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VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna

24 messages,  Last post on Oct 18, 2012 at 4:56 AM

You are in the Toyota Sienna Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Electrical, Van

Messages Page 3 of 3

#15 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [busterland] by spoore

Mar 15, 2011 (7:25 pm)

Replying to: busterland (Mar 15, 2011 6:46 pm)
My understanding is that any defective part that poses a safety risk is to be recalled by law. Toyota clearly downplayed the safety risk and got around the law. Scary, and tells me that Toyota puts profits over safety and I will never purchase another one.
 
They did not end up charging me the $700 and I filed a complaint!
 
I am glad you are okay, that is the main thing.

#16 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [spoore] by deniser3

Mar 12, 2012 (7:17 am)

Replying to: spoore (Mar 15, 2011 7:25 pm)
This just happened to me yesterday with a 2004 Sienna, very scary thing and Thank God we weren't on the highway. The van is at Toyota right now and they want to charge me $895 for the repair. I called to express my concerns several times and to share what I found here. They also are aware now of the TSB and checking with their Toyota "rep" to see what they can do. Hopefully this will be a no charge repair...we will see tomorrow since they have to order the part and I have no vehicle for another 24 hours. Gave me the "not under warranty" line, but I bought this van, used with only 20,000 on it from this same dealer so I hope they do something for me. What a nightmare.

#17 of 24 Similar 2004 Sienna issue by lfrescas

Apr 09, 2012 (4:34 am)

The same thing happened with my 2004 Sienna a few months ago. We took it in, and I even presented the TSB info, but they said it was a steering column sensor, charged us $800 to fix it and sent us home. Well, it happened again this morning. Anyone have any suggestion on a course of action to get this fixed correctly? We were about to leave on a 700 hundred mile trip to see my mother with kids in tow, and on the highway this would have been frightening.
 
And to back up what the other person prior to this said... it does, actually, feel like it cannot be controlled. Now, it could be my panic taking over because the car is fighting me for control, but I found it nearly impossible to drive when the issue was happening, so AAA had to tow me in when it initially happened. This time, my husband is going to try and drive it there.

#18 of 24 Re: Similar 2004 Sienna issue [lfrescas] by deniser3

Apr 09, 2012 (5:48 am)

Replying to: lfrescas (Apr 09, 2012 4:34 am)
WOW, can't believe the problem wasn't fixed and it is back, that is frightening. Could there be a sensor for each tire and they only replaced one? I ended up paying $580 after much whining. Seems they should give you a rental van for your trip? Good luck and please post what happens!
 
You are right, it does feel like it's out of control. I found letting the van sit for a few hours "reset" the issue and I was able to drive it to Toyota without it happening.
 
Oh, and please be sure to call the 800 toyota number and provide all your information. They are tracking this issue in their system and I was told if enough people have the same problem it could turn into a recall. And if that happens I would be re-imbursed what it cost me to fix it.

#19 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [spoore] by whfh99

Oct 16, 2012 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: spoore (Mar 01, 2011 9:03 am)
My wife just experience this issue with our '04 Sienna last week. Low speed, thank goodness, and caused the vehicle to pull so far to the right that it hit the curb and destroyed the tire. We had to have it towed. Can anyone reference the service bulletin online and what steps were take to get this addressed? I am frankly shocked that such a defect could occur. I would have thought that there would be fail safes in this system that it would deactivate itself vs. actively put the occupants in danger. Please, any more links or references to try and learn more about how to know for sure what the problem is and how to fix would be great. I'd like to see Toyota take care of this on their time and welcome the 'ammunition' to have when I speak with them.

#20 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [whfh99] by wwest

Oct 17, 2012 (7:41 am)

Replying to: whfh99 (Oct 16, 2012 4:09 pm)
There are only 2 sensors "unique" to VSC, a stearing wheel rotational position sensor and a lateral accelerometer, YAW, sensor. If one of those fails in an undetectable way you will get VSC activation.
 
Engine dethrottling and rear braking (slow this sucker DOWN) if the system defaults (on failure) to understeering recovery/correction. If it defaults into oversteering recovery/correction mode you still get engine dethrottling but braking ONLY on ONE front wheel.
 
Obviously this latter scenerio could prove to be the more dangerous.
 
You can remove the ABS pumpmotor fuse to disable TC, VSC, etc, but that alos disables ABS.

#21 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [wwest] by whfh99

Oct 17, 2012 (7:59 am)

Replying to: wwest (Oct 17, 2012 7:41 am)
Thank you. Sounds like we had the oversteering recovery issue as the braking was on JUST the right front wheel at low speed. Do you happen to know where and which fuse that is? Might be the safer option until we get this looked at? Nothing wrong with driving 'old school'. Do you know if the dealer has diagnostic tests that can definitively determine if one or both of these sensors are faulty? I want to avoid spending money for them to guess or replace parts just for something to do on my dime. Also, heard there was a TSB out there and some people got Toyota to cover the repairs? Anything I can print and bring with me would be helpful.
 
Link

#22 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [whfh99] by spoore

Oct 17, 2012 (8:22 am)

Replying to: whfh99 (Oct 17, 2012 7:59 am)
I did find a service report on line and I printed it out, took it to the dealer, and did not have to pay for the replacement part or service. I made a big deal about the fact that they are fully aware of a dangerous defect and made a conscious decision not to recall the part. I can't find it but will search when I get home tonight.
 
I now own a VW with an override button. I would not purchase another car without one due to my experience with the Sienna.

#23 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [whfh99] by fibber2

Oct 17, 2012 (1:34 pm)

Replying to: whfh99 (Oct 17, 2012 7:59 am)
I didn't realize that people were still having unresolved problems with this, or I would have posted these links to my cloud site earlier.
 
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?x97fu482azyi9c3
 
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?vy8d4wxoglx4yde

#24 of 24 Re: VSC sudden activation 2004 Sienna [fibber2] by whfh99

Oct 18, 2012 (4:56 am)

Replying to: fibber2 (Oct 17, 2012 1:34 pm)
Thank you for sharing this information. Guess I'll have to get the vehicle scheduled for service and see how it goes.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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