My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!
2006 Toyota Sienna steering problems
61 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 61
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 85,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Hydraulic power assist system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Toyota Sienna steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Toyota Sienna steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Steering intermediate shaft binding
Odi's analysis of warranty data shows that the alleged defect has occurred in just 0.2 percent of the subject vehicle population.when the analysis is limited to salt-belt states, the rate is still well below one percent of the population (0.4 percent).in addition, tests conducted by odi and toyota have shown that the alleged defect has a minimal affect on steering efforts.odi interviews of owners who experienced the alleged defect indicated that in most cases the problem was preceded by months or years of noise or a gradual increase in steering efforts in the initial steering maneuvers after first starting a cold vehicle.the subject vehicles have been in service for 4 to 5 years with no crashes or injuries associated with the alleged defect.toyota's technical service bulletin provides assistance to service technicians in the early diagnosis and repair of the alleged defect condition. Accordingly, this investigation has been closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.for additional information regarding this engineering analysis refer to the ea08-024 closing report.
EA08024
What 2006 Toyota Sienna owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Bought the van used last year. Previous owner said mechanic could not diagnose the issue. On slight curves similar to on-ramps while accelerating the Vehicle stability control (VSC) will engage unexpectedly, sound an alarm and jerk the steering wheel. Some times to the point of pulling the vehicle out of its lane. Road speed is decreased dramatically as it feels as though the ABS is engaging. This has happened to me at least half a dozen times since June 2023. The condition will continue for maybe five or ten seconds until the wheel is straightened and speed reduced. Searching the Internet seems it's a fairly common problem. The fix might be to replace the steering rack or disable the VSC system. It's reported by those experiencing the issue get little to no help from the dealerships which strikes me as quite strange... From what I've read it seems to affect 2004-2009 Siennas
Slip light indicator comes on and alarm goes off, while anti-lock brakes engage. This is happening while I'm driving on the highway never in the city. The car starts pulling to the right sometimes almost pulling me off the road. The road conditions are completely normal and dry no gravel in it no reason whatsoever for the anti-lock brakes to start engaging. When this first started happening it only happens on curves while I was driving approximately 35 mph. After a couple of months it started happening also while I was driving approximately 70 miles an hour going straight on a dry road. It almost pulled me off into a ditch. The steering is affected I can barely steer but I have managed to keep the car on the road. This is now happening more frequently. I was almost pulled into another car to my right once. At first it was only every couple of months but now I had it happen twice in about a hundred mile trip. There's no way I can get a mechanic to have this happen because you can't predict when it will happen and many miles it won't happen. It is very very dangerous and I'm afraid to take my Toyota sienna on the highway now. After researching it I have found that many people are having this trouble with their Toyota Sienna's there needs to be a recall or a repair. Apparently Toyota mechanics have replaced all kinds of things in the Sienna's but nothing has fixed the problem.
My Toyota Sienna XLE 2006 VSC and ABS comes on when I drive uphill or downhill mostly when I steer to the left. This is a situation common on freeway ramps in or out. When this happens the car slows down abruptly beeps a loudly. This is an issue reported by many owner of that vehicle model across several years.
When driving on a curve traveling about 30 to 45 MPH. The traction control engages in perfectly dry road conditions. It automatically brakes and jerks the car one way or the other. Very dangerous, especially since you're traveling on a curve when it most often happens and you basically lose your ability to control the vehicle. I won't even let my wife drive the car. There's no known remedy for this problem and I can't even sell the car.
VCS lights activate, alarm sounds and auto breaking while traveling at posted speeds while going around curved roads. Creates loss of control. Dealer has no remedy, mechanic has no remedy. Many similar issues found on on-line forums.
Steering rack is leaking and it is a very common problem across internet. This could cause accidents on highway. The steering makes a weird automated sound when car makes sharp turns on slow speed. I can see the leaks around the steering rack. The leak caused my bearings to fail which costed around 1000 to repair. Had alignment done three times but it gets misaligned easily. The dealers would like to get at least $1200 to fix the issue. Dealers know that it is a common safety issue but doesn't take it as a recall worthy. Hope the federal safety agency can help here.
When cornering the vans stability control activated without warning and modulates the ABS brakes and beeps and becomes very unstable. My wife and I have both experienced this and fear it will cause a car accident. It is not happening all the time but makes me worry every time we drive a windy road. We had the toyota zero point calibration done, have replaced wheel bearings and done an alignment which have not changed it at all. It typically happens on curvy roads between 25 and 65 MPH.
About a year ago the slip indicator light (car with swervy lines) started coming on intermittently and without warning while turning on highways or roads in dry conditions without any risk of tires slipping. The ABS activates without warning and the vehicle slows down on its own. The situation is very dangerous. No known fix from toyota.
Traction control warning sounds and vehicle auto brakes - hard. Conditions were clear. Often this happens while the van is in a curve. Speeds vary from 30s to 70s (on the interstate). This creates a very unsafe situation.
Questions about the 2006 Toyota Sienna steering
Does the 2006 Toyota Sienna have steering problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Toyota Sienna, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Sienna steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Toyota Sienna steering?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Toyota Sienna have bad steering?
The Toyota Sienna model years with the most steering complaints are 2004 (159 complaints), 2005 (79 complaints) and 2006 (61 complaints).
Other 2006 Toyota Sienna problems
Airbags 307Body 261Electrical 85Brakes 73Locks 67Tires 65Wheels 54Acceleration 50Transmission 40Seat belts 38Driver assistance 37Suspension 19Engine 15Seats 11Visibility 11Fuel system 6Lights 5
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