2004 TOYOTA SIENNA Steering Problems

The Traction Control System commonly malfunctions while making turns on curving road sections. I will lose power through turns as the TCS light blinks on my dashboard and makes a beeping sound. On some occasions the brakes will automatically engage in the tire that the car perceives as experiencing slippage. This problem is continuously worsening and commonly endangers me and my passengers, as the car engages brakes or cuts power to the engine at unexpected and in opportune times.

Vehicle often applies brakes on its own . At first it was only in turns . However now it does it when driving straight on the the freeway or just down the street at 45mph. I have fixed my alignment ,new tires, all of the front suspension and nothing prevents the car from trying to brake for me. it is a safety feature that is not safe at all. a car slamming on your brakes at any speed is dangerous in addition to that it seems to cut off your fuel , leaving you unable to accelerate until its done beeping which can take a long time. the vsc , chenk engine and trac off flash there is no crash to report I have been lucky so far

While driving typically around 35 mph and either left or right turn the vehicle traction control engages and the van brakes and steering is affected. The roads have always been dry and in each instance the speed of the van was at or below the speed limit - traction was never lost and yet the traction control engaged as if we were in a skid. This occurred at least 12 times while driving to and from a day trip in the mountains (windy road). It has also happened multiple times at around 50 mph while turning left on a nearby flat freeway. An independent service shop has not been able to replicate the problem. The safety of the driver and passengers were at risk when it occurred on the freeway as a driver behind us got close to rear ending the van while it was in its brake mode.

The trac control is activated while the car is driving variable speed and brake the car and and the driver loose control of acceleration.

The slip indicator light and alarm comes on sporadically, engaging the ABS suddenly and unexpectedly, when we are on completely dry roads. Happens while driving 40-80 mph. And doesn’t matter if I’m going straight or turning.

- Traction control engaged at high speed(70 mph on interstate) causing the vehicle to brake abruptly and pull the vehicle to the right. Had I been traveling in the left hand lane, I could have been forced into the right hand lane causing a collusion with another vehicle. Also occurred at lower speed(30 mph on a windy road) causing the same issue as described above, almost causing the vehicle to leave the paved surface. - Mechanic was able to duplicate the issue - Mechanic diagnosed intermittent traction control activation, scanned computer for codes. Yaw rate/steering angle correlation causing false activation ABS/traction. Replaced hub bearing and spindle. Four wheel alignment, including check castor, camber and adjust toe. Performed zero point calibration and reset ABS memory. - Traction control lights up briefly

About a year ago the Vehicle Stability Control warning light along with an audible alarm started coming on intermittently while turning on highways going uphill or downhill in dry weather and with no risk of any tire slipping. At first this only happened at higher speeds 65+mph. Over time, it has occurred more and more frequently and can occur at speeds down to 25 mph. At times, the Anti-lock Braking System is also activated resulting in jerky braking and loss of throttle. When people have been following me too closely, this has almost caused accidents. When these symptoms occur, it is always on a curve (of any degree, even slight curves) and while driving at least 25 mph, and even happens on flat turns now. The weather has always been dry with no risk of tire slippage.

Sometimes when I take turns in my Sienna, the VSC starts going off and braking individual wheels without my control. This happens unexpectedly on highway bends at speeds of 60+ mph and it is difficult to control the car and keep from swerving into another lane. If the roads were icy when this happens, it would probably cause a dangerous accident. Toyota has a technical service bulletin for this, but not a recall - which it should since this is a significant safety issue. The TSB is BR008-04. There are many others experiencing this same issue: https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/13855/toyota/sienna/vsc-sudden-activation-2004-toyota-sienna

While driving on dry freeway or other stable road conditions, the Electronic Stability Control kicks in, braked hard, causing the van to swerve, and the lights on the dash started flashing, accompanied by a loud beeping. This has happened multiple times now. There is no reason for this to be occurring. It is involuntary, sudden, and random. If someone were close behind me, they could rear-end the vehicle. It also sometimes pulls the steering so hard that it swerves into the other lane. This is a serious safety issue that Toyota needs to deal with.

Unknown

Numerous times (too many to say), the traction control indicator sensor comes on & I am unable to control the car. Typically it lasts for 2-3 minutes and turns off. It does not depend on road conditions, weather, and or speed. I have taken the car to the repair shop and they have not been able to capture anything on the engine diagnostic system. No codes were found for them to troubleshoot this issue. I've seen this problem being reported on several posts. Yet the NHSTA has done NOTHING!! TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS ISSUE. WAKE UP NHSTA. MAKE OUR TAX DOLLARS WORK!!! This poses a huge risk to my family and other drivers, not to mention impact on budget.

ABS SOME TIMES ACTIVATES WHEN DRIVING A LIGHT CURVE ROAD AT SPEED AROUND 30-40 MPH. USUALLY A STEERING WHEEL IS ABOUT 2 OR 10 O'CLOCK POSITIONS. AT THE TIME VSC INDICATOR FLASHES AND WARNING ALARM GOES OFF. THIS CAUSES A SUDDEN BREAKING AND IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR.

Mileage: 165,000

THE VSC SYSTEM IS ENABLING WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN ON AN OTHERWISE NORMAL ROAD. WHEN IT ENABLES, IT APPLIES THE BRAKE AND SOUNDS A REPEATING ALARM. THE SYSTEM APPLIES THE BRAKE WHILE I AM ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, AND THIS MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE, AS IF I HAVE TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE MAKING AN OTHERWISE BENIGN MANEUVER. THE REPEATING ALARM DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL I HAVE TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM THE INITIAL TURN ANGLE. THIS MEANS IF THE TURN IS SLOW, THE ALARM WILL SOUND FOR THE ENTIRE DISTANCE OF THE TURN.

Mileage: 300,000

IN MOTION, ON DRY, OFF-CAMBER HIGHWAY CURVES, WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION, THE ABS/VSC /TRAK ENGAGES, BRIEFLY JERKING THE STEERING TO ONE SIDE. DASH WARNINGS: "VSC" "TRAK OFF" + "CHECK ENGINE". REDUCING MECHANICAL "SLOP" (WHEEL BEARINGS, STEERING RACK & PINION, ETC.) TENDS TO REDUCE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE. TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSIS: "STEERING CONTROL SYSTEM FAULT". >"TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT -- BUT, DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM."< DEALER-SUGGESTED WORKAROUND: "PULL FUZES TO DISABLE VSC AND ABS SYSTEMS..." DEALER REPAIR DOCUMENTS ARE WITH PREVIOUS OWNER...

Mileage: 260,000

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. AFTER HAVING IT FOR A BIT WE LEARNED OF THE PROBLEM. YOU WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (DRY, SUNNY DAY) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL START BEEPING, THE TRACTION CONTROL WILL KICK IN AND START PRESSURE BRAKING THE CAR. THE CAR THINKS IT PULLING YOU OUT OF A SKID, SO YOU HAVE TO STRONGLY HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL. IT'S TERRIFYING! I FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO PULL ME OFF THE ROAD. I WON'T DRIVE THE CAR IN RAIN BECAUSE OF THIS AND HONESTLY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE EVEN DRIVING IT MOST THE TIME. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA - THEY HAVE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BR008-04 (ABS& TRACTION CONTROL INTERMEDIATE VSC SYSTEM), WHICH SHOWS THEY HAVE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART. HOWEVER SINCE THE CAR IS OLD, THEY WON'T REPLACE IT ANYMORE. IT IS THE COMPANIES DEFECT PART! HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS AND/ OR DIED FROM THIS? AND JUST TO SAY IT - THE 2004 VERSION DOESN'T HAVE A WAY TO MANUALLY JUST TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL. WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING! I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY AGREED THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT SAID THEY WON'T FIX IT FOR FREE - THEY WANTED $800. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THEY DON'T CARE IF PEOPLE DIE FROM THIS, BECAUSE THE CAR IS OLD AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AFTER A CERTAIN AGE OF THE CAR. WE HAVE 3 KIDS AND THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER! MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS TOYOTA VEHICLES AND IF THEY DON'T MAKE THINGS LIKE THIS RIGHT, WE WILL NOT BE ANYMORE! THE CAR IS NEW TO US AND IS FRANKLY UNSAFE. THIS IS TOYOTA'S FAULTY PART. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL MESSAGE BOARDS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. HOW CAN A DEADLY ISSUE EXPIRE?

Mileage: 139,000

DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND DECELERATED/BRAKED HARD, UNDER IT'S OWN CONTROL, NOT MINE.

Mileage: 188,146

WHEN DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 25 MPH, THE VSC WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, AN ALARM SOUNDS AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGE FOR NO REASON. THIS IS A TERRIFYING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT IS WELL DOCUMENTED BY SO MANY TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS BUT TO DATE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OR ACKNOWLEDGED BY TOYOTA. WHEN TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, THEY CLAIM (AS OTHER OWNERS HAVE ALSO STATED) THAT THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND IT DOES NOT REGISTER THROUGH THE OBD2 SENSOR SO THERE IS NO RECORD OF IT HAPPENING. WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS THIS IS HAPPENING WITH, IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF WHETHER THERE WILL BE ACCIDENTS, INJURIES AND ULTIMATELY DEATHS CAUSED BY THIS ISSUE. THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHEN AND HOW MANY HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A PROBLEM. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IN TRAFFIC AT 65 MILES AN HOUR WHEN FOR NO REASON, THE CAR SLAMS ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME AT THIS POINT MAKING THE CAR COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR THE OWNER, THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANTS AND ANY UNSUSPECTING VEHICLE IN THE VICINITY. I AM BEGGING YOU. PLEASE GET TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. I AM SUBMITTING THE DATE BELOW AS TODAY'S DATE AS THE CAR IS NOW SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT AND THE $750 STEERING POSITION SENSOR THAT TOYOTA REPLACED DID NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 170,000

WHILE MY VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 AND 55 MPH, ON A STRAIGHTAWAY AND CURVE, THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT/AND ALARM COMES ON RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES IT'S JUST THE ALARM THAT SOUNDS, AND SOMETIMES THE ALARM SOUNDS AND THE BRAKES ACTIVATE AND THE MINIVAN SWERVES. WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE EVER WITH MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN RIDING WITH ME. I ACTUALLY HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CALM MYSELF. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH TODAY (7-24-19) BEING THE LATEST EXPERIENCE.

