Ok so I had a flat tire ....took it to someone I thought was my friend when he had the tie off I asked him to check out my tie rods make sure they're ok. We look under the car and see the boots the the rack and pinion on both sides were bad needed new cv axles and new lower control arms. When I drove it it would wobble back and forth and shake violently. Making me think it was the tie rods. Well he gets another mechanic and he said no you don't need the whole rack and pinion which was a $550 part you just need the axles tie rods and lower control arms .so he gives me the car back after I told him to take back the rack and pinion and use rhe money to get the rest of the parts that were not there yet the day before.......so he replaces one axle the outer tie rods and lower control arm When he was supposed to do both axles and inner and outer tie rods and lower control arms.
So I get it back and think it was safe drive on the highway and the freeway well the next day on my way home I hit a bump in the road and my inner tie rod came off the wheels went pigeon tied facing each other luckily I was only going like 20 miles per hour so my ass end is out in traffic and I can't even pull to the side of the road I jump out and look to see the tie rod hanging there at this point I'm pissed I set the tie rod back in place and drive home with no nut or cotter pin on the car so I call my friend he says make me a video oh you want a video ill give you a video you asshat so I posted,the video I sent my so called friend . Which doesn't show the rack and pinion boot on the other side that still needs to be fixed.... so I check out youtube cause I'm a do it my damn self kinda gal..... find out to change the cv axle you need to special order a 12 point 32mm socket and 6point 31mm socket to get the axle offðŸ˜I didn't want to mess with that sh*t that's why I took it to dude in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I used to own a 2002 Toyota sienna which was the most kick ass van ever I was rear ended by a semi truck that was going more than 60mph as I was making a right turn into a gas station the truck hit the back corner and ran up the side of the van and the van basically popped apart like a lego set it was fabulous I didn't even get a scratch (severe PTSD) BUT I could walk and I even drove the van home from the scene!!!!! So that was the main reason I bought a replacement sienna .basically before it went to the asshat.... my wheels were ready to fly off!!!!!!!!! Scary...I will update with some actual pics of the rack and pinion that's chewed up also . Oh I've also had battery problems had to replace the alternator twice in the past year.....the clock inside doesn't turn off with the car so it sucks the life out of the battery, pretty lame.....
Boot for rack and pinion system was torn and no longer provided lubrication. Steering wheel would make an abrupt stop/hit when turned all the way, as opposed to coming to a soft stop as it's supposed to.
On a routine maintenance visit, when the car was less than 5 years old, we were told we needed to replace the rack and pinion. Which we did. Now, about 8 years and 80K miles later, told it needs to be replaced again. Obviously sub-quality or defective on the part of Toyota. I shouldn't have to replace the rack & pinion twice in 13 years / 120K miles. Also, while I'm on a Toyota rant, BOTH front automatic windows have needed to be repaired.
The power steering rack fails at 62,000 mile. We paid $150 since we had extended warranty. The power steering 's pump failed and return line leaked recently at 158,000 miles. We paid $1,500 to fix it. There was a screeching noise associated with it. We mentioned it Toyota dealership. They told us that the noise issue was caused by the power steering and can be resolved with new a new power steering system. Well, they were wrong. The noise was there after we spent $1,500. We took our car to a different mechanic and learned that it's the transmission. Had we known there was also a transmission issue, we wouldn't have spent $1,500 on the power steering.
- Sherry C.,
Sacramento, CA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
This Sienna was bought new with 5 miles. Kept in a garage most of the time. While changing the oil, I notice a leak at the boot. Took it to the Toyota dealer which told me that the boot failed and the whole pack and pinion needed to be replace at a cost of $1300.00 plus $80 for alignment work. I'm amazed that other owners are having the same problem and because this could be a dangerous situation, they should recall this problem.
Toyota defect. Replaced rack and pinion with rebuilt unit. Spoke to rebuilder that does hundreds of these. Said seal on passenger side fails due to excessive heat on passenger side. Aftermarket rebuilder puts better seal than factory. Common failure after 60k. I personally saw others with same issue. Camry also. Toyota quality is gone.
During a semi-annual service check at our frequented Toyota Dealership, the certified Toyota mechanic pointed out (car was on a lift) leaking Power Transmission Fluid from the right and left dust boots covering the right and left tie rod ends. We were informed the seals cannot be replaced on the tie rod Ends and the entire Tie Rod assembly must be replaced ($1160 plus 6% tax) plus another wheel alignment (last one performed October 15, 2015). The 2006 Sienna XLE was purchased new in January, 2016, maintained by the same Toyota dealership on scheduled intervals, was garage kept since original purchase, and was gently driven by two retired senior citizens.
