2003 Toyota Sienna

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT ABS PROBLEMS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVEN TIMES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/22/2006· SEAT BELTS

  THE SEAT BELT ON THE SECOND ROW OF THE TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN, BECOME INOPERATIVE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT MAKING THE SEAT USELESS. *NM

• 12/16/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA CE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS. HE WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

• 12/15/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TOYOTA SIENNA 2003 I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. I BELIEVE I HAD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK UP TO STRAIGHTENED THE CAR AND I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY SHOT FORWARD FULL FORCE AND WAS STOPPED BY A CONCRETE AND WIRE RETAINING WALL. THE ENGINE DIED AT IMPACT. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED. I WAS STUNNED. I WENT INTO THE BUILDING AND AFTER A SHORT TIME FELT CHEST PAIN AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. I RECEIVED A CHEST WALL CONTUSION, PROBABLY CRACKED RIB(S), DEEP TISSUE CONTUSION AND A LARGE BRUISE FROM THE SEAT BELT. I WAS GIVEN VICODIN FOR PAIN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BUT THE DAMAGE HAS NOT BEEN ESTIMATED YET. I AM AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION IN TOYOTA SIENNAS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BOTH THIS AGENCY AND TOYOTA BEFORE (NHTSA REPORT #10265288). WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED OR THE VEHICLE RECALLED? ARE YOU WAITING FOR ANOTHER TRAGEDY LIKE THE ONE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON BY THE MEDIA? I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR

• 12/13/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES SQUEAK WHEN APPLIED AT LOW SPEED. DEALER FIXED IT THREE TIMES, BUT IT IS BACK AGAIN. THE VAN WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IS STILL UNDER 3 YEAR/36,000 MILES WARRANTY.*AK

• 12/08/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP CLOSING IF THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT IN THE WAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.

• 12/03/2003· STEERINGFire

  PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID.*MR CONSUMER FILLED THE VEHICLE WITH POWER STEERING FLUID WHEN RETURNING HOME. ONCE HOME HE RETURNED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ORDER HE TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A CHECK UP. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT. CONSUMER NOTED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. ONLY THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN DUE TO LOW POWER STEERING FLUID. *PH

• 11/29/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  UPON DEPRESSING THE BUTTON FOR BOTH SLIDING DOORS CONSUMER HAS TO PUT BODY AGAINST IT TO MAKE IT DISENGAGE. CONSUMER DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CLOSING THE DOOR. THE EXTERNAL HANDLER WILL NOT RELEASE THE LOCK TO OPEN THE DOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD THE DOORS GREASED. BUT, IT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 11/20/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED WHO DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED FOR ANY WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE. SO THUS FAR THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.*AK

• 11/19/2008· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  CAR: TOYOTA SIENNA CE, 2003 RE: LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE YOU HAVE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATA BASE REGARDING LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGE. ON WHICH I ALSO HAVE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE A STICKY (INSIDE) DOOR RELEASE BUTTON PROBLEM. WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED, TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE BUTTON WILL NOT RETURN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED (LATCHES WILL NOT ENGAGE TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT). I ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM IN 2005 (OTHER SLIDING DOOR), WHICH WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY (INVOICE #310955, 06DEC05). DRIVING WITH THE DOOR UN-LATCHED IS DANGEROUS AND IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS FILED UNDER THIS HEADING (BUT UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF STICKY BUTTON WAS THE REAL PROBLEM), IN YOUR DATA BASE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TOYOTA FIX THIS ITEM IF IT IS A PROBLEM. DEALER ESTIMATED COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS $170 (INVOICE #425596, 12NOV08). THEY INDICATED THAT THE ENTIRE DOOR HANDLE AND SUB-ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ALL IT NEEDS IS A NEW SPRING OF SOME SORT, BUT I MUST AGREE THAT I HAVE NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEM OR HOW IT WORKS. THE HANDLE (NON-MOVING PART, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE) LOOKS GOOD AND IS NOT DAMAGED OR DIRTY IN ANY WAY (VISUAL INSPECTION). *TR

• 11/18/2010· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE HANDLE ON THE LIFT GATE FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BROKE OFF RIGHT IN MY HAND. THE GATE REMAINS LOCKED AND UNABLE TO OPEN IT. *TR