Mileage: 177,000

STEERING PROBLEM SOMETIME IT'S HARD TO STEER IT'S DRAGGING IT'S TOO DANGEROUS.I ALMOST GOT AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE STEERING DIDN'T REACT WHEN I'M CHANGING LANES

Mileage: 14,900

WHEN ON A CURVE THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES AFFECTING THE BRAKES AND STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO MATTER, IT HAS ENGAGED AT 10MPH AND AT 65 MPH. LAST STRAW WAS WHEN IT ENGAGED ON THE STRAIGHT AWAY ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE DROPPING THE SPEED DOWN TO 35MPH ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WERE NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER RUNNING A MOVING VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC. IT WENT OFF A TOTAL OF 18 TIMES IN A APROXIMATE 15 MINUTE, THREE MILE DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC. AFTER WATCHING MANY VIDEOS, AND COMPLAINTS ONLINE, WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE ON THIS ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER EIGHT YEARS NOW? I'M AFRAID TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY ANYMORE!!!

Mileage: 188,000

THE VSC IS GOING OFF RANDOMLY, IN DRY, SAFE CONDITIONS. ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN I AM TURNING TO THE LEFT IN A LONG TURN. BUT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON A WINDY ROAD, DRIVING 15MPH OR LESS, ON EVER SINGLE TURN SOMETIMES JUST THE ALARM, LIGHT FLASHING ON DASH & ENGINE DETHROTTLING, OTHER TIMES ADD THE STEERING WHEEL PULLING & BRAKES PUMPING THEMSELVES. WE HAVE HAD IT IN 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS & THE COMPUTER DETECTS NO CODES, ALL PARTS IN QUESTION (SUSPENSION, YAW, ROTATIONAL POSITION SENSOR, ETC) ARE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER, NOTHING LOOSE, WORN OR OTHERWISE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WE HAVE HAD THE YAW SENSOR REPLACED AFTER READING MANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. WE LOVE OUR VAN, BUT IT IS NOW A DEATH BOX. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE VSC MALFUNCTION WILL ACTIVATE, MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN WILL TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGE THIS & HELP OWNERS?

Mileage: 250,000

TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTION. WHILE DRIVING ON CURVY ROADS THERE IS A BEEPING ALARM, STEERING LOCKS UP, BRAKES ENGAGE. THE CAR SEEMS TO THINK THAT THE TRACTION IS OFF. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. NO PROBLEMS DRIVING IN CITY. ONLY HAPPENS ON CURVY ROADS.

Mileage: 138,000

WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND USUALLY ON A SLIGHT CURVE TO THE RIGHT, THE TRACTION CONTROL ALARM AND BREAKS GO OFF CAUSING THE VAN TO JERK AND SHAKE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS MIGHT BE LOW TIRE PRESSURE BUT THE TIRES ARE FINE. WE HAVE HAD AN ALIGNMENT, NEW TIRES THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE IT FOR THE MECHANIC. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS MAYBE HAPPENING 20 TIMES. I FEEL IT IS JUST NOT SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE OR PASS THIS PROBLEM ON TO SOMEONE ELSE. I WOULDN'T WANT THE CAR ON THE ROAD WITH ME EITHER I HAVE READ ONLINE OF OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA'S WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT ISOLATED AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN.

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO JERK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND THE FAILURES WENT AWAY AFTER THIRTY SECONDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES RANDOMLY STARTED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO AND GREW WORSE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE LOCK ON THE SLIDING DOOR SHOWED THAT IT WAS UNLOCKED; HOWEVER, NO ONE COULD EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

FOR NO REASON THE VSC AND TRACTION ALARM GOES OFF THE VEHICLE BRAKES ON ITS OWN DANGEROUSLY. IT IS HAPPENING DAILY. USUALLY WHEN GOING HIGH SPEED AND AROUND A LEFT BEND. I WENT AND HAD THE SYSTEM RESET AS IS CALLED FOR AFTER ALIGNMENT. THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. I HAD THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR REPLACED AND THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. THE YAW REPLACED AND THAT DIDN'T FIX IT. SO NOW WHAT? THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY.

Mileage: 140,000

ON FREEWAY INTERCHANGES, ENTRANCES AND EXITS VSC AND ABS SUDDENLY ENGAGESS. VAN IS NOT AGGRESSIVELY DRIVEN AND WHEN TURNING ON MOUNTAIN ROADS AND SWITCH BACKS VSC AND ABS ENGAGES DESPITE THE SLOW AND CONTROLED STEERING.

Mileage: 225,000

STEERING DO NOT STAY STRAIGHT WHILE I AM DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. SINCE I PURCHASED, I WENT TO TOYOTA IN THE BEGINNING THEY FIX IT BUT ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVE AND AS OF TODAY SAME PROBLEM AND I REPLACED NEW TIRES STILL ALIGNMENT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM. LIGHTING IS NOT STRONG TO SEE DEER ON THE ROAD.

Mileage: 92,000

WHEN I DRIVE MY VAN THE VSC AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BOG DOWN AND PULL TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK MY VAN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUGGESTED REPLACING THE STEERING SENSOR. WE REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. WITH NO CODES COMING UP THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIX MY VAN. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AROUND CORNERS AT 35 MPH MOSTLY BUT HAS ALSO HAPPENED A FEW TIMES ON THE FREEWAY AT 70. ALL TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR HAS BEEN ON DRY PAVEMENT. TOYOTA DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK THAT THERE IS REALLY A PROBLEM SINCE NO CODES ARE COMING UP ON THEIR CODE READER. DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IT COULD BE DISASTROUS AND END UP IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. HOW COME THIS VEHICLE HASN'T BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE INCLUDED A PHOTO OF MY SERVICE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS IN DIFFERENT FORUMS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND AS FAR AS I HAVE READ THERE IS REALLY NO RESOLVING IT.

Mileage: 147,000

WHILE DRIVING THE VSC COMES ON RANDOMLY. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRY TO PULL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENS QUITE A BIT AND IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY.

Mileage: 146,000

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR FASTER, GENERALLY ON A RIGHT HAND BEND, THE VSC WILL ACTIVATE PULSING THE BRAKE AND VIOLENTLY PULLING THE CAR TO THE LEFT AND TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE SKID LIGHT GOES ON, AND THE CAR BEEPS UNTIL YOU ARE OUT OF THE TURN AND THEN IT GOES AWAY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS BUT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT IN THE PREVIOUS 2 MONTHS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES. THE BEST THEY CAN SAY IS "YOU'RE GOING TO FAST..." WHICH IS A WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER CONSIDERING WE ARE GOING THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC AND NO MORE THAN 0-10 OVER THE SPEED LIMIT. *TR

Mileage: 136,800

THE VSC TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ACTIVATES ON IT'S OWN. DRIVING THE VAN IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES ON AND BRAKES THE VAN, DASHBOARD LIGHT AND BEEPING NOISE COMES ON. BRAKES YOU AUTOMATICALLY CAUSING THE VAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THIS MALFUNCTIONING DEVISE WITH THE YAW SYSTEM IS CONTINUING AFTER MANY TRIPS TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY CURRENTLY HAVE THE VAN AND ARE REPLACING PART AFTER PART AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. CONTACTED TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VAN. CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS WE ARE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AS OF TODAY'S WRITING THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY TOYOTA.

Mileage: 133,750

BEGINNING IN WINTER OF 2014, MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SQUEAK WHEN I TURNED IT AND SEEMED HARDER TO TURN. MY STEERING WHEEL DID THE SAME THING THIS PAST WINTER,2015. NOTICED SQUEAKING AND MORE DIFFICULTY TURNING WHEN JUST BEGINNING TO BACK OUT AND BEGINNING TO DRIVE FORWARD AND FOR A FEW BLOCKS AFTER.

UNEXPECTED VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATION WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN AUTOMATIC BRAKING AND UNEXPECTED STEERING PULL. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE OVER THE PAST 4-5 YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE THIS ISSUE HAS LED TO ALMOST STRIKING VEHICLES AROUND ME. I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. ON SEVERAL ONLINE BULLETIN BOARDS, OTHER OWNERS OF TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE COMPLAINED REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. I JUST READ IN THE NEWS THAT SIMILAR ISSUES ARE OCCURRING ON 2001-2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA.

Mileage: 154,000

ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WE HAVE HAD THE VSC INDICATOR LIGHT TURN ON WHILE DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND ALSO SWERVE. OUR CAR IS AWD SO THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WE THOUGHT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN BLACK ICE ON THE ROAD (EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD APPEARED DRY). IT FIRST HAPPENED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, ALTHOUGH IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. WE DROVE HOME YESTERDAY THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND IT HAPPENED FOUR TIMES ON OUR TWO HOUR DRIVE. IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHILE GOING DOWNHILL FOR US, AND HAS HAPPENED AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH - 30 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE TURNING (BOTH DIRECTIONS) AND GOING STRAIGHT. IT IS VERY SCARY FOR BOTH MY WIFE AND I, AND I FEEL UNSAFE WITH HER DRIVING OUR CAR WITH OUR FOUR CHILDREN. WE'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE US LOTS OF MONEY TO TRY TO FIX WHAT THEY "THINK" THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SIENNA OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE SO KNOW IT IS NOT JUST OUR CAR, DRIVING, ETC.

Mileage: 165,000

VSC SUDDEN ACTIVATION ON CURVES 35 MPH. BEEPING NOISE SLIP SENSOR COMES ON.

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH THROUGH WATER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH STANDING WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

SEE ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION EA08024; SHOULD BE RE-OPENED!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VSC AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE INTO OTHER LANES WHILE THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WENT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE STEERING SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 264,888.

