Don't Call it a Recall: Toyota to Fix 600,000 Siennas

We’re not sure how Toyota can send a mailing to owners of Sienna minivans made between 2004 and 2006 to fix faulty front doors and not call it a recall, but that’s what they’re doing. Complaints about the doors malfunctioning — swinging freely instead of stopping at a certain threshold — have circulated on the internet for some time.

Now Toyota is offering to repair any Sienna up to 5 years old that has fewer than 100,000 miles on it. This includes Siennas that were bought used or are past their warranty period. Toyota will also reimburse owners who paid out of pocket to have the doors repaired.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel does a thorough job explaining the problems of real-life owners as well as Toyota’s work to fix the problem. They even interviewed Cars.com senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder. We’d like to see the problem considered a legitimate recall, and would also stress that Toyota is taking steps to give aid to customers.

Toyota to Cover Defect (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Comments

[Anon]

It is a recall.

Didnt the dodge avenger and sebring have a similar problem.

Hence Recall.

[evr]

Call it whatever you want, toyota quality is slipping, more headaches for customers!!!!

evr is right, but all automakers either are or will go to hell in a handbasket sooner or later.

[LM]

Perhaps if it's not a safety issue then it's not a recall. Doesnt the NHTSA have to issue the recall? Or force the manufacturer to do so?

Otherwise isn't it just a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)? These are very common to fix things that arent safety hazards.

[JM]

it seems like hlaf of the recalls today are from toyota.

this is a recall.

[JM]

*half

[Max Reid]

Profit margins on bigger vehicles like Sequoia, Sienna, 4-Runner, FJ Cruiser are falling and to compensate it, Toyota is using defective parts.

They are facing the reality. Yes Toyota's quality is slipping, but Prius is still great.

[George]

At least Toyota is owning up to the problem. I don't miss the endless hours I would have to spend arguing with my three local Jeep dealers trying to get them to address published TSA's on my 06 JGC (AKA the worst purchase I have ever made). I've heard over the years of Honda and Toyota having silent type recalls. After finally dumping my JGC, for the past year I've been driving a 4Runner and absolutely love it. I don't care how the dealer or manufacturer fixes my truck, as long as they fix it on their dime. I never thought I would 'Go Jap', but I must admit, to date I am very impressed with they have to offer.

[Hollywood]

Call it fixing, call it what ever, Toyota quality is slipping. You can say what ever you want to defend Toyota, but it is a problem that still counts against Toyota quality. Period.

[Joe Wiesenfelder]

As I understand it, this isn't truly a recall, and it's not simply a matter of semantics. It's a letter sent to the original owners alerting them to the problem and stating that the company will pay for the repair if needed -- or even desired -- current, past or future. This is a step up from the technical service bulletin released in March of this year, which simply explains how to reinforce the door-check mounting panel. It states that the door-check welds can be reinforced unless they're already cracked, in which case the whole assembly must be replaced at high cost. I'd like to see the letter if anyone out there receives it next month.

Anyway, the point here is that a recall suggests an urgency and ensures that most owners will come in and have this addressed at high cost to Toyota. Toyota's approach is what you could expect from any automaker: a period of inaction followed by a concession that will cost them as little as possible, be it in cash or effect on reputation. Some owners will come in before the 5-year or 100,000-mile mark for the reinforcement just so they don't get hosed after the clock turns to 100,001. This is cheaper for Toyota than the full repair. Others will need the full repair and get it paid for in full.

What I don't know is how prevalent the problem is and whether or not people can live with it. It's likely that not all of the welds fail, and unless they do, the owners won't want the inconvenience of being without the van during service. Also, from what I see, this failure is annoying and probably insulting, given the van's price, but it can probably be lived with. (If that's not true, someone let us know.) People who don't have kids or live on hills or simply can't be bothered won't get it repaired whether it's already failed or not. In time the mileage or age passes the limit and Toyota doesn't have to deal with it anymore.

In the end, this is better than doing nothing but less expensive than a recall. That's what automakers do. It's business, and it's a lot more than owners were getting a few days ago. --JW

[Hollywood]

A problem is a problem no matter what. This could be a serious problem. What if the door suddenly opens when you're driving and this can cause an accident and possible injuries. Now that you're trying to defend Toyota, you have to know that Toyota has a problem and is not perfect like you guys think it is. Now when Toyota has a problem, you guys start to deny it because you're wrong on the part that Toyota is perfect. That's why Toyota brags and boasts so much, because it isn't perfect. Toyota salesmen aren't friendly at all. When you walk into the Toyota dealership, you wait for one of them to assist you, they just walk by, and totally ignore you and none of them are doing anything, just chatting amongst themselves.

[Dave T.]

I thought the entire issue was that it was dangerous because the door swings freely? I think this is a more legitimate recall issue than the floormats getting stuck under accelerators even if one is more dangerous. One is entirely preventable by anyone, the other is a mechanical issue that must be fixed at a dealer.

It strikes me odd how they classify the two.

And I would think most Sienna owners do have children to worry about.

[Tom]

Toyota is not so great after you or your child falls of your car because of faulty doors. If is not a recall then what is it? Double standards for all you suckers out there. Just keep buying them and they will sucker you in.