Hatchback/liftgate Support Device problems of the 2007 Toyota Sienna

Handle melted and became sticky on rear liftgate door of Toyota Sienna ce.

Handle melted and became sticky on rear liftgate door of Toyota Sienna le, happened three years ago.

I opened the automatic liftgate to my 2007 Toyota Sienna and upon it reaching the fully open position at the top, it immediately dropped and started to close automatically, which may have caused me an injury if I hadn't quickly moved out of the way. Every time I open the liftgate, whether I do it using my key fob, from the interior of the car, or by lifting the handle, the same thing happens causing risk of injury to me and my children. Toyota refuses to acknowledge responsibility for this defect despite similar issues being reported with 2004 to 2006 Toyota Siennas, which ultimately resulted in the issuance of NHTSA campaign 08v244000.

The concern is the defective rubber pad on the switch in the Sienna?s rear liftgate. The rubber pad under the switch that is used to open the liftgate on the back of the Sienna has gone soft and tar like. If I grab a piece it pulls right off like chewing gum. The black tar like substance gets on your hands too and is hard to wash off. The safety issue is cold weather, once it goes below 35 degree f the door handle switch will not allow the door to open. I the event of a crash you couldn't open the rear hatch to exit. This part is unmistakably defective. If the rubber just cracked I could see it as a wear item (like tires or wiper blades). Apparently in us states with a warmer climate this melting latch defect is a very common problem - just search the internet. Defective rear handle switch (part# 84840-08010).

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated whenever accessing the rear liftgate door it would abruptly close. The contact suffered from bruises to the right arm as a result of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000.

The rubber pad under the switch that is used to open the liftgate on the back of the Sienna has gone soft and tar like. If I grab a piece it pulls right off like chewing gum. The black star like substance gets on the hands/fingers too and is hard to wash off. This is a very common defect (not normal wear and tear). Toyota won't recall and make it a warranty fix. The part# is 84840-08010 and msrp is $58. 53 plus labor.

At approximately 1500 on 16 Mar 2010, I used the remote to open the power liftgate on my 2007 Toyota Sienna xle minivan. While loading a children's table, the liftgate started to close on its own. I tried to prevent the gate from closing as my two year old son was in the path of closure. I had to hold the gate open as much as I could and grab him and pull him down and away to prevent the door from shutting and possibly injuring him. In the process, I strained my back. The safety function of the power liftgate seemed to have stopped functioning as well. Since the initial failure earlier today, the problem with the liftgate occurs whenever the power function is used to open the door. The liftgate opens and continues until the liftgate reaches its maximum opening then closes itself automatically. When the power function is disabled, the liftgate fails to remain. Open. I have not done any maintenance or replaced any parts nor have I contacted the Toyota dealer service department in regard to this problem. I have read online that this problem is a common occurrence on Toyota Sienna minivans with multiple reports of injuries occurring.

The liftgate of my 2005 Toyota Sienna fell unexpectedly. There were no injuries or damage, but there could have been because my children were nearby while I was loading the car, and the weight of the rear gate made it slam closed violently.

- the contact has a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that on February 18, 2007 while the vehicle was parked outside for two hours, in temperatures of 20 degrees fahrenheit. The contact opened the liftgate by remote, and proceeded to load a stroller and a few bags. The contact was under the liftgate for about 30 under seconds, when suddenly without warning the liftgate began to close on its own, striking the contact on the head, the contact then began to push the liftgate with his back against it until the motor recognized there was an obstacle on the way of the liftgate and stopped closing the liftgate. The contact felt that the failure was due to a combination of the strut failing to stay open and the motor that closes the liftgate. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 36868 miles.