This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
1998 Toyota Sienna mini van. Involved in a vehicle accident where the mini van ran into another vehicle. The actual collision occurred after the brakes were fully applied when it hit the vehicle in front. There was significant damage to the Sienna, so much so that the radiator was damaged and leaking. The problem was that neither the drivers or passenger side airbag did not deploy. There was approximately 120,000 miles on the vehicle and all mechanical work had been done by the dealer or other certified mechanic. Seat belts were in use and did work properly. A child safety seat was in use in the second row seat and it also worked properly.
On Oct 14th 2006 at about 4:45 pm I was driving in a parking lot at slow speed. I came to a stop and then tried to make a right turn. As I turned the wheel and applied the gas the steering column made a noise like breaking plastic and the car moved in a straight line despite the wheel beeing turned. I increased the turning motion until it was clear steering had failed. Since the lot was empty I brought the car to a stop without incident. I had the car towed to sandy springs Toyota and was told that the steering shaft had broken at the "knuckle" where the column connects to the shaft. In addition I was told that the spiral cable to the airbag had been damaged in the incident. My concerns are that had this occured at high speed or while already in a turn or in traffic the results would have been catastrophic. In addition the failure of the air bag meant that had I in fact had a collision I would not have had the protection of the airbag. I drive this car daily and I did not detect and change in steering or handling that would have been a warning. The car was repaired and has driven nromally since. I do not know what happened to any replacement parts.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA