2006 Toyota Sienna Steering Problems

Your Sienna's anti-lock brake system is engaging unexpectedly while driving on highways, triggering a slip light and alarm. The car pulls sharply to the right during these events, making steering difficult and happening more frequently — sometimes twice in 100 miles on dry, normal road conditions. This dangerous issue is hard for mechanics to diagnose because it's unpredictable. The fix will likely involve a thorough diagnostic of the anti-lock brake system, wheel speed sensors, and brake control module.

Your steering has frozen several times over the past 18-24 months, usually in wet conditions at slow speeds while turning right or reversing. When this happens, your car also seems to slow down on its own and pull to the side, and you lose power steering control until the turn is complete. Your mechanic has been unable to recreate the problem or identify the cause. The issue may involve your power steering system or electronic steering control components needing diagnosis and repair.

Your vehicle's stability control system engages unexpectedly when driving on curves or on-ramps while accelerating, causing the steering wheel to jerk suddenly and the van to slow down dramatically as if the brakes are engaging. This has happened multiple times since June 2023 and can last 5-10 seconds, sometimes pulling the vehicle out of its lane. The issue may be caused by a faulty steering rack or a problem with the stability control system itself, and may require steering rack replacement or recalibration of the vehicle's electronic stability control system.

Your VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) and ABS warning lights turn on when driving uphill or downhill, especially when turning left, causing the car to slow down suddenly with loud beeping. This commonly happens on freeway entrance and exit ramps. The fix may involve having a mechanic diagnose the ABS and VSC systems, which could require sensor replacement, wheel speed sensor cleaning, or electrical connector inspection.

When driving on a curve traveling about 30 to 45 MPH. The traction control engages in perfectly dry road conditions. It automatically brakes and jerks the car one way or the other. Very dangerous, especially since you're traveling on a curve when it most often happens and you basically lose your ability to control the vehicle. I won't even let my wife drive the car. There's no known remedy for this problem and I can't even sell the car.

VCS lights activate, alarm sounds and auto breaking while traveling at posted speeds while going around curved roads. Creates loss of control. Dealer has no remedy, mechanic has no remedy. Many similar issues found on on-line forums.

STEERING RACK IS LEAKING AND IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS INTERNET. THIS COULD CAUSE ACCIDENTS ON HIGHWAY. THE STEERING MAKES A WEIRD AUTOMATED SOUND WHEN CAR MAKES SHARP TURNS ON SLOW SPEED. I CAN SEE THE LEAKS AROUND THE STEERING RACK. THE LEAK CAUSED MY BEARINGS TO FAIL WHICH COSTED AROUND 1000 TO REPAIR. HAD ALIGNMENT DONE THREE TIMES BUT IT GETS MISALIGNED EASILY. THE DEALERS WOULD LIKE TO GET AT LEAST $1200 TO FIX THE ISSUE. DEALERS KNOW THAT IT IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE BUT DOESN'T TAKE IT AS A RECALL WORTHY. HOPE NHTSA CAN HELP HERE.

WHEN CORNERING THE VANS STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING AND MODULATES THE ABS BRAKES AND BEEPS AND BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED THIS AND FEAR IT WILL CAUSE A CAR ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT HAPPENING ALL THE TIME BUT MAKES ME WORRY EVERY TIME WE DRIVE A WINDY ROAD. WE HAD THE TOYOTA ZERO POINT CALIBRATION DONE, HAVE REPLACED WHEEL BEARINGS AND DONE AN ALIGNMENT WHICH HAVE NOT CHANGED IT AT ALL. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS ON CURVY ROADS BETWEEN 25 AND 65 MPH.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT (CAR WITH SWERVY LINES) STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TURNING ON HIGHWAYS OR ROADS IN DRY CONDITIONS WITHOUT ANY RISK OF TIRES SLIPPING. THE ABS ACTIVATES WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN. THE SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS. NO KNOWN FIX FROM TOYOTA.

TRACTION CONTROL WARNING SOUNDS AND VEHICLE AUTO BRAKES - HARD. CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. OFTEN THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VAN IS IN A CURVE. SPEEDS VARY FROM 30S TO 70S (ON THE INTERSTATE). THIS CREATES A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION.

TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS ACTIVATED ON DRY ROADS ACTING LIKE THE VEHICLE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING INTO A SLIDE/SKID. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS CRASH!

THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT (CAR WITH SWERVE LINES) STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TURNING ON HIGHWAYS ETC. (BUT NOT WHEN ANY RISK OF TIRE SLIPPING). THEN VSC LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND ALARM SOMETIMES SOUNDED. VISIT TO OUR OWN MECHANIC, NO PROBLEMS FOUND. IN THE LAST 2 YEARS THE ABS SYSTEM HAS ACTIVATED (DAILY) IT UNEXPECTEDLY APPLIES THE BRAKES WHILE IN MOTION. IT IS ON SPECIFIC TYPES OF CURVE AND WHILE DRIVING AT LEAST 30MPH, BUT HAS DONE AT 35, 55, 70 MPH, ON SLIGHT OR MEDIUM TURNS (NOT REAL SHARP TURNS), GOING UPHILL OR DOWNHILL AND LEFT OR RIGHT. TOOK MY MECHANIC FOR A RIDE WITH THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER HOOKED UP, IT DID THE ABS BRAKING, WARNING LIGHT, AND BEEPING 5 TIMES BUT COMPUTER SHOWED NO CODES. SUGGESTED RESETTING YAW WHICH WE DID, IT DID NOT HELP. SUGGESTED CALLING TOYOTA, THEY WERE NO HELP, SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT PROBLEM AND MY MECHANIC PROBABLY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO READ THE COMPUTER. WHEN ABS ACTIVATES IT'S VERY DANGEROUS - THINKING ABOUT DEACTIVATING ENTIRE VSC SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THE RACK AND PINION MAY PLAY A ROLE, THERE ARE RATTLE AND BUMP SOUNDS, PERHAPS A LOOSE SUSPENSION IS THE CULPRIT, THAT IS OUR NEXT OPTION. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED STRUTS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, ALL NEW TIRES, HAD IT ALIGNED, DID NEW BRAKE PADS, AND ROTORS. ABSOLUTELY FED UP WITH THIS PROBLEM! *TR

ELECTRONIC ANTI-SWAY OVERRIDE KICKS IN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. USUALLY WHEN TAKING SLIGHT BANKS OR TURNS OVER 35 MPH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AT LEAST FOUR TIMES TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE TWICE WHILE SPINNING. THE CONTACT QUICKLY POWERED OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM SPINNING. THE CONTACT WAITED ONE HOUR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS IN SHOCK AND WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FOOT, RIGHT HIP, AND BACK INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER ALSO SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. BOTH OCCUPANTS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. ALL 3 LIGHTS CAME ON AT SAME TIME. THEY SAY IT'S THE GAS CAP, IT'S NOT THE GAS CAP, THEY SAY TO RESET IT, THAT DOESN'T WORK. I WAS DRIVING HOME, NOTHING HAPPENED, THE LIGHTS JUST CAME ON. NO WARNING SOUND, NOTHING TO INDICATE THERE WAS A PROBLEM, MY CAR SEEMS TO DRIVE JUST FINE, BUT THE LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF, AND I HAVE 3 KIDS THAT I TAKE AND PICK UP FROM SCHOOL

I WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT ON DRY PAVEMENT AND SUDDENLY A BUZZER SOUNDED, THE VSC LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES WERE TAKEN OVER BY THE VSC SYSTEM AND THE CAR STARTED WEAVING OUT OF CONTROL. I COULD NOT STEER OR BREAK THE CAR. THE SITUATION IS UNPREDICTABLE. IT EASILY HAPPENED ON CURVY OR BEND ROAD AND HAS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES IN THIS YEAR. IT IS SCARY.

TOOK MY SIENNA 2006 FOR A CHECK UP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING, REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW RACK AND PINION UNIT. TOYOTA RECALLED 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA IN 2011 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO FIX MY TOYOTA. THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE 2011 RECALL. INSTEAD, TOYOTA DID OFFER A $ 1000 TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A CERTIFIED TOYOTA VEHICLE. I FELT I SHOULD REPORT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND OTHER DRIVERS MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR BACK IN 2012, I NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS NEVER QUITE RIGHT EVEN THOUGH DID THE ALIGNMENT TWO TIMES. I NOW THINK I KNOW WHY: THE RACK AND PINION ALREADY HAD AN ISSUE BACK THEN.

AT 90K MILES, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE AT RACK AND PINION. PASSENGER SIDE BOOT TORN.

WHILE DRIVING THE STABILITY WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, STARTS BEEPING LOUDLY AND MY BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY, ON FREEWAY ENTRANCES WITH A SLIGHT TURN AND EVEN WHILE JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT. EACH TIME, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROADS ARE DRY. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER I AM DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED ENTERING A SLIGHT TURN ON THE HIGHWAY ANYWHERE FROM 20 TO 40 MPH AND HAS RECENTLY HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE CAR HAS ALSO BEGAN BEEPING AND FLASHING THE STABILITY LIGHT WITHOUT LOCKING UP THE STEERING AND BRAKES. I HAVE ALMOST CAUSE A FEW ACCIDENTS WITH CARS ALMOST REAR ENDING MY VAN AND ME ALMOST SIDESWIPING OTHER CARS WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS IS FRIGHTENING! I HAVE HAD MY STRUTS REPLACED, RIGHT DRIVE SHAFT, BRAKES, TIRES, ALIGNMENT. THE REPAIR SHOPS SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS ISSUE WHEN THEY DRIVE IT. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECALL ON ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS WHICH IS SHOCKING. I HAVE A SIENNA VAN SO I CAN CARRY MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH ME. I HAVE MY INFANT GRANDCHILD WITH ME IN THIS VAN EACH DAY AS WELL AS MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MAITA TOYOTA TOMORROW MORNING (1/25/18), WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY SAY, BUT HONESTLY, I FEEL TOYOTA NEEDS TO STAND BY THEIR CARS AND FIX THIS ISSUE AT NO CHARGE. THERE ARE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING THIS EXACT ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET SO IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. THIS FORM ASKS FOR THE DATE THIS HAPPENED BELOW, I'LL ADD TODAYS DATE, BUT IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR.

SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING FOR THE FIRST TIME, I TRY TO TURN THE WHEEL BUT IT IS LOCKED (AS IF IT IS ALL THE WAY TO ONE SIDE BUT IT IS NOT) - THE WHEELS ARE TURNED THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE TIMES I HAVE NOTICED THIS BEHAVIOR MY WHEELS HAVE BEEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT, AND WHEN I TRY TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I AM TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT BUT THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED UP AS IF IT IS ALL THE WAY LEFT AND CANT GO ANY MORE. TO FREE IT UP I NEED TO TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT (MAYBE A QUARTER TURN) THEN I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE LEFT A COUPLE TURNS IF I LIKE AND EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. I USUALLY NOTICE THIS ON SUNDAY MORNINGS - THE CAR MAY HAVE BEEN SITTING ALL DAY SATURDAY .. I AM TRYING TO PUT MY FINGER ON IT BUT CAN'T SEEM TO. I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD .. BUT IT IS A LITTLE CONCERNING. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I SHOULD REPORT THIS .

RACK AND PINION FAILURE. DEAR SIR/MADAM: I BROUGHT MY 2006 SIENNA (PURCHASED NEW) TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO WHAT I SUSPECTED WAS A BAD WHEEL BEARING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE BEARING PROBLEM, BUT ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE SEAL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RACK AND PINION HAD GONE BAD AND HAD LEADED INTO THE BOOT ON THAT SIDE, AND SINCE THERE WAS NO WAY TO JUST REPLACE THE SEAL, I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION SYSTEM INSTALLED, PLUS A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT AFTER THE INSTALLATION TOTALING $1187. I MENTIONED TO THE TECHNICIAN THAT I RECENTLY HAD NOTICED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR LOWER THAN USUAL AND RECENTLY NOTICED FLUID ON MY DRIVEWAY, SO THAT SEEMS TO BE THE CAUSE OF THOSE OBSERVATIONS. THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM I BROUGHT MY SIENNA IN FOR OF THE BEARING NOISE SEEMED TO BE A FORTUNATE SITUATION, AS IT RESULTED IN THE REVELATION OF THE STEER SYSTEM PROBLEM BEFORE IT LED TO A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION. AFTER GETTING THE REPAIRS DONE, I RESEARCHED THE RACK AND PINION ISSUE AND REALIZED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. IT ALSO SEEMS THAT WITH THE PREDICTABLE AND REGULAR OCCURRENCES OF THIS FAILURE, ADDRESSING THIS THROUGH A RECALL WOULD BE A REASONABLE ACTION TOYOTA CAN MAKE IN ITS EFFORTS TO CONTINUE MITIGATING POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC SAFETY EVENTS FOR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN CONSIDERING THIS CONCERN. I CONTINUE TO FIND THAT TOYOTA PROVIDES A QUALITY PRODUCT. I HAVE BEEN A TOYOTA CUSTOMER SINCE 1984 AND DO APPRECIATE TOYOTA'S EFFORTS IN MAINTAINING THEIR REPUTATION AS A RELIABLE AND CONSUMER-FOCUSED COMPANY.