Mileage: 264,888

2004 SIENNA LE: FAILURE OF DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING IN JANUARY 2012, PASSENGER SIDE IN JANUARY 2013. EACH SPRING CRACKED CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP WHILE IN MOTION. METAL IN CRACKED AREAS APPEARED POROUS POSSIBLY SUGGESTING FLAWS IN METAL DURING MANUFACTURE. 2013 FAILURE INCLUDED CRACK NEAR MIDDLE OF SPRING, WITH A SHARP BROKEN PIECE STICKING OUT CLOSE TO TIRE. THANKFULLY OCCURRED WHILE PARKING/AT LOW SPEED; FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED MAY HAVE RESULTED IN PUNCTURE OF TIRE/LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. 2012 FAILURE INCLUDED CRACK NEAR TOP. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE 2012 SPRING ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. VEHICLE IS IN GOOD CONDITION, WITH ONLY ~65,000 MI AT TIME OF FIRST INCIDENT. DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS, LIGHT LOADS. BODY RUST FREE WITH MINIMAL SURFACE CORROSION OF UNPAINTED/UNDERCARRIAGE ITEMS. CONTACTED TOYOTA IN 2012, FILED CASE. WAS INFORMED SIMILAR ISSUES HAD NOT BEEN REPORTED, FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED. NOTING EXTREME HAZARD POSED BY BROKEN SPRING PUNCTURING TIRE, ENCOURAGED FURTHER EVALUATION. OBTAINED/REPLACED AT MY COST SPRING FROM LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER, HAD ALIGNED. CONTACTED TOYOTA IN 2013 REGARDING SECOND FAILURE. NOTED WAS SECOND OCCURRENCE/EXTREME HAZARD POSED BY PUNCTURING TIRE, ENCOURAGED FURTHER EVALUATION. OBTAINED REPLACEMENT/HAD ALIGNED AT MY COST. RECENTLY CONTACTED TOYOTA; NO NEW INFORMATION AVAILABLE. BROKEN SPRINGS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AS CAN TIRE PUNCTURE. FAILURES I EXPERIENCED OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS; IF AT HIGHER SPEEDS, RESULTS MAY HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. NOTING LIGHT USE AND EXCELLENT CONDITION OF VEHICLE AS WELL AS APPEARANCE OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS, TOYOTA PARTS STAFF AND OUTSIDE MECHANICS INDICATED THAT MANUFACTURING ISSUES MAY BE CAUSE OF FAILURES. REPLACEMENT SPRINGS INCLUDED DIFFERENT COLOR CODING; PARTS STAFF INDICATED THIS MAY CORRESPOND TO MORE RECENT PRODUCTION, SUGGESTED THAT NEW PARTS MAY BE OF BETTER QUALITY.

Mileage: 65,000

THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, PN# 89245-08011 FAILED. THE VAN CAN NOT BE DRIVEN OVER 23 MPH. THE BRAKES COME ON AUTOMATICALLY OVER 23 MPH AND THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATE. THE STEERING SEEMS STRANGE (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON) BUT I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VAN IN MY LANE OF TRAFFIC. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS SENSOR OR OTHERS WILL FAIL AND THE VAN WILL AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE BREAKS AND LOOSE POWER PREVENTING ME FROM MANEUVERING THE VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM.

Mileage: 61,250

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A HIGHWAY ONTO A SIDE STREET; MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE AND HUB CAP SCRAPED THE CURB WHEN THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME STIFF, MAKING THE TURN DIFFICULT. THE STEERING FLUID LEVEL WAS CHECKED AND WAS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE; WE TOPPED IT OFF ANYWAY, IN CASE THAT WAS AN ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 118,500

AT VARYING RATES OF SPEED, ON DRY ROADS, MY VAN'S VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL ICONS WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH, THE ACCELERATION WILL CEASE AND THE BRAKES WILL PUMP 2-4 TIMES, AND THE STEERING WILL STICK. ORIGINALLY, THIS OCCURRED ONLY ON ROADS THAT CURVED HOWEVER THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE IS INCREASING AND IT NOW OCCURS ON STRAIGHT ROADS AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION WHILE DRIVING, IT PULLS BACK IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN A JERKING MOTION. I HAVE TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY AT EVERY TURN AND ANTICIPATE THE JERKING OF THE WHEEL SO I DO NOT CROSS OVER TO THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD OR OFF THE ROAD. I TOOK MY VAN TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AT MY LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNIVERSAL SHAFT WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED FULLY REPLACED. BOTH JOINTS WERE RUSTED AND STIFF WHICH IS CAUSING THE ERRATIC MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING DURING TURNS. *TR

Mileage: 114,553

MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE A NOISY STEERING AND STIFF STEERING IN COLD WEATHER WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 59,510

I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT MY 04 SIENNA IS VERY HAD TO STEER, IT SEEMS THAT STEERING IS GETTING STUCK IF I TRY TO CHANGE LANE I HAVE TO PULL STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

I TOOK MY 2004 SIENNA IN FOR TWO RECALLS TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP LAST SATURDAY. UPON DOING THEIR STANDARD INSPECTION ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME OF A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH A CORRODED UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE STEERING SHAFT THAT COULD SEIZE. I DECLINED THIS SERVICE AND AM INVESTIGATING WHAT TO DO. I CAME ACROSS TOYOTA TSB ST001-07 THAT STATES 'IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED DURING WINTER MONTHS, SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, WHICH MAY GRADUALLY BECOME MORE NOTICEABLE OVER TIME'. THIS DESCRIBES MY SIENNA'S OPERATION FOR PAST WINTERS, BUT I NEVER GAVE IT MUCH THOUGHT. WHAT TROUBLES ME IS THAT THE SERVICE ADVISER INSISTED I REPLACE THE SHAFT RIGHT AWAY, WHEREAS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE08041 STATES THAT 'TOYOTA HAS NOT DETERMINED THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM OF THE TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES AND PROVIDED TEST DATA SHOWING THAT THE EFFECT ON THE STEERING EFFORT IS MINIMAL, EVEN FOR PARTS WITH RELATIVELY SEVERE CORROSION.' AS AN INTERIM SOLUTION, I WILL SPRAY THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WITH A PENETRANT, A RECOMMENDATION I READ ONLINE. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE VSC WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, BEEPING AND ALARMS HEARD. ENGINE SLOWED DOWN AND I FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SWERVED LIKE IT WAS HYDROPLANING ON A DRY HIGHWAY. CALLED OUR REPAIR SHOP IMMEDIATELY. CAR WAS TOWED AND RESEARCH WAS DONE ON THE HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM IN OTHER TOYOTA MINI VANS. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED BY TOYOTA, RECOMMENDATION BY THE REPORT THEY FOUND WAS TO REPLACE A SENSOR WHICH IS WHAT WAS DONE. THAT WAS JUST OVER A MONTH AGO AND THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN TONIGHT ON A SIDE ROAD GOING APPROX 30 MPH ON DRY ROAD. VAN IS BACK AT SHOP AGAIN TONIGHT. I WILL BE CALLING THE 1-800 NUMBER FOR TOYOTA, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. BOTH INCIDENCES COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. TONIGHT I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILD IN THE VAN. THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE PLACED HER LIFE IN DANGER HAD THERE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 151,000

THE STEERING ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE STEERING WAS BINDING, REQUIRING AN INCREASED EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FROM NEUTRAL OR RETURN TO NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID. IT WAS FINE. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE AND REALIZED THAT THIS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED. ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. IT IS BINDING/LOCKING BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT. *TR

Mileage: 148,000

WHILE MAKING A U-TURN THE STEERING DID NOT RECOVER TO STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS BINDING. THE VEHICLE KEPT TURNING, LEAVING THE ROAD SURFACE, ALMOST STRIKING A STONE WALL. NOTHING WAS HIT. MORE EFFORT THAN NORMAL WAS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE STEERING. AIR TEMP. APPROX. 20F. ONCE HOME I INSPECTED THE TIRES, POWER STEERING FLUID, POWER STEERING BELT, ALIGNMENT, LEAKS. ALL WERE NORMAL. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THE TSB FILE ON THE STEERING SHAFT KNUCKLE (U-JOINT) CORROSION PROBLEMS. I CRAWLED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE STEERING SHAFT AND KNUCKLE CORRODED. I LIBERALLY SPRAYED THE KNUCKLE AND SHAFT WITH WD-40 WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 245,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY AFTER SITTNG FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 143,339.

Mileage: 143,339

THIS IS MOST LIKELY A KNOWN PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED, AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIME, INCLUDING A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. PROBLEM: VERY UNPREDICTABLE TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM WHICH IS GETTING WORSE. WHETHER DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, GOING AROUND A CURVE, OR JUST DRIVING ON SLOWER CITY ROADS, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND SENSOR WILL GO OFF - FREQUENTLY LOCKING UP THE STEERING, BREAKING, AND CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS OFTEN CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AND IT HAS EVEN CAUSED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE. THE ONLY WAY I HAVE FOUND TO MANAGE THIS IS TO COAST UNTIL IT CLEARS OUT. I AM FEARFUL EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THE ROADS HAPPEN TO BE WET OR ICY. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET, AND I HAVE FILED A CASE WITH TOYOTA. BACK ON 6-26-14 WHEN I FIRST CONTACTED TOYOTA AFTER NOTHING SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THERE WERE NO REPORTED PROBLEMS FROM DEALERSHIPS. I JUST SPOKE WITH THEM AGAIN WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS OR NEW INFORMATION. *TR

MY 2004 SIENNA IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS DESCRIBED IN THE 11/09/2011 VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL. THE BELTS HAVE BEEN SQUEALING AND THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE RECALL APPLIES TO CERTAIN SIENNA MODELS BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ALL NEW BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACE AND THE ISSUE CONTINUES. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OTHER VINS IN THE 2004 SIENNA SERIES? HTTP://PRESSROOM.TOYOTA.COM/RELEASES/TOYOTA+VOLUNTARY+SAFETY+RECALL+TOYOTA+LEXUS+VEHICLES+REPLACE+CRANKSHAFT+PULLEY.HTM. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

IN THE EARLY SUMMER OF 2013, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-15, APPROX 5 MINUTES TO ST. GEORGE, UTAH ON A BEAUTIFUL CLEAR DAY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SWERVE AND THE YELLOW SKID LIGHT CAME ON AND THE EMERGENCY BEEPING SOUND ALARMED AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN--I NO LONGER HAVE CONTROL OVER ACCELERATING THE SPEED OF THE CAR. IT FRIGHTENED AND ALARMED ME AND MY PASSENGERS. WITHIN ABOUT 5 SECONDS THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE ALARMING BEEPING SOUND STOPPED AND NOW I HAVE CONTROL OF THE SPEED OF THE CAR. I HAVE TRAVELED THAT ROAD SEVERAL TIMES SINCE AND THE SAME INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AT APPROX THE SAME SPOT. HOWEVER, IN 2014, DURING MY TRAVELS TO AND FRO ON THIS SAME HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65-75MPH, THE INCIDENT OCCURS IN SEVERAL OTHER SPOTS ALONG I-15 NORTH AND SOUTHBOUND. THE SKID LIGHT AND THE ALARMING BEEPING SOUND EVEN WENT OFF WHEN COMING TO A STOP GOING APPROX. 5MPH. THE INDICATOR LIGHT AND ALARM SOUND SEEMS TO BE GETTING MORE AND MORE SENSITIVE. THE SAME INCIDENT HAS BEEN OCCURRING THIS YEAR EVERY DAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AT THE SAME SPOT ON I-215. EVEN THOUGH THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65MPH, I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO LESS THAN 50MPH IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS OCCURRENCE. THIS CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION SINCE I AM SLOWING DOWN FOR APPARENTLY NO REASON TO THE CARS BEHIND ME WHO ARE TRAVELING AT THE SPEED LIMIT. *TR

