18th Jun 2007, 08:42
We had purchased a 2002 Toyota Sienna. At first I thought it as great. Now, I am beginning to regret our purchase. We keep on routine maintenance, oil changes, tires, etc. Since we have paid off the vehicle I have had nothing, but challenges with it. Right now it has 70,000 miles on it. The 2 sliding door handles have busted clean off the van. One of which on my 6 yr old daughter. Thankfully she was unharmed. Toyota went out of warranty to help pay for one handle, but, not the second. While in for the second repair of the opposite handle I had asked the mechanic to look at the windshield. He informed me that the molding/gasket had dry rotted and would need to be replaced. A challenge he does not see on a regular basis. No reasoning as to why or how this would happen, just another $369. price tag. Again, I called Toyota. This is my vehicle, thus my problem. That's what I was told. Also, have had to replace 2 air/fuel sensors @ $314 each. I am really disappointed in my Toyota now. I have no problem replacing or fixing routine problems, but, I don not see these challenges as routine. I am beginning to think it is more of an inferior parts problem than anything else.
We also have another vehicle, not a Toyota, with 212,000 on it, and guess what-No handles have ever broke off. The windshield is still affixed properly. I have yet to replace any sensor anywhere on that vehicle. I believe Toyota should stand by their products. I do not believe they do.
5th Jul 2007, 11:38
These postings are not hoaxes. The 2004 Sienna is a very poor quality product from Toyota.
In the first year, we had the gas tank replaced (recall), gas tank replaced again (defective, improperly installed), side door fell off (they claim we opened it too quickly), radiator replaced (subsequently recalled), rear bumper partially fell off, driver's side door welding came undone (well known problem that Toyota is still denying), and just recently, our front bumper fell off while the car was parked (Toyota claims someone must have hit it - how hard can someone hit a car in a crowded parking lot to cause the bumper to fall off and not have anyone take notice?).
And these are just the major problems. There have been too many minor problems to note.
19th Aug 2007, 09:30
I agree with all info. I too had a problem with the 2004 van. Most times I am on the road, the van jerks and misses gears, and Toyota cannot fix it. The sliding door always makes lots of noises. It seems it has to be a lemon.
23rd Sep 2007, 07:18
I bought a 2004 Sienna CE in late 2003 and have generally been happy with the product. I have 78K miles on it now. I have had to replace the front brakes 3 times so far which I think is unusual, but as I do it myself, haven't been slammed with the expense. The recalls of gas tank and radiator were handled easily by dealer at no hassle to me. My problem at the moment is very squeaky, clunky passenger door- I suspect it just needs lubricant, but am unsure exactly what to do. Would appreciate some guidance if somebody has solved. Another irritating problem is that the car pumps in hot air when set on fresh air. Pretty clear design flaw, unfortunately. Only way to get un-heated exterior air is to use a/c. If somebody has gotten this fixed I would love to know how.
24th Jun 2008, 12:59
I just returned from the Toyota dealership... I am so livid!
I bought a 2004 Sienna XLE with 8000 miles in April 2005. My very first Toyota. I drive a lot and now have 78,000 miles. I have been very faithful with maintenance and take extremely good care of this van. This being said... it lost air conditioning last August. I allowed it to sit without repair until now since I did not need air conditioning during the winter. I assumed that it would need to be recharged. BAD assumption! I was told that the compressor "seized" up causing metal to flow through the system...$4600.00 worth! How does this happen to a 3 year old vehicle? I have never had this happen with previous cars. Has anyone else experienced air conditioning problems in this van?
27th Dec 2008, 20:37
We've had our 2004 Toyota Sienna since September '04. Though mostly reliable, there are several extremely annoying design issues.
As in earlier comments, you cannot get unheated fresh air with the blower, so you are forced to use the air conditioner.
You cannot disable the child locks, so every time you use the accelerator, then park, all the doors are locked. The manual says call Toyota for instructions to disable it, but I was then told that it's not possible in this model.
A light snow or even a heavy frost will freeze both side doors shut. You need to scrape all the snow off the roof then drag a key in the upper door groove. If you do try to open the frozen door and give up, be sure the door ajar light is not on or it will drain your battery dead. This is has happened several times, even since we bought a new battery. We never leave home without our 25' jumper cables.
And for some reason, the passenger side sliding door started rusting out in '05. I regret not looking at the Honda Odyssey more closely. I would think twice before buying another Sienna.
18th Mar 2009, 22:10
My 2004 Sienna XLE Limited shares many of the same problems that others have described:
1) Loud engine noise during cold starts and sludge build up
2) Engine burns oil and requires a quart of oil to be added every other week to maintain at safe levels
3) Squeaky passenger doors that are difficult to open in cold temps
4) Excessive brake and tire wear. We spent $2500 on the engine to resolve the noisy lifters, and just a few weeks later, the problem returned. This is very discouraging.
23rd Oct 2009, 08:40
I have been a loyal Toyota owner for the last 30 years, buying a SR5, Celica, Avalon, Forerunner, and now a Sienna. I have owned a 2004 Toyota Sienna and have had nothing but problems.
The radiator went at 9 months (replaced twice).
The brakes and tires have to be replaced every 30,000 miles. The run flat tires are a great concept, but can't be fixed.
Twice the back hood hydraulics have been replaced.
The passenger window fell off its track, and now it is in the shop a 3rd time for the anti skid system that goes off for no apparent reason.
This is the first car that I am now believe is a lemon. I have never had so many problems with one car - my Celica and Forerunner are still on the road today and are mechanically sound. What happened to this vehicle, which had so much potential...
27th Apr 2010, 11:09
I purchased a used 2004 Sienna in December 2009. Since I have owned the van, I have noticed the driver's door popping sound mentioned by the other writers. Also, the radiator is leaking and the transmission slips from 2nd to 3rd gear. Took the van into the local Toyota dealership to have the transmission inspected. Toyota claimed it needed a software update ($100). Update failed to fix the problem, just made the van run worse. This is my first Toyota and will be my last.
26th Mar 2007, 09:05
I own a 2004 Toyota Sienna. It has been a great vehicle. We've only had to replace the battery at 65,000 miles. It doesn't make unusual noises and have had no problems at all. We get the oil changed every 3 thousand miles and tires rotated every 7 thousand. We will buy another Sienna next year. Our friends also have a Sienna and have had no problems. We will always drive Toyota's because they have been so reliable.