general problems of the 2001 Toyota Sienna

The steel cable for the power sliding door snapped while door was being opened electronically. The right side sliding door was unable to open wider than a foot since the cable snapped while in operation. Passengers, including children, had to exit the parked vehicle through the driver's side sliding door into oncoming traffic. The door remained inoperable until we were able to cut the remaining length of steel cable hanging from the vehicle onto the roadway with wire cutters. The door now is a manual sliding door until the entire motor and steel cable system can be replaced.

Instrument and vehicle lights began to flicker. Electric drivers seat works randomly and background light for radio has stopped working as well as the cruise light stopped working on the instrument display.

The rear automatic sliding door fails to open or close. Can no longer be opened manually from inside or outside. Seen reports of same or similar issues on line. Other electrical issues have appeared with the vehicle as well.

The left and right rear passenger doors failed to open due to breakage of the cable. I am uncertain of whether the child safety locks were engaged, however, the doors will not open wider than approx. 6". Rear passengers had to crawl out of the van via the driver's or front passenger door. I am elated that the failure of the doors did not occur during a hazardous condition, since this would have placed the rear occupants in extreme danger. If Toyota and NHTSA was aware that there is a failure in the cables and the manual release of the rear doors, there should have been a safety alert and/or recall of the vehicles for repair of the vans. The failure of the doors is not simply a matter of cosmetic issues, it is potentially hazardous and life threatening. At a minimum, the doors should have allowed for manual opening and closing, if the cables should break. The breaking of the cable, along with the inability to open the door is a defect in workmanship, since the door did not open to allow the passengers to exit the vehicle. I am requesting, along with all of the other owners who have registered complaints, that the agency investigate this matter. At a minimum, the doors shoud default to manual mode.

Power sliding door stuck.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the passenger's side sliding door warning lamp illuminated indicating that the door was ajar. The contact mentioned that the failure drained the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the sliding door electronic control unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 32,231 and the current mileage was 34,451.

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the brakes were depressed with the vehicle turned off. He then shifted into reverse and the vehicle began to roll backward. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle until it stopped. In addition, the driver side running board melted and fractured in several places. The dealer advised that they were unable to replace the running board because it was no longer in stock. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 113,770. Updated 11/15/10 the dealer was able to duplicate, but was unable to solve it. Updated 11/26/10.

Vsc and engine check light came on. When I brought to dealer. They told me gas cap was not on tight. I thought that was an incorrect diagnosis since the cap was on and I had been filling my gas for more than 3 years. They reset the vsc light and gave me car back after charging me $98. Light came back on one week later.

Our 2001 Toyota Sienna has problem with the entire electrical system. The lights, interior and exterior, as well as all electrical outlets pulsate. They continuously fluxuate from dim to bright. There are even times when I have it on cruise and press on the brake that the radio goes off temporarily. Toyota has attempted to fix it but now they tell us that this is common with the Siennas and avolans that have automatic climate control. They tell us that this is not a safety issue that I just need to drive it as is. We certainly disagree. Since this effects the entire electircal system, we are concerned that we may have a complete power failure while traveling. We also, are concerned since this is an electrical malfunction, we do not want to ever experience an electrical fire. Finally, we are concerned about driving at night with lights that rapidly fluxuate between dim and normal. I posted the date as may because this is when we first realisted this was happening. We bought the car in March.

2001 Sienna bought new from dealer. Driver side passenger power slide door had problems with 'switch' and ecu 8/2002, 11/2003, 1/2004, 7/2004, 7/2006 4/2007. Those are just the times I brought it in. Other times I just let it go for a while. Toyota fixed part until warranty was up. Now they want me to pay to replace the parts -- parts that continue to fail. Sliding door either does not open via power button, or will not close all the way. Safety issue when can not get door to close all the way. Now the other power slider door is also not working. I wrote to Toyota 5/2007, they never even acknowledged my letter.

1. Electric sliding door opens while driving. Interior lights won't shut off while driving. Check engine light stays on. 2. Driver distraction. 3. Toyota "resets the brain" but it is just a matter of time before it fails again.

Vehicle skid control computer broke and needed to be replaced ($2000).

Complaint regarding the 2001 Toyota Sienna driver's side door continuously opens and closes. The only way to stop the door was to disengage the power and close it manually. The dealer determined that the motor that operates the power door and the ecu needed to be replaced at a cost of $1939. The manufacturer has agreed to assist with the cost of the repair, however the consumer's portion is still quit costly.