• 11/14/2002· CHILD SEAT

  I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA TO ONLY HAVE ONE TETHER RESTRAINT IN THE 2ND ROW. SO IF YOU HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS THEY BOTH CAN'T BE TETHERED IN THE 2ND ROW. ALSO THE PLACEMENT OF THIS 2ND ROW TETHER IS TERRIBLE! IT INTERFEARS WITH THE PERSON IN THE 3RD ROW, THEIR FEET GET TANGLED IN THE TETHER. NOT SAFE!!! DT

• 11/09/2008· TIRES

  4 TIRES PURCHASED FROM ARMY AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE, (AAFES) ON 20 NOV 2006 FOR A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO GET THE VALVE STEMS REPLACED. FIRST INCIDENT WAS 10 OCT 2008, THE SECOND OCCURRENCE JUST HAPPENED AND WILL BE REPLACED ON THE 11TH. *TR

• 11/09/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  SLIDING DOORS ON THE 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN MAY LOCK AND PROVE UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, TRAPPING OCCUPANTS.*AK

• 11/06/2008· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLED BROKE ON THE BACK SIDE SLIDING DOOR. IT WAS REPAIRED BUT NOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE YOU HAVE USE BRUTE STRENGTH. IT WILL NOT OPEN EASILY AND THE SHOP IS STATING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SLIDING DOOR OPENS WITH EASE EVEN BY A 10 YR OLD. I SAW ON MANY BLOGS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MOST PLACES (SCHOOL) AND CAMPS AND ANY PLACE ELSE YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR KIDS, THEY WILL HAVE TO GET OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR THEM TO HAVE TO GO INTO TRAFFIC TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THEN WHAT IF THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO THE OTHER DOOR. WILL THE CHILDREN BE FORCED TO CLIMB THROUGH THE FRONT TO GET OUT, WHAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE FRONT DOORS ARE INACCESSIBLE, HOW WILL THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK GET OUT. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR

• 11/03/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  NUMEROUS TIMES, THE BUTTON ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN THE "IN" POSITION. IT WILL NOT COME BACK OUT, AND CAUSES THE DOOR NOT TO LATCH. THE DOOR LITERALLY DOES NOT CLOSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I DRIVE MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE OFTEN. *LA

• 10/31/2007· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2003 4RUNNER THAT HAS A HORRIBLE CLUNKING SOUND THAT HAPPENS AT RANDOM. THE TOYOTA DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT 3 TIMES. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR STARTING FROM A STOP. IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND NOT VERY COMFORTING. IF THE DRIVESHAFT IS SLAMMING AND MAKING THIS NOISE, I CAN'T IMAGING ANYONE THINKING THAT IS VERY SAFE. THE THING COULD BREAK AT ANY MOMENT. WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE THE SLAMMING DOES TO IT! TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOME GETS HURT FROM IT. *TR

• 10/21/2007· STRUCTURE

  BACK HATCH UNLOCKED AND FLEW OPEN ON HIGHWAY WHILE I HAD CUSTOMERS IN MY 4 RUNNER. PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO SHUT...WOULD NOT SHUT. HAVING TO DRIVE NOW WITH BACK TAILGATE TIED SHUT. EXHAUST COMES IN THROUGH BACK OF VEHICLE. HAVING REPAIRED ON 10/24 FOR A COST OF OVER $400! *TR

• 10/16/2007· VISIBILITY

  WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE LIMITED DOWN THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE MOONROOF SHATTERED. THE SHATTERED WAS SPONTANEOUS AND MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN IT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM A ROCK, DEBRIS OR OBJECT AT OR PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE MOONROOF/SUNROOF SHATTERED INTO PIECES. AFTER RESEARCH ON-LINE, I SEE THERE WAS MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF TOYOTA TACOMA, SCION AND SIENNA. *JB

• 10/15/2018· AIR BAGSCrash

  TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED IN CAR BEING AIRBORNE AND ROLLING OVER. CAR WAS TOTALED. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAR WENT THROUGH 50 FOOT OF CORNFIELD AND LANDED ON THE ROOF. WINDOWS WERE ALL COLLAPSED DOOR RIPPED OFF ITS HINGES. I HAVE PICTURES ON MY PHONE I CAN PRINT AND GET TO YOU.

