2001 Toyota Sienna Body & structure Problems

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR HAS SEVERAL TIMES NOW REFUSED TO LATCH, AND WHEN IN EMERGENCY SITUATION I HAVE LOCKED IT AND FORCED IT TO SHUT THEN IT WILL NOT UNLOCK AND IT HAS TO BE TAKEN APART TO BE OPENED AND THE WHOLE LATCH AND LOCK MECHANISM REWORKED BY THE MECHANIC, AND IN THE MEANTIME THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE AND BACK ROWS OF THE VAN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED, SO IT IS DEFINITELY AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE HARDWARE OF THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM ITSELF AND NOT SIMPLY A GLITCH THAT OCCURRED ONCE OR SOMETHING.

NHTSA ID

11098879

Incident

May 24, 2018

Mileage

147,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HOOD WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND UNLATCHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10838136

Incident

Feb 17, 2016

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE STEEL CABLE FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SNAPPED WHILE DOOR WAS BEING OPENED ELECTRONICALLY. THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN WIDER THAN A FOOT SINCE THE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE IN OPERATION. PASSENGERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, HAD TO EXIT THE PARKED VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DOOR REMAINED INOPERABLE UNTIL WE WERE ABLE TO CUT THE REMAINING LENGTH OF STEEL CABLE HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROADWAY WITH WIRE CUTTERS. THE DOOR NOW IS A MANUAL SLIDING DOOR UNTIL THE ENTIRE MOTOR AND STEEL CABLE SYSTEM CAN BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10548002

Incident

Oct 13, 2013

Mileage

160,000 mi

THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO OPEN DUE TO BREAKAGE OF THE CABLE. I AM UNCERTAIN OF WHETHER THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WERE ENGAGED, HOWEVER, THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN WIDER THAN APPROX. 6". REAR PASSENGERS HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF THE VAN VIA THE DRIVER'S OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I AM ELATED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE DOORS DID NOT OCCUR DURING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION, SINCE THIS WOULD HAVE PLACED THE REAR OCCUPANTS IN EXTREME DANGER. IF TOYOTA AND NHTSA WAS AWARE THAT THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE CABLES AND THE MANUAL RELEASE OF THE REAR DOORS, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY ALERT AND/OR RECALL OF THE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR OF THE VANS. THE FAILURE OF THE DOORS IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF COSMETIC ISSUES, IT IS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AND LIFE THREATENING. AT A MINIMUM, THE DOORS SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED FOR MANUAL OPENING AND CLOSING, IF THE CABLES SHOULD BREAK. THE BREAKING OF THE CABLE, ALONG WITH THE INABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP, SINCE THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN TO ALLOW THE PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I AM REQUESTING, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS, THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. AT A MINIMUM, THE DOORS SHOULD DEFAULT TO MANUAL MODE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10434075

Incident

Oct 29, 2011

Mileage

72,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10420077

Incident

Dec 13, 2001

Mileage

8,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10420074

Incident

Mar 13, 2001

Mileage

8,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10381167

Incident

Jan 15, 2011

Mileage

101,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10365459

Incident

Sep 7, 2010

Mileage

141,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10355915

Incident

Sep 13, 2010

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. HE THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STOPPED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE RUNNING BOARD MELTED AND FRACTURED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE RUNNING BOARD BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER IN STOCK. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,770. UPDATED 11/15/10 *CN THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SOLVE IT. UPDATED 11/26/10

NHTSA ID

10350517

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

Mileage

113,770 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10350135

Incident

Oct 9, 2007

Mileage

60,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10343089

Incident

Jul 10, 2010

Mileage

67,235 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10329827

Incident

Jun 14, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10319700

Incident

Mar 10, 2010

Mileage

5,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10313928

Incident

Apr 1, 2009

Mileage

84,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10295548

Incident

Dec 1, 2003

Mileage

15,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10290500

Incident

Dec 27, 2008

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

NHTSA ID

10273818

Incident

Apr 6, 2009

Mileage

119,734 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10269847

Incident

Apr 28, 2009

Mileage

156,100 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10267801

Incident

May 5, 2004

Mileage

110,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10239730

Incident

Jul 2, 2001

Mileage

3,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10233575

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

35,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10213419

Incident

Dec 15, 2007

Mileage

94,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10204894

Incident

Aug 1, 2007

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CONTINUOUSLY OPENS AND CLOSES.*MR THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE DOOR WAS TO DISENGAGE THE POWER AND CLOSE IT MANUALLY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR THAT OPERATES THE POWER DOOR AND THE ECU NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1939. THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S PORTION IS STILL QUIT COSTLY. *NM

NHTSA ID

10090262

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

Mileage

43,000 mi