STABILITY AND/OR TRACTION CONTROLS (YAW ?) SEEMED TO WANT TO BELIEVE THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN UNDERSTEER -- CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO WANT TO BRAKE AUTOMATICALLY, SOUNDING A TRACTION CONTROL ALARM. ON A BONE - DRY ROAD !!!

STEERING RACK IS LEAKING AND THIS IS A DANGER TO PEOPLE A SERIOUS DANGER. PEOPLE WITH VANS USUALLY HAVE CHILDREN AND I AM READING OF ALL THESE COMPLAINTS WITH THE STEERING TACK LEAK. TOYOTA IS BEING ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. WE AS CONSUMERS NEED TO VOICE MORE BECAUSE THE MORE WE SPEAK AND VOICE OUR CONCERNS FOR OUR LIVES THE LESS COSTS EFFECTIVE IT WOULD BE FOR THEM TO IGNORE US. REMEMBER THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT WHO DIES FROM THEIR LACK OF CONCERN IT IS ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY MAKE AND I WANT A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT!!!

STEERING HAS HANDLED FINE SINCE I BOUGHT NEW MARCH 2006 FROM TOYOTA CAPITAL DEALER; 1ST REPORTED ON 2/16/13 AT 43,123 MILES SIENNA POWER STEERING RACK & PINION LEAKING--COST TO REPAIR $1,542.38 (WITH ALIGNMENT). HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET AS FLUID LEVEL HAS NOT CHANGED. POWER STEERING FLUID WAS REPORTED DIRTY ON 3/1/09 AT 22,321 MILES. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS LEAKING PROBLEM IS COMMON & HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHER 2006 SIENNA'S--PLEASE RECALL ALL THE 2006 SIENNA'S. ATTACHED IS CURRENT MECHANIC WITH PICTURE OF PROBLEM AT END OF REPORT.

2011 @38000 MILES CAR WAS DIAGNOSTIC AT DEALER WITH LEAK POWER STEERING RACK PINNON ASSEMBLY, COST ROUGHLY $1400 TO REPAIR 2016 @65000 MILES CAR WAS DIAGNOSTIC AT DEALER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE SAME PART AGAIN, DEALER WANT ANOTHER $1400 FOR REPAIRING. CALLED TOYOTA, CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NICE AND GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER BUT FOUND NO SOLUTIONS IN TOYOTA'S DATABASE AND WANT ME TO CONTACT DEALER FOR FINANCIAL DISCOUNT FOR REPAIR. SEARCHED GOOGLE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINT REGARDING TO STEERING ISSUES AND WONDER CAN THIS BE A DESIGN FAULTS OR A OEM COMPONENT QUALITY FOR A SAFETY CONCERN - WAS WARNED THAT "LOSE OF STEERING CAPABILITY CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT." ALSO REPEAT CHARGING CUSTOMERS FOR THE SAME EXPENSIVE ASSEMBLY OF 27000 MILES INTERVAL SHOULD PROOF THE CASE - IT IS EITHER A QUALITY OR DESIGN RELATED PROBLEM

FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION BOOT CAUSES A LEAK OF LUBRICANT AND CONTAMINATION OF THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. SINCE A FAILURE OF THE BOOT CAN LEAD INTO NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING, THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON THIS MINIVAN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BYTOYOTA IN ORDER TO FIX IT.. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM,

