2003 Toyota Sienna — Known Issues & Recalls

Both rear doors on your 2003 Toyota Sienna won't open from either the inside or outside. In an emergency, passengers would need to climb over the front seats to exit the vehicle. This issue likely involves the door latch mechanism and may require inspection and repair of the locking or latching hardware.

Your driver and front passenger doors started making loud clicking sounds when opening and closing about a year ago. Two months later, your front passenger door wouldn't close fully and could only open a few inches. When you inspected it, you discovered the door weld had snapped and broken where it attaches to the door frame. Fixing this will likely require welding repair or door replacement to restore the hinge mechanism.

While driving your 2003 Toyota Sienna at around 45 mph, you heard an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle that happened on and off. A dealer diagnosed that the spare tire carrier assembly cable had corroded. There was a recall issued for this issue, but the replacement part wasn't available, and the repair took longer than expected. The fix will involve replacing the corroded spare tire carrier cable with a new one.

Your driver side door makes a popping noise that has gotten worse over time. Your automatic passenger sliding door no longer operates smoothly and has stopped working completely. The fix will likely involve inspecting and repairing the door mechanisms, hinges, and the automatic sliding door motor or latch system.

Your rear driver-side sliding door won't open. You've also had a recurring problem in the past where both rear doors had difficulty locking. The issue first occurred at 140,000 miles. The repair will likely involve inspecting and fixing the door latch mechanism or sliding door hardware.

Your vehicle unexpectedly accelerated on its own while you were shifting into reverse, causing it to crash into another vehicle. The dealer inspected the vehicle but found no mechanical problems, and no repairs were made. This happened at 74,000 miles. The issue may involve the throttle control system, accelerator pedal sensor, or transmission control module and may require diagnostic testing or replacement of faulty sensors.

Your vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own while you were driving, causing it to crash through your garage and into your living room. The vehicle was totaled in the accident, though fortunately no one was injured. This type of sudden unintended acceleration typically requires a full diagnostic of the throttle control system, fuel injectors, and engine control computer to identify the cause.

Your driver's side automatic sliding door won't open—either by pressing the button or pulling it manually. This is particularly concerning if you need to quickly exit the vehicle in an emergency, especially with a passenger who has mobility challenges. The issue likely involves the door's latch mechanism or electric actuator, which may need inspection or replacement to restore full operation.

Your sliding rear doors aren't latching properly, and they sometimes won't open or close when you need them to. The dealer refused to help with repairs. This issue started around 100,000 miles and is still occurring at 150,000 miles. Fixing this will likely involve inspecting and adjusting the door latch mechanism, tracks, or rollers on the sliding doors.

Your plug-in battery charger overheated, smoked, and created a fire hazard while charging a 12-volt battery. Both power wires became extremely hot, melting their insulation, and caused damage to nearby plastic parts on your vehicle. The manufacturer has not responded to your report of the incident.

During a rollover accident where your vehicle became airborne and flipped multiple times through a cornfield before landing on its roof, none of the airbags deployed. The vehicle was totaled with severe damage including collapsed windows and a door torn from its hinges, but the airbags did not inflate to protect you. This was a Takata recall issue. Fixing this would require airbag system replacement and diagnostic testing to determine why the deployment sensors failed to trigger.

Your vehicle was rear-ended at 35-40 mph while stopped at a light. Both front seat backs broke from the impact, and your vehicle was totaled. The other vehicle had minimal damage and their airbags did not deploy.

Your brake pedal locks up when you press it while driving, even at low speeds like 35 mph, and your wheels seize causing the vehicle to skid. Your ABS brake warning light turns on when this happens. The problem has occurred multiple times but your mechanic couldn't reproduce it during diagnosis, so it remains unfixed.

Your rear window on the driver's side has been loosening for about 6 months. It started by making noise when you opened it, but now it shakes and makes noise even when closed, giving the impression the glass might fall out. The window regulator or frame is likely damaged and needs inspection to prevent the glass from detaching.

Your instrument panel doesn't work properly, and when you drive faster than 30-40 mph, the vehicle slows down and all warning lights come on. A mechanic replaced the computer sensors, but this didn't fix the problem. The issue may involve the electrical system, engine control computer, or related sensors that need further diagnosis.

The handle on your liftgate broke off in your hand, leaving the gate stuck and unable to open. This prevents you from accessing the rear cargo area. The repair will likely require replacing the liftgate handle assembly and checking the locking mechanism.

Your vehicle is experiencing multiple issues across the wheels, brakes, and engine. You're contacting NHTSA to inquire about a potential recall. The complaint doesn't specify which particular problems you're experiencing, so we recommend documenting each issue separately and consulting your dealer for diagnosis.

Your gas pedal sometimes sticks and requires extra force to press down in order to accelerate. This issue has been ongoing for several years and happens intermittently. The dealership may need to inspect and clean or replace the gas pedal assembly to restore normal operation.

Sometimes when you're stopped at a traffic light, your accelerator pedal becomes hard to push down. This makes it difficult to accelerate smoothly from a stop. The issue may involve the throttle cable, pedal mechanism, or engine control system needing adjustment or replacement.

Your tire pressure warning light came on, and you discovered your rear passenger side tire was flat due to a puncture. After a repair shop patched it, the same tire got punctured again by a rock just three months later. The tire manufacturer didn't offer assistance, so you had to replace the tire. This issue suggests your Toyo Extensa tires may be prone to punctures or lack adequate durability. You may need to consider replacing your tires with a more puncture-resistant option or inspect your driving routes for debris.