPPED INSIDE...NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN.....TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CHARGES $89.73 FOR EACH HANDLE NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION....IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME PLASTIC FATIGUE IS THE PROBLEM...3 OF 4 HANDLES HAVE FAILED IN PAST 3 YEARS...I CONTEND THESE HANDLES AS WELL AS THE FOURTH REMAINING WERE AND ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ON, AND OCCASIONALLY THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED. AFTER FIDGETING WITH THE LOCK AND LATCH, IT WILL EVENTUALLY LATCH. *TR

Mileage: 67,235

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN CE. IN THE PAST 1.5 YEARS ALL DOOR HANDLES HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE CAR. THIS INCLUDES THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, REAR DRIVER, REAR PASSENGER AND TAILGATE DOORS HANDLES. THESE HANDLES ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC AND CRACK AND BREAK OFF AT THE HINGE POINT. I DON'T BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF BREAKAGES OF THESE HANDLES CAN BE CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND CERTAINLY WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND TWO ADULTS MAKING USE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTITUTE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFECT OF DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP OF THE HANDLE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $350 PER HANDLE. IT IS A SERIOUS THREAT SHOULD THEY BREAK AT THE IMPROPER TIME OR FOR EMERGENCY ACCESS TO THE AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS WITH TOYOTA AND THEY DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS A NEED TO CORRECT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 100,000

WHEN CHILD LOCK IS ON THE POWER DOOR ON PASSEGER SIDE CAN BE OPENED BY A 4 YEAR OLD. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE/OPEN ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ELECTRONIC OPEN/CLOSE DID NOT WORK. TOYOTA SERVICE COULD NOT FIX. HAD THEM CUT CABLE SO CAN CLOSE AND OPEN DOOR MANUALLY. UNTIL THE CABLE WAS CUT, DOOR COULD NOT BE USED TO EXIT VAN. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA AND THE BOTH THE REAR SLIDING DOORS HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH EITHER OPENING OR CLOSING SINCE AROUND 2003 (ALTHOUGH MORE OFTEN SEEN WITH DRIVER SIDE). WHEN THE ISSUES IS PRESENT THE DOORS WORK FINE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC OPEN/CLOSE IS TURNED OFF. THE ISSUE MAY OCCUR MORE OFTEN WHEN RAINING THEN WHEN DRY. ONE OBSERVANCE OF ISSUE IS THAT WHEN AUTO OPEN IS ENGAGED THE DOOR MAKES A CLICKING SOUND BUT DOESN'T OPEN. THE OTHER OBSERVANCE OF ISSUE IS WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN AND THE AUTO CLOSE IS ENGAGED THE DOOR STARTS TO CLOSE (MAYBE AN INCH) AND THEN RE-OPENS...THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR CLOSED IS TO TURN OFF THE AUTO OPEN/CLOSE. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK THE VAN TO BE SERVICED TWICE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO RE-PRODUCE THE ISSUE AT THE DEALERSHIP...AS SUCH THEY WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

WE OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. ALL BUT 1 OF 5 DOOR HANDLES ON THIS VAN HAVE BROKEN AND THE DOOR HANDLES ON EACH OF THE 4 DOORS (EXCEPT PASSENGER FRONT) HAVE CRACKED AND BROKEN CLEAN OFF THE DOOR. CURRENTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE IS TAPED ON. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO 1 BY USER WEAR. HOWEVER, I'M NOT INCLINED TO BELIEVE THAT ALL COULD BREAK SO EASILY FROM USER WEAR AND TEAR. THIS CREATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD IN ACCESSING THE VEHICLE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AS CLEARLY THE ONLY ACCESS WILL BE THROUGH WINDOWS AT SOME POINT. *TR

MY 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (CAME ONLY WITH THIS ONE POWER DOOR) DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT DID NOT OPEN BY PRESSING THE BUTTON, IT WORKS TO CLOSE BUT NOT TIGHT. WHEN I CHOOSE TO USE IT MANUALLY, IT IS SO HEAVY THAT THE CHILDREN HAVE NOT ENOUGH STRENGTH TO OPEN IT. THEY HAVE TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OTHER THAN ON THE CURB SIDE. IT PLACES THE PASSENGERS IN DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS WELL AS TO THE DRIVER IF HE HAS TO COME OUT OF THE CAR TO HELP OPEN THE DOOR AT THE CURB SIDE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT DOOR SHOULD BE OPERATED AS LIGHT AS THE OTHER DOOR WHEN IT IS IN THE MANUAL MODE AND THE COST TO FIX IS TOO MUCH (ABOUT $2,000) TO AFFORD. *TR

Mileage: 119,734

THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON OUR 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN QUIT WORKING. AFTER A MORNING OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FEEL COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN AS THIS IS EVIDENTLY A RECURRING PROBLEM. IT CAN BE OPENED MANUALLY WITH MODERATE EFFORT. *TR

Mileage: 156,100

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT HAS TO FIND A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THIS OCCURS, WHICH IS USUALLY IN RAINY OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,200 TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

