NHTSA Complaint #10135722 — 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA

PROBLEM WITH THE HORN ON MY 1998 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE HORN STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES, AND TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST 3 TIMES. SPENT OVER $1400 AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE RELAY, CHANGED CONTACTS, SANDED CONTACTS, AND STILL, THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. FOR THE MOST PART THE HORN WORKS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND COOL. AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR TO 1 HOUR, THE HORN STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY BY "JIGGLING" THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUSHING THE HORN AT THE SAME TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IN A NUTSHELL, IT IS VERY ERRATIC AND VIRTUALLY ALWAYS STOPS WORKING WHEN WE ARE ON A ROAD TRIP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE HORN TYPICALLY DOES NOT WORK AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SOMEONE ON THE HIGHWAY CUTS ME OFF AND IT'S NECESSARY TO USE THE HORN. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND OTHERWISE RUNS FINE DESPITE HAVING 150,000 MILES ON IT. I'VE BEEN VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE DEALERS AND THEIR OBVIOUS LACK OF EXPERTISE OR PERSISTENCE IN TROUBLESHOOTING THIS UNUSUAL ISSUE. *JB