2004 Toyota Sienna Steering Problems
- 131
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- power steering · 39 records
- steering wheel · 31 records
- steering shaft · 14 records
- intermediate shaft · 11 records
- steering fluid · 10 records
- very hard · 10 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 40 |
| 100–150k mi | 32 |
| 30–60k mi | 28 |
| 150–400k mi | 10 |
| 1–30k mi | 6 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering
While making a u-turn the steering did not recover to straight ahead position. The steering felt like it was binding. The vehicle kept turning, leaving the road surface, almost striking a stone wall. Nothing was hit. More effort than normal was needed to correct the steering. Air temp. Approx. 20f. Once home i inspected the tires, power steering fluid, power steering belt, alignment, leaks. All were normal. I…
ODI 10660215
Steering
The steering on my 2004 toyota sienna was not working correctly. The steering was binding, requiring an increased effort to turn the steering wheel from neutral or return to neutral after turning. I checked the power steering fluid. It was fine. I looked up the issue and realized that this has been investigated. According to the report, my problem has been caused by the steering intermediate shaft. It is…
ODI 10660397
Service Brakes · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the brakes seized. The vehicle resumed normally after sittng for a couple of minutes. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering angle sensor would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 143,339.
ODI 10659979
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes · Steering
While driving on interstate vsc warning light came on, beeping and alarms heard. Engine slowed down and i felt like the vehicle was out of control. The vehicle swerved like it was hydroplaning on a dry highway. Called our repair shop immediately. Car was towed and research was done on the history of the problem in other toyota mini vans. I was told there were reports of this happening in other vehicles but not…
ODI 10667019
Power Train · Steering
My 2004 sienna is experiencing the exact same issues as described in the 11/09/2011 voluntary safety recall. The belts have been squealing and the steering becomes difficult to turn at slow speeds. The recall applies to certain sienna models but my specific vin is not included in the recall. All new belts have been replace and the issue continues. Is it possible that this recall should be expanded to include other…
ODI 10652861
Steering
The steering became difficult at times. It was almost like losing your power steering from time to time. Intermediate steering shaft was replaced which corrected the problem. *js
ODI 10598114
Steering
Steering became very jerky and tight while driving van with family. Problem got worse over the course of 2 days and i had to stop driving the vehicle because it became dangerous. Mechanic told me it was problem steering intermediate shaft. *js
ODI 10592469
Service Brakes · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
At varying rates of speed, on dry roads, my van's vsc and traction control icons will illuminate on the dash, the acceleration will cease and the brakes will pump 2-4 times, and the steering will stick. Originally, this occurred only on roads that curved however the frequency of occurrence is increasing and it now occurs on straight roads as well. *tr
ODI 10700861
Service Brakes · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
In this initial incident, i was traveling on a curvy road at posted speed limit of 30mph. My vehicle suddenly slowed, as if i was applying the brakes, which i was not, and my steering was compromised. In addition the vsc indicator and symbol flashed on my dashed and beeped. The road was dry. This has occurred 10+ times since. I have brought it to my mechanic, without turning the engine off after the occurrence so…
ODI 10628426
Steering
Steering in my 2004 toyota sienna is very tight, making it difficult to turn, especially when cold. The problem appeared last spring, while it was still cold outside. Steering improved during the warm summer months. Now that the weather is cool again, the steering problem has returned, but worse. The power steering fluid was changed, without help. Different auto shops, including my toyota dealership, have offered…
ODI 10649054
Steering · Suspension
Steering shaft intermediate shaft steering & suspension power steering not working all the time. Seems to get tighter and tighter from time to time. Very difficult making left or right turn... *tr
ODI 10566110
Steering · Visibility
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the power steering assist failed without warning. The steering wheel became hard to turn. The contact also stated that both passenger side windows were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not aware…
ODI 10573415
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while turing the vehicle at 20 mph or when parking, the steering wheel would seize. The contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer or local mechanic. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 190,000.
ODI 10557697
Steering
Start having problems with the car steering wheel, it is hard to move while moving and it doesn't go back to straight position by itself. Have to move the steering by force to get it to the right position. This is dangerous and can cause an accident. *tr
ODI 10553001
Steering
Our 2004 toyota sienna began having difficulty steering while my wife was driving our kids to an event in october 2013. She stated the steering felt "lumpy" or intermittently difficult. The effect was more pronounced when the car was cold, but improved somewhat when warmed up. Now in december, the steering problem is such she will not drive the van anymore for safety reasons. The van was difficult to maneuver in…
ODI 10558406
Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes · Steering
In the early summer of 2013, i was traveling north on i-15, approx [redacted]. George, utah on a beautiful clear day when the car began to swerve and the yellow skid light came on and the emergency beeping sound alarmed and the car slows down on its own--i no longer have control over accelerating the speed of the car. It frightened and alarmed me and my passengers. Within about 5 seconds the light went off and the…
ODI 10651084
Steering
Intermittent hard steering. Will be driving around even slight corner will be fine then steer hard and be fine again around same corner. Or, will steer very hard around one corner then steer ok around the next. *tr
ODI 10606260
Engine · Steering · Vehicle Speed Control
Complete loss of power while in motion entering freeway. Previously had noticed steering difficulty at times and engine light going on, but had always stopped after a short while. After the failure it was diagnosed as failure of crank shaft pulley. We found that toyota had done a recall for this issue, but had not included our vehicle in the recall or notified us. Toyota denied coverage of the required repair.…
ODI 10573389
Engine And Engine Cooling · Steering
While driving there was a very loud screech from the motor, on and off, then the power steering went out, very hard to turn steering wheel, luckily i was able to force it the few miles left home. Then i noticed the a/c was not cold, this was intermittent, now, no a/c at all. Just hot air. This stalled of failed while in traffic, i could have had serious problems like getting hit because i could not turn the vehicle…
ODI 10514655
Steering
I was driving 10 mph towards the grocery store parking lot when suddenly the steering wheel will not turn. I almost hit a tree since the car went over the curb. I had to stop the engine. This happened again on my way home that night. It was very dangerous. I immediately called toyota the following day ([redacted]) and was told that there had never been no record of any complaint with a similar issue on the 2004…
ODI 10507187
Steering
Toyota is not reliable anymore like it used to. One problem after another not covered by warranties and too expensive to fix. There should be strict laws to force toyota to fix loads of design issues for free independent of warranties. Big companies like toyota always find work around and play with words in order to escape. My steering wheel started making screeching sound everytime i turn. The power steering fluid…
ODI 10493788
Steering
Steering fluid leak on passenger side eating through rubber boot - requires replacement of rack & pinion & some kind of right & left front bars. This is an unsafe defect in this model year. Apparently, other 2004 sienna's have had the same issue. This is a very expensive repair. *tr
ODI 10521563
Electrical System · Service Brakes · Steering
On freeway interchanges, entrances and exits vsc and abs suddenly engagess. Van is not aggressively driven and when turning on mountain roads and switch backs vsc and abs engages despite the slow and controled steering.
ODI 11054830
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna . The contact stated while driving 45 mph the brakes started to engage. There was a beeping sound as the traction warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred approximately ten times. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the steering angle sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
ODI 10588329
Steering
Steering on our vehicle slips then becomes very hard to turn, and is becoming increasingly difficult to turn. When completing a turn, sometimes there is overcorrection due to this difficult turning then steering slippage fluid levels are fine, no leaks. Some sienna's have recalls on crank-shaft pulley that can cause steering problems, but currently our vin is not included in the recall. Vehicle has 71,000 miles on…
ODI 10456384