2005 Toyota Sienna: jerking or lurching

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Driver assistance · 133,000 miles · VA

While driving approximately 10 - 15 MPH under the speed limit on a gently curving overpass, the stability control engaged, sharply jerking the steering uncontrollably in the wrong direction and hindering my ability to steer the vehicle or brake. This has happened twice previously, both on curves, and on neither of those occasions was I exceeding the speed limit, nor was there any reason for the system to engage.

Filed Sep 12, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 145,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stability control off warning light illuminated and engine would surge, the rpms would decrease and the vehicle would jerk to the left. The contact indicated that the failure would occur for approximately 10 seconds. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Steering · 185,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated and an audible alarm was activated before the steering suddenly jerk the vehicle to the left and right. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on multiple occasions and would only last a few seconds. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2016 · Seat belts · 80,700 miles · CA

I made an appointment and showed up 15 minutes early at 11:15am for my appointment at a the toyota service center on 4th avenue in san francisco. I have two recalls issues on my 2005 sienna (shift lock solenoid and corrosion of the spare tire carrier) and this super annoying and unsafe locking of my front seat belts both on the driver and passenger side. The seat belt issue should be covered under a warranty enhancement - zf2. It took them 5 hours to fix both recall but they refuse to fix my seat belt issue. At first, they said they couldn't replicate the issue. I drove off and what do you know, the seat beat got stuck again! I drove back to the service center and show my service person. He jerked the seat belt left and right to loosen it and then said this "just happens" and there is nothing they can do about it. He said the warranty enhancement was for the retractor mechanism and not for the folding seatbelt issue. I said, this is obviously a defect in the design of the seatbelt holder/attachment and toyota should fix it. Was told, "nope, sorry, can't help you." I was so mad. Wasted a whole day and didn't get the most important issue to me fixed. Toyota is no longer caring about its customer.

Filed Jul 7, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 145,000 miles · NC

While driving at approximately 40 MPH and entering a left turn curve, the ABS and vsc lights activated and the vehcle lurched violently to the right then back to thge left. I was able to regain control after a few seconds, but during this time time I was not able to steer properly. The vehicle was taken to an independent service facility. The brakes and stability control were inspected. There were not any trouble codes stored. Examination of the wheel speed sensors revealed the right and left sensors were seized in their mounting brackets. We believe the sensors have rusted and have swollen. We had the ABS and vsc systems disconnected. The problem has not occurred since this was done. We are planning on replacing these sensor in the near future. This is a very serious condition and needs to be investigated.

Filed May 17, 2016 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 215,000 miles · CA

On several occasions the vehicle stability control on my 2005 toyota sienna xle is activated suddenly and for no reason. It has happened changing lanes on the freeway, on off ramps, and city streets. I was never going over the speed limit, turning sharply, and the road was not wet or slippery. The activation caused my car to rapidly decelerate from 50 MPH to 20 MPH in a matter of seconds and caused my wife, children, and I to lurch forward. Vsc also caused my vehicle to swerve sharply to the right. I had immediately lost control! This put me and my family in mortal danger along with the occupants of vehicles around us. They were completely unprepared for my sudden and unwarranted stop! I believe toyota has sold a vehicle that has a hardware and/or software error in it that can result in fatal injuries to the driver, passengers and occupants of surrounding vehicles. This is why I believe the national highway transportation safety administration should require toyota to issue a safety recall that permanently eliminates this problem for toyota owners like me. Like others I believe this situation is far more serious than your recent recall of the toyota shift lever assembly to prevent an accidental roll away. (the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v429000). In our case we are driving at highway speeds when without warning the car suddenly slams on the brakes and veers to the left. I have read others complaints that are almost identicle. Please do not wait for injuries and deaths to resolve this issue!

