Four problems related to power steering fluid have been reported for the 2008 Toyota Sienna. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Toyota Sienna based on all problems reported for the 2008 Sienna.
Passenger side rack and pinion leaking fluid was discovered at dealership when vehicle was in for service.
When my Sienna was 3 1/2 yrs old with mileage 51,500 it needed a new power rack & pinion due to steering fluid leak. It was replaced in December 2011 at the dealership and cost me $1,200. Now recent visit to have the oil changed on March 25, 2016, the tech discovered again leaking steering fluid and another new power rack & pinion replacement is required. This time it's 4 & 1/2 years later and the current mileage of the van is 109,600. Looks like there is some type of defect with the parts and only last approx. 50,000 miles. I do hear a persistent knocking sound which is one of the symptoms of rack & pinion going bad.
Noticed significant decrease in turning radius over time. Vehicle tends to drift to the right side of the road. Noticed fluid leaking from under passenger side of vehicle. Visual inspection identified that passenger side power steering rack seal is leaking. Vehicle mileage is 67k, routinely maintained, garage kept with no collisions.
In may of 2013, I was told by rosner Toyota of stafford va, that my vehicle, with less than 60,000 miles on it, would not pass a safety inspection because the rack and pinion steering system was leaking fluid. Not wanting to drive an unsafe vehicle, I had no choice but to fix it. I petitioned Toyota headquarters about this, and they agreed to cover $900. 00 of the $1,300. 00 bill. I think they should have covered the entire amount, but I ended up shelling out $300. 00 for a new boot to temp fix the problem, and then the remaining $400. 00 to replace the rack and pinion. Now, less than 1 year from the replacement of the rack and pinion, rosner of Toyota tells me that the same side of the rack and pinion is again leaking fluid and that it needs to be replaced. Rosner replaced the parts, but I am concerned that this is just a temporary fix to a much bigger problem. This is the third rack and pinion for this vehicle in less than 6 years. I am concerned that this vehicle is not safe for operation. Please advise and thanks.