2006 Toyota Sienna Driver assistance Problems

My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!

NHTSA ID

11576496

Incident

Mar 10, 2024

The vehicle stability control system randomly engages and activates the brakes without cause. This can happen on a gentle curve going under the speed limit. It is very scary and I am afraid it is going to cause an accident. Internet research shows many owners with this issue and no information on the cause or a fix

NHTSA ID

11514074

Incident

Mar 27, 2023

Vehicle Trac Control/ABS system engages periodically especially on winding roads between speeds of 30-60mph. Trac Control alarm goes off and vehicle pumps brakes automatically, then resolves. This is extremely dangerous especially when roads are wet/icy or when being followed too closely by another vehicle. Tried replacing front right wheel speed sensor but problem persists. Research shows this is a chronic problem with Sienna vans and needs to be repaired or guidance provided by Toyota on how to resolve before someone gets hurt. Please help!

NHTSA ID

11464622

Incident

May 13, 2022

While driving vehicle on dry, non slippery roads with slight to moderate curves, vehicle illuminates Traction Loss light, sounds alarm buzzer, and at times applies brakes and dethrottles engine, even when no loss of traction has occurred. This happens while driving on straight roads with slight unevenness. Had to disconnect wheel speed sensor harness to disable ABS/VSC system. When this happens, the vehicle automatically applies brakes to certain wheels and dethrottles the engine, this can pull the vehicle to one side sharply and can cause an accident.

NHTSA ID

11463875

Incident

Apr 8, 2022

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!

NHTSA ID

11372479

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

191,000 mi

STABILITY CONTROL COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON DRY ROAD SCARING ME AND PUMPING BRAKES AND PULLING CAR TO THE RIGHT FOR NO GOOD REASON AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS... ALARM SOUNDS ...VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS I PUSHED THE TRACK CONTROL BUTTON TO "OFF" POSITION AND IT STILL DOES IT!!!

NHTSA ID

11365326

Incident

Oct 17, 2020

Mileage

233,000 mi

THIS HAPPENED TO OUR 2006 SIENNA TODAY I WAS ABOUT TO STOP THE CAR WHITE PARKING IT; WE PUT THE PARK THEY SILL RUN; THEY NEVER STOP, SO I TURN OFF THE ENGINE; NOW THEY NO MORE START VERY DAMAGED

NHTSA ID

11337558

Incident

Jul 5, 2020

RANDOMLY, ON GENTLE TURNS OUR VAN WILL SUDDENLY BRAKE WITH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS AND BEEPING AS WELL. IT IS ALWAYS ON A WINDY HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN ABOUT 35 MPH. WE ARE SLOWER THAN AVERAGE CAUTIOUS DRIVERS. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE HAPPENING WITHOUT PROVOCATION. I HAVE DONE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON THIS AND HAVE FOUND A MYRIAD OF OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME SAME PROBLEM, AND ALL HAVE FOUND NO FIX FOR THE ISSUE. THEY USUALLY GO TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO GO ROUND AND ROUND WITH THE DEALER TO END UP WITH A REPAIR THAT STILL ISN'T RESOLVED. PLEAS HELP. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11319657

Incident

Mar 29, 2020

Mileage

142,000 mi

AT SPEEDS OF ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30-60 MPH, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGES WHEN TURNING SLIGHTLY LEFT. ALARM COMES ON, BRAKES ARE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED. VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID

11310502

Incident

Feb 18, 2020

Mileage

250,000 mi

THE TRACTION CONTROL IS MALFUNCTIONING AND TURNING ON DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE IS A LOUD BEEPING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURNS ON WHILE TURNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET TO 65 MPH ON FREEWAYS. WHAT IS REALLY ALARMING IS THAT SOMETIMES WHILE THE LIGHT TURNS ON THE SYSTEM APPLIES THE BRAKES TO ONE WHEEL PULLING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TO ONE SIDE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE REPLACED MANY PARTS- SHOCKS, CONTROL ARMS, JOINTS AND TAKEN IT TO MULTIPLE MECHANICS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHEN SEARCHING THE WEB BUT NOBODY IS ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID

11306210

Incident

Jan 30, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11299533

Incident

Jan 14, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 38 MPH OR MORE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL/TIRES, THE VSC WARNING ALARM WILL GO OFF. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CARS AUTOMATICALLY BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE SEVERITY OF THE BRAKING AND LENGTH OF ALARM VARY. IT IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC ON TIGHT TURNS. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER YOU ARE GOING UPHILL, DOWNHILL, OR TURNING ON A FLAT ROAD. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS UNSAFE ISSUE. WE HAVE TRIED TURNING OFF THE TRAC. IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE.

NHTSA ID

11289780

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

THE TCS IS MALFUNCTIONING, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. I.E.-GOING 35MPH, IN A WIDE CURVE, THE STEERING "JERKED" SIDE TO SIDE AS THE VAN LOST TRACTION AND THEN CAME TO A FULL STOP AS THE BRAKES KICKED IN. THE TRACTION CONTROL ALARM AND DASH LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE EVENT, BUT THEN WENT OFF AS SOON AS THE BRAKES RELEASED. THIS HAS BEEN ON-GOING FOR 3 WEEKS, BUT THE MOST RECENT WAS TODAY.

