| Issue ID | 842528 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10381752 |
| Manufacurer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Brand | TOYOTA |
| Model | SIENNA |
| Model Year | 2004 |
| File date | 23/12/10 |
| Component | UNKNOWN OR OTHER |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | In 2008, we had work done on the liftgate of our sienna to repair the liftgate struts and mounting brackets. The liftgate was not lifting entirely or it would lift and then unexpectedly begin to lower again. This repair was done under a recall from toyota at a toyota dealership. At christmas time this year, i was picking up my sister-in-law in the busy arrivals line at o'hare. I opened the back liftgate from inside so she could quickly put her suitcase in the back. As she put in her suitcase, the door began to shut on her. Fortunately, she was not hurt. Since then, the liftgate has not been opening fully. It opens just to the eye level of my husband and myself, so we risk bumping into it with our eyes each time we put something in the back of the van. We have to exert quite a bit of force on it to get it to lift all the way up. I called toyota customer service in california just after the new year to see if they would repair this problem again, but they said no--the repair was beyond its warranty. I explained that this was a significant safety issue, an accident waiting to happen, but they were unmoved. The repair will cost close to $500. Because this is a safety issue, and not just one of convenience, my husband and i feel we will have to pay to have the repair done. However, since this issue was one that warranted a recall before, we thought you would like to know about it, especially since toyota has been made aware of it and has elected not to address it voluntarily. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 50000 |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | PORTABLE SAFETY COMPLAINT FORM (PDF) |
| City and State | EVANSTON, IL |
| VIN pattern | 5TDZA22C44SXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | |
| Anti-lock brakes | |
| Cruise control | |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 0 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |