general problems of the 2004 Toyota Sienna - part 1

Toyota vsc and abs engaging and activating for no reason on dry pavement causing loss of proper control of the vehicle. The have been multiple occurrences on dry pavement between 30 and 65 mikes per hour. The car pulls to one side as the computer takes control of the car end engages the brakes suddenly for no reason. Vsc skid light goes on on the dash and there is a beeping sound while this happens. Very dangerous. Toyota USA notified and assigned case number 220201001364. They refuse to take any responsibility for this dangerous failure.

In motion, on dry, off-camber highway curves, with slight acceleration, the abs/vsc /trak engages, briefly jerking the steering to one side. Dash warnings: "vsc" "trak off" + "check engine". Reducing mechanical "slop" (wheel bearings, steering rack & pinion, etc. ) tends to reduce frequency of occurrence. Toyota dealer diagnosis: "steering control system fault". >"Toyota knows about -- but, does not know how to fix this problem. "< dealer-suggested workaround: "pull fuzes to disable vsc and abs systems. . . " dealer repair documents are with previous owner. . .

This vehicle has a traction control feature which helps keep it from skidding out of control in icy, wet, or otherwise unstable conditions. It can help an out of control vehicle get back into control by doing a variety of things, including braking. Previously this feature had only kicked on when I would slide on the snow during a low speed turn and would slide in the snow (which was good). But over the past few months, there have been two times that this feature has kicked on at high speeds (once at 40mph and once at 65mph) on dry roads, both while turning around a curve. Suddenly the braking system is applied without any warning and the vehicle swerves slightly and does what it wants for a few seconds. Then it stops. If this were to happen on an icy road at those speeds, the vehicle could certainly spin out of control. The vehicle could also swerve into an oncoming lane of traffic. I have seen many forums online where other Sienna owners are having the same issue and Toyota dealers say they can't replicate or fix the issue. This is certainly a safety issue that needs to be looked into by Toyota to see what is causing this issue. Thank you!.

While driving at or below the speed limit, under dry conditions, on curvy roads, the vsc dash light comes on and engages with beeping and automatic braking. The rapid deceleration and skidding, as the tires lock-up, makes control of the vehicle difficult and cars following must panic brake to avoid rear-ending my vehicle. Increasing occurrences over the past year.

When driving under normal conditions the vehicles' vsc will engage. The dashboard lights go off, there is a loud interior beeping sound, the abs engages, the car slows down drastically at once. The roads are dry. At first this happened while driving normal speed exiting or entering an hwy off/on ramp. Then happened yesterday as I was driving on neighborhood streets at about 25-30 mph. I could hear a rubbing on the back tires as if the brakes were on.

When driving in dry conditions at various speeds over 25 mph, the vsc warning light comes on, an alarm sounds and the antilock brakes engage for no reason. This is a terrifying and extremely dangerous issue that is well documented by so many Toyota Sienna owners but to date has not been addressed or acknowledged by Toyota. When taken to a dealership, they claim (as other owners have also stated) that they cannot replicate the problem and it does not register through the obd2 sensor so there is no record of it happening. With as many people as this is happening with, it is not a question of whether there will be accidents, injuries and ultimately deaths caused by this issue. The only question is when and how many have to occur before Toyota acknowledges this is a problem. Driving down the road, in traffic at 65 miles an hour when for no reason, the car slams on the brakes without warning. It is happening all the time at this point making the car completely unsafe to drive for the owner, the vehicle's occupants and any unsuspecting vehicle in the vicinity. I am begging you. Please get Toyota to issue a recall before tragedy strikes. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I am submitting the date below as today's date as the car is now sitting in my driveway until I can figure out what needs to be done. It has happened over the past 6 months every time I drive it and the $750 steering position sensor that Toyota replaced did nothing to address the problem.

