2002 Toyota Sienna Owner Complaints

Dear Sir, On April 2026, I need to do the semiannual smog check. Right now, I face DTC P0420 error code and I can't pass the smog check inspection. Note that I don't have the engine light on indicating the a/m error code. Only my OBD2 shows the error DTC Code P0420. I did some searhing and noticed that the ECM for Sienna should be updated to erase the a/m DTC code. I would appreciated to help me how the resolve this issue ASAP. It will enable me to renew my registration.You may contact on my cell phone 747 217 7254 or my email at [email protected]. Regards, Massey

NHTSA ID

11718059

Incident

Feb 7, 2026

CHECKING ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF SLIDE DOOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ID

11515584

Incident

Apr 5, 2023

THE LOWER REAR MOUNT FOR THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WAS FOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY TO HAVE BECOME PARTIALLY FRACTURED OVER TIME. IT IS MADE OF THIN HOLLOW METAL WITH INTERNAL THREADS. THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR THIS EXCEPT TO PURCHASE A LARGE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL UNIT COSTING $1,688.00

NHTSA ID

11404845

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

Mileage

200,000 mi

BRAKES MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STOP. THERE IS A SQUEAL AND THUMP THAT CAN BE HEARD. HAVE TAKEN THIS IN SEVERAL TIMES TO BE FIXED. THEY SAY THE BRAKES ARE SAFE. I AM 74 YEARS OLD AND HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND THE ONLY TIMES OTHER CARS HAVE MADE THIS KIND OF NOISE IT WAS TIME TO CHANGE THE BRAKES. IN THIS CASE THE BRAKE PADS SEEM TO HAVE PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT. FUNNY THAT WHEN THE REAR DRUMS ARE REMOVED AND THE BRAKE AND DRUMS ARE THOROUGHLY CLEANED THE NOISE DOES NOT HAPPEN FOR A WHILE. THE FIRST COMPLAINT WAS MADE AT 15,523 MILES AND CONTINUES TOO THIS DAY. AT 31,842 MILES THE REAR DRUMS WERE REPLACED PER TSB BR003-04. TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AT 125,559 MILES AND WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED NEW REAR DRUMS. THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED. THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11228644

Incident

Mar 18, 2003

Mileage

15,523 mi

STEERING GETS STIFF HARD TO TURN STEERING

NHTSA ID

11074246

Incident

Nov 17, 2017

Mileage

104,273 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A SMALL INCLINE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE POST. A SMALL CHILD WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAITA TOYOTA (2500 AUBURN BLVD, SACRAMENTO, CA). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A MECHANISM FAILURE, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,200.

NHTSA ID

11061205

Incident

Nov 11, 2017

Mileage

136,200 mi

INCIDENT #1 (6/3/2017) - TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN TURNING ON CITY STREET. CAR PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WENT UP TO 35 MPH FOR SEVERAL BLOCKS INCIDENT #2 (6/4/2017) - WHILE PARKING CAR IN DRIVEWAY, APPLIED FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. ENGINE ROARED AND THRUSTED FORWARD.

NHTSA ID

10993094

Incident

Jun 3, 2017

Mileage

208,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. ...UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA ID

10884763

Incident

Jul 14, 2015

Mileage

24,000 mi

THE CABLE FOR THE PASSENGER POWER DOOR SNAPPED AND DOOR WOULD NOT FULLY SHUT. I WAS STOPPED, GETTING READY TO TURN LEFT, WHEN IT SNAPPED.

NHTSA ID

10882798

Incident

Jul 5, 2016

Mileage

200,110 mi

THE ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM BROKE DOWN . IT OPEN BUT IT DOESN'T CLOSE. IT GETS STOCK.

NHTSA ID

10862402

Incident

Feb 20, 2013

DOOR HANDLES BREAK OFF DURING NORMAL USE DUE TO ELECTRICAL DOOR MALFUNCTION. THE DESIGN OF THESE DOOR HANDLES ARE POOR AND A NEW DESIGN NEEDS TO BE MADE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10704387

Incident

Aug 2, 2014

Mileage

140,000 mi

ALL THE LOCKS KEEP UNLOCKING, AND LOCKING WITHOUT ANYONE IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE LOCKS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING IT IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE VAN IS IN GEAR, WHILE DRIVING, AND WHEN VAN IS NOT RUNNING WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10704383