• 10/05/2004· SUSPENSION

  MY 2003TOYOTA SIENNA HAS A DISTINCT PROBLEM WITH PULLING . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES SINCE MARCH OF 2003 . THE FRONT END WAS REALIGNED WITH 231 MILES AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. SINCE THAT INITIAL REALIGNMENT THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINUED TO PULL AND HAS BEEN RE-EXAMINED, REALIGNED AND TESTD 5 MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE'S 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED ON OCTOBER 1ST AND IT WAS AGAIN REALIGNED. THE VEHICLE STILL PULLS AND ON OCT. 4TH THE SERVICE MANAGER AGAIN TEST DROVE THE VAN AND NOW STATES THAT A " SHIM PAK" NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN THE REAR. THIS IS UNNACCEPTABLE FOR A VEHICLE WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT. I FEAR THAT IT IS A TEMPORARY FIX FOR A SEVERE UNREPAIRABLE PROBLEM . *AK

• 09/29/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT ANY SPEED THEY SQUEALED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO GET THE PROBLEM REPAIRED, BUT AFTER THE REPAIRS THE SQUEALING DIMINISHED BUT PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

• 09/28/2004· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE IN PARK VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK....VEHICLE WA SIN PARK AND NOT RUNNING. CONSUMER WENT TO TURN OFF MOTOR FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE, AS CONSUMER BACKED OUT AFTER CHECKING THE GEAR SHIFT TO BE SURE IT WAS SRILL IN PARK POSITION. THE FRONT DOORKNOCKED CONSUMER DOWN WHEN HE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE LYING ON THE GROUND THE FRONT WHEEL ON THE RIGHT LEFT SIDE OF CONSUMER. HE SUSTAINED SEVERAL BROKEN RIBS, ROAD RASH TO RIGHT LEG, BURNS ON ARMS, SIDE AND LEG. WAS HOSPITALIZED AND HAD PHYSICAL THERAPY. *AK

• 09/26/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD TICKING AND RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST INDICATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TOO MANY MILES TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

• 09/25/2007· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S HOOD BLEW OPEN AND DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. HE FELT THAT THE LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS SCHEDULED TO EVALUATE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

• 09/24/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  UNINTENDED HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION I WAS ACCELERATING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND I BRIEFLY USED THE BRAKES TO ALLOW A LARGE TRUCK TO GO PAST BEFORE MERGING. I'M NOT SURE IF I THEN PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE, BUT THE 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN ACCELERATION ON ITS OWN AS THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BEEN SET AT 100 MPH AND IT WAS TRYING TO GET THERE! I DID NOT HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT THE TIME. I THEN PUT ON THE BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED, AND I WAS ABLE TO REDUCE THE SPEED BUT THE BRAKES WERE DEFINITELY FIGHTING AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S DESIRE TO GO 100 MPH. I PULLED THE CAR OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND WAS UNSURE OF THE BEST WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MY 2 KIDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT AND MY DAUGHTER WAS SAYING SHE WAS VERY SCARED. I CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND PULLED OVER. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF WHILE THE VAN WAS STILL MOVING JUST TO GET IT TO STOP. AFTER 5-10 SECONDS I TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AT A HIGH RPM. I TURNED IT OFF AGAIN, WAITED A WHILE LONGER, AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN THE VAN BEHAVED NORMALLY. I FEAR THAT IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURY. IF ANYONE HAD BE IN FRONT OF ME AND I HAD NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP. MY MECHANIC CHECKED OUT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. HIS GUESS IS THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I READ ABOUT OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS INVOLVING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH TOYOTA SIENNAS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. *TR

• 09/22/2010· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  BROKEN CABLE FOR SLIDING DOOR OF MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. *TR

• 09/11/2003· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE DOOR LATCH BUTTONS ON THE SLIDING DOORS(WHERE MY CHILDREN SIT) HAVE GOTTEN STUCK. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO HEAT (DAYS WHERE THE CAR SITS IN THE SUN WITH TEMPS OF 95+). WHEN THE BUTTON IS STUCK THE DOOR EITHER ( MAY NOT LATCH OR MAY NOT OPEN). IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO MY CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THIS KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED DOOR LATCH FAILURE, I HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE. *ON 30AUG03 OUR FAMILY WAS GOING TO OUR POOL (IT WAS A HOT DAY). WE ALL GOT IN THE VAN. MY DAUGHTER CLOSED THE SIDING DOOR. UH-OH THE BUTTON IS STUCK , THE DOOR WONT CLOSE AND LATCH. OUR TRIP IN THIS VAN IS OVER. I STAYED WITH THE VAN, CALLED OUR TOYOTA DEALER AND SCHEDULED A TIME TO REPAIR THE DOOR. TOYOTA COULD NOT RECREATE THE STICKING BUTTON AND WILL NOT FIX OR REPLACE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE BUTTON STUCK.

