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Vans & Minivans Toyota Sienna Toyota Sienna Sliding Door Problems
326 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 9:46 AM
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It seems that there's a center hinge that wears out, and as a result the cable frays and then snaps. This is a well-documented, well-known problem -- Toyota actually issued a TSB for it (EL004-04) in April 2004 to "improve the durability of this system" -- and implemented production line fixes to prevent it in the future, but those of us with vehicles produced prior to that weren't even informed of the problem, let alone given the opportunity to have it fixed while the vehicle was still under warranty. The TSB covers vehicles only up to 3 yrs/36k, which is a bit absurd for an issue that's a) obviously a design flaw and b) a serious safety issue. (I personally was forced to drive home with the door stuck open, and from what I've read on the 60+ similar complaints I reviewed on the NHTSA website many other people have had to do the same -- and one person was even hit in the face with shrapnel as the cable snapped.) Toyota seems no more interested in taking responsibility for this issue than they did in the rear hatch struts problem, but persistent complaints did eventually result in a recall on that, and I'm hoping the same might apply here. I encourage everyone having this issue to call Toyota Customer Service (1-800-331-4331) to lodge a complaint -- that gets it documented with the company -- and also file a report with the NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov) to increase the likelihood that a recall will be issued. (If you haven't had a repair done yet with 'courtesy assistance' from Toyota -- ie, they pay a portion of your repair bill for an out-of-warranty repair -- they might be willing to pay up to 50% of the cost of this repair, so it's worth asking about that when you call their customer service #. They wouldn't do it for me since we already had 'courtesy assistance' with the hatch repair issue prior to its recall -- which seems more than a bit absurd to me, given that it wouldn't have counted against us if we had just put up with the hatch crushing us for 2 years until they got around to issuing a recall -- but it's worth asking.)
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Every once in awhile my power slider door handle does not work. I pull on the handle and it sounds like no power is getting to it. After the 10th pull, you hear the power and it opens. I have tried the handle from the inside and it does not work either. I have taken it in 5 times and they can not reproduce my intermittent problem, so nothing gets fixed. Anyone having this problem?
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Replying to: rncar (Oct 17, 2008 6:17 pm) |
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Replying to: ciara1 (Oct 17, 2008 4:33 pm)  . Today the CRM mentioned sorry there is nothing I can do regardiing lowering the price of parts and labor. "But you said you would on the phone 1 week ago." Sorry I can't. I also asked two different service personnel at the service bay if I could convert to a manual door. Dealer response was: No way we would in no way alter a vechicle door from power to manual. I mentioned other dealer had done at the tune of $200.00. We won't and don't recommend it. Of course you don't ! Anyhow I'm going to purchase the mid and upper hinges and have a friend install both hinges at his body shop. I'm sick and tired of their disgusting customer service and quality.
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The passenger side sliding door will not open electronically via any method (fob, dash, b post). It makes an effort and will creep open a bit sometimes enough to register a door open light on dash, but refuses to open. I've followed the reset directions in the manual, but no luck. I have a power door light lit on the dash. The following day, the driver side refused to open, but unlike the passenger side, there isn't any sound or attempt made to open. I tried pushing on the opener button on the b post and it pushed in and remains in. Neither door now opens electronically. I can muscle them both open, but would like to get them fixed. I'm sure it's a pricey fix. Any thoughts? |
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Replying to: socal13 (Oct 17, 2008 7:13 pm) Ironically, I was greeted at the dealership with a large poster: "Quality -- Durability -- Reliability -- Toyota! Ask Someone Who Drives One!" Nice slogan -- now if only they'd live up to it. 
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Replying to: ciara1 (Oct 20, 2008 5:27 pm) Thanks for your reply. Actually I've taken my van to two dealerships. The first was where a friend of mine works in parts. His master mechanic right away mentioned the mid center hinge was worn out. Which is a fact. At this point I can't afford not to replace the hinge. Even if I left the door to operate in manual mode my issue would still be the mid center hinge. The hinge needs to be replaced no mattter what ! Is just unfortunate that after 40K miles the wear/tear on this hinge would be so apparent. It's my belief that toyota failed to use the proper metal treatment and type of metal for the hinge. In your case it seems that your hinges are still in good shape, which will allow you to operate the door manually.
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Replying to: socal13 (Oct 20, 2008 7:09 pm) I completely agree that Toyota appears to have cut too many corners on the materials and structural designs used, both here and elsewhere, as evidenced by the string of early failures associated with this van. It's particularly a shame because until the last few years I would have been the first to praise Toyota's consistent durability, reliability, and stellar customer service. I don't think my family has ever owned a Toyota we didn't easily get 250k+ miles out of with minimal major service issues aside from the routine repairs and maintenance you'd expect (brakes, etc) in a high-mileage vehicle. I bought this van hoping to drive it myself for 10 years as our main family vehicle and then use it to teach my daughter to drive (what safer vehicle than one this size, with side air bags!) But at this point I'm skeptical that it'll last that long, unfortunately. |
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| I think that I'm having a similar problem but it doesn't seem to be quite as bad. Current symptoms are that I have to push the door buttons or key fobs for either door several times before it will close. I never seem to have a problem with the doors opening, and sometimes they will close on the first push. Sometimes I have to yank on the door to "reset" things, and then it closes. Otherwise, I push the button (door or key fob) and all I hear is clicking at the door with no movement. I guess that I need to get it in to the dealer but am hoping that I have an idea what the specific problem likely is before going (so I don't have a complete cable replacement or motor replacement pushed on me if it is just a relay or such). Anyone else had this specific kind of problem (or level of problem)? | |
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Replying to: jrosatti (Jul 28, 2008 10:02 am) PLease submit a complaint to the NHTSA. This is the only way something will be done. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/index.cfm
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