The anti skid control light comes on from time to time when I am driving, especially on the highway. In addition to the light, there is warning beeping, as if I'm sliding on ice. At the same time, I completely lose control of the acceleration and braking. It's very scary, and I am concerned for my safety and my family's. This has happened multiple times on clear, dry days, so it's definitely not caused by the road being wet or icy.

Traction control all of a sudden started turning on at every turn automatically making the car lock its brakes I'm pretty sure this is not the first you guys have heard of this.

When on a curve the traction control engages affecting the brakes and steering of the vehicle. Speed does not seem to matter, it has engaged at 10mph and at 65 mph. Last straw was when it engaged on the straight away on the highway at 65mph in the high speed lane dropping the speed down to 35mph almost causing a serious accident. It's been happening for a couple of months and two independent mechanics were not able to figure out the problem even after running a moving vehicle diagnostic. It went off a total of 18 times in a aproximate 15 minute, three mile drive with the mechanic. After watching many videos, and complaints online, why hasn't something been done on this issue that has been going on for over eight years now? I'm afraid to take this vehicle on the highway anymore!!!.

Traction control malfunction. While driving on curvy roads there is a beeping alarm, steering locks up, brakes engage. The car seems to think that the traction is off. This has been a problem for over a year. No problems driving in city. Only happens on curvy roads.

The anti-skid control engaged when turning slightly on the freeway. When it engaged at highway speed (roughly 55mph) it pulled me into oncoming traffic. This is a known problem with this vehicle that should have been recalled.

I have a 2004 Sienna with ~125,000 miles on itand this problem has been going on for about 2 months. It happened twice in a span of 5 minutes, and then didn; since then it has occurred with greater frequency and intermittent severity. In almost all cases, it occurs when driving 55-70 mph and while going around a right hand bend in the road, the "skid" light will come on, beep, and then the brakes will suddenly engage, causing the car to pull one way or the other (often left towards oncoming traffic). As soon as you exit the curve, the light goes off and you can accelerate back to speed.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the traction control warning indicator illuminated and the warning chime started. The ability to steer and brake seized. The steering wheel started to jerk from left to right. The contact kept on driving, and then the failure went away after 30 seconds, the contact also stated that the failure started randomly approximately a year ago and just gotten worse. The contact also mentioned thai the lock on the sliding door shows open, but you can not exit the vehicle when attempting to open the door from the inside, nor will open from the outside. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Bp.

When traveling at highway speeds and usually on a slight curve to the right, the traction control alarm and breaks go off causing the van to jerk and shake. We have been told this might be low tire pressure but the tires are fine. We have had an alignment, new tires this problem happens randomly and we have not been able to reproduce it for the mechanic. We have been dealing with this for a couple of years maybe happening 20 times. I feel it is just not safe enough to drive or pass this problem on to someone else. I wouldn't want the car on the road with me either I have read online of other Toyota Sienna's with the same exact problem. This is not isolated and is a safety concern.

Knock sensor and vsc are malefunctioning.

Driving on a dry straightaway highway traveling 67mph and skid light starts blinking with chime sound and van starts breaking and jerking to left alomost getting rear ended by tailgater. .

Traction control beeps and brakes hard at unnecessary times, even on freeway on ramps, endangering the occupants and other cars. Repeated trips to mechanics have failed to cure the problem. This has been going on for several years and occurs every day.

For no reason the vsc and traction alarm goes off the vehicle brakes on its own dangerously. It is happening daily. Usually when going high speed and around a left bend. I went and had the system reset as is called for after alignment. That didn't fix it. I had the steering angle sensor replaced and that didn't fix it. The yaw replaced and that didn't fix it. So now what? this is dangerous for my family.

I am having a massive problem with my vsc. Randomly, regardless of speeds (it's happened going 70 as well as 25, and 40 mph), my vsc will kick on, kill my speed, and cause me to swerve. As you can imagine, going 70 on an interstate with other vehicles around and having this happen is life threatening not only to me and my family but other vehicles around me. Reading on several auto forums, this problem has been drawn to the attention of Toyota corporate to no avail. It is absolutely beyond me that they see no reason to file a recall.