Incident

Mar 2, 2015

Mileage

149,000 mi

WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR IT WOULD NOT OPEN ELECTRICALLY OR MANUALLY. AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO OPEN I CUT THE CABLE AND WAS ABLE TO THEN OPEN THE DOOR. AT THIS POINT IN TIME BOTH SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN ELECTRONICALLY BUT WILL OPEN MANUALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10704379

Incident

Sep 1, 2014

Mileage

240,000 mi

I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ROAD. I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE TYPICAL ACCELERATION. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY. THEN I PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE GAS PEDAL AND PUSHED DOWN HARDER THAN NORMAL TO SEE IF I GOT A RESPONSE. AT THIS POINT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THEN I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE CONTINUE TO REV AND THE CAR WAS STILL MOVING FORWARD. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL THE ENGINE CONTINUE TO REV. I THEN DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT BRIEFLY AND TOOK MY FOOT OFF AND THE ENGINE STOPPED REVVING AT THIS POINT. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT AFTER THAT POINT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS REVVING MY LEFT FOOT WAS NOT TOUCHING OR NEAR THE GAS PEDAL. THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT IN THE WAY. AND MY RIGHT FOOT WAS FREE AND UNENCUMBERED. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AROUND ME SO I WAS ABLE TO FULLY CONCENTRATE ON THE ISSUE AND DID NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10676163

Incident

Jan 16, 2015

Mileage

122,727 mi

WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AND LIGHTLY BRAKING THE CAR SUDDENLY ALARMINGLY ACCELERATES. DEALER CLAIMS VARIOUS ISSUES THAT THEY TRIED BUT NON RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. I AM READY TO SELL AND AFRAID THAT THE BUYER MIGHT NOT REMEMBER TO FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTION TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BEFORE BRAKING. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS, MOST RECENTLY THIS YEAR 2014. *TR

NHTSA ID

10641393

Incident

Jun 1, 2005

Mileage

60,000 mi

OUR 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA HAD THE GEAR SHIFT REPAIRED AT A MAJOR ATLANTA AREA TOYOTA DEALER ON MAY 5, 2014. THE GEAR SHIFT REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO BE DISASSEMBLED. ABOUT ONE WEEK AFTER THAT REPAIR, THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE WHEELS. BY SHEER LUCK THIS STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AFTER JUST TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE. HAD THIS STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SAME MAJOR ATLANTA AREA TOYOTA DEALER AND THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING FAILURE WAS IDENTIFIED AS "STEERING JOINT BOLT BACKED OFF FROM CONNECTION". I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY ONE BOLT COMING LOOSE. THE STEERING FAILURE WAS CORRECTED BY "RE-TIGHTENED' BOLT WITH LOCK TIGHT". IN SUMMARY, THE REPAIR OF A GEAR SHIFT BY A CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE CENTER RESULTED IN COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE DUE TO ONE BOLT THAT "BACKED OFF FROM CONNECTION" OR THAT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED OR SECURED. IT IS VERY CONCERNING THAT TOYOTA?S STEERING COLUMN DESIGN HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE WHEN ONE BOLT COMES LOOSE. IT IS ALSO A MAJOR ISSUE THAT A CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER SERVICE CENTER IS UNABLE TO SAFELY DISSEMBLE AND REASSEMBLE THE STEERING COLUMN AND PROVIDE A SAFE AND DRIVABLE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW OFTEN THIS TYPE OF STEERING FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THIS AND SIMILARLY DESIGNED TOYOTA VEHICLES. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY CRASHES, SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS ISSUE. THIS CERTAINLY CAN?T BE THE ONLY OCCURRENCE. I FEEL IT IS IMPERATIVE TO ALERT OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTERS OF THE SITUATION OR ISSUE A RECALL TO ENSURE THAT THE STEERING JOINT BOLT IS SECURE. VIDEO CAN BE SEEN AT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=6XB-CPKR4HY UPDATED 1/9/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10598032

Incident

May 5, 2014

Mileage

168,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING WITH THE VEHICLE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND NECK. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND WHIP LASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,700.