CRACK OR STICKY DASH DUE TO STICK DASH SUN REFLECT TO YOUR EYE WHICH BLIND YOU WHILE DRIVING THAT IS DANGEROUS FOR AN ACCIDENT

VISITED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE NOISE, TPMS AND VIBRATINGSOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS AND DRIVING OVER 35 MPH. TECH INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD BUMP AND FOUND THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION SECTOR IS LEAKING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE BOOT AND THE STEERING HAS A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. MILES 85K

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL TUBE ON THE RETURN LINE FOR THE PRESSURE LINE WAS RUBBING ON THE ENGINE AND OIL PAN. AS A RESULT, THE OIL PAN FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

THE STEERING RACK AND PINION SECTOR IS LEAKING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE BOOT AND THE STEERING HAS A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL

ON TURNS, THERE HAS BEEN A "CLUNK" NOISE UNDER RIGHT FRONT DRIVER SIDE. UPON BEING EXAMINED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD IS LOOSE AND THE RACK AND PINION BOOT IS TORN AND LEAKING. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR WAS $ 1000. UPON RESEARCHING THIS MATTER I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT ALTHOUGH SEVERAL SIENNAS FALL UNDER A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS ISSUE, MINE DOES NOT. THEY WERE NOT WILLING T O BUDGE ON THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I AM UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ISSUED A PSB009112 ON THIS ISSUE BUT NOT A FULL RECALL. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CHANGED DESIGN AFTER 2006 SO OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA, AS I'VE HAD HYUNDAI AND SUBURU STAND BY MANUFACTURER DEFECTS SEVERAL TIMES EVEN WITHOUT A RECALL VIA SAFETY CAMPAIGNS. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DANGEROUS ISSUE FOR TOYOTA NOT TO BE CONCERNED.

2006 TOYOTA SIENNA'S STEERING RACK AND PINION HAD SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A LEAK IN A SIDE SEAL WHICH CAUSED A TOTAL LOSS IN POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN THE FLUID DRAINED OUT. DEALER HAS NOTED THE PROBLEM BUT SAYS THE FAILURES THEY'VE SEEN ARE NOT TO BE CONCERNED OVER? TOYOTA DOES SEEM TO HAVE A TSB ADDRESSING THE EARLY FAILURES BY ISSUING A REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINIONS FOR CARS UNDER THEIR 3/36K FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT NOTHING ADDRESSING ANY KIND OF COMPENSATION TO CUSTOMERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE WHO ARE OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY.

DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, UP HILL OR DOWN AND INTO CORNERS ESPECIALLY THE TRACTION CONTROL OR STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE THE BRAKES AND CUT ENGINE POWER, ALARM BEEPING. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A ONE HOUR TRIP. STREERING WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT HAVE ENGAGED AT ALL. DRY, WARM, NEWER TIRES DRIVING RECOMMENDED SPEEDS FOR THE ROAD. ALL DRIVERS ON THE ROAD WERE AT RISK WITH THE SUDDEN BREAKING AND STEERING PULLING INTO ANOTHER LANE.

MY 2006 SIENNA HAS A LOW MILEAGE, 38K. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, WHEN REPLACING THE FRONT BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING RACK BOOT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IS LEAKING. I GOOGLED IT ONLINE AND FOUND SO MANY 2ND GENERATION SIENNAS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. SO IT MUCH BE A DESIGN FLAW. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS. *TR

NOTICED LEAK IN FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF SIENNA VAN. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, WHO IDENTIFIED THE LEAK SOURCE AS THE STEERING RACK. PART WAS NOT REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, AS TOO MANY YEARS AND 423 MILES BEYOND WARRANTY PERIOD. BROKEN PART 44250-08040 REPLACED PART AS TOYOTA 44250-08041 FAILURE OF PART, IF NOT CAUGHT SOON, ENOUGH, COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND EVEN ISSUES A SERVICE BULLETIN AS TSB-0097-12 IN ADDITION TO A NEW REPLACEMENT PART. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THIS PART NOT LONG AFTER WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER. I BELIEVE THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AS INSTALLED. I ADD MY VOICE TO THE MANY WHO HAVE REPLACED THIS PART AND WISH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA CORPORATION. DOT SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AND SIMILAR STEERING RACK PARTS. AFTER TOYOTA BRUSHED OFF MY COMPLAINT VIA PHONE SUPPORT, I RECEIVED WRITTEN USPS MAIL IDENTIFYING A WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTIFICATION FOR A SEPARATE PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD/INSTRUMENT PANEL , DUE TO CRACKING AND STICKY DASHBOARDS. OBVIOUSLY, IF ENOUGH AFFECTED OWNERS DOCUMENT THEIR COMPLAINTS ABOUT FAILING STEERING RACKS, TOYOTA MIGHT BECOME SERIOUS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. TYPICAL COST OF PART IS $1200-$1600. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/15*JS

