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.
2004 Toyota Sienna steering complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 159 of 159, newest first, as owners wrote them.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2004 Toyota Sienna?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history