2008 Toyota Sienna Steering Problems

I have had the traction control go on while driving on the highway even when I turn it off. Sometimes the VSC and TRAC OFF lights go on while driving. The roads are dry. Whenever I take it in to the mechanic, all the lights are off. They pulled a zero calibration code and recalibrated. It still kept happening. Then I was driving around a curve on highway speeds when the traction control light went on and the van suddenly braked on its own and I almost lost control. The tires are new and the roads were dry.

NHTSA ID

11641052

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

Issues with VSC. The sensor alarm goes off when driving at more than 50 mph and slightly turning the steering wheel. The car brakes itself and this is DANGEROUS. It happens all the time, it has been more than 5-6 years and we are to the point of not using the car on the freeway to prevent a potential fatal accident. I found posts describing the same issue with this model of Toyota. Car should be recalled to get this fixed.

NHTSA ID

11532504

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

The Vehicle VSC Engaged multiple times even at low speed of 30 mph under the road speed limit. The brake applied and even the vehicle stop to respond to the acceleration. We have 3 little kids and old parents in this vehicle.Toyota should own this problem and fix it free of charge as a factory recall.

NHTSA ID

11497165

Incident

Dec 12, 2022

The traction control light is coming on during low speed turns on dry pavement.

NHTSA ID

11471964

Incident

Jun 30, 2022

2008 Toyota Sienna. Driving down steep right turns, VSC light comes on, urgent beeping alarm and tires grip and grip vehicle brakes going 20-30+ mph on dry road. Very scary and dangerous, and has continues repeatedly over the past year on curvy right turns. Local mechanics don't know what is wrong with the vehicle. Many Sienna owners have similar problems listed on Carguru. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c9152_ds656326 Please insist on a manufacturing recall for this vehicle. It is unsafe and could easily cause an accident. Thank you. Concerned original car owner.

NHTSA ID

11420705

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

WHILE ON AN ON-RAMP; THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH STARTED BLINKING THE SLIP LIGHT AND SLOWED THE VAN DOWN, ALSO CAUSING I THINK THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE WITH FORCE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AND ON RAMPS. I HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED AND STILL HAS DONE THIS.

NHTSA ID

11404919

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Mileage

146,892 mi

THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGE IN INSTANCES WHERE IT SHOULDN'T ACTIVATE. THE MOST COMMON IS A LONG, SLIGHT CURVE ON AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE SECOND MOST COMMON SCENARIO IS ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. WHEN VSC ENGAGES, THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH TO THE SIDE IT WAS ACTIVATED ON AND CURTAIL ANY ACCELERATION. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL WHEN ON A FREEWAY CURVE AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY, CAUSING UNEXPECTED MOTION THAT IS A HAZARD TO REMAINING ON THE ROAD OR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THERE ARE MALFUNCTIONS IN ANY SYSTEM THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. NOTE: MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER IS ~170,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11378530

Incident

Oct 23, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING LOCKED UP. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY INFORMED ME I NEED A NEW RACK AND PINION.