Mileage: 123,000

STEERING IN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA IS VERY TIGHT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. THE PROBLEM APPEARED LAST SPRING, WHILE IT WAS STILL COLD OUTSIDE. STEERING IMPROVED DURING THE WARM SUMMER MONTHS. NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS COOL AGAIN, THE STEERING PROBLEM HAS RETURNED, BUT WORSE. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHANGED, WITHOUT HELP. DIFFERENT AUTO SHOPS, INCLUDING MY TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, HAVE OFFERED VASTLY DIFFERENT OPINIONS OF WHAT IS WRONG. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST WANTED TO REPLACE A 'LEAKING' POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE, DESPITE A NORMAL FLUID LEVEL. THEN THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED IT'S THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE JOINT (U JOINT). AN EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SAYS THE INTERMEDIATE JOINT IS FINE, BUT IT'S THE RACK AND PINION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ONLINE FORUMS HAVE OFFERED VARIOUS ADVICE, INCLUDING THE AFOREMENTIONED FIXES, AMONG OTHERS, INCLUDING JUST LUBING THE U JOINT. IN OTHER WORDS, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH CERTAINTY. I'VE READ ON VARIOUS FORUMS THAT OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR HAVE HAD IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT TIGHT STEERING WHEN COLD, BUT TOYOTA CONSIDERS THE PROBLEM 'CLOSED'. NOW I'M FACED WITH SPENDING OVER $1000 TO FIX A STEERING PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE ADDRESSED LONG AGO. EVEN THEN, I CAN'T EVEN BE CONFIDENT THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED, GIVEN CURRENT LACK OF CONSENSUS AMONG EXPERIENCED MECHANICS. I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD WHO RIDES WITH ME DAILY, SO THIS STEERING PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! CLEARLY THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE POWER STEERING FOR MY MODEL YEAR. POOR STEERING IN MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE NEEDS TO BE A PROMPT NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE (WHICH HAS AFFECTED MANY SIENNA OWNERS), AND A RECALL BASED ON THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT!! *TR

Mileage: 76,500

IN THIS INITIAL INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING ON A CURVY ROAD AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 30MPH. MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED, AS IF I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, WHICH I WAS NOT, AND MY STEERING WAS COMPROMISED. IN ADDITION THE VSC INDICATOR AND SYMBOL FLASHED ON MY DASHED AND BEEPED. THE ROAD WAS DRY. THIS HAS OCCURRED 10+ TIMES SINCE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC, WITHOUT TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AFTER THE OCCURRENCE SO THAT HE COULD "READ" THE COMPUTER BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AVAILABLE. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THEY "REBOOTED" THE SENSORS AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE. IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, ON THE FREEWAY GOING UPHILL AT 55 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL AT 60 MPH AND HAS BEEN CLOSE TO CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION EACH TIME. *TR

Mileage: 139,500

INTERMITTENT HARD STEERING. WILL BE DRIVING AROUND EVEN SLIGHT CORNER WILL BE FINE THEN STEER HARD AND BE FINE AGAIN AROUND SAME CORNER. OR, WILL STEER VERY HARD AROUND ONE CORNER THEN STEER OK AROUND THE NEXT. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AT TIMES. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE LOSING YOUR POWER STEERING FROM TIME TO TIME. INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *JS

Mileage: 105,083

THIS HAPPENED ABOUT LATE 2006 TO EARLY 2007. I FIRST OBSERVED THAT ONCE IN A WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WAS STIFF AND THE WHEEL WILL NOT TURN BACK TO ITS NEUTRAL POSITION, AND THE CAR WILL OVER STEER. IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AND YOU COULD HEAR SOME SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING. SINCE AT FIRST IT HAPPENS ON AND OFF DURING TURNING, EVERYTIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID WAS NOTHING WRONG, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME.. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE INCIDENCE AND THE STEERING AT TURN WAS GETTING HARDER AND THERE WAS AND INCREASE IN OVER STEER THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO SLOWER THAN USUAL TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES. BY THAT TIME I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT WAS SOME RUSTING AND CORROSION AT THE STEERING SHAFT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AND BY THEN THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

STEERING BECAME VERY JERKY AND TIGHT WHILE DRIVING VAN WITH FAMILY. PROBLEM GOT WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF 2 DAYS AND I HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT BECAME DANGEROUS. MECHANIC TOLD ME IT WAS PROBLEM STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. *JS

Mileage: 144,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKES STARTED TO ENGAGE. THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND AS THE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN MOTION ENTERING FREEWAY. PREVIOUSLY HAD NOTICED STEERING DIFFICULTY AT TIMES AND ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON, BUT HAD ALWAYS STOPPED AFTER A SHORT WHILE. AFTER THE FAILURE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF CRANK SHAFT PULLEY. WE FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAD DONE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT HAD NOT INCLUDED OUR VEHICLE IN THE RECALL OR NOTIFIED US. TOYOTA DENIED COVERAGE OF THE REQUIRED REPAIR. DRIVER AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN CARE AT TIME OF FAILURE, JUST ABOUT TO ENTER FREEWAY. OVER $800 IN REPAIRS. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

STEERING SHAFT INTERMEDIATE SHAFT STEERING & SUSPENSION POWER STEERING NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME. SEEMS TO GET TIGHTER AND TIGHTER FROM TIME TO TIME. VERY DIFFICULT MAKING LEFT OR RIGHT TURN... *TR

Mileage: 95,301

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE (2004 TOYOTA SIENNA), IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK, AND NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN EITHER DIRECTION FOR MULTIPLE MOMENTS. AFTER TAKING IT TO TOYOTA ABOUT 3-4 TIMES (ABOUT DEC 2009), THEY FINALLY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A SYSTEM FAILURE IN A SELF CONTAINED UNIT, THAT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM SEEING IT IN THE FORM OF LOW POWER STEERING FLUID, ETC. AT THAT TIME, IT WAS REPAIRED AND CONSIDERED TO BE UNDER WARRANTY. IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO, THIS BEING MIDDLE OF JAN 2014, THE STEERING HAS BEEN HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THE TIME PRIOR TO MY DROP OFF YESTERDAY, THEY STATED THAT IT INVOLVED THE "RESERVOIR" AND INSTALLED A NEW ONE. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF HAVING IT, THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY. I CAN RECALL THAT IN THE FIRST REPAIR (ABOUT 2009) AND THE CURRENT REPAIR, THE ISSUE SEEMED MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND RAINY. GIVEN THAT I JUST DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF YESTERDAY, THIS INCIDENT IS STILL NOT COMPLETELY RESOLVED AT THIS POINT. *TR

OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR KIDS TO AN EVENT IN OCTOBER 2013. SHE STATED THE STEERING FELT "LUMPY" OR INTERMITTENTLY DIFFICULT. THE EFFECT WAS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE CAR WAS COLD, BUT IMPROVED SOMEWHAT WHEN WARMED UP. NOW IN DECEMBER, THE STEERING PROBLEM IS SUCH SHE WILL NOT DRIVE THE VAN ANYMORE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE VAN WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC AND POSED A DANGER TO MY WIFE AND OTHER VEHICLES. I DROVE THE VAN AND CONFIRMED THIS PROBLEM AND DO NOT WANT HER DRIVING THE VAN EITHER, AS THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME AND KEEPING THE VEHICLE IN THE TRAFFIC LANE WAS HARD TO DO AT TIMES. RESEARCH ON LINE INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NOW EXCEPT HAVE THE STEERING COMPONENT REPLACED SO VAN IS DRIVABLE AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURING THE VEHICLE AT 20 MPH OR WHEN PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STEERING WHEEL, IT IS HARD TO MOVE WHILE MOVING AND IT DOESN'T GO BACK TO STRAIGHT POSITION BY ITSELF. HAVE TO MOVE THE STEERING BY FORCE TO GET IT TO THE RIGHT POSITION. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 147,700

STEERING FLUID LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE EATING THROUGH RUBBER BOOT - REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF RACK & PINION & SOME KIND OF RIGHT & LEFT FRONT BARS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE DEFECT IN THIS MODEL YEAR. APPARENTLY, OTHER 2004 SIENNA'S HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

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. *TR

I WAS DRIVING 10 MPH TOWARDS THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. I ALMOST HIT A TREE SINCE THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB. I HAD TO STOP THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON MY WAY HOME THAT NIGHT. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED TOYOTA THE FOLLOWING DAY (1-800-331-4331) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE HAD NEVER BEEN NO RECORD OF ANY COMPLAINT WITH A SIMILAR ISSUE ON THE 2004 SIENNAS. BUT TONIGHT , I AM SO SURPRISED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TOYOTA IS NOT RELIABLE ANYMORE LIKE IT USED TO. ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER NOT COVERED BY WARRANTIES AND TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THERE SHOULD BE STRICT LAWS TO FORCE TOYOTA TO FIX LOADS OF DESIGN ISSUES FOR FREE INDEPENDENT OF WARRANTIES. BIG COMPANIES LIKE TOYOTA ALWAYS FIND WORK AROUND AND PLAY WITH WORDS IN ORDER TO ESCAPE. MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED MAKING SCREECHING SOUND EVERYTIME I TURN. THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL IS FINE. ITS HARD TO TURN THE STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY. THESE TYPES OF MINIVANS ARE OCCUPIED BY FAMILIES AND TODDLERS WHERE MULTIPLE DEATHS CAN OCCUR IF A PARENT IS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING FREELY TO ESCAPE AN ACCIDENT. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND HAVE TOYOTA FIX THIS FOR FREE WITHOUT ANY DEADLINES AND INDEPENDENT OF WARRANTIES WHERE THEY SAY THIS PART IS COVERED AND THIS PART IS NOT. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

