Toyota Sienna Maintenance and Repair (2004+)

kj2005

I searched the forum and found some references to wind noise on a 2003-4 Sienna coming from the driver's window.

For the past few weeks since we took ownership we have this issue with our 2006 Sienna. If anyone can provide me with more information or confirm this is still an issue I would appreciate it. I have a call into a local dealership to see if what they recommend I do.

The TSB for this from 11/03 is summarized here:

Component Description: 38. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Bulletin Number: NV00903 Bulletin Date: JUL 2003

Vehicle: Toyota Sienna
Summary: FRONT DOOR WIND NOISE. REVISED. *TT

finzz

HondaConvert.... a change of pace to the initial question posed, but I'm on the fence with regard to what I'll buy once our WindStar lease is up in May.

The choice, of course, is the Sienna XLE or Odyssey.

You've had problems with the Odyssey? Do tell...

ylee1

I have a problem with Sienna 06 front windshield driver side. If you look carefully at the bottom left corner of the front windshield, there is a little area looks like maggnifying glass. Is this normal? I noticed that if you look this area while driving, center lines on the road doesn't look normal.

sjbrody

I have noted this also on our 2005 XLE Limited and have gotten used to it. Does yours have the build-in windshield wiper area defroster?.

dudleyr

I notice the same thing - it is only about the bottom inch of the windshield, so it does not bother me. Technically you could claim it is defective and have them replace it, but do you really want to open up that can of worms - the dealer is going to be nowhere near as adept at putting in a windshield as the factory. Last time I had a windshield problem (Acura) the dealer contracted it out to a winshield place - which adds another layer to deal with if it does not work out.

To top it all off the new windshield may have the problem - given that several of us do.

trudeau

An annoying film briefly clouds the windshield in the wake of each swipe of the wipers on our 2 month-old '05 Sienna CE (during rain, of course). Does yours do this? In heavier rain, the film cloud is steady because there is no recovery time between swipes.

wwest

SOP...

ylee1

I don't think my 2006 has the build-in whindshield wiper area defroster. What is it? I'm thinking about taping or putting city sticker on the defected area of the windshild.

rjinxd

Our 2004 Sienna is currently at the dealership with the same type of noise coming from the engine/exhaust while accelerating uphill (especially noticable when accelerating from stop or slow speeds in general). This is the third attempt at fixing it. The first time they said it was that the programming for the transmission needed updating. The second time they concluded the noise was from bad fuel. This time they have thrown in the wrench after 1 full day of looking at it without being able to reproduce the problem. This is our first Toyota and needless to say we are greatly disappointed. Don't think we will by Toyota again.

sjbrody

Some of the more expensive models have heating wires (similar to the defroster in the rear window) in the lower, black area of the windshield. The heater goes on with the rear and mirror heaters to keep snow and ice from accumulating at the base of the windshield where the wipers rest. Ours doesn't seem to heat up that well.

dudleyr

Ours has the heating wires for the wipers and they work great. Very nice feature.

liaison

I am hearing a sound coming from the driver side passenger door that makes me think the door is not shut really tight. It is not a rattle or squeek and I'm not sure exactly how to describe the sound. Has anyone else experienced this and is there a TSB out on the passenger door?

dfromm

My window is disconnected from the door. Does anyone know how to open the door so that I can reconnect the window and put it back on track? Does anyone have any written instructions/mannuel available that can show me how to open the door? I also experienced a crack in my windshield from driving over a pothole. Has this happend to anyone else?

haiderjee

Need a user manual of 2004 toyota siennaI need a user manual for 2004 as I just bought and there is no manual in there. Thanks

user777

check ebay or toyota's website for ordering information.

goodbalance

Fluid is leaking (spotting) onto the ground from the front of our new (just bot 1.5 weeks ago) 2006 LE Sienna. It's reddish and oily.

Is this transmission fluid, power steering fuid?

Any ideas? Also, we live 2 hours away from the dealer we bot the van from. We are taking it to the local dealer today. Any suggestions on documentation, etc., and also letting the orginal dealer know about the problem?

goodbalance

Update to leaking fluid in 2006 LE:

Toy service dept says it is oil leaking from the main gasket from the mainifold. We have been given a loaner (smaller vehicle which does not hold all of our family memebers), and at end of Day #2 with brand new one week old Sienna in the shop. Just told the van may not be fixed by Day 3!

