NHTSA Complaint #10296559 — 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA

RIGHT-SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR IS BEGINNING TO FAIL. THERE ARE THERE HINGES THAT SUPPORT THE DOOR. TWO ARE LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF THE DOOR (ONE AT THE TOP AND ONE AT THE BOTTOM). THE THIRD HINGE IS LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE DOOR (IN THE CENTER). IT IS THE CENTER HINGE WHICH IS FAILING. THE HINGE IS SAGGING, AND SCRAPING THE REAR BODY PANEL (UNDER THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW). GIVEN THE FAILURE OF THE HINGE, PROPER CLEARANCES ARE NOT MAINTAINED, AND THE DOOR SCRAPES THE FRONT EDGE OF THAT BODY PANEL. IT ALSO CATCHES ON THE DOOR FRAME (BODY FRAME) WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. THIS IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THESE VANS AND TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY FAULT. EVENTUALLY THIS DOOR WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION. OTHERS HAVE HAD IT FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, WHILE OTHERS HAVE HAD IT FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION. THERE HAVE BEEN RECORDED INCIDENTS OF THIS FAILURE CAUSING STRAIN ON THE CABLE THAT CONTROLS THE FUNCTION OF THIS DOOR (LEADING TO IT FRAYING/SNAPPING). OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW SHATTERING AND EVEN HAVING THE DOOR FALL OFF. LIGHT INTERNET RESEARCH (USING THE TERM "SIENNA SLIDING DOOR" OR "SIENNA SLIDING DOOR FAILURE" WILL HELP TO REVEAL THE GRAVITY OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE CONSUMERS ARE FEELING IT. AVERAGE COST FOR REPAIR IS IN EXCESS OF $1500.00. PLEASE FORCE A RECALL. MAKE TOYOTA OWN UP TO THIS ISSUE AND ITS RESOLUTION. *TR