My wife and 6 yr old daughter were traveling in our 2010 Sienna on 07/11/2015 (Sat) and the gears seized up when they were turning into a busy 4-lane road. In spite of complete loss of transmission, due to the sheer momentum of the vehicle, my wife was able to direct the vehicle to the right side of the road. When she called me, I arrived to see my daughter crying and standing on the side while my wife was trying to push the van further right with the help of an old couple who were extremely helpful. Luckily, my wife and daughter escaped with no injuries (except for a stiff neck and bad headache for a couple of days for my wife) but left with a life-long memories of this painful experience.

After towing the vehicle to Stevens Creek Toyota, I was told that that the transmission system had completely failed (metallic parts chipped and ground as per technician) and had to be replaced with an whooping bill of $6K. Considering that both of us are our working parents, we had to painfully swallow the cost of repair and move on with our lives until now when I had time during the end of year when I wanted Toyota and all Sienna owners to know about our ordeal and be cautioned about their vehicles.

My biggest complaints: * We trust our family members lives in the hands of reputed vehicle manufactures such as Toyota. When their vehicles do not live up to their reputation and cause mental/physical anguish, it is definitely disheartening. * I paid nearly $48K for this fully-loaded 2010 Sienna XLE Limited. A complete transmission failure at 70K miles and $6K to replace the transmission is completely unacceptable and I feel ripped off! * After replacing the transmission, the engine noise is much quieter and gear shift is far less harsher. As a previous owner of 2004 Sienna XLE Ltd, I have complained about the newer model to many of the service advisers and I was always told that it was normal.

We really hope Toyota get its act together and invest in improving the quality of critical systems of their vehicles.

--GEARS SEIZED (completely locked up) ON MY 2010 SIENNA WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD, CAUSING SUCH FRICTION/TENSION THAT THE TRANSMISSION COVER EXPLODED OPEN AT THE TOP. PARTS WERE LITERALLY FALLING OUT OF THE VAN AS I WAS DRIVING AND THE TRANMISSION FLUID EMPTIED ONTO THE ROAD.

--It was a miracle that I actually made it to the side of the road safely. This was a HUGE safety issue that could have easily caused serious harm/death to me, my family (including 3 young children) or other drivers.

--This occurred at 6K over drivetrain warranty expiration guidelines.

--Took my complaints all the way to corporate. What an absolutely horrible experience.

--I will NEVER, EVER buy a Toyota again.