2001 Toyota Sienna Body & Structure Problems

Your driver's side rear sliding door repeatedly fails to latch properly. When you force it shut in an emergency, it becomes stuck and won't unlock, trapping anyone inside and requiring the door to be disassembled by a mechanic to open it again. This is a serious safety concern, especially with children in the middle and back rows, and it's happened three times in three years, indicating a defective latch mechanism rather than an occasional glitch. The fix will likely involve replacing the door latch and lock mechanism hardware.

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE IN 2001. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS GIVEN US PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME POWER DOOR ISSUE AT LEAST 11 TIMES. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME. THE NTSB SHOULD FORCE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND NOW IT WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL EITHER BY REMOTE OR MANUALLY. *KB

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE IN 2001. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR HAS GIVEN US PROBLEMS SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME POWER DOOR ISSUE AT LEAST 11 TIMES. THEY NOW WANT TO CHARGE ME. THE NTSB SHOULD FORCE A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE AND NOW IT WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL EITHER BY REMOTE OR MANUALLY. WE PURCHASED THE DUAL POWER SLIDERS AS A CONVENIENCE AND NOW WE HAVE INCONVENIENCE. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE DOOR PROPERLY FOR YEARS, WE HAVE NEVER HAD THE BENEFIT OF THE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WE PAID FOR. I WOULD REQUEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE VARIOUS BLOGS FOR THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED HERE. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER TEN YEARS WITHOUT A RESOLUTION PROVIDED BY TOYOTA. THE DOORS STILL DO NOT FUNCTION. TOYOTA DOES NOT CARE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RUNNING BOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRACTURED AND COLLAPSED AFTER HE STEPPED ONTO IT TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RUNNING BOARD WAS RUSTED UNDERNEATH AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED BY THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 10V160000 (STRUCTURE) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE BACKORDERED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH A METAL BAR UNDERNEATH THE STEPS ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE STEPS HAD MAJOR RUST UNDERNEATH IT. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

2001 TOYOTA SIENNA... THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING OFF... THE RIGHT, REAR SLIDER HANDLE BROKE OFF IN 2007. .NEXT THE LEFT, REAR SLIDER HANDLE BROKE OFF... THIS WAS DANGEROUS SINCE THE CHILD LOCK WAS ON PREVENTING OPENING THE DOOR FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CHILDREN TRAPPED INSIDE...NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE HAS BROKEN.....TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CHARGES $89.73 FOR EACH HANDLE NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION....IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME PLASTIC FATIGUE IS THE PROBLEM...3 OF 4 HANDLES HAVE FAILED IN PAST 3 YEARS...I CONTEND THESE HANDLES AS WELL AS THE FOURTH REMAINING WERE AND ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ON, AND OCCASIONALLY THE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED. AFTER FIDGETING WITH THE LOCK AND LATCH, IT WILL EVENTUALLY LATCH. *TR

I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN CE. IN THE PAST 1.5 YEARS ALL DOOR HANDLES HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE CAR. THIS INCLUDES THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, REAR DRIVER, REAR PASSENGER AND TAILGATE DOORS HANDLES. THESE HANDLES ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC AND CRACK AND BREAK OFF AT THE HINGE POINT. I DON'T BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF BREAKAGES OF THESE HANDLES CAN BE CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND CERTAINLY WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND TWO ADULTS MAKING USE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTITUTE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFECT OF DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP OF THE HANDLE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $350 PER HANDLE. IT IS A SERIOUS THREAT SHOULD THEY BREAK AT THE IMPROPER TIME OR FOR EMERGENCY ACCESS TO THE AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE ADDRESSED MY CONCERNS WITH TOYOTA AND THEY DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS A NEED TO CORRECT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHEN CHILD LOCK IS ON THE POWER DOOR ON PASSEGER SIDE CAN BE OPENED BY A 4 YEAR OLD. *TR

PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE/OPEN ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ELECTRONIC OPEN/CLOSE DID NOT WORK. TOYOTA SERVICE COULD NOT FIX. HAD THEM CUT CABLE SO CAN CLOSE AND OPEN DOOR MANUALLY. UNTIL THE CABLE WAS CUT, DOOR COULD NOT BE USED TO EXIT VAN. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA AND THE BOTH THE REAR SLIDING DOORS HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH EITHER OPENING OR CLOSING SINCE AROUND 2003 (ALTHOUGH MORE OFTEN SEEN WITH DRIVER SIDE). WHEN THE ISSUES IS PRESENT THE DOORS WORK FINE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC OPEN/CLOSE IS TURNED OFF. THE ISSUE MAY OCCUR MORE OFTEN WHEN RAINING THEN WHEN DRY. ONE OBSERVANCE OF ISSUE IS THAT WHEN AUTO OPEN IS ENGAGED THE DOOR MAKES A CLICKING SOUND BUT DOESN'T OPEN. THE OTHER OBSERVANCE OF ISSUE IS WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN AND THE AUTO CLOSE IS ENGAGED THE DOOR STARTS TO CLOSE (MAYBE AN INCH) AND THEN RE-OPENS...THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR CLOSED IS TO TURN OFF THE AUTO OPEN/CLOSE. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK THE VAN TO BE SERVICED TWICE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO RE-PRODUCE THE ISSUE AT THE DEALERSHIP...AS SUCH THEY WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT IT. *TR

WE OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. ALL BUT 1 OF 5 DOOR HANDLES ON THIS VAN HAVE BROKEN AND THE DOOR HANDLES ON EACH OF THE 4 DOORS (EXCEPT PASSENGER FRONT) HAVE CRACKED AND BROKEN CLEAN OFF THE DOOR. CURRENTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE IS TAPED ON. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO 1 BY USER WEAR. HOWEVER, I'M NOT INCLINED TO BELIEVE THAT ALL COULD BREAK SO EASILY FROM USER WEAR AND TEAR. THIS CREATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD IN ACCESSING THE VEHICLE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AS CLEARLY THE ONLY ACCESS WILL BE THROUGH WINDOWS AT SOME POINT. *TR

MY 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE (CAME ONLY WITH THIS ONE POWER DOOR) DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. IT DID NOT OPEN BY PRESSING THE BUTTON, IT WORKS TO CLOSE BUT NOT TIGHT. WHEN I CHOOSE TO USE IT MANUALLY, IT IS SO HEAVY THAT THE CHILDREN HAVE NOT ENOUGH STRENGTH TO OPEN IT. THEY HAVE TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OTHER THAN ON THE CURB SIDE. IT PLACES THE PASSENGERS IN DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS WELL AS TO THE DRIVER IF HE HAS TO COME OUT OF THE CAR TO HELP OPEN THE DOOR AT THE CURB SIDE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT DOOR SHOULD BE OPERATED AS LIGHT AS THE OTHER DOOR WHEN IT IS IN THE MANUAL MODE AND THE COST TO FIX IS TOO MUCH (ABOUT $2,000) TO AFFORD. *TR

THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON OUR 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN QUIT WORKING. AFTER A MORNING OF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FEEL COMPELLED TO COMPLAIN AS THIS IS EVIDENTLY A RECURRING PROBLEM. IT CAN BE OPENED MANUALLY WITH MODERATE EFFORT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL OR MANUALLY. THE CONTACT HAS TO FIND A WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN THIS OCCURS, WHICH IS USUALLY IN RAINY OR SNOWY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,200 TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND THE COMPUTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

THE SLIDING DOORS OF OUR 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE ARE NOT RELIABLE OPERATED. SOMETIMES WORK SOMETIME NOT, SOMETIME STUCK, NO SAFETY SENSOR. ONLY A MAN CAN PUSH THE CLOSING DOOR BACK OPEN. IF A CHILD IN THE PATH OF A CLOSING DOOR, MANUALLY PUSHING BACK THE DOOR IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME. THE PUSH BUTTON AND THE KEY BUTTON SOMETIMES WORK SOMETIMES NOT SINCE THE FIRST YEAR. WE BROUGHT IN ELMORE TOYOTA MANY TIMES. THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE COMPLAINED TO COOPERATE TOYOTA, THEY REFERRED US BACK TO ELMORE TOYOTA, WITH THE SAME ANSWER NOTHING WRONG. WE FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN. THIS IS OUR LAST RESORT FOR HELP. WHEN WE HAVE MONEY TO REPLACE THIS CAR, THERE WILL BE NO MORE TOYOTA ON OUR LIST. *TR