LOSS OF POWER TO STEERING WHEEL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO TURN CORNERS, PARK, ETC. *TT

Mileage: 88,000

STEERING ON OUR VEHICLE SLIPS THEN BECOMES VERY HARD TO TURN, AND IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN. WHEN COMPLETING A TURN, SOMETIMES THERE IS OVERCORRECTION DUE TO THIS DIFFICULT TURNING THEN STEERING SLIPPAGE FLUID LEVELS ARE FINE, NO LEAKS. SOME SIENNA'S HAVE RECALLS ON CRANK-SHAFT PULLEY THAT CAN CAUSE STEERING PROBLEMS, BUT CURRENTLY OUR VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. VEHICLE HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT ANT I AM TOLD IT NEEDS A $1400 STEERING RACK. *TR

Mileage: 69,000

STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AND ERRATICALLY JUMPED WHEN TURNED. DEALER REPLACE STEERING SHAFT AND INDICATED IT WAS CLOSE TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

STEERING WHEEL PRESENTS VIBRATION AND STRANGE NOISE WHEN FULLY TURNED TO ANY SIDE. COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA DURING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND SERVICE WAS DENIED, STATING THAT IS WAS FUNCTIONAL AND NOT BROKEN. NOW (FEB 2012, EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED) IT IS REALLY GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. WOULD TOYOTA WAIT FOR THE PART TO FAIL AND SOMEONE TO BE KILLED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM? THERE IS A PREMATURE WEAR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING SYSTEM. *TR

HARD TO STEER AND STEERING WILL NOT TURN BACK. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GO BACK INTO THE LANE. NO RECALL NOTICE YET FOR STEERING SHAFT. SPOKE TO REP FROM TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT., SAID NO ONE HAS REPORTED SUCH PROBLEM YET. *TR

WHEN TURNING CORNERS, STEERING SUDDENLY SEIZES UP MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM OPERATING SAFELY AT LOW TO MEDIUM SPEEDS. IT SEEMS AS IF THE STEERING PROBLEM HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT IS COLD OR WET OUT. OFTEN WE ARE REQUIRED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE THE STEERING LOOSENS UP AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

Mileage: 83,000

CRACKS ALONG THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD AND AIRBAG AREAS OF THE FRONT DASH. CONCERN ABOUT PROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR FAILURE AND LACK OF STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DASH ALONG WITH STEERING CONTROL DURING A VEHICLE CRASH. DASH FAILURE AND DEBRIS FROM DASH MAY AFFECT THE STEERING CONTROL IF DASH DEBRIS IS LODGED AGAINST STEERING AREA. NOTICED DASH CRACKS AT ABOUT 60K MILES AND THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO GROW WITH EACH USE OF VEHICLE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE HAS 79K MILES. DEALER/MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO FIX OR REPLACE THE DASH CITING OUT OF WARRANTY ISSUE. HOWEVER, THIS ISSUE IS ON ALL 04 AND UP TOYOTA SIENNA'S AND POSSIBLY MORE VEHICLES WITH THIS TYPE OF DASHBOARD MATERIAL. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

STEERING BINDS WHEN MAKING TURNS. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND COMPROMISES MY ABILITY TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 78,600

THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA IS STIFF AND IT IS HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN A DRIVABLE CONDITION AND WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TALKED TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THE TSB'S POSTED ON-LINE RELATED TO THE STEERING PROBLEM ISSUE. REVIEWED THE DETAILS ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: PE08041. ALSO NOTICED THAT OTHER SIENNA OWNERS HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 69,700

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA: HAVING TROUBLE WITH STEERING SYSTEM: KNOCKING NOISE WHILE TURNING LEFT. ALSO, A VIBRATION LIKE FEEL AT THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. THE STEERING SEEMS TO HAVE LOST POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES AS WELL AS OVER TURNING WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES AND CORNERS. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

WITHOUT WARNING STEERING ON 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT FELT AS IF POWER STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. VAN WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO GARAGE FOR SERVICE. THE SUDDEN CHANGE IN STEERING WAS EXTREME. GARAGE FOUND SERVICE BULLETIN FOR STEERING COMPONENT CORROSION ISSUE AND CONFIRMED PROBLEM. COST IS ESTIMATED AT $500. PART WILL BE RETAINED. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE STANDARD POSITION WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD AND USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED BEFORE GIVEN A CHANCE TO WARM UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE STABILIZER LINK WAS CORRODED. THE STEERING RACK AND PINION, STEERING GEAR AND LINKAGE OUTER TIE RODS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10020994 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

I NOTICED POWER STEERING BEGAN TO STIFFEN-UP OVER A PERIOD OF 3 MONTHS. I CHECKED THE PS FLUID AND ADDED VERY LITTLE, BUT STILL DID NOT SEE ANY CHANGE IN THE STIFFNESS. AFTER READING SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF THIS, I AM GOING TO BRING IT TO A DEALER FOR THEM TO ASSESS, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THE CORROSION ISSUE TO BE THE CASE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA POWER STEERING IS TIGHT. THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT FUNCTION AS SMOOTHLY AS IT SHOULD ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS IT IS A BELT ISSUE BUT THAT HAS NOT CORRECTED PROBLEM IN THE PAST. *TR

OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA DEVELOPED A CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AFTER ABOUT 3 SEASONS OF WINTER DRIVING IN MINNESOTA. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR/FEEL THE PROBLEM. EACH CONSECUTIVE WINTER THE SYMPTOMS WOULD GET WORSE AND THE TOYOTA DEALER CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE NOISE OR HEAR A PROBLEM. ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, THE STEERING BECAME ERRATIC AND FELT UN-BOOSTED AT TIMES REQUIRING A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ST003-04 WHERE THEY DESCRIBE A SHAFT NOISE THAT IS CAUSED BY CORROSION. THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT TOYOTA'S CLAIMS THAT THE NOISE WAS MINOR, NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, AND OCCURRED INFREQUENTLY. WE TOOK THE SIENNA BACK TO THE DEALER AND I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THEM TO EXAMINE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND SHOWED THEM THE TSB. THEY REPORTED BACK THAT I HAD A SEVERELY CORRODED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM ROAD SALT AND IT HAD SEIZED AT ONE END OF THE CONNECTION. THE TSB CAMPAIGN WAS ONLY GOOD FOR THE FIRST 36,000 MILES (OUR VAN HAD ABOUT 82,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR) SO THE OUT OF COST EXPENSE TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SAFE TO STEER AGAIN WAS $527. I CAN NOT SPEAK TO THE FREQUENCY THIS DEFECT AFFECTS OTHER 2004 SIENNAS, BUT I CAN ATTEST TO A NUMBER OF NEAR MISSES ON THE ROAD CAUSED BY THE ERRATIC AND LACK OF POWER STEERING ASSIST CAUSED UNTIL THE REPAIR WAS FINALLY DIAGNOSED AND FIXED. CORROSION RESISTANCE OF STEERING COMPONENTS SHOULD BE A FUNDAMENTAL ATTRIBUTE OF ANY VEHICLE AS THE LOSS OR DIMINISHED CAPACITY OF THAT FUNCTION INSTANTLY CREATES A HAZARD TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 81,964

FAILURE OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT DUE TO CORROSION. CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY RAPID CHANGES. *TR

Mileage: 75,290

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND MADE A NOISE, THE BRAKES SURGED AND LOCKED THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND DROVE ACROSS THE YELLOW LINE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE THEN CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO THE RIGHT AND INTO ANOTHER LANE BUT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FAILURE RECURRED 2 TO 3 TIMES ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,436 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,466. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ UPDATED 03/18/11

Mileage: 80,436

STEERING FAILED IN VAN, NO WARNING, BECAME VERY HARD AND ACTED LIKE STEERING WITH NO TO VERY LITTLE POWER STEERING. REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT DRIVER INPUT TO STEER AND DRIVE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID ROAD SALT CAUSED EXPOSED MECHANISMS UNDER CAR TO CORRODE AND TIGHTEN. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA STEERING GETS STUCK AND BINDS UP. LOOKING AT OTHER PEOPLES SAME COMPLAINTS, TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND ALSO, EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. TOYOTA SEEMS TO WANT TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM, BUT THOUSANDS OF SIENNA CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

DURING FEB 2010, I NOTICED INTERMITTENT 'STICKING' IN THE POWER STEERING OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE AT ALL SPEEDS. ON 10MAR10, OR 80,787 MILES, HEARTLAND TOYOTA FLUSHED MY STEERING AS PART OF THE SCHEDULED 90,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS WAS 10,000 MILES EARLY. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY, AND WHEN IT RETURNED WITHIN TWO WEEKS, I WAS TOLD TO CYCLE THE STEERING CLOCKWISE TO THE STOP, AND THEN COUNTER-CLOCKWISE TO THE STOPS AND TO REPEAT THIS 10 TIMES. THIS ALSO SEEMED TO HELP IN THE SHORT TERM. THE 'BINDING' ACTION CONTINUED TO WORSEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WAS STUCK, AND ADDITIONAL FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO PUSH THROUGH THE BINDING. THE BINDING HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, BUT IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS DUE TO THE REDUCTION OF RESPONSE TIME TO CORRECT THE STEERING. THIS BINDING WORSENED OVER TIME, AND I DROPPED IT OFF TO BE EVALUATED BY HEARTLAND TOYOTA ON 16AUG10. TOYOTA STATED THE REPAIR WOULD ENTAIL REPLACING THE 'STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY', AND THAT THE INTERNAL BEARINGS WERE GOING BAD. THE REPAIR WILL COST $680 WITH PARTS, LABOR AND TAX. I ASKED THAT THE PARTS BE SAVED AND I WILL PROVIDE TO THE NHTSA ODI UPON REQUEST AND PROPER CORRESPONDENCE VIA THE US MAIL. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE WAS FOUND IN THE ODI'S PE0804. UPON FURTHER READING IT APPEARS MANY OF THESE ISSUES ARE BEING LINKED TO 'SALT DAMAGE' FROM SALTING DURING THE WINTER. THE WASHINGTON STATE DOT DOES NOT USE SALT IN WESTERN WASHINGTON, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE ODI TO REOPEN THIS ISSUE WITH THE TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR

Mileage: 80,787

TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 WITH ONLY 62,000 MILES PRESENTS KNOCKING NOISE WHEN OPERATING THE STEERING WHEEL, ALSO REQUIRING EXCESSIVE CORRECTION WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN HIGHWAYS. REQUESTED FIX DURING EXTENDED WARRANTY SOLD BY TOYOTA ITSELF. CLAIM WAS DENIED. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA CE. IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE STEERING PROBLEMS. WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY VEHICLE UP IN THE MORNING, THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OR LESS OF DRIVING THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. A MECHANIC CHANGED THE POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. SOME DAYS THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS AND SOME DAYS THERE ARE. I HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE PROBLEM TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE THE VAN SERVICED WHICH IS COPELAND TOYOTA IN BROCKTON, MA. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