• 09/11/2003· STEERING,TIRES

  THIS IS FOR A NEW TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. THE STEERING HAS ALWAYS HAD A SHAKE IN IT FROM DAY ONE. DEALER CHECKED TIRES FOR FLAT SPOTS. FOUND ONE BAD TIRE AND REPLACED. SHAKE STILL THERE.TOOK THE VAN TO ANOTHER TIRE STORE TO HAVE BALACES ON TIRES CHECKED AND THEY WERE NOT BALANCED PROPERLY. HAD TIRES RE-BALANCED AGAIN. SHAKE STILL THERE. DEALER THEN CHECKED STEERING COMPONANTS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. DEALER THEN ROTATED AND RE-BALANCED TIRES AND STATED THAT THE SHAKE MAY WORK ITS WAY OUT WITH SOME ADDITIONAL MILEAGE PUT ON THE TIRES AFTER THE ROTATION. WAS ADVISED TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE VAN ON VACATION AND SEE HOW IT GOES. AFTER VACATION MILEAGE OF 1600 MILES,SHAKE STILL THERE. DEALER RE-INSPECTS AND FINDS AN INNER TIE-ROD DEFECTIVE(LEFT SIDE). TOYOTA SENDS A WHOLE NEW RACK AND PINNION STERRING SYSTEM TO BE REPLACED. DEALER COMPLETES WORK BUT SAYS THEY DIDN'T REPLACE RIGHT SIDE OUTER TIE-ROD BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE TIE-ROD WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE. NEXT DAY THE SHAKE STILL THERE. BACK TO DEALER FOR MECHANIC TO TEST DRIVE. HE STATES THERE IS A DEFINATE SHAKE IN THE STEERING BUT DOESN'T KNOW WHY. SO THEY HAVE MY VAN AGAIN TODAY FOR THE FOURTH TIME TO TRY AND FIGURE IT OUT.

• 09/10/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  NAR 9-10-03. FOIA EMAIL FWD FM KOST/GC INQUIRING HOW MANY 2003 TOYOTA'S HAVE HAD A PROBLEM OF ACCELERATING WHILE THE BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED, ES HAVE NO RECORD. *CB

• 09/07/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OPENING OR CLOSING THE TRUNK DOOR OF MY 2003 SIENNA VAN. SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASE MY SIENNA IN 2007, I DID NOTICE THE TRUNK HANDLE, WHICH IS COVERED FROM ALL ELEMENTS, WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. TO SEE THE CORROSION YOU MUST GET ON YOUR KNEE AND LOOK UP PAST THE LICENSE PLATE OR OPEN THE TRUNK DOOR AND LOOK UP INTO THIS SAME GROOVE.. I INFORMED THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER ABOUT THE CORROSION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANT AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NOT A PROBLEM THAT WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. AFTER A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE ON LABOR DAY, THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE REAR SEAT TO UNLOAD THE VAN. WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE COST OF THE REPAIR. HOW CAN THAT PART BE TOTALLY CORRODED THE WAY IT IS COVER? *TR