WATER LEAKS INTO FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER AREAS AND SETTLES AND SOAKS ON FRONT CARPET. IT ENTERS THROUGH THE ROOF AREA OR DOOR SEALS. HAPPENS WHEN EVER IT RAINS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN IT WOULD RAIN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

2005 TOYOTA SIENNA DRIVER SIDE DOOR MADE A LOUD POP WHEN OPENING. CUSTOMER STATED SHE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER IT WOULD COST 300 TO 400 DOLLARS. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY SIENNA'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT THE WELD ON THE DOOR HINGE WAS BROKEN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A COLLISION CENTER AND WAS TOLD THE PRICE WOULD BE $250.00 DOLLARS. THE DEALER DID AGREE TO PAY HALF OF THE COST. *JB

HILD SAFETY LOCKS ON REAR SLIDING DOORS ARE BYPASSED AND RENDERED USELESS BY REAR POWER DOOR BUTTONS. WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ENGAGED THE SLIDING DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE. HOWEVER THE REAR POWER DOOR BUTTONS LOCATED ON THE REAR DOORS, ON THE FRONT CONSOLE, AND ON THE REMOTE ALL FUNCTION NORMALLY. THERE IS A SEPARATE BUTTON ON THE FRONT CONSOLE THAT DEACTIVATES THE POWER DOOR FUNCTION, BUT IT DEACTIVATES IT FROM ALL 3 POINTS (BUTTONS ON THE REAR DOORS, ON THE FRONT CONSOLE, AND ON THE REMOTE) RENDERING THE EXPENSIVE POWER DOOR FEATURE USELESS. TO COMPLY WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK REQUIREMENT, WHEN THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS ENGAGED IT SHOULD DISABLE MANUAL OPENING OF THE DOOR BY BACKSEAT OCCUPANTS AND SHOULD DISABLE THE POWER DOOR BUTTONS LOCATED ON THE BACK DOORS WITHIN EASY REACH OF BACKSEAT OCCUPANTS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT HAS FAILED TO FOLLOWUP OR OFFER ANY SOLUTION (TOYOTA CASE # 2003 1204 0595). POWER DOORS CLOSE TOO HARD AND POSE SERIOUS INJURY RISK TO CHILDREN. POWER DOORS CLOSE HARD ENOUGH TO EASILY HURT AN ADULT. MY TWO YEAR OLD SON WAS INJURED WHEN HE ACTIVATED THE POWER DOOR BUTTON LOCATED IN THE BACK SEAT AND MANAGED TO CLOSE THE DOOR ON HIS ARM. MULTIPLE DEALERS HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THE POWER DOORS ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE AND THEREFORE CANNOT BE CHANGED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT HAS FAILED TO FOLLOWUP OR OFFER ANY SOLUTION (TOYOTA CASE # 2003 1204 0595). TIRE PRESSUE MONITORING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. IT FAILS TO WARN OF LOW PRESSURE IN TIRES (TESTED TO 15 LBS BELOW APPROPRIATE TIRE PRESSURE ON EACH TIRE INDIVIDUALLY AND THEN ON ALL 4 TIRES SIMULTANEOUSLY). HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT DOES COME ON WHEN DESCENDING FROM HIGH ALTITUDES IN SPITE OF ALL TIRES BEING INFLATED PROPERLY. MULTIPLE DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND FIX THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED (TOYOTA CASE #2004 0109 0681).*AK

DEAR SIRS, I WANT TOYOTA TO BUY BACK MY SIENNA VAN. I HAVE HAD MY VAN REPAIRED 4 TIME FOR A INOPERATIVE POWER SLIDING DOOR,ERRATIC OPERATING POWER SLIDING DOOR, UNINTENTIONAL ACTIVATION POWER SLIDING DOOR. THE DOOR IS NOW BROKE AGAIN. AFTER THEY FIX THE DOOR THIS WILL BE THE 5TH REPAIR TO THE DOOR. THE DOOR NOW OPENED ONE TIME WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT SLOW SPEED. THIS IS NOT SAFE!

