Toyota Van problems
The Toyota Sienna is a minivan manufactured and marketed by Toyota primarily for the North American market. It is named for the Italian city of Siena, in the region of Tuscany. It replaced the first generation Previa van in 1997 with a more conventional front-wheel drive layout and shares a heavily revised platform with the Camry. Both the Previa and original Sienna were smaller than the other minivans they competed against, but a redesign in 2003 (for the 2004 model year) increased the dimensions to match those of its competitors.
It was redesigned again in 2010 (for the 2011 model year). The third generation Sienna went on sale in the United States in February 2010 and is the first Sienna to ever receive a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A 2020 redesign (for the 2021 model year) saw the Sienna becoming a hybrid vehicle for its fourth generation. While previous generations of the Sienna were exported to select Asian and European markets, the fourth generation is the first to be produced outside of the United States as Chinese production commenced in July 2021 by two Toyota joint ventures. In China, it is also marketed as the Toyota Granvia.
Following the discontinuation of General Motors's all-wheel drive minivans in 2006, the Sienna was the only minivan in its class offered with AWD in North America until the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was introduced with an AWD option in 2020.
The Sienna is not available in Japan and Australia as it is not produced in a right-hand drive configuration, and the segment in these countries is already occupied by the Alphard/Vellfire and the HiAce/Granvia respectively.
As of the fourth generation, introduced in 2020, the Sienna is now built on Toyota's TNGA-K platform, which it shares with most of Toyota’s other large MPVs and crossovers.
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Toyota Van model years
Common Toyota Van problems
Toyota vans, such as the HiAce, are known for their reliability and convenience for both business owners and families. However, like any other vehicle, they are not without their set of issues. Here are some of the common problems reported by Toyota van owners:
- Thick White/Gray Smoke on Startup: Some Toyota HiAce vans emit thick white smoke on startup, which is usually an indication of a turbo problem. If neglected, this issue can develop into a heavy black smoke whenever the vehicle accelerates. The color of the exhaust smoke can tell a lot about the condition of the vehicle. If you see a continuous stream of thick gray/white smoke from your tailpipe, it is likely that your head gasket is leaking. When this happens, the coolant gets heated inside the combustion chambers and gets blown out of the exhaust when the engine starts. Driving your Toyota HiAce in this condition under the summer heat can cause the engine to overheat, so it is best to bring your vehicle to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible.
- Noise Whenever You Decelerate: Some Toyota HiAce owners reported hearing noises whenever they decelerate from a speed of at least 70 kph. This problem is possibly due to transmission bearing issues, which can be difficult to fix on your own. If left unattended, bearing problems can quickly get worse, causing transmission failure. If you want to keep the transmission of your HiAce in good condition, it is best to have an expert technician look at your van as soon as possible.
- Loss of Engine Power: Owners of the 2007 Toyota Sienna have complained about losing engine power whenever they slow down. This symptom is also accompanied by transmission problems like jerking and slipping. Unfortunately, the source of this issue remains undetermined.
- Cracking Dashboard: The Sienna’s dashboard is prone to cracking, which is an unsightly issue that’s all too obvious for owners. The typical fix is to replace the dash altogether, but it may cost thousands of dollars.
- Transmission Failure: Older Toyota Siennas are relatively prone to transmission failure at around 78,000 miles. Many owners have observed that the vehicle’s RPM increases but fails to pick up speed. Again, the potential fix is to replace the transmission system, which may cost over $3,000.
- Power Door Issues: There’s a chance a Sienna’s power door may stop working, which is a considerable safety risk. This may be an issue with the door’s cable, which may have been damaged.
It is important to note that these issues are not exclusive to Toyota vans and can be found in other vehicle brands. Regular maintenance and check-ups can help prevent or address these problems early on, ensuring the longevity and reliability of your vehicle.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Toyota Van years
We have researched Toyota problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Toyota Van cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Toyota Van model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Toyota Van model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Toyota Van years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Toyota Van car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Toyota Van , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
- Steering problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Toyota Van vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Van model years
A total of 5 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Van model years
There were a total of 9 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Van model years
There were a total of 6 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 42 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Toyota Van . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Toyota Van vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Toyota Van 1994
- Date Of Incident: 2005-11-01
- Date Complaint: 2008-08-28
- Components: STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: SLIDING DOOR WILL POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING, NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY AND MOTOR REOPENS IT. THE FIRST HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES SO WE TURNED OFF THE DOOR. THE SECOND HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE USE THE DOOR WITH THE MOTOR ON. TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. STARTED AFTER ONLY 1.5 YEARS OF USE... ALL OTHER DOORS ARE FINE. WE WERE ALREADY OUT OF MILEAGE WARRANTY. WILL COST OVER $1500 TO REPAIR DOOR. *TR
Toyota Van 1988
- Date Of Incident: 2007-12-19
- Date Complaint: 2007-12-22
- VIN: 4T3ZF13C4WU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA ENGINE FAILED DUE TO "SLUDGE." UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE. THE INFORMATION IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM WERE NEVER COMMUNICATED TO THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Toyota Van 1994
- Date Of Incident: 2004-01-02
- Date Complaint: 2004-01-20
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHILE PARKING VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. *AK
Toyota Van 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2003-01-08
- Date Complaint: 2003-01-13
- VIN: PLEASE PROV
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: CONSUMER STATED WHEN BRAKING, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.*JB
Toyota Van 1985
- Date Of Incident: 2002-04-25
- Date Complaint: 2002-05-02
- VIN: JT3YR26V7F5