NHTSA ID

10553223

Incident

Oct 27, 2013

Mileage

92,700 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO TAKE DINNER WITH MY FAMILY WHEN ARRIVE TO THE RESTAURANT I NOTICE WAS A LOT SMOG IN THE MOTOR I OPEN THE HOOD WAS A LOT SMOG SO I PLUG OUT THE BATTERY AND I CALL A MECHANIC AND HE TELLME THE FIRE WAS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP HE DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE POWER STEERING AND TELLME TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND MAYBE HAVE A RECALL. THATS BY I WANT TO NO IF IS COVER FOR THE WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10549735

Incident

Oct 25, 2013

Mileage

118,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND DRIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10544238

Incident

Jul 15, 2013

Mileage

80,000 mi

EVER SINCE NOVMBER, 2008, MY 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR, HAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPEN EITHER BY ACTIVATING THE BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR COLUMN, BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE OUTSIDE, OR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DOOR BUTTON, OR WORSE, AFTER OPENING, WILL NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER HAD TO REINITIALIZE THE ECU IN NOVEMBER, 2008, AND HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS SINCE. NOW, SINCE AT LEAST DECEMBER, 2012, THE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL BY ANY OF THE 3 METHODS AND CANNOT BE REINITIALIZED. ALSO, AT TIMES THE MANUAL DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR, IN THE PAST ~ 1 1/2 YEARS WILL NOT OPEN EITHER FROM INSIDE DOOR BUTTON RELEASE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE AND PASSENGERS HAVE TO CLIMB OVER FROM THE FRONT SEATS TO ENTER OR CLIMB OVER THE FRONT SEAT & CONSOLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THAT I NEED TO "START WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ECU," A PART COSTING $730.00 AND ABOUT $1000 WITH INSTILLATION. I HAVE READ OTHER HORROR STORIES THAT REPLACING THE ECU ISN'T NECESSARILY THE ANSWER AND MANY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ANSWER IS. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY AUTO RECALLS ON THESE POWER DOOR MECHANISMS YET? I SEE A LARGE VOLUME OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THESE SIENNA AS WELL AS WITHIN THE NHTSA DATABASE. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF THE VEHICLES' PASSENGERS, AS IT STANDS, A CATASTROPHE IS WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10522415

Incident

Nov 24, 2008

Mileage

93,224 mi

EVERY DOOR HANDLE ON THE VEHICLE HAS BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. ALMOST EVERY TOYOTA SIENNA I SEE ON THE ROAD HAD ATLEAST ONE OF THERE HANDLES BROKEN OFF. I REALLY THINK TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS. THE DOOR HAS ACTUALLY SWUNG OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING BECAUSE I COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS CLOSED PROPER. IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR MORE DAMAGE BUT COULD VERY EASILY HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510192

Incident

Apr 18, 2007

Mileage

85,000 mi

I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS ISSUE. JUST GOOGLE IT. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON CONSISTENTLY SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, BRAND NEW. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, ENDLESS HOURS AND A LOT OF ANXIETY AND FRUSTRATION. WHEN I LIVED IN OHIO, IT WAS NOT A "BIG DEAL" BECAUSE THERE WERE NO EMISSION REQUIREMENTS. WHEN I MOVED TO ARIZONA, IT BECAME A NIGHTMARE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SERVICES BY TOYOTA ON THE VAN. I HAVE PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR WHAT THEY TELL ME IS THE PROBLEM AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I READ OTHER PEOPLES STORIES ONLINE AND THE SAME "REMEDIES. SUGGESTED BY TOYOTA AND THEIR COMPUTER READOUTS" THAT COST HUNDREDS, SOMETIME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THE SAFETY ISSUE ARISES, WHEN IS THE ENGINE LIGHT A REAL ISSUE AND WHEN IS IT JUST TOYOTAS MANUFACTURING DEFECT? THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL. I AM CAMPAIGNING AND WILLING TO ORGANIZE A SOCIAL MEDIA RECALL. I AM TIRED AND OUT OF MONEY FOR REPAIRS THAT DO NOT WORK. IT IS TIME FOR TOYOTA TO ADMIT THE ISSUE AND FIX IT. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502348