1) AUGUST 2013 DURING AN OIL CHANGE THE DEALER TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED ME THE STEERING RACK NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO OIL LEAKS FROM THE RACK AND PINION ($1000 REPAIRS). 2) SEPTEMBER 2014 ASKED DEALER TO CHECK AIR CONDITIONING AC RIGHT CENTER CONSOLE BLOWER. AFTER RECHARGING THE SYSTEM WITH DYE, FOUND THE AC LINES TO THE REAR CABIN CORRODED UNDER THE WHEEL WELLS -- RECOMMENDED $1500 TO REPLACE ENTIRE LINES (I DECLINED PENDING FURTHER INSPECTION SUMMER 2015). 3) FEBRUARY 2015 NOTICED RIGHT SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR STOPPED WORKING ELECTRONICALLY, WITH KEY FOB, INTERIOR SWITCHES, ETC., AND WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN PULLING OPEN/CLOSING MANUALLY BY HAND. ACTUATORS STILL WORKED TO "LOCK" THE DOOR DURING THE LAST INCH CLOSING/OPENING. NOTICED BLACK CABLE SHEATHING FRAYED AND BARE IN SPOTS, SHOWING STEEL CABLE INSIDE, BUT CABLE STILL INTACT. FOUND ONLINE FORUMS STATING MANY HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. LOCATED MY EXTENSION TO WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT NOTICE FROM TOYOTA MAILING STATING "CERTAIN 2004-2007 MODEL YEAR SIENNA REAR SLIDING DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES AND POWER SLIDING DOOR CABLE ASSEMBLIES" MAY BE COVERED (UP TO 120K OR 9 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST), VIA THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. HOWEVER, THIS "ENHANCEMENT" DOES NOT COVER DOOR MOTOR ASSEMBLY FAILURES, WHICH MY DEALER TECHNICIAN IDENTIFIED AS THE PROBABLE MAIN CAUSE OF THE DOOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY (AFTER HAVING REMOVED PART OF THE DOOR FOR INSPECTION). I DECLINED THE $1000 LABOR + $1200 PARTS ($2200 TOTAL) MOTOR, BUT ACCEPTED THE FREE CABLE ASSEMBLY WARRANTY COVERAGE. AM NOW USING THE DOOR IN MANUAL MODE ONLY. MY CONCERNS: THESE PARTS ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY UNDER NORMAL USE/WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MECHANIC AT FIRESTONE INDICATED THAT HE USED TO WORK AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHERE HE WITNESSED DOZENS AND DOZENS OF SIENNA'S WHOSE RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS LEAKING AND REQUIRED REPLACED. WE HAD THE WORK DONE AT TOYOTA BUT IT COST OVER $1,400. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LEAKING. OUR CAR WAS GARAGE KEPT FOR 100% OF ITS LIFE, AND WAS WELL CARED FOR. I BELIEVE THIS ITEM SHOULD BE A FORMAL RECALL HANDED DOWN TO TOYOTA. THANK YOU. *TR

MY 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS ONLY 66,500 MILES ON IT AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTIONS, I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW POWER STEERING RACK AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT TO GO WITH IT. THE CHARGE FOR THE SAME IS $1300 PLUS. I AM SEEING SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA ABOUT IT, THEY MENTIONED THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER RECALL FOR THIS PURPOSE. IT DOES SEEM TO BE A DESIGN ISSUE AND I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

STEERING RACK BOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS A LEAK. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING RACK AND PINION COSTING ALMOST $1400. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN TOYOTA SIENNA 2006 AND TOYOTA ISSUED PSB 0097-12 FOR THIS BUT NOT A RECALL. TOYOTA EVEN CHANGED THE DESIGN IN THE NEWER MODELS AFTER 2006. EVEN THOUGH IT IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN BUT TOYOTA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE AND OWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING FOR THIS. *TR