NHTSA ID

11363846

Incident

Oct 5, 2020

ABOUT A FIVE YEARS AGO THE SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT (CAR WITH SWERVY LINES) STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TURNING ON HIGHWAYS ETC. (BUT NOT WHEN ANY RISK OF TIRES SLIPPING). I BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA THREE DIFFERENT TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND TOYOTA ALWAYS STATES THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE ISSUE AND STATES THEY CAN?T FIX IT BUT MAYBE DRIVE SLOWER (REALLY IT HAS NOTHING TO WITH MY SPEED AFTER YEARS OF DEALING WITH THIS ITS BEEN SOMETHING WE JUST DEAL WITH). THE VSC LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AND ALARM SOMETIMES SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING. TWO MORE TRIPS TO TOYOTA AND SEVERAL VISITS TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NOBODY CAN FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS THE ABS SYSTEM IS ALSO BEING ACTIVATED WITHOUT ME APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT DOES IT WITHOUT WARNING. ALL OF THESE ISSUES CAN BE ON A CURVE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OR ON A SLIGHT OR MEDIUM TURNS (NOT REAL SHARP TURNS), GOING UPHILL OR DOWNHILL AND LEFT OR RIGHT. OUR VAN HAS ABOUT 150,000 MILES ON IT NOW ON 2020 BUT WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED IT ONLY HAD AROUND 110,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE CHANGED BRAKES, TIRES, ROTORS, BRUSHING ON ADVICE FROM DIFFERENT MECHANICS TO TRY TO FIX THE ISSUE. NOTHING WORKS. TOYOTA CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. IT'S BECOMING MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE NOW THE ABS IS BEING ACTIVATED WITH THIS PROBLEM. I CAN'T TELL IF MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON SO THAT DRIVERS BEHIND ME CAN TELL THAT I?M SLOWING DOWN VERY QUICKLY. THIS JERKS THOSE IN THE CAR AND I?M AFRAID WE MAY LOSE CONTROL. I HAVE READ ON DIFFERENT WEB SITES THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH A TOYOTA AND IT'S JUST NOT MY VAN. IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOULD BUY A DIFFERENT VEHICLE BUT BEING ON A FIXED INCOME I DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY TO DO SO. HOW CAN A CAR COMPANY HAVE SO MANY COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS ABOUT THIS COMMON PROBLEM BUT STILL CAN'T TELL US HOW TO FIX IT? IT'S TOYOTAS DESIGN THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL THE CONSUMER WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE AND HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330408

Incident

Jun 8, 2015

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY, AND ABS ENGAGE IN TURNS (STEERING INPUT) RANGING FROM SPEEDS OF 25-55 MPH. IT HAPPENS ON FLAT SURFACES, INCLINES AND DECLINES. THE TURN RANGE FROM SHARP TURNS TO SLIGHT TURNS THAT THERE IS NO REDUCTION OF SPEED TO NAVIGATE THE TURN. WHEN IT OCCURS THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY DECELERATES AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE IN A TURN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THERE IS NO STEERING INPUT. DEALERS AND MECHANICS CAN NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING DAILY FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR CRASHES.

NHTSA ID

11279479

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

180,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A SLOPE, INCLINE OR DECLINE, MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ( CAR WITH SQUIGGLES BEHIND IT) COMES ON, A LOUD 'BEEP BEEP BEEP' SOUNDS, AND MY CAR BRAKES ON ITS OWN. ALWAYS HAPPENS WHILE IN MOTION. HIGHWAY DRIVING. 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME WHILE ON AN INCLINE OR DECLINE. IT SCARES THE HECK OUT OF YOU CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE BRAKES APPLY, IT PULLS YOU OUT OF YOUR LANE. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 3 WEEKS AGO. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE INTERMITTENT ANYMORE. YOU CAN COUNT ON IT HAPPENING WHEN YOUR ON A SLOPE.

NHTSA ID

11271212

Incident

Oct 10, 2019

Mileage

175,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VSC/ABS SYSTEM COMES ON UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO BRAKE AND EFFECT STEERING. IT IS MOST FREQUENTLY NOTICED WHEN STEERING ON CURVES 30-40 MPH. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES, FRONT STEERING COMPONENTS AND DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE. I BELIEVE WHEEL SPEED/YAW SENSOR CALIBRATION IS AFFECTING THE VSC SYSTEM. THIS IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN THAT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. YOUR BRAKING AND STEERING AFFECTED ALL AT ONCE UNEXPECTEDLY IS DANGEROUS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND PROVIDE SOLUTION ASAP.

