Faults:

All 4 Dunlap run-flat tires need to be replaced at only 12,000 miles.

There is a recall for the radiator and steering column fluid hose.

General Comments:

I am very disappointed with the run-flat tires on this car! After only 12,000 miles all four tires need to be replaced at a cost of $1000.00! Dealer says that it is an alignment problem and I should have been rotating the tires every 5,000 miles! The tires are not only worn on the outside edge, but have worn down to the steel radial on the inside too.

Toyota will only cover cost for new tires under warranty, which is one year or 20,000 miles and only if we have had the tires rotated and aligned within that time! I have never had to rotate or realign tires in one year much less doing the recommended every 5,000!

Along with a letter to Toyota USA and my local dealer, I will be sending pictures of my tires, a letter from two tire mechanics about the wearing patterns and copies of the comments from this site that specifically pertain to this costly problem.

I hope to get full compensation for a new set of tires, but not the run-flats!

Faults:

The ride of the car is very poor. Despite several alignments and replacing the tires 4 times in 22,000 miles we still have a car that shakes, rattles and hops, particularly at low speeds. The dealer continues to state that the only issue is the tires, however with each set of new tires the ride has not been fixed. The most recent set of tires lasted less than 2,000 miles. The ride seems to get worse every day. We are concerned about the safety and longevity of the car as a result of these issues. We never expected this from a Toyota!!!

The radiator blew in the first year of operation.

General Comments:

I am interested to see if other owners have had the same handling issues I have. Most of the postings to date have touched on this issue, but have focused on the cost and difficulty of replacing the tires. To date the tires have been replaced for free, but this has not resolved my issues.

Faults:

None (flat tires, but that's normal)

General Comments:

This minivan accelerates and brakes almost as fast as my previous E320 wagon, corners like a car, and is very comfortable to drive -- whether short or long distances.

I like the 5-speed automatic gated shifter which is almost exactly the same as my E320. I'm a spirited driver who downshifts most the time in traffic. It's very easy to downshift and up-shift without looking at the shifter (unlike old automatic shifters where it's all straight or worst column shifters).

The transmission is generally smooth although there is a lot of lag and hesitancy. This is especially true when you slowdown (to about 30kmh or 20mph) to negotiate a corner. As long as you're not in a hurry to speed up after that, it's fine. But as you exit the corner and press down on the gas pedal, the vehicle actually slows down all the more, until after a second and a half (when the transmission made up it's mind and shifts to second or first -- depending how far down the gas pedal is), the van starts to accelerates quite rapidly. It's very disconcerting.

The engine has sufficient torque that I almost always spin the front wheels when taking off -- especially when the road is wet (I have no traction control).

Highway driving is fun as the minivan can go to easily to 140-160kmh smoothly (not that I recommend it) if needed.