TEAR ON THE BOOT OF THE POWER STEERING RACK, PASSENGER SIDE. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR TOYOTA SIENNA 2006. SOME SAID TOYOTA SEEMED TO FIX IT IN THE 2007 MODEL. TOYOTA MAY KEEP QUIET ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE BOOT IS TOO CLOSE TO ONE OF THE BELTS. ANY DEBRIS (ROCK OR ICE OR PIECE OF METAL) COULD BE SLING-SHOT BY THE BELT AND HIT THE RUBBER BOOT. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE, THE EXPOSED STEERING JOINTS COULD RUST AND BREAK IN THE HIGHWAY. THEY SHOULD PUT A PROTECTIVE PLATE BETWEEN THE BOOT AND THE BELT. *TR

INITIALLY, STEERING IS STIFF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. I AM AFRAID THAT IT MIGHT HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AT HIGH SPEED. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THERE WAS A RECALL INCLUDING THE 2005 SIENNA, BUT APPARENTLY THE 2006 MODEL YEAR IS NOT COVERED. THANKS FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER, BEST REGARDS. *TR

STEERING OIL LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE FOUND DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE STEERING RACK INNER SEALS HAD DISINTEGRATED CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE THAT WAS NOT EVIDENT UNTIL THE BOOT HAD BEEN AFFECTED AND BROKEN. *TR

WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A TURN (SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE FIRST EPISODE, LIKE 10 MORE) THE STEERING WHEEL GETS LOCKED AND DOESN'T RESPOND TO THE WAY THAT I'M TRYING TO STEER, IT'S GET LOCKED OR REALLY HARD TO MANEUVER, AND JUST BECAUSE I'M TURNING AT SLOW SPEED I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT. LAST TIME I WAS BACKING UP FROM MY DRIVEWAY AND THEN I COULDN'T MOVE TO ANY SIDE (LEFT OR RIGHT), IT WAS LOCKED FOR LIKE 1 MINUTE. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE STEERING RACK INNER SEALS HAD DISINTEGRATED CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE THAT WAS NOT EVIDENT UNTIL THE BOOT HAD BEEN AFFECTED AND BROKEN. CONCERNED BY PART FAILURE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. COMPLAINTS SEEN ON TOYOTA FORUMS - TOYOTA ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS IN JULY 2012 BUT NO INFORMATION SENT TO CONSUMERS TSB-0097-12 . CONSIDER THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *TR

STEERING OIL LEAK ON PASSENGER SIDE FOUND DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE STEERING RACK BOOT LEAK. DISCOVERED AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DURING OIL CHANGE. *TR

REMOVED THE RUN FLAT TIRES AND REPLACED THEM WITH REGULAR TIRES. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING THE "TIRE BALANCE" LIGHT GO OFF IN MY CAR AND GETTING FLAT TIRES. EVER SINCE I SWITCHED THE TIRES THE ALIGNMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ISSUE. *TR

DURING THE 65K SERVICE AT I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING THIS REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF STEERING GEAR AND REPLACING THE TIE ROD END EACH SIDE. THE COST WILL BE AROUND $1225.00. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE QUALITY OF TOYOTA VEHICLE IS GETTING DECREASED COMPARE TO SOME EARLIER MODELS. *TR

DURING ROUTINE 60K MILE MAINTENANCE I WAS INFORMED THE "STEERING RACK" IS "LEAKING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE". AFTER ONLY 61K MILES, THIS SEEMS TO BE AN EARLY FAILURE OF SUCH A MAJOR COMPONENT. *TR

DURING A SAFETY INSPECTION THE MECHANICS HAVE SAID THE STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING. THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. THE COST AVERAGES $1100. THIS IS REPORTED AS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE AND A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR DRIVING. *TR

