general problems of the 2006 Toyota Sienna - part 2

69 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2006 Toyota Sienna. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Toyota Sienna based on all problems reported for the 2006 Sienna.

36 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2012

My eight year old daughter got her four fingers on the right hand crushed by the sliding passenger automatic door when it was closing. The door did not open like it should. She does not feel the tip of her fingers. Help!.

37 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/10/2011

I bought a 2006 Toyota Sienna le awd for my special needs daughter . The sliding door snapped a cable and wouldn't open. ,so I had to crawl in from other side to get her out,that was not a easy task b/c she is immobile and could not help me with getting her out of special carseat and brace. . I think this should be Toyota's job to replace or at least help with replacing,if not I will never purchase or recommend this van to anyone. . I had her special seat on that side just for that reason and I will file a claim with this. .

38 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/07/2011

The passenger powered sliding door seized for a moment, opened, then closed then opened, then closed 3/4 of the way. It was then stuck in that position.

39 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/31/2011

Power sliding door stopped working, passenger side. I went out to load the kids in the van, and the power door opened about half way, then shut by itself. I then tried to open the door again, but it would only open a tiny bit and would not shut. I did not use the door any further until I took it back to the dealer to have it looked at. The final verdict, 1400 dollars to fix the door. I bought the van 2 weeks prior to this happening, and it only had 61,000 miles on it. The dealership refused to help out in any way, except that they did cut the cable and now we can use it as a manuel door. 5 year old van with 61,000 miles, and the automatic door failed. I wish I would have done a little more research, as this seems to be a very common problem that no one at Toyota wants to address.

40 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/04/2011

Auto sliding door will not close tightly- looks closed then when you put it in drive or reverse, the dor beeps and opens. Takes multiple times of pushing door button to get it to shut tight. Sometimes you have to get out and try and push it to lock. It is very difficult and now I don't use it becuase I'm afraid it won't close and a passenger would be in danger.

41 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/30/2011

The Toyota Sienna 2006 automated sliding side door began to stick and close more slowly about a month before it became permanently stuck. Once it became stuck, the door would not close, requiring me to drive with a half-open door to the dealership or have the car towed. When I took it to the Toyota dealership they informed me I could pay $1600 to replace the door motor and fix the cable. Toyota did not inform me that we could cut the cable as a way to make the door at least function. I requested they cut the cable, permanently converting the sliding side door to a manually operated sliding door. There should be a recall on this door malfunction, which places children sitting in the back area of the Sienna at risk when the sliding door unexpectedly fails.

42 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/30/2011

The power sliding door on the passenger side will not open (electronically or manually), and there is a broken steel cable extending from the back of that door toward the back of the rear passenger window. The dealer can't even open it. This a huge safety issue for us, and we may be forced to pay >$3,000 just to be able to open our door. Suppose there was an accident and the car was on the other side. . . We'd have a very tough time getting the kids out. This should be recalled.

43 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/23/2011

Upon returning home from picking up my child at school, I was unable to close the left sliding door to the van. I tried with all of the buttons (van, door frame, remote - I even disabled the automatic door and tried manually), but nothing worked. It would close about 2/3 of the way and that was it. I contacted Toyota USA and at first, the man with whom I spoke inferred that this was not a problem he had heard about. After some time, he admitted that this has been an issue in the past. At my local dealership, the technician stated that the plastic piece that goes on the cable is known to break, which is what happened to my van. These plastic pieces fell into the motor, which made it malfunction. In order for the automatic door to shut again, I would have to replace the entire motor and cable according to the technician. The estimate given was approx. $2300. This is not an unknown problem to Toyota; the design team recognized this issue and made improvements to later models yet there has not been a recall issued. Had I been out with one or both of my children, we would have been stranded, unable to close the door - automatically or manually. The door would not shut. I would like to see this issue investigated and for Toyota to take ownership of the problem.

44 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/31/2011

The motor on the sliding power door failed. I called Toyota and was told I would have to pay to repair it. I have an extended warranty on my car but it is not a covered component.

45 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/24/2011

Toyota Sienna 2006 (xle limited) sliding door problem: sliding door on driver's side got struck when opened and never closing back. Showed it to dealer and he confirmed that the motor failed and need a replacement.

46 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2011

Attempted to close automatic passenger side rear slider door and it became inoperable before closing. Alarm/beep alerted that the door was not closed, remaining open about six inches away from closing completely. The door remained stuck in the open position with five passengers (two adults/three children) traveling from there destination in a extremely dangerous and unsecured vehicle to there home. The seven year old triplets and adults in the auto had been exposed to a very unsafe and dangerous form transportation. Cables had to be released in order to close the door, and caused several failed attempts to properly secure the door, since cable lines are preventing complete closure. Vehicle was taken to Toyota dealer and diagnosed with a motor assembly failure at a cost of $1,750 dollars to repair. This has caused a seriously dangerous problem when exiting vehicle.