NHTSA ID

11258777

Incident

Mar 22, 2016

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE CONTACT SWITCHED LANES OR MADE A TURN, THE BRAKES ACTIVATED ON THEIR OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FLAT OR CURVED ROADS AND WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE. FURTHERMORE, THE VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA KNOXVILLE (10415 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922), BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO FOX TOYOTA (228 FOX FAMILY LN, CLINTON, TN 37716) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID

11222907

Incident

Jun 28, 2017

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL ALARMING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT CALLED FRONTIER TOYOTA AT (661) 291-2900 (LOCATED AT 23621 CREEKSIDE RD, VALENCIA, CA 91355) AND LEFT A VOICEMAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID

11164506

Incident

Dec 17, 2018

Mileage

175,000 mi

TOYOTA 2008 SIENNA LE 2WD POWER STEERING RACK & PINION SEAL FAILED AND LEAKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT 120,000 MILES. THE RACK BOOT TORE AND BROKE AS A RESULT. REPAIR COST IS ESTIMATED AT APPROXIMATELY $2,000. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED BY OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET ALL POINTING TO THE SAME DEFECT. IF DRIVERS ARE UNAWARE, OR IF THE DEFECT IS NOT RESOLVED, POWER STEERING COULD FREEZE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS. THIS SHOULD REQUIRE A SAFETY RECALL OR EXTENSION OF POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE. FAILURE HAS NOT OCCURRED YET AND WILL TAKE STEPS TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11162450

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS (GREATER THAN 40 MPH) AROUND CURVES, THE SKID INDICATOR SENSOR WILL OCCASIONALLY TRIGGER EVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT WHERE NO SLIPPING IS HAPPENING. THE CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY DECELERATE AND BRAKE MOMENTARILY. THERE IS OFTEN A CLICKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL. THE VSC WARNING LIGHT OCCASIONALLY COMES ON TOO. MECHANICS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, BASED ON RESEARCH AT TOYOTA BLOGS, IT APPEARS THAT OTHER TOYOTA SIENNA DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11156417

Incident

Dec 3, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND SLIP INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AROUND CURVES JUST AS THE FRONT WHEELS GRAB. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANIC S AND TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE DYNASTIC TEST MACHINE. SO, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS HAZARDOUS SITUATION AND RECORDS SHOW I HOLD TOYOTA RESPONSIBLE FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND WELL-BEING. [XXXX] 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).

NHTSA ID

11110253

Incident

Jul 9, 2018

Mileage

198,554 mi

MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA SUDDENLY SLAMS ON BRAKES WHEN TURNING RIGHT. USED TO BE OCCASIONALLY ON MOUNTAIN CURVES DURING LAST YEAR, BUT NOW DOES IT RANDOMLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON STRAIGHT ROADS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS! HOW DO I GET TOYOTA TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT? CAR HAS 230K MILES.

NHTSA ID

11074090

Incident

Feb 20, 2018

Mileage

230,000 mi

DETROIT AXLE, IN MICHIGAN, IS SELLING DEFECTIVE STRUTS, STRAIGHT OUT OF THE JUNKYARD, AND RACK AND PINION STEERING AND MANY OTHER SUSPENSION PARTS, ADVERTISED AS NEW, BY JUST PLACING A COAT OF PAINT IN THEM. THEY OFFER A WARRANTY OF ONE YEAR IN THE PRODUCTS, BUT THE CONSUMER MUST PAY FOR THE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE PART. I PLAYED THEIR GAME FOR THREE TIMES AND I FOOLISHLY PAID 3 TIMES FOR THE STRUT INSTALLATION, PLUS OTHER DAMAGES THE FAULTY STRUTS CAUSED ME . THE FAULTY STRUTS CAUSED MY FRAME TO LOOSEN, MY HORIZONTAL DRIVE SHAFT TO DAMAGE, AND RACK AND PINION STEERING, THAT DETROIT AXLE SOLD. WELL, MY VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT BETWEEN 45-55 MILES PER HOUR, THUS HAVING TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO DRIVE TO A MECHANIC THROUGH BACK ROADS AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION STEERING AND THE DEFECTIVE, SOLD AS NEW PARTS, AND ADVERTISED AS NEW PARTS FAILED IN THREE OCCASIONS ANE DAMAGING MY OTHER PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. IT COST ME OVER $3000 TO REPLACE THOSE PARTS PLUS THE MONEY THAT I GAVE TO DETROIT AXLE, WITH THE COLLUSION OF EBAY SELLING HIS PRODUCTS. ONCE THE PARTS ARE RECEIVED, WITHIN 60 DAYS, HE CLOSES THE FEEDBACK ON HIS PAGE, THUS NOT LETTING THE SUSPECTING PUBLIC COMPLAIN AGAINST HIS JUNKYARD OF DEFECTIVE PARTS. EBAY PROTECTS HIM. I STILL HAVE TO REPLACE MY MICHELIN NEW TIRES FOR MORE EXPENSE AND THE THIRD PAIR OF STRUTS ARE STILL ON THE VEHICLE, IN WHICH I STILL HAVE TO REPLACE FOR A THIRD TIME!

NHTSA ID

11043341

Incident

Jul 13, 2017

Mileage

96,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE RACK AND PINION LEAKING FLUID WAS DISCOVERED AT DEALERSHIP WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

10944194

Incident

Jan 10, 2017

Mileage

92,830 mi

WHILE DRIVING & TURNING, HEARD NOISES FROM FRONT END. FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION BOOTS WERE LEAKING, HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, AROUND $900.

NHTSA ID

10899057

Incident

May 1, 2016

Mileage

106,000 mi

MY TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 82,000 MILES ON IT SUSPENSION HAS SEVERAL NOISES AND THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BOOTS ARE LEAKING, ON THE TOYOTA NATION WEB SITE AND TOYOTA SIENNA OWNERS WEB SITE, THERE ARE ABOUT 75 TO 90 OTHER PERSONS WITH THIS PROBLEM, PLUS THE ONES THAT DO NOT BOTHER TO POST LIKE US. WHEY HAVEN'T THE GOVERNMENT FORCE TOYOTA TO RECALL THIS VEHICLES? I HAVE CHANGED STRUTS, SHOCKS, THE TIRES ARE NEW AND IT IS ALIGNED. TOYOTA IS RISKING THE LIVES OF ITS CLIENTS AND NO ONE CAN DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, DUE TO THE APATHY AND HUMAN DISREGARD OF LIVES.!

NHTSA ID

10873934

Incident

Jun 10, 2016

WHEN MY SIENNA WAS 3 1/2 YRS OLD WITH MILEAGE 51,500 IT NEEDED A NEW POWER RACK & PINION DUE TO STEERING FLUID LEAK. IT WAS REPLACED IN DECEMBER 2011 AT THE DEALERSHIP AND COST ME $1,200. NOW RECENT VISIT TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED ON MARCH 25, 2016, THE TECH DISCOVERED AGAIN LEAKING STEERING FLUID AND ANOTHER NEW POWER RACK & PINION REPLACEMENT IS REQUIRED. THIS TIME IT'S 4 & 1/2 YEARS LATER AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE VAN IS 109,600. LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SOME TYPE OF DEFECT WITH THE PARTS AND ONLY LAST APPROX. 50,000 MILES. I DO HEAR A PERSISTENT KNOCKING SOUND WHICH IS ONE OF THE SYMPTOMS OF RACK & PINION GOING BAD.

NHTSA ID

10853098

Incident

Mar 25, 2016

WE HAD BEEN NOTICING A SMALL LEAK UNDER OUR 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA FOR A FEW MONTHS SO WE TOOK IT IN TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. A TOYOTA SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD US THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER STEERING RACK BOOT IS TORN AND THE SEAL IS LEAKING, SO IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH 2008 SIENNAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ID

10824323

Incident

Nov 7, 2015

Mileage

96,616 mi

NOTICED SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN TURNING RADIUS OVER TIME. VEHICLE TENDS TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. VISUAL INSPECTION IDENTIFIED THAT PASSENGER SIDE POWER STEERING RACK SEAL IS LEAKING. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 67K, ROUTINELY MAINTAINED, GARAGE KEPT WITH NO COLLISIONS.

NHTSA ID

10785830

Incident

Oct 24, 2015

Mileage

67,000 mi