VSC ENGAGES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS: VEHICLE ALARM SOUNDS, BRAKES DEPLOY ABRUPTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, STEERING PULLS, ACCELERATOR GOES DEAD (PULSE RACES, ADRENALINE COURSES). FIRST COMPLAINED TO DEALER AFTER FOUR INCIDENTS IN FIRST 20K MILES: HAD ONLINE TESTIMONIALS OF YAW SENSOR, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR AND ECM REPLACEMENTS AS POSSIBLE REMEDIES; DEALER REBUFFED MY COMPLAINTS, DENYING SERVICE TO SENSORS, AND SUGGESTED MY TIRES HAD 'GONE SQUARE'. I HAVE LIVED WITH THE CONDITION FOR A TOTAL OF SEVEN YEARS. THE CAR NOW 'GOES OFF' MAYBE THREE TIMES PER EVERY 20 MILES DRIVEN, UNPREDICTABLY AND ALWAYS SHOCKINGLY. MY FAMILY REFUSES TO RIDE IN THE CAR. I CANNOT SELL IT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, AS THE DEFECTS CANNOT BE CONFIRMED BY THE DEALER (AND APPARENTLY THEREFORE DO NOT EXIST), SO THERE IS NO WAY FOR IT TO BE 'MADE SAFE' FOR A SUCCEEDING OWNER. ITS REMAINING $10K+ EQUITY HAS BEEN NULLIFIED BY THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

RUST / CORROSION ON STEERING COMPONENTS WHICH CAUSED MAJOR HANDLING PROBLEMS. DEALER STATED THAT HIS MECHANIC WOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE DEALER PREMISES AND THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 62,088

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK ALTERNATED BETWEEN MANUAL AND POWER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND SEEMED TO OCCUR ONLY IN WINTER MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE STEERING RACK FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,500.

Mileage: 70,000

I BEGAN RECENTLY HAVING DIFFICULTY IN STEERING MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THE STEERING WOULD BIND AND REQUIRE INCREASED EFFORT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING TURNS. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY AND IS GETTING WORST. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BALISE TOYOTA IN WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND TO BE REPAIRED. THEY STATED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING DRIVE BELTS AND THEY REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING AND IT CONTINUES TO BIND. I BELIEVE THIS IS A THREAT TO MY FAMILIES AND MY SAFETY IF WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CHECK THE WEBSITES ON TOYOTA DEFECTS AND I BELIEVE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH CORROSION OF THE STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINTS. *TR

Mileage: 149,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT ON THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS. THE STEERING WILL GO OUT WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163000.

Mileage: 130,000

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA STEERING PROBLEM*CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FIXED THE STEERING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER HAD TO RETURN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM RESURFACED. THE STEERING WAS NEVER THE SAME. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE STEERING WOULD BECOME STIFF, BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMED UP. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CLIP THAT HOLDS THE FLOOR MAT IN PLACE COMES OFF EASILY. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN AND STAY IN ONE POSITION . HE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS FINE UNTIL IT SNOWED AND THE SALT ON THE ROADS MADE THE STEERING INTERMIATE SHAFT CORRODE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82000.

Mileage: 81,000

WE HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2004 FROM PHILLIPS TOYOTA IN LEESBURG FL. THREE TO FOUR WEEKS AGO, WE STARTED NOTICING A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING WHEN FIRST STARTING IN THE MORNING. IT FEELS LIKE THE POWER STEERING IS JUMPING BETWEEN WORKING AND NOT WORKING WITH NO WARNING INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE FEELING IS THAT OF HAVING NO POWER STEERING UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED FOR TWO TO THREE MINUTES, THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR AUDIBLE SOUNDS. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY MORNING. *TR

Mileage: 68,600

LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO INTERNAL LEAK OF FLUID INTO RACK. MADE HIGH PITCHED SQUEAKING NOISE AND FLUID WOULD SLOWLY LEAK (INTERNAL, COULD NOT FIND EXTERNAL LEAK) FIRST OCCURRED AROUND 11/08 AND REPAIRED FIRST UNDER WARRANTY ON 3/09 AT 34,749 MILES. NOW HAS OCCURRED AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES . *TR

Mileage: 30,000

I EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTY (STIFFNESS, LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS) IN THE POWER STEERING OF MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION BY MY DEALERSHIP REVEALED THAT BOTH THE STEERING RACK AND PINION AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MINIVAN HAS ONLY 51,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

IT HAPPENED TWICE DURING 2 WEEKS AGO ( DURING HEAVY RAIN). I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA ON A PARKING LOT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN, IT SEEMS LIKE I LOST THE POWER STEERING. AFTER RESTARTING THE VAN, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. NEXT DAY, MY WIFE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN SHE IS PICKING UP OUR KIDS FROM SCHOOL. WE BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OR COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE SO MANY PROBLEM WITH THIS VANS AND THE DEALER REFUSE TO FIX IT, I HAVE SEAT BELT PROBLEM, IT IS NOT EASY TO RELEASE AFTER DRIVING, DEALER WANTS 300 TO FIX. ELECTRICAL SLIDING DOOR PROBLEM ETC. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

THE STEERING BINDS DURING TURNS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE OVER TIME TO A POINT THAT IT SEEMS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL, THE WHEEL CATCHES AND TURNS THE VAN REAL QUICKLY IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER. MY MECHANIC HAS STATED HE NEEDS TO REPLACE THE STEERING RACK. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA: PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. I LIVE IN MA AND DURING THE WINTER THE POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY WORK. THERE IS NOT POWER STEERING FROM BETWEEN 10 AND 2 O'CLOCK AND THEN IT WILL KICK IN. ALSO IT WILL NOT RETURN TO ZERO ON ITS OWN. TRYING TO MAKE A TURN YOU HAVE TO PULL HARD AND THEN IT WILL KICK IN AND YOU ALMOST RUN INTO THE GUARDRAIL. AFTER PULLING BACK THE OTHER WAY IT IS HARD AND THEN ONCE IT KICKS IN I ALMOST DRIVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ OTHER READERS COMPLAINTS ON "ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM" AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE POWER STEERING SHAFT HAVE CORROSION ISSUES IN HIGH SALT AREA. TOYOTA HAS CHANGED THIS ON LATER MODELS SO THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

STEERING WHEEL ON TOYOTA SIENNA 2004 MAKING NOISE AND STIFF WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 40 DEGREES. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

STEERING PROBLEM ON 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. STEERING WILL JERK AS THE WHEEL IS TURNED - REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THEN WILL JERK THROUGH THAT DIRECTION. IT THEN HAS TENDENCY TO STICK, SO VEHICLE CONTINUES TURNING WHEN STEERING WHEEL GRASP IS RELAXED. OPERATOR NEEDS TO QUICKLY RESPOND TO AVOID LOSS OF CONTROL. PROBLEM IS MOST PRONOUNCED WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD BUT STILL NOTICEABLE AFTER IT HAS WARMED UP. THE PROBLEM CAME ON SUDDENLY ABOUT ONE WEEK AGO. VEHICLE HAS ~82,000MILES. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

APPROXIMATELY 20 MONTHS AGO, BEGAN EXPERIENCING VERY DIFFICULT STEERING. STEERING ACTED AS IF LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DIFFICULT TO TURN AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL ALWAYS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. NEAR ACCIDENT WHEN STEERING WOULD NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL AS EXPECTED. LAST SUMMER, STEERING IMPROVED IN WARM WEATHER. THIS WINTER, CONSTANT PROBLEM AND DID NOT GO AWAY WITH RETURN OF WARM WEATHER. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THIS WEBSITE, VERY COMMON AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN TURNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A SHAFT WAS FAILING. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $375. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE FOR THE REPAIR. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

Mileage: 111,000

LARGE NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE TURNING LEFT. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS BINDING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MAKES STEERING DIFFICULT. THE DEALER WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA STEERING. STEERING SUDDENLY BINDS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN. VERY HARD TO STEER AT TIMES. HARD TO CONTROL. THERE IS 2 TO 3 SECONDS DELAY AND SLIGHT ACCELERATION LAG EVEN WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. COUPLE OF TIMES I WAS CLOSE TO RUN INTO ACCIDENT. *TR

THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAS RUSTED AND IS SEIZING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT VARYING DEGREES DEPENDENT UPON TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY. AT IT'S BEST, STEERING IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT AND UNPREDICTABLY RESPONSIVE. AT IT'S WORSE, STEERING IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE POWER STEERING IS ALTERNATING BETWEEN WORKING CORRECTLY AND ACTUALLY WORKING AGAINST THE DRIVER. THIS ALTERNATION OCCURS IN ABOUT 30 DEGREE INTERVALS AS THE WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS MAKES FOR VERY UNPREDICTABLE DRIVING AND MAY LEAD TO A CRASH. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE IN HIGH ROAD SALT REGIONS, ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS CREATED TSB ST001-07 CONCERNING IT, BUT DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A BIG ENOUGH PROBLEM TO CAUSE A RECALL. I AM AMAZED THAT A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BE UN-STEERABLE IS NOT SERIOUS ENOUGH FOR TOYOTA OR NHTSA TO DESIGNATE A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA STEERING. STEERING SUDDENLY BINDS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN. VERY HARD TO STEER AT TIMES. HARD TO CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 31,500

STEERING BINDING OR INCREASED STEERING EFFORT ON TOYOTA 2004 SIENNA. STEERING REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT WHILE TURNING, AND DOES NOT ALWAYS RETURN BY ITSELF (REQUIRES EFFORT TO RETURN TO 0 DEGREES). THIS CONDITION VARIES (DIFFERENT EFFORT AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THE TURNING ARC) FROM TURN TO TURN, MAKING IT A HAZARD FOR DRIVING. IT IS SIMILAR TO PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER STEERING MIDWAY THROUGH A TURN. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A TSB TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I AM TRYING TO OBTAIN SO THE PROBLEM CAN GET FIXED CORRECTLY. (DON'T WANT TO BE OVERCHARGED FOR UNNECESSARY WORK). *TR

Mileage: 79,000

STEERING SUDDENLY BEGAN TO BIND WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED AND INCREASING DIFFICULT TO STEER, ESPECIALLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. DEALERSHIP FOUND RUSTING KNUCKLES ON STEERING SHAFT AND INSTALLED NEW SHAFT. VEHICLE HAD ONLY 42,000 MILES. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH 2 PREVIOUS TOYOTAS, ONE OF THEM ELEVEN YEARS OLD! VERY UNSAFE AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. MY OPINION TOYOTA SHOULD RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

STEERING IS BINDING ON MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SAID THEY FOUND NO TSB FOR THIS VEHICLE YET THIS SIGHT SAID TWO TSB'S EXIST. THE DEALER CHARGED ME OVER $1400 AND THE STEERING PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS TIGHTER THAN NORMAL. A REPAIR SHOP CHECKED THE STEERING FLUID LEVEL FOR LEAKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AT THE COST OF $1,500; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE DUE TO THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PUMP. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO TSB TO EXPLAIN HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,500.

