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.
The traction control system is activating improperly. The vehicle's anti-slip indicator warning light illuminates; an alarm sounds; the ABS system activates; and the vehicle sometimes loses power. This happens on dry roads, most commonly either going downhill or else on a curve, even a mild one. This happens above 20 mph. When it happens, the combination of alerts and sensations are very startling to the driver, creating a dangerous situation. It has occurred while trying to accelerate to merge onto a highway. This was exceptionally dangerous as the vehicle began losing power and vehicles behind us almost hit us from behind as we were slowing instead of increasing speed. From my internet searches (including NHTSA complaints), this appears to be a recurring issue with this make/model/year range. This has been happening for the past 3 months. Our vehicle has approximately 135,000 miles on the odometer.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while making a turn, the vehicle slowed down and lost power. The traction control warning light illuminated. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle started to lose power for a few seconds and the ESC warning indicator flashed. The contact stated that the failure occurred every day when exiting the highway for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to team Toyota of princeton (2871 us-1, lawrenceville, NJ, 08648) to be diagnosed, but they could not replicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 161,388.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. While starting the vehicle, the contact heard a rattling sound and felt an abmornal motion in the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine supports failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
- Lake Forest, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Crankshaft pulley safety recall - 2005 Toyota Sienna -recall # 11V539000 more vehicles possibly affected than stated in recall notice. Dealer stated VIN did not fall in range of recall, although the defective crankshaft pulley part stamped with mark has been identified on my vehicle. Burning smell related to drive belt while driving and abnormal engine noise. Upon replacing new drive belt, the crankshaft pulley was inspected and shown to fail due the inadequate adhesive stated in the recall. Notified dealer, called Toyota representative and opened case#1611070038. Both dealer and Toyota refused recall since VIN was not in range. Toyota representative stated no photos or evidence were required to show the failed crankshaft pulley. Please used the details and photos attached for ODI# 10924632
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal smoke odor emitting from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V539000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stability control off warning light illuminated and engine would surge, the rpms would decrease and the vehicle would jerk to the left. The contact indicated that the failure would occur for approximately 10 seconds. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
My car has the exact symptoms for a recall involving a crankshaft pulley, yet my VIN is apparently not involved with that recall. My engine model 3mz-fe is involved with the recall yet Toyota service dealerships and Toyota customer experience both say it isn't. currently my car is not safe to drive according to the service dealership and a fee of roughly $800 awaits me. I do not understand how my make, model, model year, engine model, can all be related to a certain recall, and yet be told that my car does not qualify for that recall. I've been a loyal Toyota customer for years recommending friends and family. Extremely disappointed, and most likely won't purchase another Toyota.
~2007, radiator leak, engine heated up - almost fire ~2008, radiator leak, engine heated up - almost fire ~2011, radiator leak, engine heated up ~2014, radiator leak radiator failure has occurred for every two years. Almost in fire for multiple times! driver is constantly under danger of fire. Toyota customer service responded by offering a $200-300 credit, suggesting Toyota knows there is something wrong for such frequent radiator leaking. But it refuses to disclose details. For the safety of drivers, please investigate. Individual driver like myself is too small to talk to Toyota. Toyota even did not answer my question.
While driving on 4 lane highway, I began to smell burning rubber, then noticed that the battery discharge indicator light came on. Found that the serpentine belt driving the alternator and compressor had been shredded and was hanging to the ground. Upon a closer look, the crankshaft pulley had failed (it had come apart). It appeared that the outer ring had separated from the rubber inner ring of the pulley and the outer ring had become misaligned. The misalignment appeared to have caused the serpentine belt failure. It also caused damage to the timing belt cover, the timing belt and the power steering belt. The battery light came on because of the failed serpentine belt. Fortunately, I maintained power steering because the power steering belt had not completely failed when I pulled off the highway. The failure seems to be identical to that covered by safety recall NHTSA campaign number: 11V539000. However, Toyota claims that my VIN number is not subject to the recall. Toyota's response to me does not make sense since this is the same model, same model year, same engine model, same parts manufacture (pulley contains the mark noted in the recall), same manufacture date (Feb. 2005), etc of the vehicles covered by the recall. Seems that the recall has not covered all of the vehicles affected by this failure. My vehicle was purchased new on September 15, 2005.
First, I noticed some oil stains on my drive way, then I drove my minivan to a local Toyota car dealer for check up and routine oil change. Next day, I noticed a bigger oil stain. Anyway, I had an appointment and have to drive my minivan to my dentist office, on the highway, I saw smoke came out of my front hood. Then, I drove it to the same Toyota dealer afterwards. It was quite scary driving and seeing smoke came out of my front hood especially with my young daughter on board today. At one moment, I thought my car will be on fire. On the paper, I was told that my leaking is from rack and pinion steering system. I called Toyota customer service, and the person who assisted me state his surprise of this rack and pinion leaking for such a low mileage car. I would like to file a mechanical damage report toward Toyota defective parts.
During the timing belt and water pump replacement, Toyota technician found radiator had a small leak and suggested to call Toyota company. Toyota representative from company informed the radiators had problems for 2005 Sienna but they will not be able to fix it because mileage is more than 75000 or vehicle is more than 7 years old.
I was driving home from work, after merge from rte 20 into rte 9, I drove up hill, about 50 yards to my street, I saw smoke behind my van, I did not see any warning light from my driving panel, my van was still running smoothly, so I decided to drive to my house (about 150 yards) away, after I parked my van, I saw smoke coming out from hood, and a long leaking oil track along the street. I checked my engine oil, it was ok. Next morning, I started my van, it is still no warning light on my driving panel, I called aaa to get my van towed to Toyota westborough MA. Technician told me that my engine cylinder head got blown a hole and oil flying out to be burned and produced smoke, potentially it will catch fire if I continue to drive. I had my van oil changed on 08/2012 by sears shop, about 5,000 miles was driven since last oil changed. I believe the engine aluminum head was defective product, not because of other reason. It is very dangerous it happened while the van was running at highway. It could catch fire too.
Catalyst system failed/ not working properly. The left rear door has failed, the cable not working at all. The door does not slide, gets stuck when your trying to open it.
Under Toyota's customer support program, a technical service bulletin was put out saying that 2005 Toyota Siennas had faulty radiators that cracked in cold weather and could lead to coolant leakage and subsequent engine seizure (safety report #0506). When the weather started getting cold this winter, my radiator cracked and I needed to be repaired as the engine was running extremely hot. When I found this bulletin and brought it to Toyota's attention they refused to honor it saying that my VIN number was not in the range. When I asked why this was the case, they claimed (they being Toyota's national headquarters) that they had realized the fault and therefore switched the radiators out during production. Upon closer examination, the bulletin was announced by Toyota on January 30, 2006. If what they claim is true, then they were knowingly selling cars with faulty radiators for about a year and a half before they issued the recall. If they were lying, then the recall needs to be extended to include all Toyota Siennas of that year.
During inspection and repair of other vehicle recalls, it was determined that power steering assembly was severely leaking fluids, that radiator was leaking in 3 places, and air conditioning coils hoses\brackets were corroded and cracked due to manufacturer using two dissimilar metals (such as steel bolts in aluminum assembly) and thereby requiring immediate replacement for safety. Toyota dealership upon inspection declared steering assembly a "critical" repair and issued written documentation. I took vehicle to another shop and they confirmed Toyota's dealers conclusion and also found radiator and conditioning coils problems missed by dealer. All problems have been fixed at owners expense - a recall should be made by manufacturer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orange, CA, USA