Problem With Toyota Sienna Manual Door Won't Stay Open

291 problems related to door have been reported for the 2004 Toyota Sienna. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Toyota Sienna based on all problems reported for the 2004 Sienna.

This is exactly what it DOES currently. It won't budge with the manual pull handles inside or out. When the slider power is on it will do one small push out and then stop. The door open light comes on. I can reseal the door and turn off the door open alarm by pressing the door shut at the back seem. Nov 27, 2010 Hopefully I can add some info here which will help someone else with their particular problem. I have a 2005 Sienna with manual sliding doors. The driver's side door would not open, not from the inside or outside. Step 1 on the pdf was to remove the two screws holding the door handle cover, but only once the door was open. My door was stuck closed.

  1. When your Sienna side door won’t close, one possibility is a circuit overload. This happens when the power sliding door isn’t able to latch on properly (due to something blocking it). The electric motor’s circuit will become overloaded and this will trip the fuse and prevent the door from being closed entirely.
  2. Feb 18, 2010 My 2004 Sienna power sliding door won't stay open when I'm parked downhill. It will open, but it won't 'click' into the open position (unless you're standing there and shove it). It just starts closing again (a huge problem with four small kids).
  3. Jan 12, 2017  The passenger side sliding door will only open from the outside and the driver side sliding door will not open at all. The driver's side door has been giving me problems intermitently for a while. The button on the inside handle would stay depressed and the door would only open from the outside. Now it won't open at all.
Failure Date: 04/16/2018

Tl the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the front driver's door made an abnormal noise. Toyota of temecula valley (951-694-0575) was called and informed the contact about an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Failure Date: 03/02/2017

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle's power sliding doors operated independently and could not be opened from inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to stevenson Toyota where it was diagnosed that the door assembly was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was included in a limited warranty for the doors, which had expired. The contact's daughter sustained minor scrapes from the door closing independently on her foot. Medical attention was not required. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Failure Date: 02/03/2016

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the passenger side sliding door cable fractured and caused the door to remain ajar. The contact stated that the failure also caused the battery to be drained because the dome light remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Failure Date: 06/18/2015

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the rear passenger side sliding door could not be closed. In addition, the rear driver side door handle fractured when attempting to open the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Failure Date: 09/01/2014

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the passenger side door emitted a loud noise when opening and closing. The contact inspected the door and found that the welded area was fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

Failure Date: 07/08/2014

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the driver side door exhibited an abnormal noise when opened. In addition, the weld became fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Failure Date: 04/01/2014

2004 Toyota Sienna. Consumer writes in regards to door weld recall problems. The consumer stated for more than 3 years, he has been hearing a popping noise coming from the driver side door. Toyota was aware of the problem and initiated a warranty enhancement program for the defective door weld for the 2004-2006 Sienna's, but only if they were 5 years/100k miles. The consumer stated the problem started with his vehicle in 2010, when the vehicle was already 6 years old. Toyota issued a technical bulletin, but refused to issue a recall. Re-welding the failure points was not recommended as they were prone to fail again.

Failure Date: 12/16/2013

During below-freezing temperatures and accumulating precipitation, sliding doors can freeze shut to the point of not opening. I recently had to kick the side doors from the inside in order to get them opened.

Failure Date: 11/02/2013

Passenger sliding door will not open. Even when power is turned off, the door will not open manually which is a safety hazard as my kids can not exit the car from that door if there is an accident. I recently received a csp letter from Toyota about this exact door problem but the letter states the extended warranty is good for 9 years or 120k miles which ever comes first. Unfortunately, I received the letter just after I had the car for 9 years. If I had received the letter and known about the door issue before the 9 years, I would have taken my car in to be fixed. Quote for fixing door is over $1,100.

Failure Date: 07/15/2013

The driver side passenger is jammed and won't open or close even in the manual mode. I had to drive home with the door open slightly because I couldn't get the door shut. After reading many forums online it seems that this is a problem with Toyotas and it is a defect with manufacturing.

Failure Date: 06/03/2013

Passenger side vehicle dash began cracking during summer of 2013. Original appearance was that of a cut or scratch along the surface of the dash. Crack has been growing wider and longer since then. Vehicle has been garaged since purchase (9/2003) and custom fit shade used when parked outside. Concerned that dashboard may fracture into smaller projectile pieces if the passenger airbag was to be deployed.

Failure Date: 05/07/2013

The left door of the Toyota Sienna van stopped closing properly a few years after we bought it. It will not close all the way and wears down the battery of the van. The door opens unexpectedly from time to time while we are driving.

Failure Date: 01/30/2013

Went to open the drivers side automatic sliding door on my 2004 Sienna xle, the door opened about 6 inches and stopped. I got out to open it manually and it would not open. I was able to close it and that is when I saw a cable hanging down the side of the van, that's when I figured out the cable that opens the door had broke. I am now unable to use the door as it will only open about six inches. It will now cost me $1200 to get it fixed as it is about six months past the 9 yr. 120000 mile extended warranty Toyota had put on this part. I am obviously not the only one that has had this problem and am hoping the passenger side door does not go through the same issue costing me another $1200.

