2004 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD from North America - Comments

My 2004 AWD LE, has had a set of four

RFT's repleaced at approx. 20,000 kms, (by Dunlop with the Toyota dealership taking credit --- bullocks --- I set up the new tires) and now at the odometer reading 40,000 kms it looks obvious that I will need a new set. I haven't had the opportunity to read every posting, but I believe that Toyota is now the "giver" of new tires. My warranty is out of date, and I'm setting up to visit the dealer soon, gathering as much information as possible. I will need to wait until I see what the dealer offers, but I don't have much faith. Safety is the main concern in the purchase of this Seinna, and now I find that my vehicle is not what was advertized.

I’ve always been skeptical of reviews I find online, but in this case I should have heeded advice more closely.

Before I begin, be aware that I have been a faithful Toyota owner, until now, having purchased the following new: an 85 Cressida, 99 Avalon and an 06 Sienna. I write this now so that those that may be considering an AWD Sienna with with Run Flat tires are completely aware of the risks! Also see articles online from “Edmunds.com” and “Consumer Reports” (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/cars/2007/03/toyota_sienna_a.html) -- I wish I had read these before I purchased the Sienna.

If you do not want to read all the details of this entry, the bottom line is the Toyota dealer and Toyota USA refused to stand behind their run flat tires, despite having replaced them before on Siennas (see other chat rooms easily found with an internet search like http://www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecomments_review_67001_3.html or talk to friends). Per the chat rooms I’ve read and my own experience, these tires clearly begin to, or actually fail between 15,000 and 30,000 miles. Toyota has displayed, to me at least, a significant ignorance of a potential safety risk, a refusal to stand behind the quality/engineering of its product, and an unwillingness to maintain customer satisfaction.

Probably around 15,000 miles and less than 10 months after purchasing our 06 Sienna with Run Flat tires we noticed an increasingly rough ride. These tires never provided a smooth ride, even as we originally drove off the lot, but something definitely changed over these first 10 months. Note that most miles were highway, there was routine maintenance per the owner’s manual, performed at the dealer, and I check tire pressure about once per month (No noticeable changes in tire pressure for over a year of driving).

At 17,448 miles we first reported shaking in the steering wheel and rough ride, during a routine maintenance visit to the Toyota dealer. The Toyota service advisor told us that there was a letter from Toyota to dealers indicating that: should run flat tires reach the tread wear indicators under 3 years or 36,000 miles that Toyota would pay for replacement with a new set of run flat tires. I was advised the current tires were not a safety concern and should continue to drive.

I asked the service advisor if I could have ‘normal’ (i.e., non- run flat) tires as a replacement, should it be required, as I did not wish to run into the same problems after another 17,500 miles. He advised that Toyota would only replace the tires with run flats, even after I explained it would be less expensive for Toyota to replace the tires with ‘normal’ tires.

Sept. 2007 21,265 miles: During the next routine maintenance visit we reported that shaking has been becoming worse and now sometimes will make a rough sounding noise. Told that tires still had acceptable safe tread and to continue to drive them. Reassured, by several people at dealership, that indeed the run flat tires on the Sienna were a known problem to Toyota and that Toyota would pay for the replacements should they reach the tread wear indicator prior to 3 years or 36,000 miles and that several dealership customers had already had this done.

Dec. 2007 approx. 26,500 miles: Holiday trip of about 1200 miles. Tires had been running much rougher since Sept. Road trip was extremely rough (almost as bad as driving a washboard road).

Early January 2008 approx. 28,370 miles: While driving from an event the rear right wheel seemed to be running as though flat. Stopped, looked at tire and in the darkness it was difficult to tell if it was flat. Drove, per Owner’s Manual recommendation for a flat the 7 miles or so to home.

Next day 28,377 miles: Tried to put air in the right rear tire as the tire gauge showed it being a bit low. Other tires measured within 1 or 2 psi of recommended pressure, per owner’s manual. The right rear tire would not take air from a gas station pump. Drove to Toyota Dealer trying remaining below 20 mph.

At 28,394 miles there was a loud explosive noise from the left front tire, many lights on the dashboard lit up and a load piercing alarm sounded for a few seconds. There was a very noticeable uncontrollable feel to the ride immediately as the explosion occurred and continued the remaining few miles to the dealer. The flat tire symbol remained lit on the dash. Proceeded below 10 mph to minimize the cadence of a flapping noise, arriving just as they were opening the service dept.

Explained everything outlined above to the service advisor and indicated that I was under the impression that Toyota would be paying for replacement of the tires with new run flat tires. I explained my disappointment that Toyota forced the situation to failure (i.e., blow out of one tire). He was shaking his head in agreement, acknowledged the blow out and gave no indication that Toyota would not be paying for replacement tires.

Mid-day a voice mail from service advisor indicated that Toyota District Representative had not approved replacement of tires. Responded with a VM that this was unacceptable because: 1) This situation was now a safety issue and if not for the hour of the morning and the severely reduced driving speed, things potentially could have been much worse; 2) I had been told by numerous dealership employees on two separate occasions that Toyota was well aware of the problems with the Sienna’s run flat tires and that a letter had been sent by Toyota to dealers prescribing the complete replacement policy below 3 years and 36,000 miles; and 3) I do not expect that tires will wear so poorly in under 30,000 miles and certainly not fail. I also asked that the service manager become involved if that was necessary to resolve the situation.

Afternoon another VM indicated that the Toyota District Representative still would not replace the tires. Again I indicated this was an unacceptable response and that I expected better from the dealership and Toyota after buying/owning 3 new Toyotas in the last 20 years and using the Toyota dealer to service my current two Toyotas on a manufacturer recommended schedule and accepting their advice on the tires. I was advised that the dealership’s service manager would become involved.