• 09/06/2011· POWER TRAIN

  SOME TIMES WHEN AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH(GO). *TR

• 08/24/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AUGUST 24, 2003 SUBJECT: SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST ENTERS PASSENGER CABIN COMPARTMENT (THIS IS WHAT THE DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS).I HAVE A MODEL 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA THAT HAS A BURNING/SEWAGE SMELL, WHICH THE DEALER CALLS A ROTTEN EGG SMELL, ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING WITH THE AIR ON OR OFF. MY DASHBOARD AIR SWITCH IS ALWAYS SET TO RE-CIRCULATE INTERIOR AIR (NOT TO BRING FRESH AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE IN). THE SMELL GETS SO BAD THAT I MUST OPEN THE WINDOWS TO AIR OUT THE STINK. IT HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT OCTANE OF GAS I USE. IT MAY HAPPEN OR NOT HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. I FREQUENT GAS STATIONS NEAR ME THAT ARE NO OLDER THAN TWO YEAR OLD. WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE VAN TO A FACTORY TOYOTA SERVICE DEALER AND AFTER THEY CHECKED IT OUT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NORMAL WITH ALL TOYOTAS ESPECIALLY SIENNAS & SEQUOIAS. THEY HANDED ME A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ENTITLED " SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST" ALL MODELS, DOCUMENT NUMBER EG003-03. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND TSB THIS ON YOUR SITE OR ANY OTHER INTERNET SITE. THIS MAY BE NORMAL TO SMELL AT THE END OF THE EXHAUST TAILPIPE, BUT SHOULD THE SMELL OF SULFUR BE GETTING INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN AREA WITH THE DOORS & WINDOWS CLOSED AND THE AIR ON RE-CIRCULATE? SHOULD IT BE SO STRONG THAT IT FORCES THE OCCUPANTS TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR IN THE CAR? WHY IS SULFUR ODOR THAT IS A COMPONENT OF GAS EXHAUST ENTERING THE CAR? HOW SAFE IS THIS FOR US, KIDS, AND INFANTS? SHOULD NOT MY VENTS AND WINDOWS BEING CLOSED, PREVENT THIS SMELL FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER AREA? THE DEALER SAYS NO, BUT MY CLOSED VENTS KEEP OUT OTHER CARS' EXHAUST, EVEN IF THEY ARE BURNING OIL AND MAKING WHITE CLOUDS OF EXHAUST IN FRONT OF US WHEN WE ARE DRIVING BEHIND THEM. PLEASE RESPOND. WE HOPE YOU CAN HELP US. THANK YOU, FRANK AUTORE & FAMILY. *AK

• 08/23/2011· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING REAR DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 08/23/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE SLIDING DOOR ON MY SIENNA SYMPHONY JUST QUIT WORKING. THE DOOR WAS OPENED AUTOMATICALLY AND JUST QUIT CLOSING USING THE SAME 'AUTO OPEN/CLOSE BOTTOM'. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE AUTO SYSTEM SINCE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS SINCE THEN THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM INSIDE AND ONE HAS TO GET OUT TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY AND THE LEAVING THE VAN BECOMES LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION. *JB

• 08/21/2015· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V160000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

• 08/21/2007· POWER TRAIN

  MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS HAS STARTED EXPERIENCING A HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. TOOK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK, AND THEY UPDATED WITH THE PATCH. CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER IS CALLING IT A "HARD SHIFT" THAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT DIDN'T DO IT THE FIRST 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. CAR IS ALMOST OUT OF ITS 60K WARRANTY, AND THEY INDICATE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE TO FIX. *TR

• 08/18/2010· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA XE. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V160000 (STRUCTURE). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REMEDY REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE TIME FRAME PROVIDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONTACT'S WORK HOURS. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE DEALER SHOULD PROVIDE A FREE RENTAL VEHICLE DURING THE TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE WAS NO FAILURE RELATED TO THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

• 08/07/2010· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  OPENED TAIL GATE ON 03 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. REACHED IN TO GET SOMETHING AND GATE SUDDENLY CAME DOWN STRIKING ME ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD CAUSING A CONCUSSION. GAS STRUTS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

• 08/02/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OUR 2003 SIENNA VAN (TOYOTA) HAS BEGUN THROWING BLUE SMOKE OUT THE EXHAUST. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THAT TOLD US THAT IT'S A VALVE,RING SLUDGE PROBLEM IN THE MOTOR . HE SAID IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO THIS PARTICULAR MODEL . I RESEARCHED IT ON GOOGLE AND FOUND THIS WEBSITE FROM OTHER OWNERS OF SIENNAS. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND TOYOTA HAS NOT BEEN WILLING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND HAS IN FACT FOUND A "LOOPHOLE"THROUGH AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE PROBLEM. SO, HERE I AM WITH MY COMPLAINT. HOPE THAT YOU CAN HELP US OUT AS I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO BUY A NEW ENGINE. THANK YOU. *JB

• 08/01/2011· TIRES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH TOYO EXTENSA TIRES, TIRE SIZE 215/65/15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT AN OBJECT PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND A PATCH WAS USED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THREE MONTHS LATER THE SAME TIRE WAS PUNCTURED AGAIN BY A SMALL ROCK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,800.