When I drive my van the vsc and trac off lights come on intermittently and cause the vehicle to bog down and pull towards oncoming traffic. I took my van to the dealership and they suggested replacing the steering sensor. We replaced the sensor and the problem persists. With no codes coming up they say they can't fix my van. It happens while driving around corners at 35 mph mostly but has also happened a few times on the freeway at 70. All times it has happened so far has been on dry pavement. Toyota doesn't seem to think that there is really a problem since no codes are coming up on their code reader. Due to the frequency of the issue I am having it could be disastrous and end up in a head-on collision. How come this vehicle hasn't been recalled. I have included a photo of my service report from the dealership. Also there are multiple complaints in different forums regarding this same issue and as far as I have read there is really no resolving it.

Traction-control malfunction during speeds over 40. Vehicle traction control engages, at any time and suddenly. Abrupt braking and warning light.

Traction control kicks in for no reason, tration beeping and tires lock,at freway speed traction control activates and cuts off speed dramatically. Very unsafe to drive.

While driving at 55 mph or faster, generally on a right hand bend, the vsc will activate pulsing the brake and violently pulling the car to the left and towards oncoming traffic. The skid light goes on, and the car beeps until you are out of the turn and then it goes away. This problem has been intermittent for about 6 months but has gotten much worse and more frequent in the previous 2 months. It has been to the dealership several times and they do not know what to do. There are no error codes. The best they can say is "you're going to fast. . . " which is a wholly unacceptable answer considering we are going the speed of traffic and no more than 0-10 over the speed limit.

I just bought a 2004 Toyota Sienna xle. When driving the vehicle home I experienced the vsc (traction control system) go off with the dash light illuminating, audible tone beeping and brakes automatically applied all while on dry clean road. The first incident I was making a slight right turn to get on an onramp to the freeway. I was traveling at approximately 35mph when the vsc was activated and caused me to veer hard right and almost hit the right onramp rail. The second time I was getting off the freeway I made a slight right turn at about 30mph and the vehicle veered right from the left lane to the middle of the right lane. I took the vehicle to my mechanic and said that he ran diagnostics on the vehicle and there is no error codes in the computer and does not know what the issue is. Mileage is 125,600.

The vsc traction control system activates on it's own. Driving the van it automatically comes on and brakes the van, dashboard light and beeping noise comes on. Brakes you automatically causing the van to veer to the right. This malfunctioning devise with the yaw system is continuing after many trips to the local Toyota dealer. They currently have the van and are replacing part after part and the problem still persists. Contacted Toyota headquarters and filed a complaint with them but they say there is no recall on this van. Checked on line and found many other Toyota Sienna owners who are experiencing the same issues as we are. This is a dangerous safety hazard which can cause an accident. As of today's writing the problem has not been diagnosed by Toyota.

When turning in a slight curve on dry surfaces the anti skid control mechanism is activated and the car begins to turn a hard right, it begins to automatically slow down and the internal beeping sound is activated. It is very hard to control the van when it happens and with the automatic slowing of the vehicle if we on a highway I fear we will be rear ended. The internet is full of other 2004 Sienna van owners experiencing the exact same issue. It is very dangerous and scary.