Early evening the dealer’s service manager left a VM acknowledging he understood my concerns and that he wanted to talk.

Next day I left a VM for the service manager reiterating the safety concern, the information from dealership employees and expectations for new tire life, asking for compensation. I explained that I would accept a credit against future service or other dollar equivalent compensation to the replacement run flats if for some reason Toyota did not wish to replace these for a liability precedent concern.

Mid-afternoon informed by service advisor that I had 3 options: 1) Buy new normal tires at a slight discount from the dealer; 2) Service manager had arranged an agreement with Dunlop for a credit of $95.70 per three tires (they would not cover the blown out tire) against either a Goodyear or Dunlop normal tire; or 3) pay $234 per tire for 4 new run flat tires. I would still have to pay balancing and alignment charges. As this was the second day of not having this vehicle and depending on the kindness of other for transportation, I agreed to the discount from Dunlop.

The next week, I called Toyota USA and retold the saga above to a representative there and received almost the same story as from the dealer – it was almost as though they were reading from the exact same script.

Finally, I looked into legal action, but that really is not cost effective.

So to help protect others from a potentially serious safety issue as well as a consumer issue I am posting this story in several places.

So happy to read these comments. I stopped at a local dealer yesterday and told him to immediately notify me upon finding a used 07 LTD AWD.

Wow. Now rethinking. I have an 07 LE that is great other than a defective battery at 20,000.

I was in the process of closing a deal on a 2004 AWD Sienna that had every option but a power passenger seat. I need the power seat since I am handicapped and must lower seat to enter with ease, while searching the internet for specs, I found this site that opened my eyes. Toyota never offered a power passenger seat in 2004, how lucky am I!!! I guess I'll buy a Chrysler minivan.

We have an '04 Sienna AWD with the run flats - 60K miles and needing the 4th set of tires! To Toyota's credit, they have replaced each set so far, but now they are baulking??? Time to buy a Honda? I have told them - stop replacing the tires, just give me a set of std tires with a spare and let's call it good. They don't want to do that for some reason.

2006 Sienna AWD.

First set of Bridgestone Run Flats lasted to 27K miles.

The next set of Dunlop Run Flats have made it to 16K miles so far, but twice in the past 3 weeks have left my wife and kids stranded and caused us to tow our Sienna. The tires delaminated at the contact of the sidewall and tread both times when driven under 25 miles and below speeds of 55 MPH after signal of a flat...

Bad enough these tires don't last and are overpriced, but they don't even run flat as advertised... Total scam!

05 Toyota Sienna AWD - I'll never buy another car with run flats again. We finally replaced the run flats with standard tires (after going through 3 sets of run flats in 70K miles), but are now stuck with the problem of the spare. The van rides much nicer with standard tires. Toyota and Dunlop both told me that it was my driving that was causing the premature wear. Funny, after driving for 25 years... I never had the problem before.

After reading this entire thread, I am very sorry to say that the problems exhibited with Dunlop/Goodyear run flats and the Low Tire pressure sensors remain just as bad on the 2007 model Sienna XLE AWD.

We have now had 4 tires fail within the first 24,000 miles of owning our vehicle (purchased new and delivered in July of '07). We had 2 tires replaced due to serious bulges that appeared in the sidewalls at about 4,000 miles on 1 tire and roughly 8,000 miles on the second.

Then a dual flat situation on I-95 in CT. We immediately slowed the car to 40 mph as soon as the Low Tire indicator light came on. The right front tire completely shredded (literally disintegrated after 32 miles of travel), the right rear tire remained intact but still required replacing as we were informed that a puncture on a run-flat tire cannot be plugged or patched. Is anyone aware of a new class-action suit ongoing against Toyota for design defect or Goodyear for breaches of warranty, etc.? Please advise. Thanks so much, Dan S.

I wish I had read this review before buying a 2008 Sienna XLE AWD which comes with run flat tires. In fact I came to know about it at 5000 miles tire rotation. Now it has 14000 miles in last 10 months and I have to fill the tire pressure almost every 3 weeks. One tire appears to be looing pressure every week. May be I need to replace that. The inspection is coming now I will know more. But will never buy another with run flat and planning to get rid of these tires too soon.

Here I am, five years into my 2004 Toyota Sienna AWD and purchasing my fourth set of tires.

The class-action suit against Toyota helped me pay for my first set of replacement run-flats. After those tanked, I opted for regular tires.

Surprise? Not! The regular tires FAIL just as fast as the run-flats on the AWD. My auto shop agrees... the vehicle is flawed.

Toyota... you owe me!

I have problem with my 2004 Sienna. I noticed the first crack about 3 month ago, and within a couple of weeks noticed a second crack. One is on the right side starting from the far front edge where the speaker grille is, running diagonally toward the left rear corner of the van. It originally was about 3" long, but now has grown to about 5". The other is on the left side starting at the side window defroster vent, running straight back. It originally was about 2" long and is now about 3" long.

It is surprising to me how quickly they started, and how fast they are growing. The dash is in good condition, not dry rotted or overly exposed to the sun. The van has always been kept in the garage. The dash material is still soft and pliable... I can't understand why it would be cracking already.

I am contacting the Customer Service at Toyota Motor. When I called Toyota, they told me that they did not have a record of anyone calling about that issue. That's false because I went to the Internet and I saw many case like mine. They and doing nothing to help me and I have to pay for.

12:27

I hope that you print out a page of from the forum where you found others with 2004 Siennas experiencing the same problem and bring it with you to your dealer. Better yet, ask to meet with a Toyota customer rep and show them the proof that you found online. I think it is reasonable that you would not expect your dashboard in a 2004 model year vehicle to be cracking.

Best of luck.