2004 Toyota Sienna: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 18, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

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.

Filed Jun 13, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · VA

The failing component is the VSC/ABS system. It puts the occupants of the van and other motorists at risk of either causing a collision or causing the driver of vehicle in question to be unable to control the vehicle . The failure appears when going in a curve in the road at low speed causing the abs to engage lock the brakes and steering wheel rapidly decelerating the car and causing the car to jerk to one side or the other and go into a skid where the driver is unable to control the wheel due to steering wheel locking up when it happens the VSC and TRAC lights come on and there is a loud and rapid beeping that can be heard inside the vehicle. The issue usually appear when going between 25-40mph in banking curves

Filed Oct 10, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 260,000 miles · TX

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...

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · 125,520 miles · WA

Unintended acceleration problem. Two episodes, months apart, both at very low speed. Was stopped behind two cars. Two cars in front started up to go through intersection. I took my foot off the brake and moved it to the gas pedal. Car started up normally. Then a child pushed to crosswalk signal which started to flash. I moved my foot to the brake pedal, and the car started slowing down normally, but then the car suddenly lurched forward. Both I and the passenger thought we had been rear-ended (but there was no car behind). It was a similar feeling to when the cruise control kicks in to accelerate, but no cruise control had been activated. I took my foot off the brake and slammed it back on the brake, and the car stopped. The previous episode had a similar series of events.

Filed Jul 20, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 150,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Jun 5, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 150,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Feb 12, 2018 · Driver assistance · 38 miles · CA

Driving on a dry straightaway highway traveling 67mph and skid light starts blinking with chime sound and van starts breaking and jerking to left alomost getting rear ended by tailgater..

Filed Sep 14, 2016 · Driver assistance · 138,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the traction control indicator illuminated. The tires felt as if they were gripping the ground, which made it difficult to drive. Since the failure, the vehicle started making a popping sound, but stopped when the vehicle traction control indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Steering · 114,553 miles · KY

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.

Filed Feb 23, 2015 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 107,550 miles · CA

Purchased 2004 sienna xle awd limited 2/18/15. While commuting to work the traction control system randomly activates in dry conditions (usually on downhill angled turn) causing loss of power, activation of front right brakes, and the steering wheel jerked from my hands (resulting in transient overall loss of control of vehicle). This defect has occurred 6 times in 2 days and I am currently afraid to drive the car, especially with a 3 month old. There have been multiple reports on edmunds.com and other toyota forums that support this is an ongoing problem with this model/year vehicle. This is a safety defect and the vehicle should be recalled to prevent injury or fatality and to resolve the issue with the tcs. There is no way to turn off the tcs manually and this issue can cause an accident.

Filed May 19, 2014 · Steering · 144,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed May 18, 2014 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NJ

When starting from 1-25 or slowing down to 25 from 35 there is jerk and van moves forward even if brake has been applied.