Failure Date: 01/01/2013

2004 Toyota Sienna le minivan. Consumer writes in regards to defective rear electrical sliding door.

Failure Date: 09/11/2012

Our 2004 Sienna's driver-side manual-slider door does not latch properly. 2 of the 3 bolts have become detached. Toyota states that this is not covered under the 'rear sliding door latch assembly' warranty enhancement notice, although detached bolts and failure of the rear sliding door to properly latch is clearly a latch assembly issue. This is also a significant safety concern as my son rides in that side of the car and if the door would become unlatched while driving he could be injured not to mention causing an accident as I (the driver) attempt to control/assess the problem and protect my son in a moving vehicle. My 'door open' dash lights are constantly on and this is a distraction while driving not to mention when I ignore the lights because of this persistent problem, I may be missing other door-open issues. There are online posts of other Sienna owners who have experienced the same problem. Is it possible to urge Toyota to make this obvious 'latching' defect covered under the warranty enhancement program or to recall affected vehicles?.

Failure Date: 09/03/2012

The electric sliding door cable is fraying and the door does not open or close properly.

Failure Date: 08/23/2012

The automatic sliding passenger doors on both sides of my Toyota Sienna xle have stopped working. I first reported a problem to Toyota in 2011 when the sliding door behind the driver seat stopped working. Toyota refused to cover the repair (my van had 129,000 miles on it). Due to the $1,500 cost to replace the whole motor assembly, I had the cable cut by a repair specialist so the door could be operated manually. Last week, the other passenger door stopped working and will not open at all. Toyota informed me today that, although they recently extended the warranty to 120,000 / 9 years; my vehicle was outside that warranty as well. The fact that the doors become inoperable (once the cable stops working one cannot open or close the door without great effort - and even then it may not work) is an unacceptable defect and a safety hazard. The one door that is now on manual mode (since the cable was disconnected) is still cumbersome to open and close. If my children were younger, it would definitely be a safety hazard because they would not be able to do it independently (too heavy). Toyota needs to acknowledge and recall the vehicles with this safety hazard. Based on the reported number of complaints, it appears the issue is caused or exacerbated by poor design of the mechanism.

Failure Date: 08/16/2012

Driver's side door with loud popping noise with every opening and closing and jar of the door with these noises.

Failure Date: 07/05/2012

Toyota Sienna automatic sliding door failed. The door is unable to be opened even in manual mode. Used the key fob and the cable just snapped. This is a design flaw and a serious safety issue as my children need to climb over seats to exit through the only door that works as my babies car seat was in that spot. In an emergency this is a serious hazard and is just waiting for disaster to happen.

Failure Date: 07/02/2012

Driver side door started making load popping and creaking noises when opening and closing. Brought the van to the dealer for service and was told that the welds inside the door were broken. Service manager informed me that it was a manufacturing defect and recommended I call Toyota customer service. Toyota admitted it was due to a defect but since I was out of warranty they would do nothing to fix it. Doors should last for the lifetime of a car and don't break from normal wear and tear. Toyota had extended the warranty for the doors but my car is still past that period. By extending the warranty Toyota has already admitted that the doors are defective. Just because it took mine 8 years to break, they are telling me that I need to spend over $2000 to replace the door. Toyota should be forced to repair these doors. No reasonable consumer would buy a vehicle with the knowledge that a basic, yet hugely expensive part, such as a door could likely break irreparably in the normal lifetime of a car. This is not one of the expensive automatic sliding doors (although those also seem to break). This is the basic driver side door like the ones that have been put in cars for the last hundred years. Toyota needs to address this problem for their customers.

Failure Date: 07/02/2012

The cable on my passenger side sliding door broke, rendering my door inoperable. It will open 8 inches at most, which prevented me access to my child's car seat. I inquired with Toyota after learning online that there has been a warranty extension for this problem, since it seems that it has been a pervasive issue with the Siennas. The dealership informed me that the limit for the warranty extension is 9 years or 120,000 miles. Since my car has 130,000 miles (I bought it used in 2011 with 123,000 miles), I do not qualify for the warranty extension. The estimate provided to me was $1500 to repair it. If the other door's cable snaps, which seems likely given the plethora of personal accounts of this problem you'll find with a google search, it will cost another $1500. I cannot afford $1500 to fix one door, much less a double when the other door cable goes. This is a safety issue. Although it will not open, my door closed just fine. I understand there are many others who are not as lucky and get stuck away from home with a sliding door that will not close. Toyota has acknowledged that there is a big problem with these vans, as evidenced by the warranty extension for this issue. Why are they being allowed to limit the fixing of this safety issue to only vehicles under a certain mileage?.