47 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2011

The back passenger side door of my Toyota Sienna does not work properly. When the button is pushed to close or open the door, nothing happens. It will open and close when the handle is lifted and the door is guided a little on the track. I have looked online and it seems to be a very common issue with Toyota Siennas. This disappoints me as it is a very expensive repair! I think a recall is in order.

48 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2011

The power door fails and will not close automatically. It seems to get lodged and subsequently stuck open. The power motor tries to move it but fails and stays open. You have to lift and assist to get the automatic feature to engage.

49 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/22/2011

2006 Toyota Sienna with 70000 miles on it passenger rear sliding door motor just quit working. Cost of repair is approximately $2000. Toyota referred my wife to extended warranty department for a $2600 extended warranty. Rear door is not usable and will not open unless we pay the $ 2000.

50 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2011

Both automatic side doors malfunctioned within one month of each other. The can open them manually from the outside, but it is difficult to do so (especially if parked on a hill) and is dangerous for small children. The passenger side door does not open from the inside. A cable is hanging off the passenger side of the van. This is a major inconvenience and it is unacceptable for this to happen - both doors within one month on a vehicle made by the name Toyota. We bought this van because we knew of Toyota's great reputation of durability and service and we expect Toyota to come through and rectify this situation. Also, I know we are not alone with this problem as there is over 560 postings on edmunds with similar complaints about the side doors. We request an immediate recall on these doors and expect them to be fixed free of charge!.

51 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/30/2011

My wife started the car and the air bag light started flashing. So we looked up in the owner's manual and it said to bring the vehicle in ASAP because the air bags could deploy on their own. We took vehicle to miller Toyota in manassas, va and they repaired the vehicle by replacing 2 passenger side air bags and the harness at a cost of $2353. 70 to us. Srs warning light continued flashing after start up. Dealer confirmed error code b0111. Passengers air bag and harness needs replaced. These items are covered with "updated parts" in a Toyota TSB 0162-10, dated 02/27/2008, covering Sienna model years 2004 through 2008. Over one hundred similar occurrences are found on various safety related and owner based internet sites. This is an obvious oem defect of a critical vehicle system that Toyota has been aware of for some time now.

52 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/30/2010

Latches/locks/linkages sliding electric side door jammed. The door will not shut or open. It is basically jammed and I have to put all of my weight into the door to get it to latch shut. Based on online complaints, it is not covered under warranty and will cost about $1500 to fix.

53 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/27/2010

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the speedometer was giving an inaccurate reading; it stated that the vehicle was traveling 5 mph faster than it actually was. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the margin of error was 1-5 percent. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 57,200. Updated 5/2/11 updated 05/13/11.

54 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/29/2010

Both power sliding doors have become inoperable. It is a safety issue because my children cannot open the doors from the inside of the vehicle. Toyota will not stand behind their product.

55 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/04/2010

The rear hatch on my 2006 Toyota Sienna xle had the struts replaced under recall. Now, the power hatch will occasionally fail to close. I have started driving the van on one or two occasions without realizing that the rear hatch was still open because it had failed to close. Luckily, nothing fell out of the back of the van, but I think it is a real danger. I brought it up with Toyota, and they told me it would cost $1500 to fix. The problem did not start until the recalled lift supports were put in so I don't think I should be responsible for these incompatible parts. I did an online search of this problem, and it is clear that this is a very common problem for those of us who have had our lift supports changed out.

56 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2010

Toyota Sienna le 2006 with 72,000 miles automatic broke down on the highway --- refusing to go beyond 35miles an hour and check engine light came on. The Toyota dealer claimed that the transmission had to be replaced at a cost of about 5500 + and diagnosed only transmission problem. To get a second opinion, we got the vehicle towed to aamco, the transmission experts. Aamco replaced valve body, torque converter, and their standard banner kit + transmission cooling system flush and clean. Aamco asked us to be soft on the transmission for a tank of gas. Inspite of driving slowly, we noticed that the transmission change from about 1st to 2nd gear was very slow and the car had like a hiccup when trying to accelerate and exhibited vibration at higher speeds. When we took it back to aamco, they test drove the same and now claim the computer (ecm?) is not learning the gear shift and needs to be replaced. Toyota dealer claims that the 8yr/80000mile warranty on the computer is only for a manufacturing defect and refuses to acknowledge that the computer is misbehaving. There is no check engine light or error code, but the vehicle remains sluggish. We are waiting for the pricing of the ecm module and would sincerely appreciate if the problem is acknowledged and resolved by Toyota. Gone are the days when Toyota was a reliable car --- we are frustrated with the whole episode and unfortunately are not confident of what else needs to get replaced to get the car up and running.

