2004 Toyota Sienna: engine failure

Filed Mar 28, 2016 · Steering · 140,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jan 22, 2016 · 130,000 miles · GA

Traction control sensor problem, 2004 toyota sienna xle, approx 128,000-133,000 miles. Safety issue: while driving within the posted speed limits of 35-45 MPH the van has seized up (slows down on it's own without warning) as an internal alarm simultaneously sounds (the first time it happened I didn't know the van had an internal alarm). This has happened four times, (sept. And october 2015, and twice this week 1/18/16 and 1/22/16). Each time the vehicle was traveling on dry streets with the exception of the last episode. After the first episode I took the van to our mechanic on the day of occurrence; we took a 10 minute test drive where he ran diagnostic test however no problems were detected. The second time it happened our mechanic did some research and found out it was a traction control sensor fail. After today's episode I will have the sensor disengaged as we have had the van 12 + years and have not had a need for the traction control to take over. This is not only dangerous but very scary for the driver and passengers. Please toyota, get this problem fixed.

Filed Mar 9, 2015 · Driver assistance · 120,000 miles · CA

This has been happening regularly for at least two years: traction control seizes control of car when traveling anywhere from 35-65mph, but it happens most frequently on freeway at about 60mph. The car is usually on a gradual curve but it also happens when the vehicle is traveling on a straightaway. Vehicle becomes difficult to control, steer, accelerate, lights on the dash light up and a terrible noise ensues. One independent mechanic and two toyota dealers have attempted to troubleshoot the problem and have been unsuccessful. When traction control is manually turned off at engine power-on, the lights still light up showing it is attempting to seize control, and in one instance, control was seized despite the system supposedly being shut down. It is terrifying for the driver as well as any passengers.

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Brakes, Steering · 143,339 miles · CT

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.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Transmission · 149,000 miles · OR

Driving in passing lane of interstate 70 MPH, very loud crashing noises from undercarriage that continued as long as car was moving forward. Tow truck driver said power train (drive line he called it) had come off. Mechanic identified cause as transfer case seizing up, probably because of some internal part coming loose. Right front wheel also seized up. Damage to van is catastrophic - it's totaled. Miraculously I was able to pull off to shoulder without crashing.

Filed May 16, 2013 · Body · 70,000 miles · NY

The first incident is that the passenger side sliding door started to rub the paint off the body, so we disabled it since the dealer said it was out of warranty and would cost us $1800. A couple years later the driver side sliding door seized and wouldn't close. I had to drive to where my wife and kids were stranded and cut the door's cables, so she could drive home. A couple years after that I receive an extended warranty letter from toyota for their sliding doors, however, since there is a 120,000 mile stipulation and ours had more miles than that they said sorry we are out of luck. Toyota extended the warranty because they knew there was a problem with their sliding doors, but set stipulations, like mileages, so many people could not take advantage!!! I also had a problem with the driver's door hinge weld breaking, the dealer once again told me there was no recall and it would cost me a few hundred dollars to weld it back together. After looking at the hinge's weld I could tell it was an assembly misstake. Since I know how to weld I removed the door myself and re-welded the hinge. Several months after fixing it myself I found out there was a recall.

Filed Jun 9, 2011 · Engine · 108,000 miles · IA

Radiator leak, continuous problem. Could cause catastrophic engine failure. Toyota will not address repair. *tr updated 3/01/2012

Filed Feb 22, 2011 · Steering · 81,964 miles · MN

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 federal safety agency 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.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Body · 35,000 miles · NJ

Automatic sliding passenger door seized on august 17, 2009. Stuck in open position. Went to dealer and was informed it was fourth one they had seen in a week. Was told warranty had expired prior month. Would cost over $1000.00 to fix.

Filed Jan 15, 2010 · Body, Locks · 73,000 miles · WA

During normal operations of this 2004 toyota sienna xle van. Right side powered door seized. Door failed to open completely, and then it was difficult to shut and lock. I took the sienna to the local toyota dealership (heartland toyota, bremerton, washington) on 13jan10, and they diagnosed the problem as a failed motor, control cable, and computer (ecu). They also informed me it would cost $3,050 to repair. I was in shock. I checked online and there seems to be a chronic failure with the 'automatic' doors of toyota vans. Toyota corporate instructed me to work with the local toyota dealer to arbitrate repairs since the door is not covered under warranty, or recall. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate these doors. They should not fail and seize after 5 years of normal wear. *tr updated 03/10/10 *bf updated 10/05/10

Filed Feb 12, 2007 · Engine · 68,500 miles · MD

Engine failure due to oil gumming.

Filed Aug 16, 2003 · Electrical · 80 miles · WA

2004 toyota sienna xle limited frequently stalls, causing loss of control of vehicle. Stalls commenced within days of acquiring vehicle (prior to 100 miles), have occurred more than 10 times, and have occurred at 60 MPH, 40 MPH, 30 MPH, and during turns in front of oncoming traffic. Dealership replaced engine coils and problem continued. Dealership found lose wire, tightened it, and frequency of stalls significantly reduced but did not go away altogether.