2008 Toyota SIENNA: complaints, problems and recalls

I WAS PROGRAMMING A NEW SIENNA VAN HOMELINK TO MY GARAGE DOOR OPENER. IT STARTED THE SEQUENCE AS ONE WOULD EXPECT.(.SMALL HOUSE ICON BLINKING )BUT NEVER APPARENTLY MOVED ON TO THE STEP OF RETRIEVING THE SIGNAL. AS REQUIRED ONE MUST HOLD THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER REMOTE ON TO TRY TO ACCEPT SIGNAL. AFTER ATTEMPTING THIS SEVERAL TIMES I STOPPED AND WAS JUST IN TIME TO NOTICE THE MOTOR OF GARAGE DOOR OPENER WAS OVERHEATING AND NEAR FIRE! FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED AND IT WAS ALL CHECKED OUT. IN FEAR OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT I TOOK STEPS TO REPLACE BOTH GARA…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210865 at NHTSA ↗

I LEASED A TOYOTA SIENNA FROM KING TOYOTA IN DEERFIELD BEACH. IT IS AN XLE WITH LEATHER, SUNROOF, AND DVD PLAYER. I REQUESTED THE "FACTORY DVD" PLAYER AND SUNROOF, AND WAS TOLD I WAS GETTING ONE. WHEN I GOT HOME WITH THE CAR, I PUT THE DVD SCREEN DOWN, SAT IN THE FRONT SEAT, AND REALIZED THE MONITOR COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTED MY REAR VIEW WINDOW. I CANNOT SEE BEHIND ME BECAUSE THE SCREEN IS TOO LOW AND TOO LARGE. WHAT I LATER DISCOVERED WAS THAT THE "FACTORY" WAS ACTUALLY A FACTORY OWNED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA, AND NOT TOYOTA IN JAPAN. IN OTHERWO…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10213355 at NHTSA ↗

WE HAVE AN '08 8 PASSENGER TOYOTA SIENNA LE. MY SON LIKES TO PLAY WITH THE LIGHTS... WE KEPT WARNING HIM IF THEY GOT LEFT ON THE BATTERY WOULD DIE. IT FINALLY HAPPENED. HAD TO GO IN THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR USING THE KEY - STUCK THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT AND YUP, SURE ENOUGH - DEAD. TOTALLY DEAD. THERE IS NO WAY TO UNLOCK THE SLIDING DOORS. THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOORS (FROM INSIDE OR OUT). THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE TRUNK (WHICH CAN'T BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE ANYWAY - ANOTHER CONCERN) I HAD GONE OUT TO TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222332 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT FOUND THE SECOND ROW SEAT BELT WRAPPED AROUND HER CHILD'S STOMACH. THE CHILD COULD NOT BE FREED FROM THE SEAT BELT, AND IT CONTINUED TO TIGHTEN AROUND HER STOMACH. THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE PHYSICALLY CUT IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE CHILD. THE CHILD WAS FRIGHTENED, BUT UNINJURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,108. UPDATED 07/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE. UPDATED 07/15/08

Owner-reported narrative. 8,108 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231727 at NHTSA ↗

TO CHANGE A TIRE THE FLOOR JACK WAS PLACED IN FRONT OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE A LITTLE TOO FAR TOWARD THE CENTER (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) OF THE VEHICLE. THE PLACEMENT APPEARED TO BE AGAINST STEEL BUT IN REALITY THE MATERIAL WAS BLACK PLASTIC. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED THE PLASTIC GAVE WAY AND DAMAGED THE FILLER PIPE TO THE FUEL TANK CAUSING FUEL TO BE DUMPED TO THE STATION DRIVE DURING THE REFUELING PROCESS. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE PLASTIC IS THERE TO PROTECT THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. THIS WOULD OCCUR EACH TIME REFUELING TAKES PLACE. THE CONSEQUENC…

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237809 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SLIDING SIDE DOORS. THE DOORS MUST BE MANUALLY OPENED. ON MOST OCCASIONS WHEN THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS ARE OPENED, THEY MAKE A CLICKING SOUND. OFTENTIMES, THE DOORS FAIL TO REMAIN OPEN AND SLIDE SHUT. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE DOORS MAY CLOSE WHILE OCCUPANTS ARE ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THEM TO BE INJURED. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE NEEDED TO OCCUR IN THEIR PRESENCE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DUPLI…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239070 at NHTSA ↗

MY WIFE WAS MAKING A LOW SPEED RIGHT TURN FROM LEELAND ROAD (RT LANE) ONTO DEACON RD (LEFT LANE) IN STAFFORD COUNTY VIRGINIA WHEN SHE SIMULTANEOUSLY HEARD AN "EXPLOSION" AND FELT A JOLT COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THERE IS NO CURB OR OTHER OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE INTERSECTION BUT AFTER THE "EXPLOSION" SHE WAS STARTLED AND LOST CONTROL SLIGHTLY GRAZING THE CURB ON DEACON ROAD BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OFF INTO A SAFE AREA; MY TWO CHILDREN (AGES 9 & 7) WERE ALSO IN THE VEHICLE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE TIRE,…

Owner-reported narrative. 10,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243606 at NHTSA ↗

SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA APPEARS TO BE SHOWING A FASTER RATE OF SPEED FROM 3 DIFFERENT SPEED RADARS IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU. THERE IS A 2-3 SECOND DELAY, WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE. IT IS CLEAR, THAT ALL 3 RADARS SHOW A CONSISTENT PATTERN OF A 5 MILE VARIANCE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DID NOT MAKE APPROPRIATE VEHICLE CHECKS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THEY HAVE REFERRED ME TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR WITH A DYNOMETER WHICH IS DEMANDING A $95.00 FEE TO CHECK THE SPEEDOMETER. A MR.…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10262097 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-06-15 (June 15, 2009)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Reported: 2009-06-25 (June 25, 2009)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND THE GVWR ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INSUFFICIENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WERE ACCESSORIZED THROUGH VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTERS AND HAD ACCESSORIES INSTALLED THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE GVWR VALUE. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," AND 49 CFR PART 567.

Consequence: THE GVWR IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLES.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS INSTRUCTING THEM TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA OR LEXUS DEALER FOR AN EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AN INSTALLATION OF THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABEL, IF NECESSARY, AND A CORRECTION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2010-04-20 (April 20, 2010)

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.

Consequence: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2013-09-26 (September 26, 2013)

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.

Consequence: If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.

Remedy: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2014-05-22 (May 22, 2014)

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.

Consequence: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: 2004-2010 Siennas subject to this recall were subject to recall campaign 10V-160 initiated in 2010. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles. Additionally, model year 1998-2003 Siennas were recalled as part of safety recall 10V-160. Owners of those vehicles that have not had not the remedy performed on their vehicles, should contact their Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.