general problems of the 2006 Toyota Sienna - part 1

My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!.

Bought the van used last year. Previous owner said mechanic could not diagnose the issue. On slight curves similar to on-ramps while accelerating the vehicle stability control (vsc) will engage unexpectedly, sound an alarm and jerk the steering wheel. Some times to the point of pulling the vehicle out of its lane. Road speed is decreased dramatically as it feels as though the abs is engaging. This has happened to me at least half a dozen times since June 2023. The condition will continue for maybe five or ten seconds until the wheel is straightened and speed reduced. Searching the internet seems it's a fairly common problem. The fix might be to replace the steering rack or disable the vsc system. It's reported by those experiencing the issue get little to no help from the dealerships which strikes me as quite strange. . . From what I've read it seems to affect 2004-2009 Siennas.

My Toyota Sienna xle 2006 vsc and abs comes on when I drive uphill or downhill mostly when I steer to the left. This is a situation common on freeway ramps in or out. When this happens the car slows down abruptly beeps a loudly. This is an issue reported by many owner of that vehicle model across several years.

When driving on a curve traveling about 30 to 45 mph. The traction control engages in perfectly dry road conditions. It automatically brakes and jerks the car one way or the other. Very dangerous, especially since you're traveling on a curve when it most often happens and you basically lose your ability to control the vehicle. I won't even let my wife drive the car. There's no known remedy for this problem and I can't even sell the car.

Slip light indicator comes on and alarm goes off, while anti-lock brakes engage. This is happening while I'm driving on the highway never in the city. The car starts pulling to the right sometimes almost pulling me off the road. The road conditions are completely normal and dry no gravel in it no reason whatsoever for the anti-lock brakes to start engaging. When this first started happening it only happens on curves while I was driving approximately 35 mph. After a couple of months it started happening also while I was driving approximately 70 miles an hour going straight on a dry road. It almost pulled me off into a ditch. The steering is affected I can barely steer but I have managed to keep the car on the road. This is now happening more frequently. I was almost pulled into another car to my right once. At first it was only every couple of months but now I had it happen twice in about a hundred mile trip. There's no way I can get a mechanic to have this happen because you can't predict when it will happen and many miles it won't happen. It is very very dangerous and I'm afraid to take my Toyota Sienna on the highway now. After researching it I have found that many people are having this trouble with their Toyota Sienna's there needs to be a recall or a repair. Apparently Toyota mechanics have replaced all kinds of things in the Sienna's but nothing has fixed the problem.

Vcs lights activate, alarm sounds and auto breaking while traveling at posted speeds while going around curved roads. Creates loss of control. Dealer has no remedy, mechanic has no remedy. Many similar issues found on on-line forums.

When cornering the vans stability control activated without warning and modulates the abs brakes and beeps and becomes very unstable. My wife and I have both experienced this and fear it will cause a car accident. It is not happening all the time but makes me worry every time we drive a windy road. We had the Toyota zero point calibration done, have replaced wheel bearings and done an alignment which have not changed it at all. It typically happens on curvy roads between 25 and 65 mph.

Traction control warning sounds and vehicle auto brakes - hard. Conditions were clear. Often this happens while the van is in a curve. Speeds vary from 30s to 70s (on the interstate). This creates a very unsafe situation.

Traction control and abs activated on dry roads acting like the vehicle thought it was going into a slide/skid. This could have caused a serious crash! ## #vpic# 1 - check digit (9th position) does not calculate properly; 2 - VIN corrected, error in one position; 14 - unable to provide information for all the characters in the VIN. #vpic#.

About a year ago the slip indicator light (car with swervy lines) started coming on intermittently and without warning while turning on highways or roads in dry conditions without any risk of tires slipping. The abs activates without warning and the vehicle slows down on its own. The situation is very dangerous. No known fix from Toyota.

Electronic anti-sway override kicks in for no apparent reason at highway speeds. Usually when taking slight banks or turns over 35 mph.

Tl- the contact owns 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while exiting an dependent mechanic lot, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the steering wheel seized, the brake pedal failed, the vehicle started to spin around at least four times to the left, crashing in twice to a park vehicle while spinning. The contact quickly powered off the engine to stop the vehicle from spinning. The contact waited one hour before the vehicle was restarted and the driver was able to drive the vehicle to the contact residence. The contact stated that she was in shock and was not aware of any warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact sustained foot, right hips and back injuries, the front passenger also sustained back injuries and both required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Aw.

