Upon trying to open the passenger side rear automatic sliding door - plastic pieces shot out at people standing nearby hitting them in the face and upper body, and the end of a wire/cable flung out nearly hitting someone in the eye. The door continued to make loud clicking and crunching noises and would not open more that an inch or so. It had to be forcefully shut in order to drive the vehicle. Similar things happened again when it was brought to the dealer to determine what the problem was. The dealer said the cause was the automatic door mechanisms. The velocity at which the plastic pieces and cable flung out could seriously injure someone. This issue should be required to be recalled and repaired free of charge since it could cause serious eye injury from defective parts.

- Danvers, MA, USA

I was driving my Toyota Sienna 2006 today morning and the driver in front of me abruptly stopped. I was maintaining a safe distance and immediately hit my brakes. Although the brakes seemed to engage, the car accelerated and very badly rear-ended the car in front me. Has this happened to anyone before with the car auto-accelerating on it's own?

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The tailgate struts are worn down very easily by the design of the tailgate, with the result that the door slams shut on its own - and it is very heavy. Toyota extended the warranty on the struts to 6 years, but the struts still wear out after a short time because of the tailgate design. Toyota appears to be aware of this because of the warranty extension, but refuses to address the design problem. It is a serious flaw as the heavy tailgate can slam down on the necks and heads of both adults and children loading the trunk. A review of Toyota and car forum boards illustrate how widespread and dangerous the problem can be.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

The power sliding door on the driver's side would not close; its cables held the door in the open position. I was unable to make the door operate manually with the frayed and jammed cables. The car could not be operated safely without the door properly closed.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Air bag light on instrument panel flashes on and off; took it to the dealer, which determined was a defective air bag sensor, which needs to be replaced along with the air bag and airbag harness under the driver's seat. Total estimate for the pair including labor: $3000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The motor on the sliding power door failed. I called Toyota and was told I would have to pay to repair it. I have an extended warranty on my car but it is not a covered component.

- Hanson, MA, USA

Both of my manual sliding doors on this vehicle will not open from either the inside or outside. I went to Toyota of on 9/10/11 with the passenger side not opening-this has been an ongoing problem for years. They denied being able to fix it on a goodwill policy despite the chronic problems. By the time I returned home from the dealership, the driver's side sliding door no longer opens. Now I have to Transport 6 children in my van and both sliding doors won't open. They have to enter/exit from the front seat/rear hatch-major safety issue. The dealership wants $650 per door to fix the problem-$ I don't have. I am furious and frustrated-will never buy Toyota again-we didn't opt for the electric door so that we would avoid door problems-now what?

- Beacon, NY, USA

Power sliding door fails to close - manual override would not work. Wife and 4 children trapped in the dark and cold winter weather with an open door - not safe to move the vehicle. Father came to rescue and after repeated forceful attempts, the door closed. There are numerous recalls on this vehicle for missing labels - how about a recall on something really serious. The door is completely unreliable - cost to fix $1500+. this not an isolated incident. www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sienna/2006/accessories-exterior/power_sliding_door_wont_close.shtml www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sienna/2006/accessories-exterior/sliding_doors_don'T_open.shtml

- Houston, TX, USA

Our insured was pulling into parking space when vehicle suddenly accellerated striking a walgreens drug store. Our insured driver was treated and release at a local hospital. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and is currently being held for further inspection and download of the data recorder.

- Canton, OH, USA

I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna, while driving I have noticed on numerous (5 or 6) that the car will surge forward without pressure on the gas. I am not on cruise control when this happen, it has happened on the freeway and when I am coming out of a turn. I am very concerned. I have also had battery problems with the vehicle. The car battery would die after a door was left open for 5 minutes. After numerous visits to the service center without being able to repeat the situation, and numerous bills since it was never a "problem" they finally were able to repeat it and fix the battery. Now this accelerator issue is much more scary for me. I have 3 children that I drive every day in the vehicle and I need to feel safe. The incident date I used below was the most recent however I first noticed this 2 years ago.

- Solana Beach, CA, USA

: the contact stated while parked and activating the ignition switch, an arching came off and burned the ear piece of a cell phone traumatizing the contact's ear. No warning signal was present during the numerous incidents. The spark could be heard and seen every time there was an occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who checked all electrical grounding but no defects were found. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 10/11/06.

- Vacaville, CA, USA