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Toyota Sienna Power Seat problem

38 messages,  Last post on Mar 28, 2013 at 11:23 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Van

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 38 2006 & 2007 Sienna 3rd row Power Seat stuck by cerrmj1

Sep 10, 2010 (9:40 am)

Here is a FYI for the group. My 2006 Sienna developed a problem with the power 3rd row seats where they will come up out of the seat well, seem to lock into plact but the seat backs will not come up.
 
Some research indicates that this is becoming a frequent issue with the 2006 & 2007 models and the seat tracks were redesigned in 2008.
 
Toyota has a TSB0183-09 that has information about how to 'fix' the problem by replacing the seat tracks.
 
In my case, we have used these power seats very infrequently over the almost 4 years we have had this van.
 
The dealer wanted $1300 to fix the seats and their process is to send the van to a local auto upholstery shop to have the seat tracks replaced.
 
I wasn't happy with this and the dealer made a call to the Toyota zone rep who said that they would not help with the fix.
 
I called Toyota Care (1-800-331-4331) asking them to help with the fix, explaining that they have a defect, have published information (TSB) about the defect and how to fix it, and redesigned the part in a later model so they should stand behind their product and at least pay part of the repair costs. They said NO. That the van is out of warranty and their is nothing they will do. I asked if there was some kind of appeal process and was told NO - that was their final answer.
 
So, I decided to call the local auto upholstery shop that the van would be sent to and talk to them about it. I was told they have fixed 'a lot' of these seats for the Toyota dealer. He said that their labor charge is $150/seat. He also mentioned that he had recently installed a new seat track and and found that the new track had the exact same problem. He said he was able to make an adjustment and get it working. He suggested that I bring him the van and let him take a look and that he might be able to get it working again without replacing the seat tracks.
 
I took the van to the Upholstery shop and he found that there were 2 springs broken (one in each seat). He replaced the springs and adjusted the seats and everything works correctly now. Total cost: $200. Sure beats $1300.
 
I wanted to share this experience with everyone. I would suggest finding out from the dealer who they would send the van out to and then contact that place directly to see about having them adjust or repair your seats.
 
Bob.

#2 of 38 Thank you! by kylefei

Oct 25, 2010 (2:39 pm)

Hello Cermj
 
Thank you! This exactly happened to me, even the dealer quotes are similar. I went to a dealership, they charged me $180 for inspection and then one thousand and so to replace it. I checked several auto repair shop but they have no clue what to do to fix it. I was about to call the dealer for repair and saw this post. Funny how its hard to find posts related to this issue because you said its frequent issue. Anyway, my english is very limited and I didn't understand what a Upholstery shop is? Do you live in Los Angeles? If you are, are you able to recommend the shop you went to me? I am desperate to have it fixed.
 
Thanks a million in advance!
 
Kyle

#3 of 38 Re: Thank you! [kylefei] by cerrmj1

Oct 26, 2010 (8:12 pm)

Replying to: kylefei (Oct 25, 2010 2:39 pm)
Hey kylefie, Sorry, I don't live in LA. I would suggest asking your dealer if they would be sending your van to an Auto Upholstery shop for their $1000 fix. If they will tell you then call up that place and talk to them - show them my post and ask if they can fix it by adjusting the seats or fixing broken springs, etc...
 
Otherwise, I would suggest looking in the yellowpages and under Auto Seat Covers, Tops & Upholstery for some shops.
 
Here is a link to that search in the LA area.
 
LA Auto Upholstery
 
Good luck.

#4 of 38 Re: 2006 & 2007 Sienna 3rd row Power Seat stuck [cerrmj1] by agnosto

Nov 28, 2010 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: cerrmj1 (Sep 10, 2010 9:40 am)
Wow, wow, and again wow, a $1300 fix ("hypothetically broken 3rd row seat motors" on our family 2006 XLE Limited diagnosed from Leith Toyota dealership in Raleigh, NC) down to $0, fixed it ourselves by lightly pushing down three little tension metals (see pics from below web links)
 
http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php?topic=1010.45;imode
http://picasaweb.google.com/micheldebreyne/Sienna3rdRow#5513146335610408850
 
kudos to the people posted detailed pics on the above web links...
 
My advice to consumer is be aware and always do extensive search online that will save you thousands of dollars...

#5 of 38 Re: 2006 & 2007 Sienna 3rd row Power Seat stuck [agnosto] by ateixeira

Nov 29, 2010 (9:56 am)

Replying to: agnosto (Nov 28, 2010 12:00 pm)
3 seconds left in the game, down by 5, agnosto hikes the ball, he drops back, here it comes, it's a Hail Mary pass....it's....it's....it's a TOUCHDOWN!
 
 

#6 of 38 Re: 2006 & 2007 Sienna 3rd row Power Seat stuck [agnosto] by tpknj

Dec 19, 2010 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: agnosto (Nov 28, 2010 12:00 pm)
You saved us a TON of money! THANK YOU!!! We spent 2 hours at the dealer, who couldn't fix the problem, and after all that, 2 rubber bands did the trick. We Love You!

#7 of 38 Re: 2006 & 2007 Sienna 3rd row Power Seat stuck [tpknj] by wileyd

Dec 29, 2010 (8:37 am)

Replying to: tpknj (Dec 19, 2010 5:47 pm)

#9 of 38 Re: Thank you! [kylefei] by wileyd

Dec 29, 2010 (8:44 am)

Replying to: kylefei (Oct 25, 2010 2:39 pm)
Happened to me also. I took my van to RK Toyota in Hampton, VA and they told me it would be $1300 to repair the seat track but I wanted a 2nd opinon so my wife and I search online and found the fix. So she went to office Max and purchase a pack of rubber bands for $1.89 and followed the instruction on this site and the sets were back in operation in a matter of minutes.

#10 of 38 Re: 2006 & 2007 Sienna 3rd row Power Seat by michael_w

Apr 10, 2011 (10:03 am)

I had the same problem for my 2006 Sienna
The dealer in Atlanta asked for $2000. With the proposed approach of this thread, I fixed the problem with rubber bands.
 
Thanks

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