2004 Toyota Sienna Safety Defect

The manufacturers of the Toyota Sienna have notified the National Highway Traraffic Safety Admin that it will voluntarily fix a carpet issue that it has been having with its 2004s. The carpet trim near the accelerator is secured by a clip. If the clip is kicked off or otherwise dislodged, the trim can interfere with the pedal and produce uncontrollable accelleration. Toyota will replace this clip at no cost for anyone who brings the car in to a Toyota dealer. Currently the only Siennas that this reportedly affects are the models manufactured between January and July of 2003.

This has not been mandated by the NHTSA, as a matter of fact it was not investigated under the Safety Act. Toyota is calling it a safety improvement campaign. It was a voluntary choice by Toyota after only several cases were submitted.

The term “Safety Improvement Campaign” might make some people question Toyota, after all, they should voluntarily fix something if the designers created a problem that could result in death. Toyota should take it upon themselves to put out the word before the NHTSA has to intervene and use taxpayer money on a full scale recall.

Only four cases were cited in the ODI investigation. However, it looks as if Toyota knew of the defect as early as April 2003 - after the first had been put on the market, and before the last was manufactured. An incident occurred during testing, so Toyota decided to alter the design, but it took them until June 03.

So why did it take Toyota until January of 09 to issue the “Safety Improvement Campaign?” Why, when during their own testing they saw that unwanted acceleration occurred, did it take them years to own up?

Owners of these early 2004 Siennas can contact Toyota for more information.