Previously, we have been affected by other complaints nationally voiced by other Sienna owners with our 2006 Sienna XLE.
1. The common broken door hinge on the driver side of many yearly model Siennas (More than $200 consumer repair).
2. The recalled spare tire holder (Took more than a year to repair - had to drive with the spare tire anchored to the driver side 3rd rear seat well and lost storage space).
3. Jammed seat belts where they could not be used (Consumer repair, but now covered by a recall).
This is one more simple problem with an major consumer expense unaddressed by Toyota causing me to question Toyota quality, We and our children have been loyal Toyota customers beginning in 1969. Never have we personally experienced or seen the volume of issues on our Sienna - and also our daughter's 2004 Sienna - in our past Toyota owner-ships.
This problem started at 61683 miles in Jan 2012. This is a very common problem, but it is very dangerous too. Can cause a severe accident when the steering will freeze up eventually due to debris getting into the rack due to the leak - imagine this happens when turning.
Almost all Sienna owners from 2004 to 2010 models have this problem, it usually starts around 60K miles.
Dealer wanted $1300 to fix this. I am surprised Toyota has been able to get away without initiating a recall for this issue. Considering how prevalent this issue is, I wonder if there are any class action lawsuits for this problem.
I have not gotten this fixed yet and waiting for the eventual recall.
Even though there was no fluid found, the dealer told me there was a leak in the R&P and it should be replaced. I've owned many Toyota's and Honda's and have never seen the company not take at least partial responsibility for such an obvious lack of quality in the product. Sad.
I'm having the same problem that it seems everyone is having: Rack and pinion steering leak. I was searching for the part online and I found that many people are having the same issue.
Failed safety inspection due to steering fluid leak. There was hardly low on the steering fluid. The estimate average $1100 for the rack, flush and alignment. This defeats the reason we bought a Toyota. We thought this car would have better reliability than other cars, but it has the same old problems.
At just over 50,000 miles the steering rack should not be leaking. The dealer quotes a repair fee of $1,300 which BTW is approximately $300-$400 more than an independent mechanic.
Apparently a very common problem with Sienna. Right side rubber seal on rack and pinion unit tears allowing grit and debris to wear on pinion. No shop will just replace the rubber seal which is like a $15 part. They all quote a $1000 repair to replace entire rack and pinion unit.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Ok so I had a flat tire ....took it to someone I thought was my friend when he had the tie off I asked him to check out my tie rods make sure they're ok. We look under the car and see the boots the the rack and pinion on both sides were bad needed new cv axles and new lower control arms. When I drove it it would wobble back and forth and shake violently. Making me think it was the tie rods. Well he gets another mechanic and he said no you don't need the whole rack and pinion which was a $550 part you just need the axles tie rods and lower control arms .so he gives me the car back after I told him to take back the rack and pinion and use rhe money to get the rest of the parts that were not there yet the day before.......so he replaces one axle the outer tie rods and lower control arm When he was supposed to do both axles and inner and outer tie rods and lower control arms.
So I get it back and think it was safe drive on the highway and the freeway well the next day on my way home I hit a bump in the road and my inner tie rod came off the wheels went pigeon tied facing each other luckily I was only going like 20 miles per hour so my ass end is out in traffic and I can't even pull to the side of the road I jump out and look to see the tie rod hanging there at this point I'm pissed I set the tie rod back in place and drive home with no nut or cotter pin on the car so I call my friend he says make me a video oh you want a video ill give you a video you asshat so I posted,the video I sent my so called friend . Which doesn't show the rack and pinion boot on the other side that still needs to be fixed.... so I check out youtube cause I'm a do it my damn self kinda gal..... find out to change the cv axle you need to special order a 12 point 32mm socket and 6point 31mm socket to get the axle offðŸ˜I didn't want to mess with that sh*t that's why I took it to dude in the first place!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I used to own a 2002 Toyota sienna which was the most kick ass van ever I was rear ended by a semi truck that was going more than 60mph as I was making a right turn into a gas station the truck hit the back corner and ran up the side of the van and the van basically popped apart like a lego set it was fabulous I didn't even get a scratch (severe PTSD) BUT I could walk and I even drove the van home from the scene!!!!! So that was the main reason I bought a replacement sienna .basically before it went to the asshat.... my wheels were ready to fly off!!!!!!!!! Scary...I will update with some actual pics of the rack and pinion that's chewed up also . Oh I've also had battery problems had to replace the alternator twice in the past year.....the clock inside doesn't turn off with the car so it sucks the life out of the battery, pretty lame.....
- Natasha K., Red Bluff, US