THE SLIDING DOORS OF OUR 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE ARE NOT RELIABLE OPERATED. SOMETIMES WORK SOMETIME NOT, SOMETIME STUCK, NO SAFETY SENSOR. ONLY A MAN CAN PUSH THE CLOSING DOOR BACK OPEN. IF A CHILD IN THE PATH OF A CLOSING DOOR, MANUALLY PUSHING BACK THE DOOR IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME. THE PUSH BUTTON AND THE KEY BUTTON SOMETIMES WORK SOMETIMES NOT SINCE THE FIRST YEAR. WE BROUGHT IN ELMORE TOYOTA MANY TIMES. THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE COMPLAINED TO COOPERATE TOYOTA, THEY REFERRED US BACK TO ELMORE TOYOTA, WITH THE SAME ANSWER NOTHING WRONG. WE FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN. THIS IS OUR LAST RESORT FOR HELP. WHEN WE HAVE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS CAR, THERE WILL BE NO MORE TOYOTA ON OUR LIST. *TR

Mileage: 3,000

WATER LEAKS INTO FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER AREAS AND SETTLES AND SOAKS ON FRONT CARPET. IT ENTERS THROUGH THE ROOF AREA OR DOOR SEALS. HAPPENS WHEN EVER IT RAINS. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN IT WOULD RAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

Mileage: 94,000

2005 TOYOTA SIENNA DRIVER SIDE DOOR MADE A LOUD POP WHEN OPENING. CUSTOMER STATED SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD COST 300 TO 400 DOLLARS. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY SIENNA'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT THE WELD ON THE DOOR HINGE WAS BROKEN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS TOLD THE PRICE WOULD BE $250.00 DOLLARS. THE DEALER DID AGREE TO PAY HALF OF THE COST. *JB

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTINUOUSLY OPENS AND CLOSES.*MR THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE DOOR WAS TO DISENGAGE THE POWER AND CLOSE IT MANUALLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR THAT OPERATES THE POWER DOOR AND THE ECU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1939. THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S PORTION IS STILL QUIT COSTLY. *NM

Mileage: 43,000

HILD SAFETY LOCKS ON REAR SLIDING DOORS ARE BYPASSED AND RENDERED USELESS BY REAR POWER DOOR BUTTONS. WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ENGAGED THE SLIDING DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE. HOWEVER THE REAR POWER DOOR BUTTONS LOCATED ON THE REAR DOORS, ON THE FRONT CONSOLE, AND ON THE REMOTE ALL FUNCTION NORMALLY. THERE IS A SEPARATE BUTTON ON THE FRONT CONSOLE THAT DEACTIVATES THE POWER DOOR FUNCTION, BUT IT DEACTIVATES IT FROM ALL 3 POINTS (BUTTONS ON THE REAR DOORS, ON THE FRONT CONSOLE, AND ON THE REMOTE) RENDERING THE EXPENSIVE POWER DOOR FEATURE USELESS. TO COMPLY WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK REQUIREMENT, WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS ENGAGED IT SHOULD DISABLE MANUAL OPENING OF THE DOOR BY BACKSEAT OCCUPANTS AND SHOULD DISABLE THE POWER DOOR BUTTONS LOCATED ON THE BACK DOORS WITHIN EASY REACH OF BACKSEAT OCCUPANTS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT HAS FAILED TO FOLLOWUP OR OFFER ANY SOLUTION (TOYOTA CASE # 2003 1204 0595). POWER DOORS CLOSE TOO HARD AND POSE SERIOUS INJURY RISK TO CHILDREN. POWER DOORS CLOSE HARD ENOUGH TO EASILY HURT AN ADULT. MY TWO YEAR OLD SON WAS INJURED WHEN HE ACTIVATED THE POWER DOOR BUTTON LOCATED IN THE BACK SEAT AND MANAGED TO CLOSE THE DOOR ON HIS ARM. MULTIPLE DEALERS HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE POWER DOORS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE CHANGED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT HAS FAILED TO FOLLOWUP OR OFFER ANY SOLUTION (TOYOTA CASE # 2003 1204 0595). TIRE PRESSUE MONITORING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. IT FAILS TO WARN OF LOW PRESSURE IN TIRES (TESTED TO 15 LBS BELOW APPROPRIATE TIRE PRESSURE ON EACH TIRE INDIVIDUALLY AND THEN ON ALL 4 TIRES SIMULTANEOUSLY). HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT DOES COME ON WHEN DESCENDING FROM HIGH ALTITUDES IN SPITE OF ALL TIRES BEING INFLATED PROPERLY. MULTIPLE DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED (TOYOTA CASE #2004 0109 0681).*AK

DEAR SIRS, I WANT TOYOTA TO BUY BACK MY SIENNA VAN. I HAVE HAD MY VAN REPAIRED 4 TIME FOR A INOPERATIVE POWER SLIDING DOOR,ERRATIC OPERATING POWER SLIDING DOOR, UNINTENTIONAL ACTIVATION POWER SLIDING DOOR. THE DOOR IS NOW BROKE AGAIN. AFTER THEY FIX THE DOOR THIS WILL BE THE 5TH REPAIR TO THE DOOR. THE DOOR NOW OPENED ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT SLOW SPEED. THIS IS NOT SAFE!