SUNVISOR SWINGS FREELY AND STRIKES DRIVER IN HEAD WHEN TURNING CORNER. APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY HOT WEATHER. SUNVISOR WAS REPLACED BY TOYOTA, BUT STILL CAUSES SAME PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN MAKING TURNS DRIVER SUNVISOR SWINGS OUT AND HITS CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, NO REMEDY AVAILABLE.*AK

SUNVISOR SWINGS LEFT TO RIGHT UPON TURNS. HITS DRIVER IN THE HEAD. WHEN POSITIONED TO THE SIDE WINDOW, IT SWINGS TO THE RIGHT. WHEN POSITIONED AT FRONT MUST BE HOOKED OR HITS DRIVER IN HEAD. WHEN DRIVING TOWARD SUN MUST HOLD VISOR IN POSITION, SIDE WINDOW OR WINDSHIELD. CAUSES DRIVER DISTRACTION AND SAFETY PROBLEMS. *AK

AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS W/O REVERSING SENORS ARE A SERIOUS INJURY RISK. *AK

AFTER PURCHASING A NEW SIENNA IN MARCH MY DRIVER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR FAILED IN MAY. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR ECU WAS REPLACED. 10 DAYS LATER THE DOOR FAILED AGAIN, THIS TIME THE DOOR WAS ADJUSTED AND REINITIALIZED. AS I TESTED THE DOOR AT TIME OF PICKUP THE DOOR FAILED AGAIN. THE REAR LATCH PIN SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE DOOR WAS REINITIALIZED. THE DOOR WORKED FINE UNTIL FAILURE JULY 31ST. SOME ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE AND THE DOOR WAS REINITIALIZED, AT TIME OF PICKUP AUGUST 5TH THE DOOR FAILED AGAIN. A FIELD TECH FROM TOYOTA FOUND LOOSE PINS IN THE DOOR AND THE MAIN BATTERY POWER LEVEL WAS LOW. THE PINS WERE FIXED AND THE ALTERNATOR BELT WAS REPLACED WITH A HEAVIER ONE TO INCREASE THE MAIN BATTERY POWER. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS I FEAR DOOR MALFUNCTION WITH MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY MY MAIN CONCERN!*AK

THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS WITH SMALL CHILDREN. THE DOOR TAKES INCREDIBLE RESISTENCE BEFORE THE REVERSING SYSTEM WILL KICK IN AND STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING. THE SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE DESIGNED MAINLY TO PROTECT THE DOOR MOTORS FROM DAMAGE, NOT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM INJURY. INFACT, THE OWNER'S MANUAL SPECIFICALLY SAYS TO TURN THE POWER DOOR SYSTEM OFF WHEN SMALL CHILDREN ARE PRESENT, YET THIS VEHICLE AND THESE FEATURES ARE MARKETED TO FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN. ALSO THE CHILD LOCK-PROTECTION SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK WHEN THE POWER DOOR SYSTEM IS TURNED ON. THE RESISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP THE POWER DOOR IS VERY SUBSTANTIAL. ANY BODY PART, EVEN AN ARM OR LEG OF AN ADULT THAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR COULD SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY. THE DOORS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE WHEN THE POWER SYSTEM IS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER AND SALES PERSON KNEW I HAD TWO SMALL CHILDREN. THEY SHOWED ME HOW WONDERFUL THE POWER DOOR SYSTEM WAS WHEN YOU HAD YOUR HANDS FULL CARRYING A CHILD. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD A SAFETY SYSTEM SO THAT PEOPLE WOULDN'T GET HURT IF THEY WERE IN THE PATH OF THE CLOSING DOOR. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT GET TO FULLY TEST THE POWER DOORS AND READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL IN DETAIL WITHIN THE FIRST 3 DAYS AFTER ACCEPTING DELIVERY. WHEN I TRIED TO GET THEM TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AFTER TWO WEEKS AND LESS THAN 1000 MILES, EVEN AT A PRICE LESS THAN MY PURCHASE PRICE, THEY REFUSED TO EVEN CONSIDER IT. THESE DOORS ARE DANGEROUS. THE POWER DOORS OF OTHER MINIVAN MANUFACTURERS REQUIRE VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE TO INVOKE THE PROTECTION SYSTEM, AND SEVERAL INCLUDE OTHER SAFETY FEATURES LIKE OPTICAL EYES. TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REDESIGN AND THEN RECALL/REPLACE THIS POWER DOOR SYSTEM.*AK

IT TAKES CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT TO HAVE REBOUND FEATURE FOR POWER SLIDING DOOR TO OPERATE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS FEATURE IS USELESS AS A SAFETY FEATURE.*AK *SLC