12-02-2009, 03:57 AM
wowser -
We also have a 2004 Sienna. We had a problem with the motor for one of the side doors when it was repainted at a body shop. The motor wouldn't work after the body shop fixed the door.
They took it to the Toyota dealership's service department which said the motor had failed. Via Toyota's 800 number I was put in touch with the dealer's customer relations person, who got me to someone in the dealer's body shop (not the regular repair guys). He said there is a specific procedure for taking off one of the side doors, which if not followed ruins the motor. He went down to the service area and checked it for me. Turns out that my body shop had not taken it apart correctly. So my body shop had to eat the $1500 repair (which was a reduced rate they had negotiated with the dealership).
I mention this because if someone worked on the doors for you, and the motors died, they probably are responsible.
While I am sympathetic to your problems, I don't agree with what you said about getting a Chrysler van and being happier with even more problems. At the time we got our van Toyota had the latest model on the market. Honda was a year away from a new model and Chrysler at least two years. The Toyota had better gas mileage (albeit with premium fuel), more power, was quieter, and had better safety features than anything then on the market. I still believe it was the best choice at the time.
We are closing in on 100k miles on our Sienna. We have definitely had fewer problems than on our previous minivan (a 1991 Plymouth which had, among other things, the peeling paint problem of that era). There are some problems, and I am far from saying Toyota is perfect. But it has been a decent vehicle which has worked for our needs.
Good luck.
- Winston
We also have a 2004 Sienna. We had a problem with the motor for one of the side doors when it was repainted at a body shop. The motor wouldn't work after the body shop fixed the door.
They took it to the Toyota dealership's service department which said the motor had failed. Via Toyota's 800 number I was put in touch with the dealer's customer relations person, who got me to someone in the dealer's body shop (not the regular repair guys). He said there is a specific procedure for taking off one of the side doors, which if not followed ruins the motor. He went down to the service area and checked it for me. Turns out that my body shop had not taken it apart correctly. So my body shop had to eat the $1500 repair (which was a reduced rate they had negotiated with the dealership).
I mention this because if someone worked on the doors for you, and the motors died, they probably are responsible.
While I am sympathetic to your problems, I don't agree with what you said about getting a Chrysler van and being happier with even more problems. At the time we got our van Toyota had the latest model on the market. Honda was a year away from a new model and Chrysler at least two years. The Toyota had better gas mileage (albeit with premium fuel), more power, was quieter, and had better safety features than anything then on the market. I still believe it was the best choice at the time.
We are closing in on 100k miles on our Sienna. We have definitely had fewer problems than on our previous minivan (a 1991 Plymouth which had, among other things, the peeling paint problem of that era). There are some problems, and I am far from saying Toyota is perfect. But it has been a decent vehicle which has worked for our needs.
Good luck.
- Winston