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 1985 TOYOTA VAN WITH POWER STEERING. PART OF LINKAGE CALLED CENTER ARM SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH DURING TURNING. THERE WAS IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NO BODILY INJURY OCCURRED, BUT HAD THIS OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEED, I WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE DEAD. *TS ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***761467
Toyota Van 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2001-11-15
- Date Complaint: 2002-02-11
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JT3YR26W8G5
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL WELL AREA, CONSUMER HEARD 2 EXPLOSIONS, CONSUMER SUFFERED BURNS TO LEFT HAND, FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT
Toyota Van 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2001-11-15
- Date Complaint: 2002-02-11
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JT3YR26W8G5
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONSUMER NOTICED FIRE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT WHEEL WELL AREA, CONSUMER HEARD 2 EXPLOSIONS, CONSUMER SUFFERED BURNS TO LEFT HAND, FIRE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT
Toyota Van 1987
- Date Of Incident: 2001-08-18
- Date Complaint: 2001-11-20
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JT3YR26W2H5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A SMALL THUD COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, HE ALSO STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, TOYOTA STATED FIRE WAS CAUSED DUE TO REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR. *JB
Toyota Van 1986
- Date Of Incident: 2001-11-15
- Date Complaint: 2001-11-20
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JT3YR26W8G5
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING A FIRE IGNITED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.*SLC
Toyota Van 1984
- Date Of Incident: 1999-04-01
- Date Complaint: 2000-10-02
- VIN: JT3YR26V5E5
- Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH ON A SIDE STREET AND LOST POWER STEERING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.*AK UPON DIAGNOSIS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WOODRUFF KEY OF CRANK SHAFT PULLEY FAILED RESULTING IN LOOSE NUT AND BELTS JUMPING OUT OF PULLEY GROOVES. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO ENGINE OIL SEAL AND IDLER PULLEY (TENSION PULLEY. *YH
Toyota Van 1985
- Date Of Incident: 1999-01-01
- Date Complaint: 2000-09-29
- VIN: JT4YR27V3F0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE SEATBELT BUCKLES HAVE CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC OUTER COMPONENTS. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE SEAT BELTS? ALSO, YOUR WEBSIGHT INDICATES A RECALL FOR STEERING COMPONENTS ON THIS 1985 TOYOTA VAN. HAVING BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, HOW CAN I KNOW THE AFFECTED PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED?*AK
Toyota Van 1989
- Date Of Incident: 2000-05-16
- Date Complaint: 2000-05-18
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JT4YR28V2K5
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: ACCELERATOR LINKAGE COVER LOCATED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSED A REAR END CRASH BECAUSE DRIVER'S FOOT CAUGHT ON THE COVER, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PUSH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. VAN WAS TOTALLED IN THE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Toyota Van 1987
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 1999-08-20
- VIN: JT4YR28V3H5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE FRONT BRAKE PADS / ROTORS FRONT & REAR ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, CAUSING FAILURE. *YC.ET.
Toyota Van 1986
- Date Of Incident: 1999-02-13
- Date Complaint: 1999-05-12
- VIN: JT4YR29V7G5
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEATBELT ANCHORAGE ON DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE AND SEPARATED, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
Toyota Van 1989
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Date Complaint: 1999-04-07
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: INNER DOOR LOCK RELASE FAILED.
Latest 5 recalls Toyota Van
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the Toyota Van.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Toyota Van 1986
- Report Received Date: 1989-05-30
- Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
- Components: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
- Summary: THE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE WATER CONTAMINATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO RUST/CORROSION.
- Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC STEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT INAN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY; COVER LIQUID GASKET MATERIAL WITH IMPROVED MATERIAL.
- Model: Toyota Van 1987
- Report Received Date: 1989-05-30
- Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
- Components: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
- Summary: THE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE WATER CONTAMINATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO RUST/CORROSION.
- Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC STEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT INAN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY; COVER LIQUID GASKET MATERIAL WITH IMPROVED MATERIAL.
- Model: Toyota Van 1988
- Report Received Date: 1989-05-30
- Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
- Components: STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
- Summary: THE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE WATER CONTAMINATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO RUST/CORROSION.
- Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ERRATIC STEERING, WHICH COULD RESULT INAN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE STEERING BEVEL GEAR ASSEMBLY; COVER LIQUID GASKET MATERIAL WITH IMPROVED MATERIAL.
- Model: Toyota Van 1984
- Report Received Date: 1986-05-12
- Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
- Summary: THE CENTER CONTROL ARM OF THE STEERING LINKAGE SYSTEM MAY DEVELOP A CRACK IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY OPERATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARKED POSITION. THE STEERING CENTER ARM MAY EVENTUALLY BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A CRACKED STEERING CENTER ARM WILL ALLOW STEERING CONTROL, HOWEVER, IF THE STEERING ARM BREAKS, IT WOULD RESULT IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE CENTER CONTROL ARM WITH A REDESIGNED CONTROL ARM.
- Model: Toyota Van 1985
- Report Received Date: 1986-05-12
- Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
- Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
- Summary: THE CENTER CONTROL ARM OF THE STEERING LINKAGE SYSTEM MAY DEVELOP A CRACK IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS REPEATEDLY OPERATED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN PARKED POSITION. THE STEERING CENTER ARM MAY EVENTUALLY BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A CRACKED STEERING CENTER ARM WILL ALLOW STEERING CONTROL, HOWEVER, IF THE STEERING ARM BREAKS, IT WOULD RESULT IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE CENTER CONTROL ARM WITH A REDESIGNED CONTROL ARM.
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