Door Latch problems of the 2007 Toyota Sienna

2007 Toyota Sienna. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle dashboard and back door latch has become sticky/ melting.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the rear hatch handle was covered with a defective rubber that melted and fractured. The contact also stated that the driver side door made a loud popping noise when opened and closed. The dealer stated that the door handle needed to be replaced and the noise created by the driver side door was possibly due to defective welding. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 107,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the rubber door latch handle melted due to excessive heat during the summer. The contact had to cover the door handle with plastic in order to open the rear hatch. The contact also stated that during cold weather, the rear hatch could not be opened due to the melting door handle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where the dealer advised that the door handle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there were numerous complaints online regarding the melting door handle for the year make and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 33,900. The VIN was not available.

Occasionally and without warning, the automatic left passenger door will close as the person is getting in or out of the van. This has happened at least six times in the eight months we have had the van. It was taken to a Toyota dealer service center on two occasions (different locations), but because the technician can not duplicate the problem, nothing was done. The computer shows no problem, but it has continued to date.