Steering rack boot on the passenger side has a leak. I was told that I need to replace the whole steering rack and pinion costing almost $1400. This is a very common problem in Toyota Sienna 2006 and Toyota issued psb 0097-12 for this but not a recall. Toyota even changed the design in the newer models after 2006. Even though it is a defective design but Toyota does not seem to care and own responsibility for this. Customers are paying for this.

- Fremont, CA, USA

Tear on the boot of the power steering rack, passenger side. I researched on the internet and found this was not uncommon for Toyota Sienna 2006. Some said Toyota seemed to fix it in the 2007 model. Toyota may keep quiet about the problem. The boot is too close to one of the belts. Any debris (rock or ice or piece of metal) could be sling-shot by the belt and hit the rubber boot. This is a potential safety issue, the exposed steering joints could rust and break in the highway. They should put a protective plate between the boot and the belt.

- Burnsville, MN, USA

Initially, steering is stiff when the vehicle is started and the steering wheel is turned. I am afraid that it might happened when the car is running at high speed. It would appear that there was a recall including the 2005 Sienna, but apparently the 2006 model year is not covered. Thanks for looking into this matter, best regards.

- New York, NY, USA

Steering oil leak on passenger side found during routine oil change, the steering rack inner seals had disintegrated causing fluid leakage that was not evident until the boot had been affected and broken.

- Covina, CA, USA

While trying to make a turn (several times since the first episode, like 10 more) the steering wheel gets locked and doesn't respond to the way that I'm trying to steer, it's get locked or really hard to maneuver, and just because I'm turning at slow speed I haven't had an accident. Last time I was backing up from my driveway and then I couldn't move to any side (left or right), it was locked for like 1 minute. I don't know if there is any recall about this problem.

- Reisterstown, MD, USA

The steering rack inner seals had disintegrated causing fluid leakage that was not evident until the boot had been affected and broken. Concerned by part failure with such low mileage. Complaints seen on Toyota forums - Toyota issued technical service bulletins in July 2012 but no information sent to consumers tsb-0097-12. Consider this to be a manufacturers defect.

- Newhall, CA, USA

Steering oil leak on passenger side found during routine oil change.

- Avondale, AZ, USA

Passenger side steering rack boot leak. Discovered at Toyota dealership during oil change.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

Removed the run flat tires and replaced them with regular tires. I am constantly having the "tire balance" light go off in my car and getting flat tires. Ever since I switched the tires the alignment has always been issue.

- Port Matilda, PA, USA

During the 65K service at I was told that the power steering fluid is leaking this require replacement of steering gear and replacing the tie rod end each side. The cost will be around $1225. The mechanic told me that this is a common problem. I believe the quality of Toyota vehicle is getting decreased compare to some earlier models.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

During routine 60K mile maintenance I was informed the "steering rack" is "leaking from the passenger side". after only 61K miles, this seems to be an early failure of such a major component.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

During a safety inspection the mechanics have said the steering fluid is leaking. They will have to replace the entire rack and pinion steering assembly. The cost averages $1100. This is reported as a common problem for this vehicle and a safety problem for driving.

- South Riding, VA, USA

I have had problems with my 2006 Toyota Sienna with most recently the power passenger sliding door that is broken and does not open or close. The dealer ft. Myers Toyota said the parts were on national back order and may take months to get the parts to fix. They did say they would cover under warranty. Secondly, my steering assembly needed replacement at 80,000 miles because of leaking fluid and I had to pay the labor to fix. Lastly, all 4 of the tire rims on the car have peeling, bubbling and chipping paint that is exposing the metal rim. It may cause further corrosion to the rims and cause a safety problem to the wheels. Germain Toyota in naples, fla where I bought the car would not help with the rims. Ft. myers Toyota where I get the car serviced told me about the national back order problem and also charged me for the defective steering assembly which I thought should have been covered under their lifetime power train warranty. They said it did not.

- Ft. Myers, FL, USA

1) airbags: Blinking airbag light. Toyota service bulletin - $1200 repair. Unsure of safety implications. 2) suspension, steering rack. Leaking power steering fluid. Needs replacement of entire rack. $1200 repair. 3) electrical: Power sliding rear door will only function in manual mode. Toyota customer service informs me of a customer support program for problem. Dealer failed to tell me about it. $1400 for repair. Dealer estimated trade in value for van: $6000.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that when decelerating, the vehicle would hesitate abnormally. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would become uncontrollable when driving over road bumps and when attempting to park. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the steering column was partially fractured and would need replacing. The contact spoke to the manufacturer but no assistance was provided. The failure and the current mileages were 68,000.

- Hampton, VA, USA

During state vehicle inspection tech found power steering rack leaking (passenger side seal). All fluid was inside boot - no external leak. We have been Toyota customers for 25 plus years and have never had a major failure even with 100,000 plus miles. Guess I expected more from Toyota. Seems to me 60,000 miles is a little soon for a major failure of this type. Dealership does a fine job and I am grateful they found and fixed defect. Just wanted to get this information on database in case there is a high frequency of this type of repair in 2006 Toyota Siennas.

- Hanover, PA, USA

Problem with the steering shaft due to corrosion; there is an increased effort to turn the steering from neutral or to return after turning. I feel this is a defect that could result in casualties and Toyota refuses to address it. This started approximately 4 months ago and was reported to Toyota customer service. The local dealership agrees that this is not a typical part that goes out on a 3 1/2 year old vehicle.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not slow down which resulted in a crash. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The contact also stated that she noticed problems with the steering mechanism as the vehicle always steered to the right. The air bag service light also illuminated intermittently; the vehicle was repaired for the air bag light failure several times but the problem continued to occur. The current and failure mileages were 59,363.

- Dorchester, MA, USA

In early 2008, my 2006 Toyota Sienna began to pull to the right side of the road. I noticed that then I let go of the steering wheel, the car would drift sharply to the right. Additionally, at a dead stop and the accelerator was applied, the car drifted to the right. My local Toyota dealership has looked at the car 4 times and said that nothing more can be done and the car is within specs. With the service manager, we drove my Sienna and then drove the dealerships courtesy van. At a dead stop, the dealerships van drove straight and had no drift to the right. When we drove my van, the service manager stated that the drift to the right at a dead stop was normal in the Sienna and that my van's drift was within compliance of Toyota standards. I have had the alignment checked three time and appears to be normal, yet the vehicle continues to pull to the right. Toyota has refused to deal with my car and sent it to arbitration. To be resolved. What is the deal"?"

- Sammamish, WA, USA