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH MOST RECENTLY THE POWER PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR THAT IS BROKEN AND DOES NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE DEALER FT. MYERS TOYOTA SAID THE PARTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND MAY TAKE MONTHS TO GET THE PARTS TO FIX. THEY DID SAY THEY WOULD COVER UNDER WARRANTY. SECONDLY, MY STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 80,000 MILES BECAUSE OF LEAKING FLUID AND I HAD TO PAY THE LABOR TO FIX. LASTLY, ALL 4 OF THE TIRE RIMS ON THE CAR HAVE PEELING, BUBBLING AND CHIPPING PAINT THAT IS EXPOSING THE METAL RIM. IT MAY CAUSE FURTHER CORROSION TO THE RIMS AND CAUSE A SAFETY PROBLEM TO THE WHEELS. GERMAIN TOYOTA IN NAPLES, FLA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE RIMS. FT. MYERS TOYOTA WHERE I GET THE CAR SERVICED TOLD ME ABOUT THE NATIONAL BACK ORDER PROBLEM AND ALSO CHARGED ME FOR THE DEFECTIVE STEERING ASSEMBLY WHICH I THOUGHT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THEIR LIFETIME POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THEY SAID IT DID NOT. *TR

1) AIRBAGS: BLINKING AIRBAG LIGHT. TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN - $1200 REPAIR. UNSURE OF SAFETY IMPLICATIONS. 2) SUSPENSION, STEERING RACK. LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE RACK. $1200 REPAIR. 3) ELECTRICAL: POWER SLIDING REAR DOOR WILL ONLY FUNCTION IN MANUAL MODE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMS ME OF A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR PROBLEM. DEALER FAILED TO TELL ME ABOUT IT. $1400 FOR REPAIR. DEALER ESTIMATED TRADE IN VALUE FOR VAN: $6000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER ROAD BUMPS AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS PARTIALLY FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

DURING STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION TECH FOUND POWER STEERING RACK LEAKING (PASSENGER SIDE SEAL). ALL FLUID WAS INSIDE BOOT - NO EXTERNAL LEAK. WE HAVE BEEN TOYOTA CUSTOMERS FOR 25 PLUS YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A MAJOR FAILURE EVEN WITH 100,000 PLUS MILES. GUESS I EXPECTED MORE FROM TOYOTA. SEEMS TO ME 60,000 MILES IS A LITTLE SOON FOR A MAJOR FAILURE OF THIS TYPE. DEALERSHIP DOES A FINE JOB AND I AM GRATEFUL THEY FOUND AND FIXED DEFECT. JUST WANTED TO GET THIS INFORMATION ON DATABASE IN CASE THERE IS A HIGH FREQUENCY OF THIS TYPE OF REPAIR IN 2006 TOYOTA SIENNAS. *TR

PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT DUE TO CORROSION; THERE IS AN INCREASED EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING FROM NEUTRAL OR TO RETURN AFTER TURNING. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN CASUALTIES AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ADDRESS IT. THIS STARTED APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS AGO AND WAS REPORTED TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AGREES THAT THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL PART THAT GOES OUT ON A 3 1/2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE NOTICED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM AS THE VEHICLE ALWAYS STEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,363.

IN EARLY 2008, MY 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. I NOTICED THAT THEN I LET GO OF THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CAR WOULD DRIFT SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. ADDITIONALLY, AT A DEAD STOP AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS APPLIED, THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT. MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR 4 TIMES AND SAID THAT NOTHING MORE CAN BE DONE AND THE CAR IS WITHIN SPECS. WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, WE DROVE MY SIENNA AND THEN DROVE THE DEALERSHIPS COURTESY VAN. AT A DEAD STOP, THE DEALERSHIPS VAN DROVE STRAIGHT AND HAD NO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. WHEN WE DROVE MY VAN, THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE DRIFT TO THE RIGHT AT A DEAD STOP WAS NORMAL IN THE SIENNA AND THAT MY VAN'S DRIFT WAS WITHIN COMPLIANCE OF TOYOTA STANDARDS. I HAVE HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED THREE TIME AND APPEARS TO BE NORMAL, YET THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO DEAL WITH MY CAR AND SENT IT TO ARBITRATION. TO BE RESOLVED. WHAT IS THE DEAL??? *TR

POWER STEERING SOMEWHAT INEFFECTIVE, BUT OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND FOR VERY SHORT PERIODS. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ONE HAS TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A TURN, BUT THEN WHEN THE POWER STEERING KICKS IN, THE RESULT IS TO OVER STEER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THEY REPAIRED. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.