2004 Toyota Sienna Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 1%of 2,062 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Toyota Sienna, 1% of the 2,062 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Left side sliding door is not closing or opening automatically every time when button is pushed it won't open or close sometimes but only if I pull on the handle and pull it open part of the way and then it goes the rest of the way closed seat heater hasn't worked for at least a year I'm guessing even after having it repaired also the door won't lock or unlock with the automatic button anymore.”
NHTSA complaint #10248809, filed 2008-11, 83,600 miles“My children were trying to get to the third row seat and pulled on the latch of the seat on the second row and the seat rapidly snapped down and out crushing my little one. Since that incident my children were very careful about using the handle to bring the seat down. I have had other people ride in my car that do not know how fast and dangerous these seats snap down and out that have been hit by the seats on my occasions. We call it the jaws of death but this is not a laughing matter. I did write to Toyota about this but never even received a response. …”
NHTSA complaint #10562340, filed 2014-01, 120 miles“Toyota (2004 Sienna) seat heater burned a hole through the leather on drivers seat. Toyota (judy faul) interviewed me/my case and submitted to terrence chu (regulatory affairs). He wrote me a letter 3 months later and said Toyota was not at fault because I had a towel (8 x8 baby burp cloth) adjacent to my leg (left outer thigh) and the owners manual states not to use an insulating object with the seat heater operating. He never contacted me for clarification on the incident. I have been denied access to anyone at Toyota. …”
NHTSA complaint #10328346, filed 2010-05, 95,000 miles“I own a 2004 Toyota Sienna. Since 7,000 I have been in numerous times to fix the middle passenger seatbelt. It becomes twisted and unable to retract properly. It has been replaced twice and un-tangled several times by the dealership. They have taken the seat out to repair it numerous times. It has had the recall done in the past. Recently it was brought back for another seatbelt replacement due to it being tightly caught inside the seat. When the car was returned to me, the same seat no longer locked into place. …”
NHTSA complaint #10189062, filed 2007-04, 7,800 miles“Electrical fire inside parked van occurred overnight and burned driver and passenger front seats, dash, and all air vents and all plastic component located near all vents. Van was parked on street in front of my house.”
NHTSA complaint #11109535, filed 2018-07, 179,339 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10132320Apr 23, 2013Some customers may complain that the Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system is inoperative if they have misplaced the parental passcode for the system.
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9 | 8% |
| 2021 | 17 | 10% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 4 | 6% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 11 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 1% |
| 2004 | 18 | 1% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Sienna
962 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
308 complaintsSteering
159 complaintsElectrical system
132 complaintsTires
124 complaintsVehicle speed control
111 complaintsOther or unknown
107 complaintsSeat belts
98 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
89 complaintsBrakes
88 complaintsElectronic stability control
71 complaintsFuel system
49 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Sienna
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology