2017 Toyota Sienna problems

“I own a 2017 Toyota Sienna XLE Premium, FWD, 8-passenger,equipped with the UA80E automatic transmission. At approximately 150,000 miles, the transmission began making a whine in 3rd gear and higher, most noticeable under steady throttle and worse after the vehicle warms up. The sound appears to come from the transmission, but the exact failed component has not been confirmed. A drain and refill with Toyota ATF WS reduced the noise temporarily, but it returned after about 1,000 . The vehicle had approximately 156,000 miles when I last tracked the issue. I am concerned this may be an internal transmission bearing or other component failure. A transmission replacement or rebuild could cost thousands of dollars and Toyota has a ZJC but I’m told my vehicle isn’t covered although it fits the dates and requirements. I am reporting this issue to document the failure and ask NHTSA to investigate whether other 2017 Sienna vehicles equipped with the UA80E transmission experience similar whining or premature internal wear.”

“power sliding door (behind front passenger) does not fully engage arresting hook and tends to immediately return to open position and after hitting the button again starts welling. It started about eight months ago. Now it isn’t connected at all, I just open or close it and it slides but don’t try to open it first if it’s locked or the alarm blares. I may have pulled or pushed it too many times trying to open or close it so I could drive the car. Looks like others have had the same issue with their driver side passenger door too.”

“on July 3rd, traveling on highway to airport tire blew out (right rear). Pulled to side of road and attempted assistance but this was friday afternoon before july 4th holiday, NOTHING was going to happen except a tow - possible wait as long as 2-3 hours. reportedly the Sienna has drive flat (50 miles at 50 mph) We drove 5 mph for approx 3 to 4 miles to tire store/Les Schwab. Flat was replaced but then on inspection ALL remaining tires had card showing wear on inner tires. ALL 4 (including the blowout). Pictures submitted . Of particular concern is that we had taken the vehicle about 10 K prior (March)specifically for tire wobble noise and to fix alignment. Wear was noted, but no safety concerns raised and no cautionary recommendations offered. When we brought the vehicle and tires to the dealer AFTER the blowout we were told by service manager that the early wear was a known problem to occur specifically on the all wheel Siennas. Again, NO CAUTIONARY ADVICE GIVEN in March despite recognized wear and this known history. We had a blowout in heavy holiday traffic at 60 mph less than 10K /3month later. This easily could have been catastrophic. We reported to Toyota…”

“Subject: Safety Defect Complaint – 2017 Toyota Sienna (VIN: [XXX] ) Dear NHTSA Safety Division, I am submitting a safety complaint regarding my 2017 Toyota Sienna, VIN [XXX] . In June 2023, while traveling on I-81 South in Virginia with my family of seven, the van stalled suddenly and emitted white smoke from under the hood, then the engine completely failed. The vehicle had only 111,000 miles. The repair would have cost $15,000, and I had to sell the van in 2024 for $4,000, suffering significant financial loss. Toyota informed me no recall applies to my VIN, although many 2017 Siennas experienced fuel pump failures causing stalling. As a person with disability and serious health issues, this incident caused extreme stress, hardship, and risk to my family. I request that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect to determine whether other 2017 Siennas are affected. Sincerely, Your Name Phone Number Address”

“The fuel filler door assembly on this 2017 Toyota Sienna failed structurally due to a defective hinge mechanism. This defect directly compromises a critical vehicle safety system. The Sienna is engineered with a physical safety interlock cable that links the fuel door to the driver-side sliding passenger door. This system is designed to prevent the heavy power-sliding door from operating while the fuel cap is off, protecting occupants from injury and preventing the door from violently striking a gas station fuel pump nozzle during refueling. Because the fuel door assembly failed, the safety interlock mechanism was compromised, presenting an immediate risk of fuel pump damage, fuel spillage, or passenger injury from the sliding door. Toyota corporate previously issued a Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) to address this specific structural defect. However, my local franchised Toyota dealership refused to preform comprehensive repair, claiming they "only cover the pin". This dealer non-compliance forced me to seek immediate out-of-pocket repairs at an adjoining facility to restore the vehicle's structural safety interlock system. Toyota Corporate is refusing to…”

“While driving at speed, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of engine power and stalled in traffic. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who found a failed factory-installed Denso fuel pump module. This failure mirrors Toyota Safety Recall 20TA02 (NHTSA Campaign 20V012) for the exact same model year 2017 Toyota Sienna, but my specific VIN is currently excluded from the recall list. The un-recalled defective component created an immediate highway safety hazard as me and my family were left stranded in the middle of the road. We waited for hours at the risk of oncoming traffic until we were able to have a tow truck lift the van and take to the nearest repair facility (an independent service center - Goodyear Auto Service). The repair facility diagnosed the problem and confirmed that the fuel pump failed to generate enough pressure causing the vehicle to stall and not start again. To correct the problem, the fuel pump was replaced with an OEM toyota fuel pump module assembly.”