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
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. He stated that while driving at various speeds the steering wheel is very hard to turn and stay in one position . He stated that his vehicle was fine until it snowed and the salt on the roads made the steering intermiate shaft corrode. The dealer was contacted and they stated that there was no recall and that they will repair the vehicle at the owner's expense. There had…
ODI 10317831
Steering
We have a 2004 toyota sienna. We bought it new in 2004 from phillips toyota in leesburg fl. Three to four weeks ago, we started noticing a problem with the power steering when first starting in the morning. It feels like the power steering is jumping between working and not working with no warning indication of a problem. The feeling is that of having no power steering until the car has warmed for two to three…
ODI 10313122
Electrical System · Seat Belts · Steering
It happened twice during 2 weeks ago ( during heavy rain). I was driving my 2004 toyota sienna on a parking lot. The steering wheel is very hard to turn, it seems like i lost the power steering. After restarting the van, the problem disappeared. Next day, my wife encountered the same problem when she is picking up our kids from school. We believe there is a major problem with the electrical system or computer…
ODI 10303837
Steering
When turning corners, steering suddenly seizes up making it extremely difficult if not impossible to turn the wheel and preventing the vehicle from operating safely at low to medium speeds. It seems as if the steering problem happens most often when it is cold or wet out. Often we are required to come to a complete stop before the steering loosens up again. The dealer has been unable to recreate the problem. *tr
ODI 10445509
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. The contact stated that the power steering goes in and out on the vehicle. This has been re-occurring problem for the past six months. The steering will go out while making a left or right hand turn. The failure mileage was 130000 and the current mileage was 163000.
ODI 10321030
Steering
The steering binds during turns. I have noticed that the problem gets worse over time to a point that it seems dangerous to drive. When you turn the wheel, the wheel catches and turns the van real quickly in an uncontrolled manner. My mechanic has stated he needs to replace the steering rack. *tr
ODI 10302456
Steering
Steering wheel on toyota sienna 2004 making noise and stiff when turning left or right. Occurs when temperature drops below 40 degrees. *tr
ODI 10295435
Steering
While driving the vehicle (2004 toyota sienna), in an effort to make a turn, the steering wheel would lock, and not allow you to turn either direction for multiple moments. After taking it to toyota about 3-4 times (about dec 2009), they finally determined that it was a system failure in a self contained unit, that would prevent you from seeing it in the form of low power steering fluid, etc. At that time, it was…
ODI 10560017
Steering
I experienced significant difficulty (stiffness, lack of responsiveness) in the power steering of my 2004 toyota sienna. Subsequent examination by my dealership revealed that both the steering rack and pinion and the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced. The minivan has only 51,000 miles. *tr
ODI 10307762
Steering
Steering problem on 2004 toyota sienna. Steering will jerk as the wheel is turned - requires extra effort to turn the wheel and then will jerk through that direction. It then has tendency to stick, so vehicle continues turning when steering wheel grasp is relaxed. Operator needs to quickly respond to avoid loss of control. Problem is most pronounced when vehicle is cold but still noticeable after it has warmed up.…
ODI 10294614
Steering
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota sienna. When the contact started the vehicle, she noticed that the steering column became very stiff and difficult to maneuver when turning. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that a shaft was failing. The repair would cost $375. The contact is currently waiting for the parts to…
ODI 10280352
Steering
Steering wheel presents vibration and strange noise when fully turned to any side. Complained to toyota during the extended warranty and service was denied, stating that is was functional and not broken. Now (feb 2012, extended warranty expired) it is really getting worse and worse. Would toyota wait for the part to fail and someone to be killed to address the problem? There is a premature wear in the steering…
ODI 10446764
Steering
The universal joint at the bottom of the intermediate steering shaft has rusted and is seizing. This problem occurs at varying degrees dependent upon temperature and humidity. At it's best, steering is a little difficult and unpredictably responsive. At it's worse, steering is nearly impossible. It feels as though the power steering is alternating between working correctly and actually working against the driver.…
ODI 10264904
Steering
2004 toyota sienna steering. Steering suddenly binds while attempting to turn. Very hard to steer at times. Hard to control. *tr
ODI 10264778
Steering
Steering binding or increased steering effort on toyota 2004 sienna. Steering requires extra effort while turning, and does not always return by itself (requires effort to return to 0 degrees). This condition varies (different effort at different points in the turning arc) from turn to turn, making it a hazard for driving. It is similar to partial loss of power steering midway through a turn. Seems to be getting…
ODI 10264307
Steering
Steering suddenly began to bind when turning at low speed and increasing difficult to steer, especially in cold temperatures. Dealership found rusting knuckles on steering shaft and installed new shaft. Vehicle had only 42,000 miles. Never had a problem like this with 2 previous toyotas, one of them eleven years old! Very unsafe and expensive to repair. My opinion toyota should recall. *tr
ODI 10260818
Steering
Steering is binding on my 2004 toyota sienna. The dealership that i brought the vehicle to said they found no tsb for this vehicle yet this sight said two tsb's exist. The dealer charged me over $1400 and the steering problem still is not fixed. *tr
ODI 10259619
Manual Transmission · Steering
2004 toyota sienna steering. Steering suddenly binds while attempting to turn. Very hard to steer at times. Hard to control. There is 2 to 3 seconds delay and slight acceleration lag even when taking off from a stop. Couple of times i was close to run into accident. *tr
ODI 10267041
Steering
2004 toyota sienna: problems with the power steering. I live in ma and during the winter the power steering will intermittently work. There is not power steering from between 10 and 2 o'clock and then it will kick in. Also it will not return to zero on its own. Trying to make a turn you have to pull hard and then it will kick in and you almost run into the guardrail. After pulling back the other way it is hard and…
ODI 10298826
Steering
Corrosion of steering intermediate shaft universal joints. Steering got progressively worse and would bind when turning the vehicle. Very hard to control the vehicle while driving and making turns. *tr
ODI 10257252
Steering
2004 toyota sienna. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, it becomes difficult to turn, jams, and fails to turn back to the correct driving position. *tr
ODI 10258149
Steering
I have 67,000 miles on my van and i am presently on my 3rd set of 4 tires (12 total) averaging 20,000 miles for one set. I have a lifetime wheel alignment on the car when purchased new and have alignment checked every 5,000 miles. Never had a vehicle with this type of horrendous tire wearout which must be the suspension on the vehicle, i appear not to be alone due to numerous complaint. Can a recall be done based…
ODI 10259405
Steering
We have a 2004 toyota sienna. Once the weather turned cold we experienced severely hard turning. It is ok in the neutral position, however when steering left or right it is not only hard to turn but it will not return to neutral without much effort. Very dangerous. *tr
ODI 10258667
Steering
I began experiencing a stiffness in my power steering on 12-15-08. I checked the power steering fluid level and it appeared to be low. I added a few ounces. Two days of driving later and there was no change. I took the van to the toyota dealership today, 12-18-08, and they identified the problem as corrosion to the flex joint of the intermediate shaft of the power steering rack and pinion. They did tell me that the…
ODI 10252178
Steering
2004 toyota sienna steering binding, does not return to neutral position. Nhtsa pe08041 addresses this problem as corrosion of universal joint on intermediate steering shaft. Muller toyota of washington, nj [redacted] confirmed intermediate shaft needs to be replaced, cost $575.00 invoice #l75877. Have not replaced shaft yet, is toyota going to recall this defect? *tr
ODI 10253540