Check engine light, vsc light, traction control light. All 3 lights came on at same time. They say it's the gas cap, it's not the gas cap, they say to reset it, that doesn't work. I was driving home, nothing happened, the lights just came on. No warning sound, nothing to indicate there was a problem, my car seems to drive just fine, but the lights won't go off, and I have 3 kids that I take and pick up from school.

I was driving 65 mph on the highway going straight on dry pavement and suddenly a buzzer sounded, the vsc light came on, and the steering wheel and brakes were taken over by the vsc system and the car started weaving out of control. I could not steer or break the car. The situation is unpredictable. It easily happened on curvy or bend road and has happened 3-4 times in this year. It is scary.

While driving the stability warning light comes on, starts beeping loudly and my brakes and steering wheel lock up. This has happened multiple times on the freeway, on freeway entrances with a slight turn and even while just driving straight. Each time, the weather was clear and the roads are dry. This happens whether I am driving at a slow speed entering a slight turn on the highway anywhere from 20 to 40 mph and has recently happened while driving about 50 mph on a dry highway just driving straight. The car has also began beeping and flashing the stability light without locking up the steering and brakes. I have almost cause a few accidents with cars almost rear ending my van and me almost sideswiping other cars while this is happening and I have no control of the car. This is frightening! I have had my struts replaced, right drive shaft, brakes, tires, alignment. The repair shops say they have not been able to duplicate this issue when they drive it. There does not appear to be a recall on anything to do with this which is shocking. I have a Sienna van so I can carry multiple people with me. I have my infant grandchild with me in this van each day as well as my teenage daughter. I have an appointment with maita Toyota tomorrow morning (1/25/18), we'll see what they say, but honestly, I feel Toyota needs to stand by their cars and fix this issue at no charge. There are complaints describing this exact issue all over the internet so it is not an isolated problem. This form asks for the date this happened below, I'll add todays date, but it has been going on for over a year.

Stability and/or traction controls (yaw ?) seemed to want to believe the vehicle was in an understeer -- causing the vehicle to want to brake automatically, sounding a traction control alarm. On a bone - dry road !!!.

Steering rack is leaking and it is a very common problem across internet. This could cause accidents on highway. The steering makes a weird automated sound when car makes sharp turns on slow speed. I can see the leaks around the steering rack. The leak caused my bearings to fail which costed around 1000 to repair. Had alignment done three times but it gets misaligned easily. The dealers would like to get at least $1200 to fix the issue. Dealers know that it is a common safety issue but doesn't take it as a recall worthy. Hope NHTSA can help here.

Steering rack is leaking and this is a danger to people a serious danger. People with vans usually have children and I am reading of all these complaints with the steering tack leak. Toyota is being absolutely ridiculous. We as consumers need to voice more because the more we speak and voice our concerns for our lives the less costs effective it would be for them to ignore us. Remember they do not care about who dies from their lack of concern it is about how much they make and I want a recall for this defect!!!.

2011 @38000 miles car was diagnostic at dealer with leak power steering rack pinnon assembly, cost roughly $1400 to repair 2016 @65000 miles car was diagnostic at dealer with the same problem for the same part again, dealer want another $1400 for repairing. Called Toyota, customer service was nice and gave me a case number but found no solutions in Toyota's database and want me to contact dealer for financial discount for repair. Searched google and found many similar complaint regarding to steering issues and wonder can this be a design faults or a oem component quality for a safety concern - was warned that "lose of steering capability can cause a accident. " also repeat charging customers for the same expensive assembly of 27000 miles interval should proof the case - it is either a quality or design related problem.

Crack or sticky dash due to stick dash sun reflect to your eye which blind you while driving that is dangerous for an accident.

Driving various speeds, up hill or down and into corners especially the traction control or stability control system would engage the brakes and cut engine power, alarm beeping. Happened several times over a one hour trip. Streering would pull to the right. Driving conditions were such that the system should not have engaged at all. Dry, warm, newer tires driving recommended speeds for the road. All drivers on the road were at risk with the sudden breaking and steering pulling into another lane.

My 2006 Sienna has a low mileage, 38k. A couple of days ago, when replacing the front brake pads, I noticed the power steering rack boot on the front passenger side is leaking. I googled it online and found so many 2nd generation Siennas are having the same issue. So it much be a design flaw. Toyota needs to issue a recall for this.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became stiff. The contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,000.

My 2006 Toyota Sienna has only 66,500 miles on it and when I took it to the dealer for inspections, I was told that it needed a new power steering rack and a wheel alignment to go with it. The charge for the same is $1300 plus. I am seeing several people having the same issue with the 2006 Toyota Sienna. When I called Toyota about it, they mentioned that my vehicle is not under recall for this purpose. It does seem to be a design issue and I believe Toyota should take ownership of this issue.

