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Vans & Minivans Toyota Sienna Toyota Sienna Sliding Door Problems
325 messages, Last post on Nov 22, 2009 at 10:37 PM
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Driver's side Power Sliding Door jams and does not open from inside nor outside creating a serious safety hazard due to inability to exit the vehicle. Dealership response is to bring car in and pay significant fee (even with extended warranty) for "reprograming the computer" to have the door return to proper / safe functionality. The condition is initally triggered by exercising a safety feature which prevents the door from opening when the gas cap is open. After that safety feature is triggered, there is no way to get the door working again until you visit the dealership and pay over a hundred dollars to get the door fixed. This is on a 2005 XLE Limited AWD. Wouldn't expect to pay to have the doors open!
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Replying to: sandcroft (Sep 20, 2008 6:44 am) a safety feature which prevents the door from opening when the gas cap is open Actually, it limits how far the door opens, i.e. it will not open all the way, but it will open. An important distinction. |
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As I have have been reading through this thread, I am wondering, is there any consensus on how to FIX the power doors? I have an '02 Sienna, which now has 100k miles. We bought the car with 60k miles and it has always had moments where we have to push the button a few times before it closes. But now one of the doors is completely broken. I can turn off the power doors and drag it halfway open, but it's a big pain, especially since my kids aren't strong enough to do it. I live in Florida, so freezing temperatures is not the issue. Is there something I can oil or can I adjust the tension on the door to get it working? Or do I just have to go to the dealer and shell out a couple thousand dollars? I'm thinking, next time I buy a van, it won't have power doors.
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Replying to: bonniebeth4 (Sep 26, 2008 7:29 pm) The door will require you to remove the panel and other bolts/screws/clips to make the adjustment. This of course is if your cable and motor are in one piece and not broken or wrapped around any moving parts. I looked at an exploded view of a 2004 Sienna door and one has to be mechanically inclined to perform the adjustment or replacement of the motor/cable assesmly or hinge. It sounds like you cable is wrapped around something and won't let your door/open or close. Look at a service manual in your library for a detailed look at the inside of your door. Another option is to take your van to a body shop not at the dealer who paint and repair toyota's involved in accidents. They may possibly be willing to obtain parts or adjust your door for less than at the dealer. Make sure that you use Original Equipment Parts for the repair if needed. Good luck and post your results. |
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| The driver-side, passenger sliding door on my '04 XLE, 50,000 mi. minivan just failed. There is a snapped and broken cable/wire hanging out the back. I cannot get the door more than a few inches open by wrestling with it. I have a service appt. tomorrow ($84.00 diagnostic fee) and am researching here before the service tech gives me his thoughts. I was told by service writer this was so unusual he had never heard of it before (Joe at Ernie Palmer Toyota in Jacksonville, Florida). Thanks for all the advice here. I will lodge a formal complaint after I read all the posts here and figure out where to do so. I also got a recall notice on my rear/trunk door. Jeez. I love my minivan but I am a senior widow and cannot afford big repair charges. I bought this minivan for its reliability when my husband was still alive; he was a disabled, double amputee and I needed to haul equipment for him and know the car was safe. I also frequently drive my toddler grandchildren in this car and am now a little fearful for their safety. It sounds like Toyota has a mfgr. defect here that they should own up to and pay for. | |
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Replying to: lifelister (Sep 29, 2008 1:24 pm) Of course Joe at Ernie Palmer is going to tell you that cable/motor problem is unusual. Toyota doesn't want to step up to the plate on this recurrent problem with hundreds of owners. You van is past the 36K factory warranty. The cable that snapped comes as a single part cable and motor. Price at the dealer is about $1000.00 plus 3-5 hours of labor your looking at $1500 to $1700 total. Many cables has snapped and mid center hinge/bracket have worn out causing the door not to open/close or rub against body of van. Believe me I been through the wringer on this one and still need to travel to the original dealer were I bought the van and negociate a repair price with the customer relations manager. I'll give you some hope. You may possibly find the motor/cable assembly cheaper through e-bay or a toyota original parts supplier on the internet. I found the right mid center bracket and hinge for 50% less than what the dealer wanted. Replacing the cable and motor is not easy and requires that the door be removed. Please report this problem to the Department of Transportation so that a recall will eventually be issue as the complaints continue to poor in. There is a link to that website in one of the earlier post. I have also posted a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) in an earlier post. Look at it and see if your vin number matches. toyota put this out because of problems with the door. The dealer will argue that the vin # needs to match and Corporate Toyota will simply refer you back to your extended warranty people or the CRM at the dealer. Good luck and post your results. Don't forget to file with the DOT. SoCal 13 
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Replying to: socal13 (Sep 29, 2008 2:00 pm) |
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Dealership says today that the cable broke (rusted) and also damaged the motor. To replace that whole assembly is $1600.00 Dealer suggested I just remove everything power in the door and convert to manual for $200. , which is what I chose. I have already left a complaint on the DOT site. My car is a Florida car, kept in clean environment, but subject to the humidity that is north Florida.
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Replying to: lifelister (Sep 30, 2008 6:40 am) |
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Replying to: lifelister (Sep 29, 2008 1:24 pm) |
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