Incident

Mar 1, 2002

THE SPARE TIRE IS MOUNTED UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH THE SHREDDER VALVE ORIENTED DOWNWARD FOR EASY ACCESS. THE WHEEL IS STEEL AND IS LOCATED SO THE TIRES KICK UP WATER AND ROAD SAND AND, WITH THIS ORIENTATION, WATER IS TRAPPED, LIKE IN A BOWL, AND SITS ON THE STEEL. THE PAINT HAS LONG BEEN BLASTED AWAY FROM THE SAND EXPOSURE AND NOW THE WHEEL IS RUSTED SO BADLY IT IS EXTREMELY THIN AND CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT RISKING FAILURE OF THE WHEEL, ESPECIALLY ON THE FRONT WHERE LOADS CAN REACH IN EXCESS OF 2500 POUNDS IN A DYNAMIC FATIGUE SITUATION. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS SIENNA HAS BEEN RECALLED ONCE ALREADY FOR RUST IN THIS AREA, THANKS TO YOU GUYS, AS RUST WAS DAMAGING THE RETAINING SYSTEM AND THE TIRE WAS FALLING OFF IN TRAFFIC. THEY HAVE SEEN THE RUSTED WHEELS AND THE STRENGTH IS NOW UNPREDICTABLE. ROAD SALT, RAIN, SAND ETC. AMOUNTS. THE SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE ANY TYPE OF COVER. DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD 2 FLAT TIRES AND I THINK WITH MY WIFE & KIDS IN THE CAR IT IS A PROBLEM. IT IS A PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10501958

Incident

Mar 4, 2013

I WAS PULLING FORWARD FROM A RED LIGHT, SLOWLY ACCELERATING. SOMEONE CUT ME OFF, I SWERVED, AND THEN ACCELERATED INTO TRAFFIC. THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, FROM ABOUT 35 MPH (WHERE I PULLED MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PAD TO "HOLD" THE SPEED BUT NOT CONTINUE ACCELERATING) UP TO 55 MPH--THIS HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY, IN A SMATTERING OF SECONDS. I REMEMBERED READING THAT YOU SHOULD JUST SLAM ON THE BRAKE AND HOLD IT DOWN HARD, WHICH I DID. THIS DID STOP FURTHER ACCELERATION, BUT IT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY SLOW THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR IN ABOUT 10 SECONDS, THOUGH DECELERATION WAS VERY SLOW. WHEN I FINALLY RETURNED TO 35 MPH, I DID NOT ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN FOR ABOUT TWO MILES. I STOPPED AT ANOTHER TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND WHEN I STARTED FORWARD FROM THE LIGHT, I DID NOT DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PAD WITH MY TYPICAL FORCE, ACCELERATING AT ABOUT HALF THE SPEED I NORMALLY WOULD, AS I DID NOT WANT TO BE TAKEN BY SURPRISE BY THE UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AGAIN. THE PROBLEM DID NOT FURTHER REPEAT ITSELF THIS EVENING, BUT IT WAS QUITE SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENED. I KNOW IT WAS NOT THE FLOOR MAT UNDER THE PEDAL, AS THE FLOOR MAT HAS BEEN CUT AWAY FROM THE PEDAL AREA AND WAS PULLED VERY FAR BACK INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT AREA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10468381

Incident

Jul 30, 2012

Mileage

131,200 mi

ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR FAILURES. JULY 2011, PASSENGER SIDE (SLIDING DOOR) ELECTRONIC OUTER DOOR HANDLE STOPPED WORKING. THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE IS BY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR JAM OR OVERHEAD CONSOLE. THEN THE DOOR STOPPED OPENING COMPLETELY. THE MOTOR TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR BUT SEEMS LIKE THE DOOR DOES NOT RELEASE. IT WILL NOT OPEN. APRIL 2012, DRIVERS SIDE (SLIDING DOOR) ELECTRONIC OUTER DOOR HANDLE HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE IS BY PUSHING THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR JAM OR OVERHEAD CONSOLE. THE DOOR OPENS 80% OF THE TIME. WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK THE MOTOR TRIES TO OPEN THE DOOR BUT SEEMS LIKE THE DOOR DOES NOT RELEASE. WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN THE FAMILY HAS TO ENTER OR EXIT THROUGH ONE OF THE FRONT DOORS AND CLIMB THROUGH TO THE BACK SEATS. THERE IS NO INTERNAL MANUAL OVERRIDE OF THESE DOORS. THIS IS NOT SAFE. IN AN EMERGENCY MY FAMILY WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS OR BREAK AND GO THROUGH THE WINDOWS. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES AND SLIDING DOOR MECHANISMS SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE BY TOYOTA. *JS

NHTSA ID

10456905

Incident

Jul 18, 2011