Nine problems related to steering wheel have been reported for the 1999 Toyota Sienna. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When making left turn above 20 miles per hour, steering wheel locks up and must wrestle it to return to center.
While driving and making a left hand turn the steering wheel locks up on the vehicle.
Steering wheel malfunctions. Yh.
The van pulls to the left and the steering wheel does not return to a centered position when making turns. I first reported this to the dealer 2 weeks after I bought the vehicle and since have had it in the shop 5 times for this problem. The Toyota salesman acknowledged that there was a problem with the car (since I gave it to him to test drive) yet the service department has not been able to fix it. This is a dangerous problem, an accident waiting to happen. I wrote the president of Toyota a letter about an incident 3 months ago where I almost went into on-coming traffic because I had to pick up some change from the floor and the car drifted to the left. If I don't keep a tight grip on the wheel, in some conditions, it will immediately go into the other lane. Calls to Toyota went unconcerned and the letter to the president of Toyota went unanswered.
While driving steering wheel moves by itself to the left or the right, consumer feels that this is unsafe because vehicle will turn by itself.
Steering wheel "locks" when returning from left turn while accelerating. Requires strong pull to return wheel to straight ahead position. Occurs intermitently, but repeatedly. Dealer "can find no problem. ".
When traveling and upon making a left hand turn steering wheel sticks in one position, causing poor steering control. Also, after applying excessive force to the steering wheel, the steering wheel goes back into position. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer. Please provide any further details. Pe99-070.
Upon acceleration and making a left hand turn, steering wheel stuck, causing poor steering control. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has yet to determine the cause. Please provide any further details.
The steering wheel locks up when attempting left hand turns and extreeme force must be used to compensate.