• 07/26/2009· STRUCTURE

  AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA FAILURE (PASSENGER SIDE). THE DOOR STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS CLOSING COMPLETELY. THE DOOR WOULD SENSE RESISTANCE AND OPEN, WHEN NO RESISTANCE WAS PRESENT DURING THE CLOSURE PROCESS. WITHIN 30 DAYS THE DOOR NO LONGER MOVES AND IS PROVING A HAZARD TO ATTEMPT CLOSURE. THERE IS NO TRUE MANUAL OVERRIDE TO OPENING OR CLOSING THE DOOR AS THE SENSORS KICK-IN. WHEN THE DOOR IS EVENTUALLY CLOSED THE DOOR RATTLES WHILE DRIVING AND WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE DOOR IS REALLY SAFE. TOYOTA OFFERS TO REPLACE ALL THE PARTS AND THE DOOR MOTOR FOR OVER $1800.00. *TR

• 07/24/2005· TIRES

  I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WASHINGTON STATE, AND NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD WAS SEPERATING FROM THE SIDEWALL AND STEAL. MY SON THEN FOUND THAT THE PASSANGER REAR WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I HAD TO CALL HOME AND FIND THE CLOSEST PLACE TO REPLACE THE TIRES. EUGENE. OR. WAS THE CLOSEST AND IT WAS 49 MILES. ABOUT 15 MILES OUTSIDE OF EUGENE, THE TREAD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS THROWN OFF OF MY CAR AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY VAN. I REGAINED CONTROL AND GOT THE CAR TO COSTCO WHERE I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES.

• 07/09/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WAS LOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEELS WOULD SEIZE AT TIMES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES FOR A DIAGNOSIS, HOWEVER THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,618.

• 07/08/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN PICKING UP MY VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA TOWN IN STOCKTON, CA, WE DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON FOLLOWING A 60,000 MILE SERVICE. THE MECHANIC RELEASED THE VEHICLE TO US WITHOUT EXPLANATION. THEN AFTER TWO VISITS IN THE SAME DAY TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, MY HUSBAND DEMANDED AN EXPLANATION. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS OUR PROBLEM THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE OR "GEL" IN THE OIL THAT WAS RELEASED WHEN HE REMOVED THE HEAD FOR SERVICING. AFTER CHANGING THE OIL HIMSELF TWICE, MY HUSBAND SAW THE OIL LIGHT GO OFF. THINKING THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, WE TOOK IT ON THE HIGHWAY THE NEXT DAY. WITHIN 100 MILES THE ENGINE FROZE, LEAVING US STRANDED ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE. CURRENTLY, THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH TOYOTA RECENTLY SETTLED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE OWNERS OF THE 2002 MODELS. OUR VAN IS A 2003. THIS PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY CONTINUES TO EXIST. *TR

• 07/06/2004· TIRES

  SO FAR THERE IS NO FAILURE OF MY DUNLOP SP-40 TIRES OTHER THAN POOR TREAD WEAR. AT 17,000 MILES I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW TIRES. THE DUNLOP TIRES ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A 60,000 MILE LIFE. TOYOTA IS NOT ANY HELP AS OF THIS DATE. I ALSO E-MAILED DUNLOP MY COMPLAINTS AND GOT NO RESPONSE FROM THEM. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE JUST CHEAP TIRES. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MY TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT LEAST TWICE AND POSSIBLY A THIRD TIME. I REALLY DON'T FEEL THAT THE WEAR IS FROM POOR MAINTENANCE. I AM A STAY AT HOME MOTHER WHO DRIVES VERY LITTLE. IF SOMEONE WILL CHECK INTO THIS, I BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BOTH TO TOYOTA AND DUNLOP REGARDING THE WEAR OF THESE TIRES ON THE SIENNA MINIVANS!! *NM

• 06/30/2006· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BUTTON USED TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS JAMMED. THE OCCUPANTS IN THE BACK SEAT WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - THE CONSUMER LUBRIACTED THE BUTTON AND NOW THE DOOR WORKS. *NM

• 06/30/2006· STRUCTURE

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN HOT, HUMID WEATHER, THE REAR DOORS WERE CLOSED AND WOULD NOT OPEN. IF THE OPENED, THEY WOULD NOT CLOSE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE OPENER WITH NO SUCCESS. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

• 06/28/2010· POWER TRAINCrash

  WHILE I WAS FULLY STOPPED, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *TR

• 06/26/2003· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING. *MR THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED, BOTH LOCK NUT(S) WERE LOOSE AND THE TIE ROD(S) WERE EQUALLY ADJUSTED 1/8 OF A TURN TO COMPENSATE FOR THE STEERING WHEEL, A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED, THE TOE IN AND CAMBER WAS ADJUSTED, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MOUNTED AND BALANCED. *SCC *JB