Is this normal?

dudleyr

It is not normal, but unfortunately it does happen.

sgtpsp

I have exactly the same problem with my 2006. Started with less than 5000 miles. Dealer heard the whine. They replaced the transaxle and torque converter. The whine is still there except the pitch seems a little higher and it is not quite as loud. I imagine it will get louder as time goes on. I didn't see ageezer's message until after the transaxle was changed. I'm going to show ageezer's info to my dealer to see what they say. I checked for any current TSB but didn't find anything.

ageezer

Let me finish the gear whine saga. The dealership replaced the transmission with a re-manufactured unit which had a worse whine that the original. Took it back and they agreed to another replacement. I was also told that Toyota wanted to try another re-manufactured unit. This one laster approx. 3 miles and quit shifting past 2nd gear, no top gears. Took it back within 15 minutes and they made some "adjustments". Picked it up the next day and it lasted three blocks and locked up totally. This time I demanded a new tranny and the Service Manager was able to get it done. The new unit has been in there for over 10k and is working fine, the van now has 26K.
Don't let them do the re-manufactured number on you, demand a new transmission, they know they have a problem and have quite a history of this problem. A TSB or recall could put them in the same situation as GM and Ford. Hope this helps.

goodbalance

Update #2:

After Sienna home for 3 days, still had leaking oil problem. Took it back to Toy dealer (for the 2nd time) - this time to the service manager. It's been the shop for one week. Manager says that problem is with head cylinder.

Can anyone here explain this to a "mechanically challenged" person? :-)

Also, can anyone point me to the Florida Lemon Law site? If Toy fails to fix the Sienna for the 2nd time, what recourse do I have?

Thanks!
gb

hyghlander

Hi:

I have the same problem with my 2004 XLE and up here in Canada's frozen north it is a problem. Did you resolve the problem with your Sienna?

LM

hyghlander

I have a 2004 Sienna XLE, lovely van except I have this problem with the automatic rear door. When I open it with the remote in cold weather -10C or colder(Canada's frozen north) it will fully open then close on the poor un-suspecting person that happens to be putting something in or taking something out of the back of the van. Anybody else experiencing this problem. My Toyota dealer says it is weather related. Do you think? Duh!!

sjbrody

Our 2005 has a similar problem, but only when opening the rear door manually in cold weather. The dealer checked several new Siennas on the lot and they all had the same problem, so it appears to be cold weather related. We have NO problem, however, with the door opening fully by remote control.

hyghlander

Thanks for the info. My dealer is going to Toyota Canada to see if they can determine what the problem is. It is a safety issue for me as the back door will close on you when you least expect it. I'd hate to see what it would do to a small child before it would release.

hyghlander

It sounds like there is a problem with the struts that hold up the rear door. They should be replaced. I have no problem with the manual opening no matter how cold it get here.(-30C(+/-)). I have to rely on the manual mode (until summer comes) as I can't trust the remote opening.

lodgeman

In my 2006 Sienna, we noticed a hum that comes
from the engine compartment when the ignition is
turned to the On position (before you start the
engine). Is this normal? I am new to the Toyota
brand and don't have a feeling for the typical
noises yet.

dudleyr

Typically this would be the fuel pump, but it is not in the front. Sound sources can be deceptive though.

lodgeman

Thanks for the quick reply and information. I checked the noise source again. Not from the back. The location still seems to be the engine compartment, more towards the passenger side. Two of us listened and that's where we think it's located.

dudleyr

I listened to mine, and did not hear a noise. Not sure what yours is. I have had other vehicles with loud fuel pumps.

Never had one, but Suburbans have pumps so loud you can hear them as they drive by.

lodgeman

I called the Toyota Customer Experience Center and was directed to a specialist. He indicated that the noise was "typical" as the engine prepares to start. If I have further concerns, I will have a mechanic at the dealer give a listen. Thanks.

boodrai

Hi, I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna LE. Since August last year there has been an annoying loud knocking sound which seems to be comming from underneath the foot pedals area. This occurs at very slow speeds, when turning the steering wheel and after comming to a complete stop. Because it's intermitent, the maintenance staff at Toyota have not been able to successfully fix the problem. In the last 6 months, a number of parts have been replaced including the rotors, brakes, and lower control arm with no luck. If anybody has the any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks.

dudleyr

The Sienna tows 3,500 lbs, so 2,000 is not a problem. Can't you balance the load to minimize tongue weight?

mcdawgg

I agree with Toyota - our 01 Rav 4 has a humming sound from under the hood before you turn the key all the way to start. This is perfectly normal.

beernut

There's not really much room for balancing. All of the camping weekend payload goes between the van's front wheels and the trailer's axle - that puts it ultimately on the van's rear suspension. Bikes and propane go on the front of the trailer (more tongue weight) while people, cargo and firewood go in the van (more rear weight). All put together, I'm concerned the about the rear of the Sienna sagging.

I solved the problem on the Windstar with cargo springs. I hate to take a brand new $25 or $30 thousand dollar van apart in the driveway and re-spring it but once purchased, that will be my only option.

dudleyr

Sienna holds 1,200 lbs and tows 3,500 lbs. The tongue weight does get subtracted from the payload. Put as much of the heaviest stuff ahead of the rear wheels. If it worked with the Windstar it should certainly work with the Sienna.