My family and I were traveling on the highway at approximately 70 mph when the traction control/vehicle stability control activated causing a beeping sound along with the dash icon blinking. This in turn locked up the left front tire. The van violently swerved to the left and I luckily gained control and pulled to the side of the highway. I thought I had just experienced a tire blow out, but to my surprise nothing was amiss. My wife was distraught at what had just occurred considering the consequences if a vehicle had been next to us at the time. Now, driving much slower and white-knuckling the steering wheel, we proceeded to the nearest Toyota dealer which was roughly 20 miles away in asheville, nc. Along the way, the incident occurred two more times. Keep in mind that the skies were sunny and the road dry. Arriving at the dealership we waited while the car was looked over. After five hours we were told they could not find anything wrong. I did not accept this and told them that I found hundreds (if not more) of postings on the internet with people having the same incident. I also informed them that Toyota had redesigned the steering angle sensor (yaw) in 2005 and asked if that could be the problem. The service writer excused himself and twenty minutes later returned with a Toyota service bulletin referring to the sensor. They then ordered the new sensor and we rented a car to continue our trip. Returning five days later to pick up the van, we were told the new sensor was installed and a zero point calibration/alignment performed. I paid the $692. 00 and drove away. My wife and son stayed in the rental car, since the a/c had mysteriously stopped working when the initial incident occurred. While following them home, the traction control/vsc activated a total of four more times. No one knows how to fix this problem. Toyota should recall and fix this.

The vsc sensor is activating during normal driving conditions without warning. This is causing the van to aggressively apply the brakes and lose acceleration. This issue mainly occurs when turning down while going down hill, however it happens randomly in other instances as well. I have been in several life threatening instances where the brakes are being applied while traveling through mountains with large semi trucks behind me. . Nearly causing several accidents. My research points to a few things that could possibly be the culprit: the yaw sensor stearing wheel rotational position sensor vsc computer module this video captures exactly what is happening to my vehicle. . Read more...

At 108190 miles I had the front end aligned. They attached a snap on analyzer and did a code link computer reset. As I left, the vsc light came on and would not turn off in spite of doing a zero point calibration. I took the vehicle to the Toyota dealer where I bought the van new on 5/8/2003, he ran his diagnostics, got no error codes, and claimed that I needed to replace brake actuator assembly at a cost of $2721. Out of warranty. No recall on this model. Too bad. Others have seen this problem on other 2004 Toyota's. The danger is that after the light is on the vehicle may decide to apply hard braking at any time and at any speed. Toyota redesigned the system in 2005. I am concerned that this will happen to me. Toyota recalled some vehicles with this problem with the vsc system in later models, why not the first year of the problem? I have heard that there is a soft recall for this problem.

Vsc light turned on after front wheel alignment, two dealers cannot make it go off. It appears that stabilization was not working for some time. Light only appeared after alignment procedure. Electronics are part of a $2700 abs module. Abs works. No indication of the lack of vsc is a safety issue. Others have seen this problem. Apparently Toyota redesigned the system for the next year's model.

Unexpected vehicle stability control activation while driving resulting in automatic braking and unexpected steering pull. I have been experiencing this issue over the past 4-5 years. There have been times where this issue has led to almost striking vehicles around me. I have brought the vehicle to a Toyota dealership, but they have not been able to fix the issue. On several online bulletin boards, other owners of Toyota Sienna have complained regarding the same issue. I just read in the news that similar issues are occurring on 2001-2002 Toyota sequoia.

My rear door is not working, I have visited two Toyota dealership and they told my the rear lift gate and rear hatch latch both of them needs to be replace. We did that relapacemt . The problem has not being solved, we tried to make the door working manually instead of automatically also this way is not helpful. It looks like we reaching to closed way.

I have experienced the issue with 2004 Sienna le with 130,500 miles. Traction control kicks in at 45-60 miles per hour on straightaway, clean pavement, no rain, no snow, and brakes car and cuts power. Almost lost control of vehicle when it happened, steering into other lanes. It happens frequently and is very possible to have the car rear ended if a car behind me is closing on as the speed suddenly slows down. Apparently this is a big issue that I found lot of other Sienna owners is sharing from the forum. As far as I know that many Toyota dealership is not intend to acknowledge such issue and able to fix them.

When driving through a turn (more often at highway speeds) the car traction control activates when there is no emergency. This is always accompanied by beeping, flashing tcs light, and sometimes by emergency braking which slows car and takes it off the intended line creating a dangerous situation for the driver and cars nearby.

Vehicle stability system engaging brakes unexpectly during turns placing van in unsafe condition. Unexpected braking can also occur at 65 mph in a turn!.