Mileage: 41,000

I HAVE 67,000 MILES ON MY VAN AND I AM PRESENTLY ON MY 3RD SET OF 4 TIRES (12 TOTAL) AVERAGING 20,000 MILES FOR ONE SET. I HAVE A LIFETIME WHEEL ALIGNMENT ON THE CAR WHEN PURCHASED NEW AND HAVE ALIGNMENT CHECKED EVERY 5,000 MILES. NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH THIS TYPE OF HORRENDOUS TIRE WEAROUT WHICH MUST BE THE SUSPENSION ON THE VEHICLE, I APPEAR NOT TO BE ALONE DUE TO NUMEROUS COMPLAINT. CAN A RECALL BE DONE BASED UPON THE UNUSUAL TREAD WEAR AND FREQUENCY OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

WE HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. ONCE THE WEATHER TURNED COLD WE EXPERIENCED SEVERELY HARD TURNING. IT IS OK IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION, HOWEVER WHEN STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT IT IS NOT ONLY HARD TO TURN BUT IT WILL NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN, JAMS, AND FAILS TO TURN BACK TO THE CORRECT DRIVING POSITION. *TR

CORROSION OF STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS. STEERING GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND WOULD BIND WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS. *TR

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA STEERING BINDING, DOES NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL POSITION. NHTSA PE08041 ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM AS CORROSION OF UNIVERSAL JOINT ON INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. MULLER TOYOTA OF WASHINGTON, NJ 908-638-4100 CONFIRMED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, COST $575.00 INVOICE #L75877. HAVE NOT REPLACED SHAFT YET, IS TOYOTA GOING TO RECALL THIS DEFECT? *TR

Mileage: 99,500

I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A STIFFNESS IN MY POWER STEERING ON 12-15-08. I CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEVEL AND IT APPEARED TO BE LOW. I ADDED A FEW OUNCES. TWO DAYS OF DRIVING LATER AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TODAY, 12-18-08, AND THEY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS CORROSION TO THE FLEX JOINT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT OF THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION. THEY DID TELL ME THAT THE SITUATION COULD DEGRADE TO THE POINT WHERE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL. COST OF REPAIR WAS QUOTED AS $500 PLUS $70 FOR RELATED/REQUIRED FRONT-END ALIGNMENT. THE ROOT CAUSE WAS SAID TO LIKELY BE WATER ENTERING THE SEAL OF THE JOINT, CAUSING RUST TO FORM ON/AROUND THE BEARINGS. OTHER REPORTS OF ROAD SALT BEING THE CAUSE, SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT UNDER-CARRIAGE CLEANING WOULD, IN FACT, PREVENT THE CORROSION. THIS DEALERS POSITION IS THAT THE HIGH-PRESSURE SPRAYING OF THE UNDER-CARRIAGE WAS, ITSELF, CAUSING THE CORROSION TO BEGIN. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO FAIL. THE STEERING BECAME STIFF AND THEN LOOSENED TOO MUCH. AS A RESULT, A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY FAILURES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER UNIVERSAL JOINT ON THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS FAILING AND COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 100,000

JUST OVER A YEAR AGO I STARTED HEARING A SPORADIC SOUND WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER' SERVICE DEPARTMENT DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEY SAID THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM AND UNFORTUNATELY DID NOT INDICATE THE COMPLAINT ON THE SERVICE RECORD. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY TOOK MY DESCRIPTION SERIOUSLY AT THE TIME. THE SOUND DISAPPEARED FOR A WHILE BUT REAPPEARED CONSISTENTLY WHEN COLD WEATHER ARRIVED THIS FALL. THREE WEEKS AGO THE STEERING STARTED TO BECOME VERY HARD. IT TOOK A WEEK TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, 4 DAYS TO RECEIVE A PART AND 5 MORE DAYS TO "FIT" THE REPAIR IN WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $500. THEY WANTED US TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL FOUR DAYS AND AT FIRST IMPLIED THERE WOULD BE NO OPTION FOR A LOANER CAR. OUR CAR HAS 47000 MILES ON IT AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DO NOT HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHEN I PRESENTED THE ORIGINAL NOISE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. I REFUSE TO DRIVE THE CAR AS I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL AND HAD DIFFICULTY. WE ARE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS AND COMBINED WITH NEARLY ANNUAL RUN FLAT TIRE REPLACEMENT ISSUES, THIS SEEMS A UNREASONABLE REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 47,000

THE STEERING HAS BECOME STIFF ON MY 2004 SIENNA CAUSING UNEXPECTED RESPONSE WHEN STEERING. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME IT IS THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN ( ST001-07) ON THIS. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE IS AT 88,000 KM AND EXCEEDS THE 36 MONTH 36,000 MILE LIMITS. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS USED VEHICLE (IN JANUARY 08) FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT CAME WITH THEIR TOTAL SATISFACTION WARRANTY WHICH DOES NOT SEEM TO CLEARLY STATE ANYTHING THAT IS COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

I HAD TAKEN MY SIENNA TO THE DEALER TO FIX THE LAST RECALL FOR THE LIFTGATE. THEY MUST HAVE DONE AN INSPECTION AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WARN CONTROL ARMS AT A COST OF $1,755.00 AND THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE AT A COST OF $699.00. I WAS THERE IN APRIL TO HAVE WORK DONE AND NONE OF THIS WAS MENTIONED. I HAVE 54,473 MILES AND ASKED AT WHAT MILEAGE DO THE CONTROL ARMS USUALLY BREAK DOWN AND I WAS TOLD SIMPLY AT ANY TIME. *TR

Mileage: 54,472

"CLUNKING" NOISE NOTED ON STEERING THE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA JUST A FEW MONTHS AFTER IT WAS BOUGHT. IT HAD GONE THROUGH 3 RECALLS ALREADY WHEN FIRST THE FUEL TANK, THEN THE DOOR SILLS, THEN THE MIDDLE ROW SEATBELT BEZEL, AND FINALLY RECENTLY, THE REAR HATCH STRUTS WERE ALL REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, BUT NO MENTION OF "CLUNKING" DOCUMENTED. HOWEVER, ALL THIS TIME, THE CLUNKING HAD BECOME MORE NOTICEABLE, AND VEHICLE HAD GONE THROUGH 2 ALIGNMENTS ALREADY, WITH ONLY ABOUT 42,000 MILES ON IT. LAST SERVICED FOR ALIGNMENT, DEALER DID NOTE CLUNKING AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. IT IS NOW BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, AND "K-TURNS" NOW REQUIRE MORE MANEUVERS, AND THE STEERING RADIUS HAS INCREASED POTENTIALLY CAUSING COLLISIONS WITH OBJECTS OR PEDESTRIANS IF COMPENSATORY ACTION IS NOT INITIATED. (STEERING OUTPUT HAS SOMETIMES BEEN UNPREDICTABLE). SECOND COMPONENT IS LACK OF TPMS SENSORS WHEN TIRES WERE CHANGED AT A FACILITY, AND I HAD THE FACILITY DOCUMENT THE LACK OF SENSORS. *TR

Mileage: 1,200

WHILE MAKING A SHARP LEFT TURN, I CAN HEAR CLUNK, CLUNK FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DEALER SAYS THE STEERING COLUMN (RACK-PINION) JOINT IS BAD, NEED REPLACEMENT, NOT UNDER WARRANTY, WILL COST 500 TO 600 $, NOT AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY THREAT , CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NOISE GETS TOO BAD. I AM NOT HAPPY THAT SUCH THINGS BREAK DOWN AT 45,000 MILES. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

ON SEPTMBER 9, 2008 I WAS TOLD AT THE THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR OF MY RUN FLAT TIRES AFTER DOING SO, WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING DID NOT FEEL THE SAME AS IT DID PRIOR TO MY VISIT. INITIALLY, I THOUGHT BECAUSE I HAD FOUR NEW TIRES THAT THE STEERING FELT TIGHT BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE HUGGING THE ROAD. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS THE STEERING HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. DRIVING STRAIGHT THE CAR FELT LIKE IT PULLED TOWARDS THE LEFT, MAKING TURNS WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE INTERMITTENTLY AS IF I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I CALLED THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 3, 2008 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD LOOK AT IT ON OCTOBER 8, 2008. THE CAR SAT OVER THIS PAST WEEKEND AND WHEN I DROVE IT FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING I COULD BARELY MOVE THE WHEEL SO I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 6, 2008 TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS, "STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT FAILURE," AND TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING COULD CEASE. THEY ORDERED THE PART AND REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT THE FOLLOWING DAY ON OCTOBER 7, 2008. I INQUIRED HOW OFTEN THEY SAW THIS ISSUE AND DECIDED TO RESEARCH THIS PART WHICH BROUGHT ME TO THIS WEBSITE. I WAS CURIOUS SINCE MY FAMILY HAS OWNED MANY TOYOTAS AND NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER HAD JUST REPLACED THE SAME PART ON ANOTHER SIENNA THIS PAST SATURDAY. I REQUESTED THAT THEY GIVE ME THE DEFECTIVE PART WHICH I HAVE. *TR

Mileage: 86,501

STEERING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA . THE TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME TOUGHER. TAKING TURNS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DEALER IS REPAIRING AT A COST OF 598.00 AND IT COULD BE MORE. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

THE STEERING BEGAN TO GET HARD TO TURN. THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE IT BEGAN TO INTERFERE WITH DRIVING. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A DUE TO CORROSION ON A STEERING SHAFT AND IF IT FAILED COMPLETELY, I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE REPAIR COST $700 WITH THE PART AND SUBSEQUENT ALIGNMENT. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MPH, THE STEERING WOULD TIGHTEN AND HESITATE TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE U JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND HAD LOTS OF "PLAY". THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $523.71. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,208.

