2006 Toyota Sienna Suspension Problems

This is a Braun Side Entry Rampvan Conversion. In 2008 there was a safety bulleting 34238 in which I took the vehicle in for inspection and any corrections. On January 19,2023 the rear axle mount broke off while driving. The vehicle was inspected by my insurance company, who denied my claim saying it was a result of wear and tear. The car fax report states it is a total loss due to flooding, which I am in the process of disputing. The cost to repair is several thousand dollars. Do I have any recourse regarding my vehicle. I had the vehicle serviced at Toyota for some normal mtce December 22 & 14th total cost of $3000.00, and there was no mention from them that there was an issue, which could have caused an accident.

NHTSA ID

11506867

Incident

Jan 19, 2023

I WAS DRIVING MY VAN IN KINGS MTN. HWY 216, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE BACK OF THE CAR STARTED FISHTAILING. I WAS NEAR A GARAGE, SO I STOPPED AND THEY TOLD ME MY REAR AXLE HAD COME LOOSE AND I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A MOBILITY DEALER. I CALLED ILLDERTON IN CHARLOTTE AND HAD IT TOWED THERE. ULTIMATELY THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP. I CALLED BRAUN AND THE WOMAN SAID, "THERE IS NO WARRANTY, THE CAR IS OVER 10 YEARS OLD, THEY DON'T LAST FOREVER". I PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND THEN FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL. IT STATES: ON CERTAIN HANDICAPPED MOBILITY CONVERSION RAMPVANS MANUFACTURED BY INDEPENDENT MOBILITY SYSTEMS AND BUILT ON TOYOTA MINIVAN CHASSIS, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE BEAM MOUNT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED TO THE CHASSIS. THIS MAY RESULT IN A SQUEAKING NOISE, A ROUGH RIDE, OR DEGRADATION IN VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSEQUENCE: THE MOUNT MAY BECOME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. PASSENGERS, PEDESTRIANS, OR OTHER MOTORISTS MAY BE INJURED OR KILLED. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. SEE PHOTO

NHTSA ID

11092036

Incident

Feb 3, 2018

Mileage

93,000 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

THE FRONT PASSENGER STRUTS CORRODED AND THE TOP BROKE OFF COMPLETELY AND WAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE . I SERVICE MY CAR REGULARLY AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN OUR AREA, AND I WAS NEVER TOLD I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE STRUTS.

NHTSA ID

10981448

Incident

Apr 28, 2017

Mileage

95,000 mi

ON AUGUST 20TH, 2016 MY TOYOTA SIENNA 2006 EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE ANTI-SWAY CONTROLS WHICH RESULTED IN SUDDEN DECELERATION AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING, AS WELL AS THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DECELERATING INTO A TURN. ATTACHED IS A NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT AND THE ESTIMATE PROVIDED BY THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

10898609

Incident

Aug 20, 2016

Mileage

163,064 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10735416

Incident

Jul 20, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE TIRES DO NOT LAST MORE THAN 18 MONTHS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE TIRE DEALER WILL NOT WARRANTY TIRES BECAUSE IT HAS OBVIOUS MISALIGNMENT BASED ON THE TIRE WEAR. I HAD THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED AND IT IS ALL WITHIN FACTORY SPECS. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I GET LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON A SET OF TIRES THAT COST $600. *TR

NHTSA ID

10659275

Incident

Nov 10, 2011

Mileage

50,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10641688

Incident

Oct 6, 2014

Mileage

66,500 mi

ON MONDAY AUGUST 4TH, 2014 AFTER A FUNERAL, I DROVE INTO THE PARKING LOT OF THE CHURCH WHERE I WAS GOING TO GATHER WITH MY FELLOW FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT LOST THEIR FAMILY MEMBER THAT DAY.. I DROVE INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE MY MINIVAN, I HAD MY HAND ON THE SHIFT CHANGE TO SHIFT MY CAR, UPON ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE SHIFTS MY CAR ACCELERATED AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING MY CAR TO GO HIT THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH DAMAGING THE GAS TANK, AND CAUSING THE GAS TO LEAK. AT THE TIME OF THE SCENE AND ACCIDENT MY 6 YEAR OLD WAS IN HIS CARSEAT BEHIND ME AND WAS SCARED AT WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED, HE PANICKED AND TOOK OFF HIS SEAT BELT, OPENED THE DOOR, AND WENT RUNNING OUT OF THE VEHICLE.. AT THAT MOMENT TRYING TO REGROUP MYSELF TO SEE WHY MY CAR HAD ACCELERATED WITH FORCE FORWARD, I PARKED MY VEHICLE AND WENT LOOKING FOR HELP.. I CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW MY CAR GAINED SO MUCH FORCE TO END UP OVER 2 FEET IN THE AIR OVER A SMALL WALL... I DID NOTICE MY CAR HIT THE GAS TANK AND HEARD GAS LEAKING AND WENT TO CRY FOR HELP.. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS ON MY VAN EXCEPT FOR THE UNDERCARRIAGE TIRE, WHICH AT THIS TIME THE RECALL IS NOT COMPLETE BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT FINALIZED A SCHEDULE FOR ME TO HAVE IT CHECKED... ALSO I AM UPSET THAT THE MINIVAN UPON THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE WALL DID NOT DIPLOIT THE AIRBAG... I GOOGLED SAFETY RECALL ON TOYOTA SIENNA AND CAME UPON A RECALL ON MORE THAN 615K SIENNA MODELS OVER A ROLLAWAY RISK.. THE YEARS LISTED WERE 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 TOYOTA SIENNA,AND A RECALL AFFECTING A POSSIBLE ROLLAWAY UPON SHIFT GEARS.. ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE THE SHIFT LEVER COLD BE MOVED OUT OF POSITION DEPRESSING THE THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT, THE AFFECTED SIENNAS COULD ROLL AWAY WITHOUT CAUSING WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK FOR CRASH.. WELL I WAS IN A CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10619263

