NHTSA Complaint #10280221 — 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA

WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKING SYSTEM OF OUR 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE (CURRENTLY 47,710 MILES); SPECIFICALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR MALFUNCTIONED SOMETIME BACK IN EARLY MARCH 2009, WHEREBY THE DOORS WILL NOT FUNCTION VIA REMOTE OR ELECTRONIC MEANS. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS ONLY FUNCTIONAL BY MANUALLY LOCKING OR UNLOCKING THE DOOR. ALSO, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, THE SLIDING DOOR STARTED ACTING UP. IN FACT, WE HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE ONE OF OUR PASSENGER'S FINGER WAS TRAPPED BY THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR. THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSED AS THE PASSENGER WAS GETTING IN HER SEAT. MY WIFE HAD TO FORCE THE DOOR OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE TO FREE THE PASSENGER'S FINGERS. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. AS FOR THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR, IT FAILED TO FUNCTION COMPLETELY ON AUGUST 10, 2009. CURRENTLY, THE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AT ALL (ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY). I FEAR THAT THESE MALFUNCTION PROBLEMS POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD AND HIS SAFETY IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO ME. WE CANNOT GET THE CAR REPAIRED DUE TO THE ENORMOUS COSTS IT WOULD TAKE JUST TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. IN FACT, BACK IN MARCH 18, 2009 WHEN ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS FAILING TO WORK, I INQUIRED HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR THE DOOR AND THE REPRESENTATIVE STATED IT WOULD COST $100 JUST TO LOOK AT THE DOOR. *TR