Mileage: 78,000

ON APRIL 18, 2008 THE STEERING ON MY TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN TO FEEL DIFFICULT. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED ON MAY 6, 2008. *TR

Mileage: 67,200

POWER STEERING RACK FAILURE ON 2004 VEHICLE WITH 36,000 MILES. STEERING IS ERRATIC AND ODD FEELING. CONCERN IS THAT A TOTAL PS FAILURE COULD OCCUR MAKING VAN VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO A HALF HOUR DRIVE THE STEERING SUDDENLY FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING DURING TURNS. THE FORCE REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME UNPREDICTABLE, MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL LOCAL GARAGE (NOT AFFILIATED WITH TOYOTA) COULD INSPECT STEERING. THEY REPORTED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT, BUT THAT THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. FOUND ON NHTSA WEBSITE THAT TOYOTA HAD ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM IN JANUARY 2007. GIVEN THE RAPIDITY OF THE ONSET OF THIS PROBLEM, SUGGEST THAT OWNERS IN HIGH SALT AREAS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER. TOTAL MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 56,000. WILL KEEP DAMAGED PART WHEN REPLACEMENT ARRIVES. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

WE HAD A STEERING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS. THE STEERING WOULD BECOME VERY DIFFICULT AND FELT AS IF IT WAS LOCKING UP, ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR AND REQUIRED MUCH EFFORT. TOWARDS THE BEGINNING, IT WAS A BIT INTERMITTENT. AT THE FIRST VISIT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, WE PAID FOR OTHER SERVICE IN A VAIN EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SERVICE ADVISOR, AS THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM; NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND NO INDICATION WAS MADE THAT AN INSPECTION WAS MADE TO SEE IF THIS WAS THE SOURCE OF OUR COMPLAINT EVEN THOUGH A TSB HAD EXISTED FOR WELL OVER A YEAR AND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN LOGGED THROUGH NHTSA AND ON THE INTERNET. THE TECHNICIANS SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. ON THE SECOND VISIT, I REFERENCED THE TOYOTA TSB (#10020994 FROM 01/2007) AND THEY REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (I HAVE THE ORIGINAL) AT MY COST! (TOTAL OF ~$700 FOR 2 VISITS). WE CAME CLOSE TO HAVING ACCIDENTS IN THE CAR BEFORE THE REPAIR WAS MADE. THIS IS AN EXTREME HAZARD WHICH WILL LIKELY CAUSE BODILY OR PROPERTY HARM IF TOYOTA DOES NOT RECALL THESE VEHICLES SOON. A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ALREADY EXIST IN YOUR DATABASE: 10221808 10220841 10220825 10220825 10189743 10162602 10159496. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

A SHAFT IN THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD SALT. COMPLETE FAILURE WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. I REPLACED THE PART PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY WHEN DRIVING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THERE IS A TSB (NUMBER 10020994) REGARDING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN HIGH ROAD SALT AREAS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

Mileage: 55,000

STEERING BECAME HARD AND WOULD CATCH IN CERTAIN TURNING SITUATIONS SO THE CAR FELT AS IF STEERING LOCKED UP. NEEDS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED. CAR WENT INTO SHOP ON FRIDAY 3-7-08. PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. NONE ARE AVAILABLE IN USA. A TSB WAS ISSUED 1-2007 CONCERNING REPLACEMENT OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING ASSEMBLY WITH MODIFIED PART IN HIGH SALT AREAS. THE ORIGINAL DESIGN ALLOWS SALT TO GET IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT AND CORRODE IT CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME DIFFICULT. TOYOTA HAS COME OUT WITH A NEW DESIGN. THEIR FAILURE RATE MUST BE HIGH IF THEY HAVE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS IN THE USA FOR 2 WEEKS AND ONLY STATES WITH ROAD SALT ARE AFFECTED. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

THIS IS A SECOND MAJOR LEAK OF POWER STEERING FLUID IN WHICH THE FLUID IS LEAKING INTERNALLY INSIDE THE STEERING RACK. THE FIRST LEAK WAS REPAIRED UNDER TOYOTA WARRANTY ON 3/22/07. THE SECOND EVENT, SAME FAILURE SYMPTOMS FROM 2/17/08. *TR

Mileage: 34,749

STEERING IS NOT SMOOTH. THE WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO STRAIGHT FORWARD AFTER A TURN. THIS DEFECT HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW HAS REACHED A DANGEROUS LEVEL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND HE HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN HE MADE A TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT FOR THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED WITH AN UPGRADED PART. THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 68,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING OIL LINE WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A REPAIR GARAGE FOR INSPECTION IN APRIL AND NOVEMBER OF 2007. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE EXAMINED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,336. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE POWER STEERING HOSE POPPED OFF. UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 39,336

OUR FAMILY IS DEEPLY TROUBLED AND WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFENESS OF OUR 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA LE-8 EVERY TIME WE USE IT ON THE ROAD. OUR VAN HAS BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT VSC, KICKING WHICH STARTED EARLY THIS YEAR. FIRST, IT WILL HESITATE TO ACCELERATE FOLLOWED BY VSC KICKING THEN AUTOMATIC BRAKING ENGAGES THEN SUDDEN PULL OF THE STEERING TO THE LEFT. THE VSC KEEPS FLASHING AND BEEPS CONTINUOUSLY UNLESS I SLOW DOWN TO AROUND 20MPH. I EVEN SHOWED THE DEALER COPIES OF SIENNA OWNERS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM AND TSBS REGARDING YAW RATE SENSOR AND STEERING COLUMN SENSOR. BUT STILL COULD NOT FIX OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND NO PARTS REPLACED OR REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 25,000

WE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING FOR THE 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WAS BEGINNING TO GET HARD. SOMETIMES IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER STEEING, THEN IT WOULD BECOME EASIER. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LACK OF POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT FOUND OUT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE SWITCHING FROM HARD-TO-TURN STEERING TO REGULAR POWER STEERING MADE DRIVING DIFFICULT AND UNPREDICTABLE. TOYOTA ISSUED TWO TSB'S ON THIS STEERING SHAFT COMPONENT, AND, I UNDERSTOOD HAD RECALLED THE SAME COMPONENT IN ITS PRIUS MODEL. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS DANGER. *AK

Mileage: 58,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN, JAMS, AND FAILS TO TURN BACK TO THE CORRECT DRIVING POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS AN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, STEERING GEAR, AND A STEERING COLUMN FLEX COUPLING. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STEERING MAY FAIL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

Mileage: 48,000

VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY BECOME VERY HARD TO STEER. MUCH FORCE IS REQUIRED TO TURN WHEELS AND CORNERING IS VERY "JERKY". THE DEALER ADVISES A NEW STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY IS REQUIRED. THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED WARRANTY WORK. I CAN NOT FATHOM HOW MALFUNCTIONING OF THE STEERING ASSEMBLE AFTER THREE YEARS IS NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *JB

2004 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 39,000 MILES. STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY FAILED - NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER CAR. FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY, AS IF POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. FAILURE BLAMED ON RUBBER BOOT. CORRECTIVE ACTION: STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT CONSUMER COST. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE FOR GOVERNMENT VIEWING. SUDDEN FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEEDS. TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER REPAIR DUE TO MY NOT HAVING 30,000 MILES SERVICE PERFORMED AT LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP! *JB

Mileage: 39,800

PROBLEM WITH STEERING SYSTEM IN 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA. NOISE IN STEERING. TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP INDICATED STEERING INTERMEDIATE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS BAD. I BELIEVE STEERING SYSTEM IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB

Mileage: 47,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED EVERY 30,000 MILES. DURING FAILURE, THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS OCCURRED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING SHAFT HAD LEAKED ALL OF THE STEERING FLUID.

Mileage: 38,000

SINCE PURCHASE, VEHICLE STEERING HAS EXCESSIVE "PLAY", WHICH REQUIRES TOO MANY STEERING CORRECTIONS, ESPECIALLY UNDER WINDY CONDITIONS. CONDITION IS MOST OBVIOUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE HAS BEEN NO "FAILURE" PER SAY, BUT SUCH INFORMATION SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN TO OTHER BUYERS. NO "REPAIRS" FOR THIS ITEM HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED BECAUSE IT UNFORTUNATELY APPEARS TO BE "NORMAL" FOR THIS VEHICLE. SUCH A CONDITION, HOWEVER, SEEMS VERY UNSAFE.

Mileage: 10

THE STEERING ON THE 2004 SIENNA LACKS PRECISION AND REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. UPON CORRECTING IT APPEARS TO HAVE AN UNDERDAMPED BUT RESPONSIVE RESPONSE THAT CREATES AN UNSTABLE FEELING WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM IS EXEMPLIFIED DURING WINDY DAYS WHERE ABOVE NORMAL CORRECTIONS ON NON WINDY DAYS BECOME EXTREME CORRECTIONS ON WINDY DAYS. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS BECOMES A VERY STRESSFUL DRIVING CONDITION. WHEN ALL OTHER DRIVING RESPONSIBILITIES ARE THROWN INTO THE MIX IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA'S CHOICE OF STEERING COMPONENTS ARE INFERIOR RELATIVE TO THEIR ADVERTISED QUALITY. *NM

Mileage: 6,000

THE STEERING SENSOR IS CAUSING THE TRACTION CONTROL TO COME TO A HALT AND SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP FOR THE SIXTH TIME AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *NM

AT 13K00MILES, OWNER NOTICED EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR TO OUTSIDE EDGES OF BOTH STEER TIRES. TOOK TO SELLING DEALER TO HAVE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND TIRES ROTATED. TOE IN WAS OUTSIDE SPECIFICATION. DEALER CORRECTED ALIGNMENT AND AGREED TO REPLACE 1 WORN TIRE. OWNER REPLACED OTHER AT HIS EXPENSE. AT 22K MILES, SAME TYPE OF TIRE WEAR APPARENT ON STEER TIRES AGAIN. OWNER CONTACTS TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO COMPLAIN. TOYOTA AGREES TO REPLACE 1 WORN TIRE AND OWNER TO REPLACE THE OTHER. OWNER NOT SATISFIED WITH DECISION. VEHICLE IS OBVIOUSLY CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR TO TIRES. AT THIS RATE, OWNER WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES EVERY YEAR DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, ONLY THEIR CHECKBOOK.*AK

Mileage: 13,985