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 My warranty is out of date, and I'm setting up to visit the dealer soon, gathering as much information as possible.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.