Failure Date: 06/25/2012

The problem is with our front drivers door. It started out closing on my leg and squeaking. Since my driveway is on a slight hill, I attributed it to this. I never received the warranty enhancement? regarding this or I would have known these were due to a defect with the car door hinge welding and we would have brought it in for repairs. Since then, the door started to make a very loud clicking and squeaking noise. Toyotaâ??s repair, as I have read, was to replace the door completely. It said that re-welding would not hold. When asking about repairing it at the walnut creek dealership, I was told to bring it to a welding place. I called Toyota corporate several times. Case #[xxx]-I spoke with [xxx] when asking her why we never received this notice, she stated that â??she could not guarantee that one was mailed to us. I asked her how we were supposed to know that this was a problem and her response was that if I always brought my car to the Toyota dealership that I could rely on them to diagnose the problem. First, Toyota should fix it under the warranty since they never notified me and second, shouldn't a door be on properly for safety? information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Failure Date: 06/15/2012

Passenger door makes noise (hinges) and Toyota don't cover it. I did received a notice from Toyota that they cover 120k mileage / 9 years for sliding door problem not for driver door. The dealer is asking me about $2,500 to change the door. It's not fair. Toyota need to fix their problem!!!.

Failure Date: 06/05/2012

Our 2004 Sienna van was at the dealership for a repair under warranty enhancement. In the past, the door had closed on my child numerous times due to a defect. After that the door did not close at all unless we went out of our van and pushed up on it as it was closing. A mechanic at Toyota pointed out to me chipped paint above the door which we were told indicated that the door was sagging due to the hinge not being strong enough to hold the door properly & that the hinge needed to be replaced. When our van was in for the recent enhanced warranty repair, we were told that all of the repair was covered except the hinge, which costs us $224. 05. We were told the hinge needed to be replaced or we would continue to have the door go out on us. !this is the cause of the problem according to several Toyota maintenance techs, but they are charging customers to pay for something that should be part of the warranty. In addition, on our invoice it stated that our passenger sliding door the cables are also fraid and the hinge has play. When asking why they did not do the warranty enhancement on this door, we were told that because the door is not totally non-functioning, they will not repair it even thought they stated the parts are bad! we questioned both Toyota walnut creek and Toyota corporate (case # [xxx] and several other case #'s) several times each and got no help from either! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Failure Date: 03/30/2012

Recently purchased a used 04 Toyota Sienna and the passenger power sliding door does not work and sticks when using the exterior handle. This should be considered a safety issue as in an emergency its a gamble whether or not the door could open. We currently just use the manual driver side door as the fix fir this from the dealership is between $1000 - $2000. . .


Other Structure related problems of the 2004 Toyota Sienna

Door problems
Body problems
260
Structure problems
Hatchback/liftgate Support Device problems
77
Hatchback/liftgate problems
Door Hinge problems
29
Dashboard Crack problems
Frame And Members problems
19
Hatchback/liftgate Hinge problems
Tailgate problems
8
Tailgate Hinge problems
Underbody Shield problems
5

A common complaint among Toyota Sienna owners is that their Sienna side door won’t open or close. If you’re experiencing a stuck Sienna side door, you came to the right place.

This guide covers all the information you need to navigate this issue like a pro.

The Most Common Reasons For Sienna Side Door Problems

When your Sienna side door sticks open or close, you’re probably asking, “Why the heck is this happening?”

We can think of a few common reasons:

1. Latch Motor Failure

Sometimes the side door will struggle to open when you press the button to automatically open it. Often times, it will make a noise while it attempts to open but then fails to do so. The only way you can get the door open is to pull the handle and then hold it for two or three seconds.

Problem With Toyota Sienna Manual Door Won

This happens when the latch motor fails, which is fairly common in Toyota Siennas. Luckily, replacing just the latch motor is an easy and inexpensive solution.

2. Frayed Cable

Toyota Sienna Doors Not Opening

The cable in the side door is prone to fraying and then breaking. At first, the door won't work properly. Then, it stops working at all.

In this situation, the best thing to do is to replace the cable.

Toyota Sienna Manual Online

3. Circuit Overload

When your Sienna side door won’t close, one possibility is a circuit overload. This happens when the power sliding door isn’t able to latch on properly (due to something blocking it). The electric motor’s circuit will become overloaded and this will trip the fuse and prevent the door from being closed entirely.

This is an issue you want to diagnose first because it’s quite easy to do so. Just inspect the upper and lower tracks to see if they are obstructed.

The Best Way to Fix This Problem

Download 2016 honda pilot manual. Image Credit: Rico L

The first thing you want to do is to diagnose the issue. Next, you can replace only the failed component. This should fix the issue. There are tutorials on replacing side door latches, latch motors, cables, and other Sienna side door components all over the web. In fact, here’s a good tutorial on replacing the cable on 2011 and newer Sienna models.

Replacing the component yourself is a much cheaper solution than having a Toyota dealership do it for you.

Finding OEM Replacement Parts

If you value quality and reliability, get an OEM replacement part. An aftermarket side door latch, latch motor, cable, or another side door component will only cause more problems due to poor quality, fitment issues, and more.

On our website, we offer wholesale prices for genuine OEM Toyota parts, including all side door components. Look up your Sienna model to find the OEM replacement part(s) you need.

Written by Jason Lancaster