Mileage: 34,000

SUNVISOR SWINGS FREELY AND STRIKES DRIVER IN HEAD WHEN TURNING CORNER. APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY HOT WEATHER. SUNVISOR WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA, BUT STILL CAUSES SAME PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN MAKING TURNS DRIVER SUNVISOR SWINGS OUT AND HITS CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, NO REMEDY AVAILABLE.*AK

VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. BATTERY/ ALARM SYSTEM/ KEY, AND STARTER WERE CHECKED. *AK

SUNVISOR SWINGS LEFT TO RIGHT UPON TURNS. HITS DRIVER IN THE HEAD. WHEN POSITIONED TO THE SIDE WINDOW, IT SWINGS TO THE RIGHT. WHEN POSITIONED AT FRONT MUST BE HOOKED OR HITS DRIVER IN HEAD. WHEN DRIVING TOWARD SUN MUST HOLD VISOR IN POSITION, SIDE WINDOW OR WINDSHIELD. CAUSES DRIVER DISTRACTION AND SAFETY PROBLEMS. *AK

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS W/O REVERSING SENORS ARE A SERIOUS INJURY RISK. *AK

AFTER PURCHASING A NEW SIENNA IN MARCH MY DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR FAILED IN MAY. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR ECU WAS REPLACED. 10 DAYS LATER THE DOOR FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE DOOR WAS ADJUSTED AND REINITIALIZED. AS I TESTED THE DOOR AT TIME OF PICKUP THE DOOR FAILED AGAIN. THE REAR LATCH PIN SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DOOR WAS REINITIALIZED. THE DOOR WORKED FINE UNTIL FAILURE JULY 31ST. SOME ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE AND THE DOOR WAS REINITIALIZED, AT TIME OF PICKUP AUGUST 5TH THE DOOR FAILED AGAIN. A FIELD TECH FROM TOYOTA FOUND LOOSE PINS IN THE DOOR AND THE MAIN BATTERY POWER LEVEL WAS LOW. THE PINS WERE FIXED AND THE ALTERNATOR BELT WAS REPLACED WITH A HEAVIER ONE TO INCREASE THE MAIN BATTERY POWER. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS I FEAR DOOR MALFUNCTION WITH MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY MY MAIN CONCERN!*AK

THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS WITH SMALL CHILDREN. THE DOOR TAKES INCREDIBLE RESISTENCE BEFORE THE REVERSING SYSTEM WILL KICK IN AND STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE DESIGNED MAINLY TO PROTECT THE DOOR MOTORS FROM DAMAGE, NOT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM INJURY. INFACT, THE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY SAYS TO TURN THE POWER DOOR SYSTEM OFF WHEN SMALL CHILDREN ARE PRESENT, YET THIS VEHICLE AND THESE FEATURES ARE MARKETED TO FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN. ALSO THE CHILD LOCK-PROTECTION SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE POWER DOOR SYSTEM IS TURNED ON. THE RESISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP THE POWER DOOR IS VERY SUBSTANTIAL. ANY BODY PART, EVEN AN ARM OR LEG OF AN ADULT THAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR COULD SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY. THE DOORS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE WHEN THE POWER SYSTEM IS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER AND SALES PERSON KNEW I HAD TWO SMALL CHILDREN. THEY SHOWED ME HOW WONDERFUL THE POWER DOOR SYSTEM WAS WHEN YOU HAD YOUR HANDS FULL CARRYING A CHILD. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD A SAFETY SYSTEM SO THAT PEOPLE WOULDN'T GET HURT IF THEY WERE IN THE PATH OF THE CLOSING DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT GET TO FULLY TEST THE POWER DOORS AND READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL IN DETAIL WITHIN THE FIRST 3 DAYS AFTER ACCEPTING DELIVERY. WHEN I TRIED TO GET THEM TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AFTER TWO WEEKS AND LESS THAN 1000 MILES, EVEN AT A PRICE LESS THAN MY PURCHASE PRICE, THEY REFUSED TO EVEN CONSIDER IT. THESE DOORS ARE DANGEROUS. THE POWER DOORS OF OTHER MINIVAN MANUFACTURERS REQUIRE VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE TO INVOKE THE PROTECTION SYSTEM, AND SEVERAL INCLUDE OTHER SAFETY FEATURES LIKE OPTICAL EYES. TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REDESIGN AND THEN RECALL/REPLACE THIS POWER DOOR SYSTEM.*AK

IT TAKES CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT TO HAVE REBOUND FEATURE FOR POWER SLIDING DOOR TO OPERATE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS FEATURE IS USELESS AS A SAFETY FEATURE.*AK *SLC