2008 Toyota Sienna: clunking or noise when steering

5 of the 429 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Sienna describe clunking or noise when steering.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 110,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Clunking or noise when steering by model year

2015
2
2013
3
2012
5
2011
1
2010
1
2008
5
2007
2
2006
2
2005
4
2004
5
2000
1
1999
1
1998
2

What owners say

Filed Jul 15, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 180,000 miles · TN

On inclines, the vsc light would come on, clicking noise near the steering column. The car would lose power. I have mechanics checked out. Cv joint and ball bearing replaced. Problem persists.

Filed Jun 27, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 170,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota sienna. When the contact switched lanes or made a turn, the brakes activated on their own. The failure occurred on flat or curved roads and while driving 30 MPH. Sometimes the brakes worked properly, but sometimes they did not work at all. The contact also stated that the vehicle would occasionally accelerate and decelerate on its own and the steering wheel made an abnormal ticking noise. Furthermore, the vsc and traction control indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to toyota knoxville (10415 parkside dr, knoxville, tn 37922), but they did not assist. The vehicle was then taken to fox toyota (228 fox family ln, clinton, tn 37716) where it was diagnosed that a steering angle sensor needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and provided a case number. The failure mileage was 170,000. *bf

Filed Dec 5, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 110,000 miles · VA

While driving the vehicle at higher speeds (greater than 40 MPH) around curves, the skid indicator sensor will occasionally trigger even on dry pavement where no slipping is happening. The car will automatically decelerate and brake momentarily. There is often a clicking sound in the steering column as well. The vsc warning light occasionally comes on too. Mechanics on multiple occasions have not been able to figure out what is causing the problem. However, based on research at toyota blogs, it appears that other toyota sienna drivers have experienced this same issue.

Filed Feb 12, 2015 · Steering · 54,000 miles · UT

Since, I've bought this van in late 2009, I have always felt a clicking noise in the steering wheel during turning. Now that the noise is getting worse, I am reading online that there's some kind of manufacturing defect and tsb's issued about the intermediate steering shaft as corrosion sets in those with time. Also, it seems like that oil from steering rack is leaking and that seems to be a problem with multiple toyota siennas starting from 2006. Toyota should take responsibility for these manufacturing defects and correct the issues as these can lead to steering failure & can be fatal.

Filed Jun 9, 2014 · Engine · 85,000 miles · FL

Vvt-I hose broken, rapid oil loss and almost no oil left in engine when problem was spotted. Oil spilled to the belts around the vvt-I hose. When turn steering wheel, noise heard. This is the same issue to the other recalls but not applicable to toyota sienna. Http://toyotanews.pressroom.toyota.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1906 I was told may cause problem turning the steering wheel, or accident. I was instructed to file the claim to your office. Thanks.