If you really want heavy duty, but don't want to give up efficiency look at a Dodge (Mercedes) Sprinter diesel.

beernut

I've looked at the Sprinter - it's mondo cool (good). But the wife and teenage daughter will be driving this vehicle too, so that's a poo-poo (bad).

tcp2

There are rear spring assist air bags available for about $100(IIRC). They are installed inside the rear coil springs and you can leave them in there when you aren't towing. If the van is unloaded you can keep pressure around 7psi to maintain their shape and pressure them up to 35psi to level the van with the weight. They are sold here(just search for your year of sienna):

http://www.truckspring.com/airsprings/airlift/product/60732.asp

and much more info here.

beernut

Thanks. Good info. I like the overall usefulness of the Sienna well enough that I think I will indeed buy one regardless of my tow concerns. For a 2000# trailer, there is no towing problem that can't be fixed for a few bucks... even if I have to take it to a suspension pro for some custom rigging, the rest of the service out of the van will be worth the trouble.

nacho07

Hello i have a 2004 Sienna that is 8 passenger. I took out the 2nd row middle seat and now have the 2nd row captains chair configuration. I do not need the 3rd seat in the second row so i was thinking of selling it. My question is does this removable 2nd row seat also fit other model year Siennas? I know it will fit in any 04 but can i also sell it to someone that has an 05 or 06 and will it fit? I appreciate any help you guys could give me, thanks.

dudleyr

It should fit in any model year, but only on an 8-passenger model.

sunblock

Hi,

Have you found where the air filter located at? I have the same model and I could not find it either. It's wierd. I'd like to change it too. If you know where it is, please let me know. Thank you very much. :confuse:

sixsigmaman

It looks like somebody tried to hang on my drivers side mirror and cracked the bracket that holds the mirror. The mirror is fine though. I'm trying, without much luck yet, to find a bracket at the junkyard. But I was wondering if anybody had advice on how to replace the bracket. I suspect I have to remove some door panels from the inside, but haven't had to do that before. Any handy diagrams out there? Any help is appreciated.

ayosh5

I'm having the same problem with my van which I purchased brand new in 2004. The dealership fixed the leak but the smell and mildew is visible. (More to this story) Its to the point were I believe my families health has been affeted by this. I don't know what to do.
What other steps did you take?

easym1

Hello everyone. I'm looking at the 2006 Sienna LE. I'd like to know your actual real life MPG on highway and city.

I will also checking on a comparable 2006 Honda Odyssey.

beernut

Hey easy,

I'm going throught the exaxct same process. Maybe we can shop together.

I looked at the Nissan Quest last night. Fit and finish sucked and Consumer Reports predicts well below average reliability, but it sounded like they were pretty hot to deal on the price. Have you looked at them?

I'm leaning heavily toward the Toyota vs. Honda for various reasons. How 'bout you?

easym1

Hello beernut,

I have checked both the Odyssey EX and Sienna LE and honestly, both are great cars and drives well. But there are few difference. The Odyssey is $300 Canadian more but have 29 more HP. The torque on Odyssey is 18 ft/lb more. It also have an ON and OFF switch on the front-Impact airbag, got a Standard Electronic Climate Control, and Rear A/C.

Despite that, I would like to see how they compare in real life MPG since I will be using the minivan mostly for long range travel with my family.

I also noticed that the Odyssey is more roomy but the Sienna seems to have a better styling. With the $300 difference. You can't go wrong on either cars.

Another thing that need to be considered is the Sienna model is earlier than Odyssey. So, if there is a bug, chances are, the Sienna has found most of it.

Regarding the Nissan Quest, for whatever reason, the styling looks a bit off for me but a buddy of mine got one and heloves it.

We would like to hear from our friends regarding MPG.

beernut

I usually look a lot before I buy, so I looked at the Sienna again today - this time without the wife so I had plenty of time. I'm liking the feel and looks of it better than the Honda - more style but not goofy like the Nissan.

I've thought about that HP difference since I'll be pulling a 2,000# trailer. I don't think it will be a factor in the end since the Sienna should have enough, and I think the Toyota is smoother and quieter. I like the way the trans feels better, too.

Rear heat and air is standard on the Sienna LE according to their book. You have to go to the XLE for climate control and that's getting in to the dough - Canadian or US.

Consumer Reports put the Honda slightly ahead of the Toyota partially because they liked the better performance and handling. They noted, however, that it sacrifices comfortable ride and quietness to do that. The more I thought about it, I realized that I'm buying it for long trips with the family just like you are and that I valued quiet and smooth a lot more than performance and handling. I'm not buying a MINIVAN to race around corners in.

After my inspection today, I'm 80% Toyota, 20% Honda, 0% Nissan/Dodge/Ford/Chevy/etc.

I'll bet you a White Castle's hamburger the Toyota comes in a tad better on the highway...

dudleyr

Don't get caught up in the hp wars - these are minivans, and besides the Odyssey weighs several hundred pounds more than the Sienna, so the hp is offset.

re mileage. It is hard to compare different driving styles, but on long highway trips my Sienna has ranged from 29.5 on a 450 mile trip averaging 72 mph with a tailwind to a low of about 21 averaging 81 mph into a strong headwind. With no wind going 65 mph it will be around 30 mpg, and about 27 mpg at 70 mph. If you have the patience it will get well into the 30's if you drive 55.

In the city it can be as low as 15 mpg, to near 20. This includes short trips (less than a mile) in near 0 weather.

easym1

Hey dudleyr,

Thanks for the info. I'll keep it in mind.