57 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2010

1. The passenger-side, sliding door on my '04 xle, 93,000 mi minivan just failed 2. Doors are key to safety and security! its happening more often and I'm afraid to carry my child in the car for the case of emergency. 3. I could not afford to pay $2200 repair cost of the door. It is same problem with everyone else that I have came across with! "the cable" and its not covered by the extended warranty since they knew it was going to happen. The exact parts that were in the needs were listed not to be covered. This is obvious reasons that is been recognized from the Toyota company. I have check and most of the Sienna owners are suffering from the exact problem. This got to stop!.

58 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/14/2010

Back hatch on Toyota Sienna xle (2006) will not close automatically (via buttons or fob) in warm weather (I. E. Over approx. 83 degrees). Must be closed manually. Only happens when vehicle has been sitting in sun. Have heard same complaint from numerous other owners of same make and model and later models. Started occurring shortly after new struts were installed to address recall for hatchback unexpectedly falling down without warning. Several engineers have suggested the new struts are too strong for existing hatchback motor (stronger strut mechanism used to prevent hatchback from falling). Recommend new motor to match strength of recall replacement struts.

59 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/01/2010

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. While driving at approximate speeds of 40 mph, the automotive skid control activated without warrant and would cause the vehicle to drive as if in neutral. When the failure would occur, all warning lights would illuminate on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing yet the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 72,000.

60 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/21/2010

Toyota Sienna le 2006 - tank 3/4 of the way full. 1/2 mile from our home, every light came on the dash board and we were unable to accelerate. The van began bucking - rpm's went from1 - 4 and back again. We were able to turn around and limp back home. Later that day, the van operated normally and the problem has not occurred again. Since we could not duplicate it, we did not take it to the dealer.

61 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/14/2009

I am with a family of four head to reno. I have four year and three year old son. We stop by the gas station to pick up some food and drink. After we open the sliding door on right side of the van and try to close when we get out. It's wouldn't close, no matter what we try. It's was raining too. I have a minivan Sienna 2006 xle. We know we have to cancel the trip. I will never forget those moment, I have to drive home with an open door on the right side of the van. I have to drive very slow speed around 25 - 35mph because we can't close it door. It was noisy, windy and wet, my kids were crying and scared. I am scare myself. I contact the capital dealer when we got home and of cause cancel the hotel. . Everything. I drove to the dealer again without the kids and wife. Here is the prices detail. Sliding motor & clutch $1232. 92 (85620-08042) , hinge assy. $125. 33(68380-08031), 5 hrs labor, $131 for diagnose(find the problem), total is $2144. 28. This is my third time shock. I tell myself, never buy expensive car again, "stay a way from automatic and manual is the best choices". Just want to share this story to everyone. Hope this help to some people and sorry for my english not that good.

62 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/17/2008

Original recall for back door stay kit, covered under warranty 12/17/08-dealership replaced rear hatch stays. Door continues to be faulty. When you press the button to close, it responds temporarily, than begins to lift.

63 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2008

Passenger sliding door would not open to let passengers escape from the vehicle. -- several time in last 4 years.

64 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/08/2007

The electric outlet does not work and if you try to charge your phone it blows the fuse . I have had 2 cases opened up with Toyota and 3 dealers tell me that they know about the problem but there is no fix. Problem has been on going since 6 months after I bought it new.

65 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/14/2007

2006 Toyota Sienna has several electrical problems. I have been taking my car to the dealership over six times to repair but it is the same thing. Check engine light comes on and I loose power on the freeway and I pull over and turn off the car and restart it and it works again. I had faulty sliding door and faulty airbag. I still have check engine light come on and power issues that Toyota that was covered under warranty and I have extended warranty but now they do not want to service my car anymore. They say I don't have warranty anymore.

66 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/10/2007

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. While driving downhill at various speeds, the contact has to apply the brakes. The transmission downshifts and fails to reshift into the correct gear. The dealer stated that the electronic control was the failure. The current mileage was 31,000 and failure mileage was 21,000. Updated 03/06/08. The consumer was not informed the vehicle had power assist brakes. The consumer stated when he slammed on the brakes, a more powerful braking would be applied. At that point, the consumer would hear a sound in the engine compartment and feel vibrations of the brake pedal.

67 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2006

The airbag light comes on even though the airbags have never been deployed. It goes off for a while then will come back on. Toyota will do nothing about it.

68 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/04/2006

The lcd display on the cd/radio gets garbled whenever the vehicle is idling and the a/c is set to max. All occurrences where when the vehicle was idling and no amount of turning it off and on would rectify the issue. However, if the vehicle were switched off and on the lcd would go back to normal.

69 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/15/1206

Left hand power door has opened and at a different time closed without any action by us. . Both times the vehicle was not moving! reason is unknown.



Safety Ratings of Sienna Cars
Fuel Economy of Sienna Vehicles
Sienna Service Bulletins
Sienna Safety Recalls
Sienna Defect Investigations