2006 Toyota Sienna LX AWD from North America - Comments

Like many consumers, the Sienna is a pretty good family car. I got rid of the Highlander Limited because of a new family member (3 kids and 2 parents). Bought the Sienna brand new at the dealership, but was not aware of the run-flat tires.

At 19,000 miles, I blew the driver front tire. I had taken the car to the dealership 3 times prior to blowing the tire complaining of squishing, squeaking noises, but nothing was found. Dealership also never mention that the tire will need to be replaced either. Once the tire was blown, I did as any member would. Look for a spare. Behold, on the AWD there is no room for a spare (There was a jack).

After speaking to the dealership, I was advised that the run-flat can be driven at 50 mph for up to 50 miles. Wonderful! So off I went to the local Discount Tire store. They had no run flat, but can have a set in from a different location (Approx 3 hours). Since I was replacing 1, I figured I’d replace the passenger front also. The total for 2 tires...$450. WOW! With that done, I knew eventually I will have to replace the rear tire.

On the last family trip (Memorial Day weekend, May 26, 2008) ; the Tire pressure gauge came on. I was not looking forward to spending another $450. The options are to 1. Replacing with run-flat or 2. Replace with a higher quality tire with specs for 50,000 tread driving. I choose the later. It only cost $320.

Now I can't get the pressure gauge to turn off. I have reset the gauge about 4 times, but after about 30 miles the gauge would light up again. The tire store has recalibrated all tires to be the same pressure (35 psi), but gauge continues to light. Not sure if this is due to the mismatch in tires or that the new tires will need to be run flat (I would hope not).

I've just called the dealership, and they seem to be point the fault at the tire store as the gauge sensor can easily be damaged from replacing a tire. WHAT! Tire replacement can cause damage to the sensor? Wait a minute, the sensor came on prior to tire replacement and not would not turn off, so it’s got to be the tires store's incompetence. The tire store replaced the first set originally. In any case, the car is going to the dealership and will have to see how much this is going to cost.

I’ve never had so many problems with a vehicle. For a 2 year old vehicle, I have outspent maintenance cost over my 1989 Isuzu Amigo beater with 245,000 miles on it. Just to think, this is just the tire cost. Very disappointed. Lessons learned.

We've been having the same problem with the tire pressure light coming on constantly with our 2006 Sienna LE AWD. I had recently rotated the tires, and reset the switch, but it keeps coming on with 35 PSI in all tires. Actually, we replaced the run flats with regular radials at 13,000 because of excessive wear and cupping. It rides a lot better, and after 9,000 miles on the new tires, they show little wear. Had to buy an extra rim and tire for a spare, but there's nowhere to stow it, which is a bummer.

I cannot envy your situation and do wish you any more bad news. On the other hand, it is my opinion that Toyota owners are some of the most naive group of auto owners. That's not without good reason! Toyota's have come to the top of the auto chart because they have a tremendous reputation. Because of this reputation, folks assume if you buy a Toyota, you bought the best. And generally one can get away with such an assumption. But if you make a $40K purchase and you have not done all the background checks, you really have only yourself to blame. This run-flat issue is not even close to a new problem. I would not dish out $40K for anything without 100% knowledge that I will be satisfied with the purchase. You should have done the same. I assume you will do the same on your next purchase. And you can keep Toyota in the mix if you'd like. Just make sure the one you select is not a "dog". There are Toyota's that are dog's in a market comparison.

My dad-in-law bought a new Tundra sight-unseen without even shopping the other brands due to the "reliablity" of the Toyota name-plate. The Tundra had all kinds of problems when it first came out. I didn't mock my elder, but I gave him a look that said, "Don't be so lazy next time".

I have experienced much of what is written here - we have a 2006 Toyota Sienna LE AWD. It has 42K miles and we're already nearly thru the SECOND set of run flat tires. I've very close to switching back to regular tires and have spent some time trying to figure where to put the spare - on the roof or on a square hitch (front of car) mounted rack are the best options I've found so far.

One of the tires even had a tread separation failure when it went flat - we could drive only about 10 mph for about 5 miles with the flapping tread (so much for 100 miles at 50 mph). Good thing we were in town (we live in the country) - I drove to the dealer - they said they couldn't replace it that night (it was 8 pm). So there we were, a family of 5 (my youngest was 18 months), 8 pm on a school night, no spare, and a bum tire. (This is really crazy.) In the end, I managed to get to an independent tire dealer and BUY a new (regular tread) tire. (I'll use this is the spare, I guess when I make the switch in another few miles when the 2nd set wears out).

Oh, and did I mention the L rear side window exploding as we drove down the freeway on a very hot summer day (descending from our cooler environment in the mountains) about 2 months after purchase? It had to be residual stress in the glass from the manufacturing process. Miraculously, my son wasn't sitting his seat (he was at friend's birthday party) - shattered glass went everywhere. The dealer said it wasn't their fault so I appealed to Toyota's regional center. They said the same. $500 to replace. So much for Toyota's vaulted quality.

Oh, and my tire sensor light is on all the time now as well. What a joke.