Sometimes when starting for the first time, I try to turn the wheel but it is locked (as if it is all the way to one side but it is not) - the wheels are turned the opposite side. The times I have noticed this behavior my wheels have been turned to the right, and when I try to back out of the driveway I am trying to turn the wheel to the left but the steering wheel is locked up as if it is all the way left and cant go any more. To free it up I need to turn the wheel slightly to the right (maybe a quarter turn) then I can turn the steering wheel back to the left a couple turns if I like and everything is normal. I usually notice this on Sunday mornings - the car may have been sitting all day Saturday . . I am trying to put my finger on it but can't seem to. I have not noticed any issues while driving down the road . . But it is a little concerning. The problem has been happening for quite some time now and I thought maybe I should report this .

Tear on the boot of the power steering rack, passenger side. I researched on the internet and found this was not uncommon for Toyota Sienna 2006. Some said Toyota seemed to fix it in the 2007 model. Toyota may keep quiet about the problem. The boot is too close to one of the belts. Any debris (rock or ice or piece of metal) could be sling-shot by the belt and hit the rubber boot. This is a potential safety issue, the exposed steering joints could rust and break in the highway. They should put a protective plate between the boot and the belt.

Initially, steering is stiff when the vehicle is started and the steering wheel is turned. I am afraid that it might happened when the car is running at high speed. It would appear that there was a recall including the 2005 Sienna, but apparently the 2006 model year is not covered. Thanks for looking into this matter, best regards.

Noticed leak in front passenger side of Sienna van. Took to dealership, who identified the leak source as the steering rack. Part was not replaced under warranty, as too many years and 423 miles beyond warranty period. Broken part 44250-08040 replaced part as Toyota 44250-08041 failure of part, if not caught soon, enough, could cause loss of steering control while driving. Toyota is well aware of the problem and even issues a service bulletin as TSB-0097-12 in addition to a new replacement part. There are many complaints about the failure of this part not long after warranty period is over. I believe the part was defective as installed. I add my voice to the many who have replaced this part and wish to complain about the lack of response from Toyota corporation. Dot should investigate this and similar steering rack parts. After Toyota brushed off my complaint via phone support, I received written usps mail identifying a warranty enhancement notification for a separate problem with the dashboard/instrument panel , due to cracking and sticky dashboards. Obviously, if enough affected owners document their complaints about failing steering racks, Toyota might become serious about the problem. Typical cost of part is $1200-$1600.

While trying to make a turn (several times since the first episode, like 10 more) the steering wheel gets locked and doesn't respond to the way that I'm trying to steer, it's get locked or really hard to maneuver, and just because I'm turning at slow speed I haven't had an accident. Last time I was backing up from my driveway and then I couldn't move to any side (left or right), it was locked for like 1 minute. I don't know if there is any recall about this problem.

Passenger side steering rack boot leak. Discovered at Toyota dealership during oil change.

During routine 60k mile maintenance I was informed the "steering rack" is "leaking from the passenger side". After only 61k miles, this seems to be an early failure of such a major component.

Steering oil leak on passenger side found during routine oil change.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not slow down which resulted in a crash. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The contact also stated that she noticed problems with the steering mechanism as the vehicle always steered to the right. The air bag service light also illuminated intermittently; the vehicle was repaired for the air bag light failure several times but the problem continued to occur. The current and failure mileages were 59,363.

Problem with the steering shaft due to corrosion; there is an increased effort to turn the steering from neutral or to return after turning. I feel this is a defect that could result in casualties and Toyota refuses to address it. This started approximately 4 months ago and was reported to Toyota customer service. The local dealership agrees that this is not a typical part that goes out on a 3 1/2 year old vehicle.

In early 2008, my 2006 Toyota Sienna began to pull to the right side of the road. I noticed that then I let go of the steering wheel, the car would drift sharply to the right. Additionally, at a dead stop and the accelerator was applied, the car drifted to the right. My local Toyota dealership has looked at the car 4 times and said that nothing more can be done and the car is within specs. With the service manager, we drove my Sienna and then drove the dealerships courtesy van. At a dead stop, the dealerships van drove straight and had no drift to the right. When we drove my van, the service manager stated that the drift to the right at a dead stop was normal in the Sienna and that my van's drift was within compliance of Toyota standards. I have had the alignment checked three time and appears to be normal, yet the vehicle continues to pull to the right. Toyota has refused to deal with my car and sent it to arbitration. To be resolved. What is the deal???.