2004 Toyota Sienna: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jul 27, 2021 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA

I had the control arms replaced, then one of the bolts came out after a few thousand miles. I had that bolt replaced and the problem started happening intermittently after that. Everything will be functioning fine and then the speed of my vehicle is inhibited and it is hard to accelerate. It is very difficult to get from 40 MPH up to 50 MPH. On slight curves, not always, it will beep and the slip indicator light comes on and will apply the brakes on what feels like one side. This has happened at 35-60 MPH. The slip indicator will beep sometimes until I decrease my speed to under 25 MPH. I took it into a reputable tire and front end shop and they replaced a wheel bearing with sensor, and 2 front tires. The problem happened again within 5 miles and the shop said I need to take it to Toyota dealer to have it the steering angle sensors recalibrated. The Toyota dealership said that this is something that the vehicle does itself. They inspected it and took it for a test drive and said nothing is wrong. The problem happened again within a few miles of leaving the dealership. I have read countless forums of people experiencing the same thing in their Toyota Sienna and having the dealership telling them there is not a problem. I have also found that the solution could very well be worn rack and pinion bushings that are creating the play that are triggering the sensors. I don't think they gave it a proper inspection. This is a very dangerous problem, and even more so when the dealership is saying there isn't a problem. I am feeling very lost on what to do with my van right now. I have spent $1100 and 3 days of my time with the same thing happening. I

Filed Feb 20, 2016 · Body · 188,700 miles · WA

I was driving from a major city highway onto a freeway. I was going 50mph and accelerating to the appropriate freeway speed of 60mph. At that time, I realized my rear wing windows were open (it opens at the rear of the car at an angle of about 1 inch) and I pressed the automatic closure button. I heard a loud 'pop' on the passenger side. I looked back and the window was gone. I pulled over to the side of the highway immediately. A car/jeep with a family in it pulled up behind me. They were hit by the window coming off of my vehicle. Thank god no one was hurt, but it did cause damage to their vehicle. It shook both them and myself up. A window flying from a car on a highway could have seriously caused damage and injuries. We were very lucky. I called 911 to report that there was window debris on the highway, and told them where it was. That way I would not cause an accident. Prior to this happening, there had never been any problems with our wing windows. At the time of the incident it was just past 9pm, I was going home from work and it was dark. I was accelerating from 50 to 60 on a highway. We live in the greater seattle area so the road conditions are always wet but it was not raining. It was about 55 degrees f outside. My theory about what happened to the window (coming from an engineering student) is that the plastic ball joint separated from its shoulder. The window caught the wind from the acceleration and the hinges were pulled off of their anchor. However, obviously this is only speculation. I have contacted my insurance company and got a quote from the toyota dealership. Unfortunately, when I contacted toyota headquarters they were not interested and could not give me an explanation. I decided to contact you because I think there is a safety hazard with this window that should be looked into. Parts shouldn't just detach from a vehicle.

Filed Feb 23, 2013 · Suspension · 145,789 miles · TX

My tires were getting worn out at about 20000 miles, though I took to toyota dealer ship they never identified that the problem was with the lower control arm. Recently it was identified that both the lower control arms bushings were damaged and it cost more than $1100 to replace it. I understand that lower control arms were on recall but my vehicle was not part of the recall / never received recall notice.

Filed Mar 2, 2011 · Steering · 90,000 miles · NY

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 the federal safety agency item number: 10020994 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2010 · Steering · 70,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jul 10, 2009 · Suspension · 55,000 miles · CA

2004 toyota sienna xle minivan was at a body shop for another problem. The technician drove the van around and noted some strange feel in the steering and examined the front suspension. The rubber bushings in both control arms were cracked and falling apart leading to slop in the steering and movement of the front end. The shop advised that this could lead to loss of control and was a danger to driving. Repairs had to be made that included replacement of both control arms since they come as an assembly. There are other reports of similar rubber bushing failures from other 2004 toyota sienna owners. This is a critical safety and quality problem a the vehicle should be subject to a manufacturer recall for repair. Other symptoms are that the front tires (80k mileage warranty) are worn out after just 25k.

Filed Jan 15, 2009 · Body · 00

Control arm on driver's side door makes a load noise upon opening and closing door. Took to dealer and informed that I needed to take it to an autobody shop to repair the broken weld.

Filed Nov 19, 2008 · Steering, Suspension · 54,472 miles · NJ

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.