NHTSA Complaint #10253785 — 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA

RE: SAFETY PROBLEM WITH 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE, OUR SIENNA IS NOT SAFE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING WHEN WE TRIED TO DRIVE AFTER STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN, AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, OR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION, BECAUSE IT PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM MERGING INTO OR ESCAPING FROM HEAVY TRAFFIC OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. IT HAPPENED IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER AND ROAD SURFACE CONDITIONS. I AM A VERY CAREFUL DRIVER; I SPEND A LOT OF TIME DRIVING MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN. I NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SPINNING TIRES ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN. WE CONTACTED OUR DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA COMPANY. THEIR FIRST RESPONSE WAS THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. AFTER OUR INTERVENTION THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO DRIVE TEST OUR CAR. THE TEST WAS PERFORMED BY ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES (NOT CLEAR IF HE HAD ANY CAR SAFETY INSPECTION TRAINING). HE TOOK OUR CAR FOR A SHORT DRIVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ALONE, IN THE PERFECT WEATHER, REPORTING BACK THAT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEM. THE TEST DRIVE WAS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME. WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR USUALLY WHEN THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN THE CAR, DURING THE RAIN ETC; IN OTHER WORDS, IN AVERAGE DRIVING CONDITIONS. SINCE THE TEST WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, MANY TIMES. I BELIEVE WE ARE NOT THE ONLY OWNERS OF SIENNA, WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I OBSERVED IT SEVERAL TIMES ON THE STREET, WITH OTHER SIENNAS. ALSO, MY INFORMAL POLL AMONG OUR FRIENDS GAVE THE SAME RESULTS. *TR