Filed Mar 24, 2016 · Driver assistance · 223,000 miles · WA

On march 15, 2016, the vehicle stability control on my 2005 toyota sienna xle activated suddenly and for no reason. I was in a left turn merging lane from one major highway to a busy interstate. I was going about 50 MPH when it activated. The activation caused my car to rapidly decelerate from 50 MPH to 20 MPH in a matter of 3 seconds and caused my wife and I to lurch forward. Vsc also caused my vehicle to swerve sharply to the right. I had immediately lost control! This put me and my family in mortal danger along with the occupants of vehicles around us. They were completely unprepared for my sudden and unwarranted stop! I believe toyota has sold a vehicle that has a hardware and/or software error in it that can result in fatal injuries to the driver, passengers and occupants of surrounding vehicles. This is why I believe the national highway transportation safety administration should require toyota to issue a safety recall that permanently eliminates this problem for toyota owners like me. (as background, I did some internet research to see if others have experienced this. I've attached my findings of 23 identical incidents experienced by sienna owners. I stopped at 23 - there were more.) I believe this situation is far more serious than your recent recall of the toyota shift lever assembly to prevent an accidental roll away. (the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v429000). In our case we are driving at highway speeds when without warning the car suddenly slams on the brakes and veers to the right. I believe this calls for your immediate action. Personally, I think this is just as serious as a car going down the highway that suddenly bursts into flames. I know you would issue a recall to that car company and I believe you should issue a similar recall to toyota.

Filed Oct 29, 2014 · Brakes · 30 miles · MA

Approaching full stop realized that although braking car was not slowing. Brake again and again then car felt as if coasting in free fall then shot forward like an air plane taking off. Kept slamming on brake; suddenly car stopped moving forward - no huge jerk/lurch as one might expect from sudden stop just......stopped. Continued to drive home. A few times I pressed accelerator and then brake to compare to "event" and am convinced I was braking the entire time of the "event". I am trained movement specialist and know my foot was on brake not accelerator. Towed car to dealer today. Toyota can't find anything wrong with car and suggested I had been stepping on accelerator.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Body · 147,000 miles · IN

The power sliding door on the passenger side will no longer function when the handles are pulled or when the buttons are pushed. It lurches but never moves. It must be deactivated and used manually. We were quoted a price of $1000 to repair it and told this was very common in the 2004-2007 toyota sienna models. There should be a recall to have this service performed free of charge.

Filed Mar 28, 2012 · 5,000 miles · CO

I lilve in colorado and the doors will not open when weather drops below freezing. My kids could not open door from inside either. I recently broke the handle while trying to jerk the door open. It only happens in winter, but have never had this issue with any other vehicle.

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Acceleration · 53,978 miles · CA

I had a sudden acceleration incident in my 2005 toyota sienna. I was making a slow u-turn in front of my home into a parking space by the curb on the far side of the street. The width of the street is such that even with the steering wheel turned fully to the left, the passenger tire rises up a driveway incline just before the car is 180 degrees around. As I usually do for this turn, I need to turn slightly more than 180 degrees, have the passenger tire come out of the driveway, then turn back to be parallel to the curb. I had slightly misjudged the turn this time, and realized that my passenger tire was going to have to drop an inch or two off the rising curb at the edge of the driveway. Because of this I am certain I had my foot on the brake pedal to keep my speed down. About 5 feet before the wheel was going to come off the curb, the car lurched forward, jumped the curb violently and fast, and continued my turn carrying me partly back into the street. I was very surprised, but brought the car to a stop quickly with the brake. The engine was no longer revving once I stopped. I estimate tat the acceleration lasted for not more than 2 seconds, possibly only 1 second. I reversed the car and then drove it forward into my intended parking space. After putting the shifter into p, I revved the engine and everything seemed fine. Fortunately, there was no accident and no damage I am aware of (although the passenger wheel did make a thump as it came over the curb).

Filed Jul 23, 2010 · Steering · 88,000 miles · MA

I noticed that occasionally the steering would be a little stiff. Then the steering became very stiff when turning. Often the steering would jerk to one side or another leading to the car moving suddenly. The car is not drivable now. The entire steering shaft is being replaced at an approximate cost of $1500.