NHTSA ID

11279679

Incident

Nov 12, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TOWARDS AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, SHOULDER, CHEST, KNEES, AND HIPS. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND STOMACH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE WAS AT THE SCENE AND FILED REPORT NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,297.*PM ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB

NHTSA ID

11265491

Incident

Sep 12, 2019

Mileage

112,297 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE COASTING WITH TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE LANE AS IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SLIGHTLY. THE CONTACT THEN MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.*DT *TR

NHTSA ID

11258948

Incident

Sep 25, 2019

Mileage

90,000 mi

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA LE WITH ONLY 26500 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A DRY PAVEMENT ON TUESDAY 09/03/2019 AROUND 6:40 PM AND AT A SUDDEN MOMENT THE VSC LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, WARNING SOUND CAME ON, THE CAR APPLIED THE BRAKES ON ITS OWN HARD UNTIL IT FULLY STOPPED, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF, WHICH ALMOST GOT ME INTO AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE CAR DIAGNOSED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE, THEY TRANSFERRED ME TO HUDSON TOYOTA AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT DESPITE THAT I HAD MY CAR TO THE DEALER RECENTLY FOR TWO RECALLS AND THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND GAVE ME A REPORT THAT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR WAS GOOD. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND I FOUND A LOT OF TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS FROM THIS MODEL COMPLAINING ABOUT IT AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS DOCUMENTING IT, THIS LINK SHOWS A TOYOTA SIENNA OWNER DOCUMENTING ON VIDEO THE SAME PROBLEM (HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/SY9A8SHJ0XG) WHICH HAPPENED WITH HIM 20 TIMES IN THE COURSE OF 90 MINUETS AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIS CAR. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER A RECALL BY TOYOTA BECAUSE THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE ON ITS OWN RANDOMLY ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11253811

Incident

Sep 3, 2019

Mileage

26,500 mi

THE VAN HAS SEVERAL TIMES, WITHOUT WARNING, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE A LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD AND A BEEPING SOUND IS HEARD. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED MY WIFE WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AND IT CAUSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS TO BE SOME SORT OF TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAPPENED TO MANY PEOPLE, AND MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN IT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAME ON WHILE NORMAL DRIVING OR IN MY WIFE'S CASE WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11183819

Incident

Feb 20, 2019

Mileage

137,350 mi

TRACTION CONTROL HAS RANDOMLY ENGAGED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, AT SPEEDS AS LOW 35 MPH AND ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. PAVEMENT WAS DRY AND WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT, NOT TURNING. BRAKING IS APPLIED CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF SPEED AND PULLING STEERING TO ONE SIDE FOR ABOUT 1-2 SECONDS. CONTROL RETURNS AND TRAC CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. DOES NOT RESULT IN AN ERROR CODE.

NHTSA ID

11145324

Incident

Nov 4, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11115614

Incident

Jul 21, 2018

Mileage

99,000 mi

TRACTION CONTROL RANDOMLY ACTIVATES THE BRAKES AND LOCKS THE FRONT WHEEL CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID AND LOSE TRACTION. MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENT IF NOT CORRECTED. AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON TOYOTA MAKE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES BUT WILL NOT RECALL MY VEHICLE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR

NHTSA ID

11065702

Incident

Oct 18, 2017

Mileage

180,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11064761

Incident

Jan 24, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11056854

Incident

Jun 9, 2008

Mileage

36,000 mi

MY SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AS I ROUND TURNS AND THE ENGINE SEEMS TO RPM DOWN. THIS HAPPENS AT NORMAL SPEEDS, ON DRY ROADS. UNABLE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE WHEN SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON, IT ALSO APPLIES THE FRONT BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. OTHER OWNERS OF TOYOTA SIENNA ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-C9152_DS656326 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TGMJAFPIFKO HTTPS://WWW.JUSTANSWER.COM/TOYOTA/4RMYW-TOYOTA-SIENNA-2004-SIENNA-WHEN-SLIP-LIGHT-INDICATOR.HTML

NHTSA ID

11056256

Incident

Apr 8, 2017

Mileage

196,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND ALARMS COME ON WHEN DRIVING IN NON HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS (E.G.. NO WATER ON THE HIGHWAY). THIS HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY ON STRAIGHT ROADS AS WELL AS CURVES AND HILLS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE STEERING WHEEL MAY "LOCKUP" FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THE BRAKES SEEM TO ENGAGE. THE PROBLEM CORRECTS ITSELF AND MAY GO AWAY OR REAPPEAR IN A FEW MILES. THIS HAPPENED ON OUR 2006 SIENNA A FEW YEARS AGO BUT WE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TIRES AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL RECENTLY. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER SIENNA MINIVAN OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND SOME OWNERS HAVE HAD HIT-OR-MISS SUCCESS IN GETTING THE ISSUE RESOLVED WHEN TAKING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE FROM A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. MY NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE MY CAR INTO OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC EXAM TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE TO LET THEM KNOW OF THIS ISSUE. I HAVE READ THAT SEVERAL OTHER MAKES OF TOYOTA VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL ISSUES IN THE PAST AND HAVE BEEN RECALLED (SUCH AS THE 2003 TOYOTA SEQUOIA).

NHTSA ID

11055481

Incident

Dec 18, 2017

Mileage

185,000 mi

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 !!!

NHTSA ID

11054242

Incident

Dec 7, 2017

Mileage

205,000 mi