2006 Toyota Sienna: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Jan 1, 2026 · WA

While driving, there was a recurrent sound like doors locking and unlocking, several dozen times over a half hour drive at 50 miles per hour. When stopped, the passenger side sliding door opened by itself. Luckily, my dogs were in a kennel or they might have jumped out of the car. I closed it and it opened by itself again. At home, the passenger side sliding door opens when my neighbor presses the button on his key fob to open his non-Toyota pickup truck. It will not open or close when I press the button on my Sienna key fob.

Filed Feb 19, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 79,850 miles · WI

1) august 2013 during an oil change the dealer technician notified me the steering rack needed replacing due to oil leaks from the rack and pinion ($1000 repairs). 2) september 2014 asked dealer to check air conditioning AC right center console blower. After recharging the system with dye, found the AC lines to the rear cabin corroded under the wheel wells -- recommended $1500 to replace entire lines (I declined pending further inspection summer 2015). 3) february 2015 noticed right side power sliding door stopped working electronically, with key fob, interior switches, etc., and would only work when pulling open/closing manually by hand. Actuators still worked to "lock" the door during the last inch closing/opening. Noticed black cable sheathing frayed and bare in spots, showing steel cable inside, but cable still intact. Found online forums stating many having similar issues. Located my extension to warranty enhancement notice from toyota mailing stating "certain 2004-2007 model year sienna rear sliding door latch assemblies and power sliding door cable assemblies" may be covered (up to 120k or 9 years from original date of purchase, whichever came first), via the toyota customer support program. However, this "enhancement" does not cover door motor assembly failures, which my dealer technician identified as the probable main cause of the door not working properly (after having removed part of the door for inspection). I declined the $1000 labor + $1200 parts ($2200 total) motor, but accepted the free cable assembly warranty coverage. Am now using the door in manual mode only. My concerns: these parts are wearing out prematurely under normal use/wear and tear.

Filed Feb 24, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 110,000 miles · FL

Two issues: (1) since 2012, the front passenger's door has made a loud popping, cracking sound every time it is opened or closed. Toyota dealer informed me the door weld is cracked and the entire door must be removed for a new weld and paint job at a body shop. Dealer also showed me a toyota warranty coverage enhancement for this problem (the "door check mounting panel," pol07-04, issued 10/22/07), which extends up to 5 years or 100,000 miles. I never received notice of this in the mail, and it does not appear under the tsbs on the federal safety agency site. My van is no longer covered at 110,000 miles. Note: I had this same problem on my driver's side door at only 32,000 miles, which was repaired under warranty. That means both my front doors have had failed welds. This clearly is a manufacturing defect which toyota should cover, regardless of mileage. (2) power sliding door will not operate when interior buttons or key fob buttons are pushed. It will open manually, but it sticks and requires a hard pull. Dealer advises cabling is malfunctioning and the motor in the main control board is bad. I was told the warranty enhancement for the rear sliding door assemblies and power sliding door assemblies will cover the cables and latch, but does not cover the motor, the main control board, or the lock! This is a very costly repair. These components are defective and should be included in the warranty enhancement.

Filed Sep 11, 2010 · Body · 38,000 miles · CA

I have a 2006 toyota sienna xle. In the last year, when my car has been out in the sun, the rear hatch will not close using the power buttons on the key fob or on the front console. The hatch will close about 10 degrees and then go back up. My neighbor has a 2007 toyota sienna and hers does the exact same thing. I brought my van to the toyota dealership when the rear hatch recall happened, but that replacement did not do anything for my car. I took it back recently and had new sensors put it, but again, no improvement.

Filed Apr 19, 2009 · Body · 30,494 miles · MD

Since purchasing our 2006 toyota sienna xle we have experienced problems with the power sliding doors - a grinding and/or rattling sound as well as jerky operation (as opposed to opening and closing smoothly). The dealership greased the cables and track which seemed to eliminate the sounds. Last week the door stopped opening all the way - it would open about a quarter of the way and then automatically close on its own. This problem occurred whether the door was operated with the key fob remote or the interior button. I checked the track and there were no obstructions. We took the car to the dealership where it was purchased and although they could replicate the problem only once (naturally) they replaced the power door motor and clutch assembly under warranty (we are within the warranty period). Important to note is that the reason they replaced the motor and clutch assembly is because we had brought the vehicle in complaining of the door operating poorly in the past. Had we not had problems previously and brought them to the attention of the dealership I suspect they would have claimed there were no problems with the operation of the door. Therefore, I strongly recommend that anyone having issues with their power sliding doors report their problems to the dealership and document their problems/complaints with the dealership.

Filed Dec 1, 2008 · Body · 18,371 miles · MD

I always use the keyfob to open the passenger side power sliding door. First thing this morning on my way to drop my son off at daycare, the sliding door opened just fine but was a little sluggish in closing. I had to make a stop at cvs to buy some cold medication and the sliding door jammed the next time I tried it. No amount of pushing the keyfob or in-vehicle buttons would cause the door to open/ close fully. The door was permanently jammed with an opening about 4-5 inches wide. Fortunately, the cvs is very close to the daycare and I asked for help moving his stuff while I carried him in. I could not risk driving around with the door open no matter what the distance because of the safety issues. I promptly dropped the car off at the dealership. The 2 mile drive to the dealership with the door ajar and the alarm beeping the whole time couldn't have felt longer. I've yet to hear back from them, but I did some online research and it sounds like the sliding door motor has failed. I am very concerned by the frequency that this problem occurs. I am shocked that there has been no recall due to the inherent danger this defect could pose for passengers.