Incident

Aug 4, 2014

Mileage

95,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ID

10496331

Incident

Sep 5, 2012

Mileage

52,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10475905

Incident

Sep 3, 2012

Mileage

72,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE SUSPENSION AND FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ID

10470175

Incident

Aug 2, 2011

Mileage

68,000 mi

THE REAR GATE STRUTS / SUSPENSION HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE STRUTS WILL NOT HOLD OPEN THE REAR GATE AT ALL. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN HAVE GREAT DIFFICULTY (IN MANY INSTANCES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE AND / OR DANGEROUS) HOLDING OPEN THE GATE WITH ONE HAND OR HEAD AND TRYING TO LOAD OR UNLOAD SIMULTANEOUSLY. IT APPEARS THAT THERE WAS A PARTIAL RECALL FOR SIENNAS WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE A POWER LIFTGATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10426547

Incident

Jul 20, 2011

Mileage

43,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TIRES WERE WEARING OUT UNEVENLY AND STATED THE SUSPENSION WAS DESIGNED TO BE TIPPED INWARDS AND CAUSED UNEVEN WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION BUT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE SUSPENSION DESIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 3/15/12

NHTSA ID

10405303

Incident

Mar 15, 2008

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE STRUTS WERE REPLACED. A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/22/11

NHTSA ID

10403992

Incident

May 23, 2011

Mileage

48,454 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH AT NIGHT, THE VEHICLE MOVED UP AND DOWN AND THEN CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE PASSENGER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT RIPPED OUT THE CONTROL ARM WHICH CAUSED THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111,077.

NHTSA ID

10373289

Incident

Dec 6, 2010

Mileage

111,077 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS REAR ALIGNMENT ISSUES. THE CAMBER WHICH ARE SET AT A NEGATIVE VALUE FROM FACTORY CAUSED AN EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INTERIOR OUTER LINING OF MY RUN-FLAT TIRES. WHILE ON A FAMILY TRIP, THE TIRE EXPLODED ON THE INTERIOR SIDE IN TRAFFIC. TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR NEW TIRES AND INSPECTION RIGHT AFTER THE INCIDENT, THEY RETURNED MY CAR WITH THE NEW REAR TIRE STATING IT IS IN NEED OF A PROPER REAR ALIGNMENT. UPON RESEARCH AND TAKING MY VEHICLE TO NUMEROUS LOCAL TIRE SHOP/GARAGE FOR OPINION, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR WHEELS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED OR ALIGNED DUE TO THE WAY IT WAS BUILT. HOWEVER, TOYOTA INSISTED THAT THE REAR WHEELS CAN BE ALIGNED, SO WE DID ALLOW THEM TO DO A 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER RECEIVING MY VEHICLE BACK,IT CAN BE RECOGNIZE THAT THE REAR TIRES ARE DEFINITELY NOT "STRAIGHT" AT ALL, BY OBSERVATION THE BOTTOM OF THE WHEEL IS LEANING TOWARD THE CAR. MY CONCERN REGARDING THIS ISSUE IS THAT MANY PEOPLE WITH 4-WHEELS DRIVE SIENNA HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. IF THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA DO NOT FIX, WOULDN'T THAT MEAN THAT WE OR ANY 4-WHEELS DRIVE SIENNA OWNERS ARE PRONE TO MORE ACCIDENTS AND MUST KEEP GETTING NEW REAR TIRES? *TR

NHTSA ID

10344093

Incident

Jun 11, 2010

Mileage

55,100 mi

AT 28,400 MILES MECHANIC ADVISED THAT BOTH INNER TIE-RODS ARE SHOWING A SMALL AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT WHICH WILL CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO PLAY AT ALL. SEEMS VERY EARLY IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315758

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

MY VEHICLE IS A 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA, THE VEHICLE IS BADLY ALIGN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES AND THE VEHICLE VEERS TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER HAD MADE SEVERAL EFFORTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM,(REPLACED AND BALANCED 2 FRONT TIRES, ALIGNED ALL 4 TIRES) BUT IT STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 16,700. *TR

NHTSA ID

10210628

Incident

Mar 19, 2007

Mileage

500 mi