This is a great family van
I don't like the design of the trunk door; it is very heavy and hard to lift. If the shocks every fail, it could seriously hurt someone. Really miss my dutch style back-door from our old GMC!
The van has been very comfortable and handles well. It gets about 17 mpg in town.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th October, 2005
Due to the mechanical, electrical, safety and reliability issues, I would stay away from this car
I am very dissatisfied with the car. Mileage runs at 15 city and 19 highway.
Run flat tires are horrible. They wear out within 15,000 miles and must be changed in sets. BTW, they are $250.00 each and are not readily available. The dealer (located 15 miles East of Downtown Los Angeles) needed 3-5 days to get them. Flats cannot be repaired. Basically, the car needs over $1000.00 a year to replace tires. Also the tires are noisy and wear uneven. Check complaints on the web.
Car does not come with a spare tire. Beware!!! If you have a flat in a remote area, the car may stand you for days until a spare Dunlop or Bridgestone can be located. They must be replaced in sets at $250 each!!!
Flat sensor only work on the highway, and only after a few miles. Told to me by head mechanic at the dealership. Tire would not exhibit symptoms of a flat (visually or physically) until the tire self destructs after 100 miles. This is very dangerous.
There is a class action lawsuit filed in California. Check the attached link.
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=185&did=1165
Car was recalled for seat belts and rust prevention.
Previous cars had TSB's on leaking radiators, fuel tanks, electrical, brake, engine and transmission problems.
The car is not what I expected in terms of performance, reliability or safety. Especially in a $33,000 plus car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 18th October, 2005
Great car for the family... everyone loves it
I have had to have brakes replaced at every 10,000. My Sienna has 32,000, and I just replaced the brakes for the third time.
Is anyone else having this problem??
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 11th October, 2005
Run-flat tires work as advertised on the only available minivan with AWD.
Nothing really. I did have to replace the run-flat tires after 39,400 miles. That's about what I expected. These tires are very expensive; about $1300 for 4 new Bridgestone tires. The very Toyota agency that told me I needed them didn't have them in stock! I went to Direct Tire that very day and had them installed.
If I try to accelerate too fast, the Sienna has an annoying habit of hesitating, then downshifting from 4th gear to 1st gear, which puts a strain on the engine. This problem does not occur if I accelerate gradually.
This is the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) version which has been great in Massachusetts and when I take winter trips to Maine and New Hampshire.
On dry pavement, the Sienna handles far better than my 1996 Ford Explorer.
The Sienna is roomy, with a firm comfortable ride.
Everything, CD player, radio, air conditioning, power door, power windows, heated mirrors, has worked as it should.
I got a nail in one of the run-flat tires. The low tire pressure light came on. I continued to drive for about 40 miles before taking it to a Toyota dealer. They repaired the tire, and I didn't need to replace the tires til about 39,400 miles.
I've read other comments which complained about having to replace run-flat tires after about 12,000 to 17,000 miles. That just hasn't been my experience.
I check my tire pressure once a week. I also check the alignment and the tire balance whenever I get my oil changed. All of these things affect the rate of wear on the tires.
Sienna is the only minivan that can be ordered with All Wheel Drive. Chrysler no longer offers AWD on their minivans because there's not enough space under the van for a spare tire, fold-away 3d row seats and the AWD. On the AWD models, Sienna does away with the spare tire by using run-flat tires which are designed to run for at least 50 miles with a puncture.
I'd prefer to have a spare tire in addition to the run-flat tires, just in case I'm more that 50 miles from getting a replacement or a repaired tire. Toyota does offer that option, but it means losing the ability to fold flat the 3d row seats.
I'd like to see a spare tire mount on the rear tailgate.
In spite of all that, I must admit that the run-flat technology works well.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th August, 2005
19th Oct 2005, 09:12
Toyota used run-flat tires ONLY on the AWD version of the Sienna since the extra AWD hardware took up the space normally used for a spare tire. This is no secret and buyers should have been aware of this up front so there were no surprises down the road.
This is a good example of why you MUST be aware of what you're buying! In Toyota's defense, the car is operating as designed, and if you're unhappy with its design (which may be appropriate), you shouldn't have bought it in the first place.