Ask the Car People.SM


Toyota Sienna Power Rear Hatch

77 messages,  Last post on Jan 18, 2013 at 6:12 AM

You are in the Toyota Sienna Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Van

Messages Page 8 of 9

#65 of 77 Re: 2005 ~ hatch not working at all [agape1231] by filnterrausa

Jun 23, 2010 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: agape1231 (May 15, 2010 8:36 pm)
I have a 2006 Sienna that also does not have the automatic hatch, and the strut supports recently decided to fail, falling on my wife's head and making her dizzy and disoriented for a good 10 minutes.
 
I remember receiving the recall notice or safety advisory (or something similar) two years ago and unfortunately cannot find it now...I also ignored it because we weren't experiencing a problem.
 
I called the Toyota recall number and they did confirm there was a recall on the hatch rear strut supports but said it didn't apply to my VIN and wouldn't give me any additional info about the recall. They recommended calling a dealer to see if it was still under warranty. My nearest dealer said the part was no longer covered because my extended warranty applies to power train only. Another service station will fix it for $350 parts/labor, Toyota wanted just over $400.
 
Go to the NHTSA website and look up action number EA06020, related to the investigation they did on the automatic hatches. They closed the investigation because Toyota did the recall. I will be filing a complaint with the NHTSA...it is ridiculous that the recall only affected the auto-hatches, as it is the same part that is going out on the Sienna's without the auto-hatch.

#66 of 77 Re: Rear Hatch Does Not Come Down [deipert] by deipert

Jul 19, 2010 (3:43 pm)

Replying to: deipert (Jun 19, 2010 11:22 am)
I did a bit of complaining and finally got a call from the service manager of another Toyota dealer. He said to bring it in. They got authozized from the extended warranty to replace the 2 sensors for $635 parts and labor. They discovered that this fix did not help at all. The dealer then got authorized to replace the motor assembly which is exactly what the Goodyear guy wanted to do in the first place. I had got the van back unrepaired while the motor assembly was on back order for about a week. A week later and another $750 later charged to the extended warranty, everything works just fine now.
 
Catch 22 here. When it was cold the struts would not hold up the rear door. Replace that and then the motors were too weak to overcome the gas struts but only above 80 - 85. Worked fine in the 70's or below. I would have lived with the problem instead of even paying even for the correct fix for the $750. But with the extended warranty I had to stand up for my rights and I got them eventually.

#67 of 77 Rear Hatch Problem by kungfuzhun

Aug 31, 2010 (8:42 am)

#68 of 77 Rear Hatch Problem by kungfuzhun

Aug 30, 2010 (9:01 pm)

My 3 day old Sienna suddenly had a problem opening it's rear hatch. I opened only 5 or 6 times before I started hearing a thunk when it opened. I thought the remote opening motor/arm got misaligned somehow. Thinking that I was only looking for the problem from the back of the van. After opening and closing it a couple more times to check it out, it stopped opening to it's full height altogether, even manually. Finally I noticed that the spoiler was catching the rear roof edge, bending it down and away from the hatch. The roof was scratched and dented. This problem also broke the spoiler and bent it's bracket among other things. Now it's in Toyota's body shop getting repair work and waiting on a new spoiler, backordered for over a week. The shop manager and corporate took a look at it before work started. Toyota is covering the cost. That's all I'll comment on until I get my van back.

#69 of 77 Re: Rear Hatch Problem [kungfuzhun] by ateixeira

Aug 31, 2010 (8:42 am)

Replying to: kungfuzhun (Aug 30, 2010 9:01 pm)
Good luck and keep us posted...

#70 of 77 Rear Hatch uncontrolled opening by pushan

Oct 11, 2010 (5:02 pm)

I just got my rear hatch struts replaced for 2004 Sienna as part of the recall.
The rear hatch now opens uncontrolled. It opens all the way relatively faster now and stops with couple of thuds. I believe this is not normal stopping but the service person is insists that this is normal with the new strut.
 
I looked at the new Sienna at the dealers lot. In the new van, the hatch initially opens rather quickly but it slows down towards the end.
 
Can someone guide me if the service guy is right or wrong?

#71 of 77 Like to keep my fingers clean. by mr10key

Oct 17, 2010 (10:09 am)

I see that this thread is focused primarily on the mechanical functioning of the rear hatch door on the Sienna but my problem lies with the "rubber-like" switch or handle as some refer to it that is used to manually open the hatch.
 
We purchased our 2008 Sienna LE in November when temperatures were between mid 70's to low 80's in the Houston area. As temperatures warmed up in the following months to mid/upper 90's we noted that every time we touched this "rubber-like" handle our fingers came back with a black and sticky residue that could only be removed with soap and water.
 
It would seem- just like asphalt on a road in the heat of the summer- this handle is simply becoming a gel during the hot summer months. Wonder if this design was considered only in northern portions of the country.
 
Just found the time to visit with a local Toyota parts department about the issue and surprisingly, while they have had customers come in with similar complaints, they truly do not have a remedy or alternative available. While in the showroom, I decided to inspect the handle on a 2011 Sienna, and low and behold, it is the same material.
 
Am I to presume that all Sienna owners out there (primarily those with manually opened hatch doors) simply accept this and go about the rest of their day with black and sticky fingers?
 
Just wondering how many of you in this forum have experienced this and what remedies you may have come across if any. I'm thinking about installing a strip of cloth or something similar that can withstand the outdoor environment but think this remedy is a bit overboard given the value of this vehicle.

#72 of 77 Re: Like to keep my fingers clean. [mr10key] by ateixeira

Oct 19, 2010 (9:45 am)

Replying to: mr10key (Oct 17, 2010 10:09 am)
I've never stained my fingers, nor does ours feel sticky. That would bug the crap out of me, so I'd know if it did.
 
I have an 07 LE, for reference.

#73 of 77 Re: Like to keep my fingers clean. [mr10key] by scuddeback

Jun 13, 2011 (11:39 am)

Replying to: mr10key (Oct 17, 2010 10:09 am)
I have the same problem with my 2007 LE model. It started last year during the winter. Could not open the latch with the remote. Extreme cold kept it locked. Very frustrating. Now it is hot, above 90 degrees and the rubber is melting and sticking to my fingers. The dealer has told me of others in my small town have had to install new assemblies for the latch at a cost of over $220.00. I find that outrageous for a problem which I believe Toyota must have been aware of for some time. There must be a cheaper fix!!!! Wish someone would advise. Even the dealer agrees.
 
I am putting Velcro over the rubber strip in hopes it will stick and keep my fingers clean for a while. This is a much cheaper alternative to a replacement of the entire latch mechanism. Hope it works. Have lots of Velcro.

#74 of 77 Re: 2005 ~ hatch not working at all [filnterrausa] by csienna2004

Jul 29, 2011 (10:58 pm)

Replying to: filnterrausa (Jun 23, 2010 12:51 pm)
Filnterrausa,
 
I have a 2004 Sienna and has the same hatch rear strut supports problem as your (without auto-hatch) . How did you get it resolve?

Messages Page 8 of 9

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement