2008 Toyota Sienna Visibility Problems

The material used by Toyota to manufacture the dash is breaking down. Toyota is aware of this issue due to cracking and offered a limited extended warranty which I never received any notification (and many others did not per Toyota's chat forum). Cracking I can deal with. But now the material is continuing to break down and a thick sticky liquid is separating and rising to the surface creating a terrible sheen. When exposed to direct sunlight the visibility through the front windshield is dangerously low. The road basically disappears. I brought this to the attention of Toyota Brand Engagement Center on Nov. 10. 2023 (File #231110000552). I requested Toyota do the right thing, update their response policy, and authorize a dash replacement at a local Toyota dealership, but they refused based on the response policy they had established many years ago even after I explained the situation is not just cosmetic any longer. I explained the sudden loss of visibility and how incredibly dangerous and frightening it was, but they still refused to address the issue, so I am forced to bring this to your attention. Based on the Toyota's forum this is a widespread issue through several model years. Based on my experience I am confident there will be many accidents due to this manufacturing defect. Please investigate and request Toyota do the right thing to protect their customers.

NHTSA ID

11554652

Incident

Nov 4, 2023

INSIDE DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY AND ALWAYS SHOWS A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING (SAFETY ISSUE); THE DASHBOARD DURING THE SUMMER TIME IS VERY MALLEABLE, IF YOU GENTLY PRESS ON IT, IT MOVES AS IF IT WAS MELTING SLOWLY. THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A FEW YEARS, WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA THEY SAID THERE WAS A REPLCEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS IN WHICH OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN 2015 AND EXPIRED ON 2018, I EXPLAINED WE NEVER RECEIVED THIS NOTICE AS WE ARE AT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE 2000 AND ARE THE ORIGINAL NEW OWNERS OF THE VAN, THEY DID NOT AGREE TO REPLACE AS THE PROGRAM HAD EXPIRED. I EXPLAINED THE SAFETY RISK NOT TO MENTION ITS A KNOW ISSUE, THEY SAID YOU DIDN'T RESPOND IN TIME SO THEY WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE SUPERVISOR WAS RUDE AND SAID THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ID

11301825

Incident

Jul 9, 2012

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR BECOMES STICKY AND SHINE ON THE EYES DURING HOT SUNNY DAYS. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA THAT IT WILL BE COVERED BY WARRANTY TILL 10 YEARS BUT FOR MY VEHICLE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA THEY SAY THAT IS A REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR AND SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAUSES A SAFELY ISSUE DUE TO THE GLARING EFFECT WHILE DRIVING ON HOT SUNNY DAYS. THIS SHOULD BE MORE OF A RECALL THAN A REGULAR WEAR AND TARE, I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE WITH MY OTHER CAR THAT IS OLDER THAN MY TOYOTA SIENNA.

NHTSA ID

11259102

Incident

Aug 2, 2018

Mileage

175,000 mi

THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY BURST WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON I-76 OUTSIDE OF PITTSBURGH. IT WAS NOT HIT BY ANY OBJECT. THE GLASS APPEARED TO BURST UPWARD.

NHTSA ID

11121192

Incident

Aug 17, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

ON JULY 19, 2018 AFTERNOON, MY WIFE DROVE HER 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA HOME ON A LOCAL STREET IN GREAT BOSTON AREA, THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR SUDDENLY EXPLORED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. SINCE THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED, BROKEN GLASSES FLEW INSIDE THE CAR AND SPREAD. FORTUNATELY, NO BODY SIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND NOBODY WAS DIRECTLY HURT BY THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE MY 2-YEAR OLD SON SIT BEHIND HIS MOM. I WONDER IF THIS KIND ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED PREVIOUSLY AND WHAT IS THE CAUSE. NOTE, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 80 F ON THAT DAY.

NHTSA ID

11112864

Incident

Jul 19, 2018

Mileage

145,000 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

BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW FROM TOYOTA DEALER, THE SECOND YEAR WE NOTICED THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN DURING COLD DAYS WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. WE TOOK IT IN TO GET INSPECTED, SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US EVERYTHING WAS FINE. BUT IT STILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS YEAR, WE NOTICED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD STARTED TO GET BLURRY. FIRST WE THOUGH THE WINDOW WAS DIRTY, SO WE TRIED TO CLEAN IT WITH WINDEX MANY TIMES, IT STILL THE SAME. SO NOTHING WE CAN DO. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DRIVE FOR A LONG TIME, WE WILL FEELING DIZZY. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA (CASE NUMBER 1806052799), THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT, EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IS ORIGINAL. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECTS.

NHTSA ID

11100038

Incident

May 22, 2018

LAST JUNE 2012 I WAS BACKING MY VEHICLE IN MY HOME DRIVEWAY WHEN THE REAR HATCH WINDOW SUDDENLY EXPLODED, SHOWERING LARGE AND SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS OUTWARDS WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT GLASS PARTICLES WERE FOUND APPROX. 15 FT. BEHIND THE VEHICLE! THE INSIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH LARGE AND SMALL SHARDS, AND BROKEN AND HANGING GLASS WAS LEFT IN THE WINDOW FRAME. WHEN THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THEIR REP REPLIED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN EVENT OCCURRING WITH A TOYOTA, AND IMPLIED THAT I HAD BROKEN THE WINDOW BY ACCIDENT. SINCE MY WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER GLASS, I TURNED IN A CLAIM TO ALLSTATE INSURANCE($100 DEDUCTIBLE) AND THE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED. ON 11/08/2012 I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE SAME WINDOW EXPLODED WITH ENOUGH ENERGY TO PRODUCE A LOUD "BANG!" I AGAIN TURNED IN A CLAIM TO ALLSTATE($100 DEDUCTIBLE, AGAIN!) AND THE WINDOW WAS REPAIRED. WHILE WAITING AT THE REPAIR SHOP, I ASKED THE GLASS TECHNICIAN IF HE WAS AWARE OF ANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH TOYOTA WINDOWS. HE REPLIED, "OH YES," AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAD JUST REPAIRED A SIMILAR WINDOW ON A TOYOTA OWNED BY A KIRTLAND, OHIO POLICE OFFICER, AMONG OTHERS! I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SEVERELY INJURED! *TR

NHTSA ID

10487733

Incident

Jun 1, 2012

Mileage

25,000 mi

SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO APPARENT REASON (NO COLLISION, NO BAD ROAD CONDITION). *TR

NHTSA ID

10334150

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

27,300 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER VENT WINDOW BLEW OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE STRONG WINDS. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INJURIES. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DENIED WARRANTY CLAIM. UPDATED 11/13/09

NHTSA ID

10286731

Incident

Oct 7, 2009

Mileage

33,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA IN OCTOBER 2007. THE FIRST DEFECT I NOTICED IS WHEN THE REAR WINDOWS ARE OPEN, THE REAR DOORS DO NOT LOCK IN PLACE WHEN YOU OPEN THEM. THE MECHANIC STATED SAID THE HE THOUGHT THE REASON IT WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY WAS AS A PRECAUTION, IN CASE A CHILD IS LEANING OUT OF THE WINDOW WHEN THE DOORS ARE OPENED. THIS MADE NO SENSE. MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THAT THE DOOR SLAMS REALLY HARD AND THEN BOUNCES BACK. IF A CHILD HAPPENED TO BE LEANING OUT THE WINDOW THEY WOULD SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE OF THIS. NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED THUS FAR, BUT THE SLAMMING CERTAINLY STARTLES EVERYONE! THIS HAPPENS EVEN IF THE WINDOW IS ONLY OPEN SLIGHTLY. ANOTHER DEFECT IS THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ON THE DASH. IT STAYS LIT UP CONSTANTLY. AFTER ADDING AIR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, I NOTICED THAT THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON IN JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS. I DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE DEALER AND HE SIMPLY STATED THAT TIRE PRESSURE CHANGES WITH THE TEMPERATURE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WOULD NOT KNOW IF THE TIRES' INFLATION WAS REALLY OFF OR NOT. OBVIOUSLY I CANNOT ADD AIR TO THE TIRES EVERY OTHER DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10277431

Incident

Feb 10, 2008

I LEASED A TOYOTA SIENNA FROM KING TOYOTA IN DEERFIELD BEACH. IT IS AN XLE WITH LEATHER, SUNROOF, AND DVD PLAYER. I REQUESTED THE "FACTORY DVD" PLAYER AND SUNROOF, AND WAS TOLD I WAS GETTING ONE. WHEN I GOT HOME WITH THE CAR, I PUT THE DVD SCREEN DOWN, SAT IN THE FRONT SEAT, AND REALIZED THE MONITOR COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTED MY REAR VIEW WINDOW. I CANNOT SEE BEHIND ME BECAUSE THE SCREEN IS TOO LOW AND TOO LARGE. WHAT I LATER DISCOVERED WAS THAT THE "FACTORY" WAS ACTUALLY A FACTORY OWNED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA, AND NOT TOYOTA IN JAPAN. IN OTHERWORDS, IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF AN AFTERMARKET SYSTEM. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT WHEN SE TOYOTA INSTALLED THE DVD PLAYER AND SUNROOF, THE ACTUALLY LOWERED THE ROOF SO THAT IT FALLS BELOW THE INTERIOR DIMENSIONS THAT THE SIENNA WITH A MOONROOF IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE. PRACTICALLY SPEAKING, THE LOWER ROOF MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO INSTALL A DVD PLAYER THAT DOES NOT OBSTRUCT ME REAR VIEW. HAD THEY INSTALLED THE ITEMS IN JAPAN, LIKE I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING, THERE WOULD NOT BE AN OBSTRUCTION. SO FAR, KING TOYOTA IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.*CN

NHTSA ID

10213355

Incident

Dec 24, 2007