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Toyota Sienna jerking problems

131 of the 8,561 owner complaints about the Toyota Sienna describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2004 model year.

owner complaints
131
worst model year
2004
typical mileage
47,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Loss of power highway speeds, jerky shifting, “sealed” transmission leaking fluid. Check engine light and service required light. I have noticed poor performance with this vehicle before and reported it to the dealer to no avail. Toyota has enacted “customer support program ZJC” but the dealership will not honor.

Filed Sep 9, 2024 · Engine · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle shut off independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times due to the failure. The contact stated that the failure began in 2019 but had become a persistent failure. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under of an unknown recall and the fuel pump was replaced in 2020; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 4, 2023 · Brakes, Steering · NY

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

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · IN

My passenger side sliding door began to jerk when closing with power button. The next day the cable completely snapped and it no longer opens at all. My driver side sliding door constantly opens and sometimes does not stay closed. I can hear the lock roll and it automatically unlocks itself. There was previously a recall on these doors completed I'm afraid I still have defective parts.

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Fuel system · AL

While traveling at a high speed, van's power train jerked hard and rapidly slowed on its own, not allowing me to excelerate. Almost rear ended by following vehicle that managed to swerve around to avoid my rapid deceleration. Check engine light came on and was hard to start. Had to allow the van to sit a while before I was able to start. Van acted like it was in limp mode. This malfunction has occurred several times. Mechanic code shows P0087 fault code. Low fuel pressure. Toyota has recalled many of these vehicles in this year for this issue, but mine seems to not be one of them. Very dangerous.

Filed Sep 28, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

For a month prior, there were intermittent incidents of the van shuddering and the RPM needle jumping upon ignition. Sometimes the van would have a hard time accelerating before jerking and driving normally. No issues before this started in late July and no indication when/where would occur. •September 15: drove the van all day running errands. It drove normally. Filled up the gas tank (Gulf gas station), then continued errands. About a half hour later, while at a stop sign, a notification appeared that the “Traction Control System has been turned off” and the check engine light came on. Tried to move through the stop sign, but the van would barely go. Applied the gas, but no results. Able to turn onto a side street and had to have it towed to Toyota of Irving. The Service Advisor stated the issue was due due to bad gas and indicated the van needed to be flushed and the fuel injection system cleaned. Paid $725 for these repairs. •September 17: Started van in driveway. Shuddering and RPM needle jumping again. Drove normally. •September 21: Same as above. •September 25: Drove the van all day with no issues. Filled up with Valero Plus gas. As we pulled out of the gas station and sitting at the light, the Traction Control message and check engine light again appeared. The van would barely go to get us through the traffic light and into a nearby parking lot. Once we parked, the screen displayed the following message:"A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected." Had the vehicle towed to Toyota of Irving. The service advisor called 2 days later to say they cannot detect any issues.

Filed Sep 14, 2022 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH with her four children in the rear seats, the vehicle started jerking and decelerated independently. Additionally, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continued driving; however, the transmission continuously slipped out of gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was associated with Toyota UA80 Transmission program. The dealer contacted the manufacturer who agreed to cover the repair of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

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 May 4, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · CA

Starting about two years ago, the traction/ABS lights come on between 20-35 mph on a gradual curve or randomly while driving. The brakes come on, like an ABS event, even though the brakes are not applied. The car will jerk to the right or left and chatters/vibrates. The mechanic said the brakes, tire wear and pressure, and suspension are all in very good condition and there are not traction control or ABS codes. This does not appear to be normal wear and is dangerous. We can only drive it on short trips for fear of getting in an accident. I decided to look online and found that hundreds of Toyota owners are experiencing the same symptoms. (https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c9152_ds656326). Can anything be done so that Toyota will come up with a solution? Thank you.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported October 18, 2017 · 310,475 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk
If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V‑429 are not affected by this recall.

Recall number 17V657000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported July 8, 2014 · 263 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Sienna vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, through June 24, 2014. The affected vehicles have a transmission shift control cable whose protective cable sleeve may have been damaged during assembly. This could cause the control cable to bind or separate during gear shift operation causing incorrect gear selection. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."
Risk
If the transmission shift cable separates while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission shift control cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 14V414000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported September 26, 2013 · 614,722 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk
If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
Remedy
Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 13V429000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported June 1, 2011 · 50 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 venza and sienna passenger cars manufactured from march 7, through march 10, 2011. There is a possibility that the front, right, drive shaft may break due to insufficient heat treatment.
Risk
Should the drive shaft break during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose power without prior warning. Loss of motive power without warning may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will inspect the drive shaft, and, if the drive shaft is identified as one that may not have been correctly manufactured, it will be replaced with a new one at no charge. The safety recall began on june 22, 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.

Recall number 11V306000 · Recall details

Questions about the Toyota Sienna jerking

Which Toyota Sienna years have jerking or lurching problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2004 (36 complaints), 2005 (22 complaints) and 2006 (10 complaints).

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