Tag: sienna

Toyota recalling 94,000 2011 Sienna minivans over brake light bracket issue

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Recalls, Toyota

2011 Toyota Sienna

2011 Toyota Sienna – Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has issued a voluntary recall for approximately 94,000 2011 Sienna minivans produced before the beginning of November 2010. The recall is a result of a Stop Lamp Switch Bracket placed near the parking brake. When the parking brake is fully applied it may deform the switch bracket. This could result in the brake lights remaining lit or even partial engagement of the brakes resulting in a reduction of brake effectiveness over time.

No other vehicles have been affected by the issue and no accidents or injuries have been reported as of a result. Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notice in the mail by the middle of January, which contains instructions on how to handle any affects they might feel if their switch bracket has been deformed. A second notice will be sent out in February to inform customers that replacement parts are now available and appointments can be made with local Toyota service departments. Hop the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Toyota Sienna

2011 Toyota Sienna

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota recalling 94,000 2011 Sienna minivans over brake light bracket issue

Toyota recalling 94,000 2011 Sienna minivans over brake light bracket issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Toyota, Reviews

Family Vacation Tests This Minivan’s Mettle

2011 Toyota Sienna front view

2011 Toyota Sienna – Click above for high-res image gallery

My wife and I? Not minivan people. It isn’t for lack of appreciation. After all, we have three kids, so we’re acutely aware of the advantages gained from lots of interior space. We get our three rows in a different form factor; one that’s admittedly less practical but doesn’t make us feel like we’re flying the white flag of suburban surrender in the garage.

For our annual summer vacation, we decided to see how more sensible people roll. Our ride for the week was the latest monument to family-friendly practicality: the 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited (stickering at a significant $44,919 as tested). Its mission: schlep the author, his wife, our seven-year-old daughter, four-year-old son, 11-month-old son and the rather daunting pile of related detritus up to Cape Cod for a five-day getaway. Would everything fit easily? Would it actually be pleasant to drive? Would we be beset with secret minivan jealousy forever after? All those answers and more after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2011 Toyota Sienna

2011 Toyota Sienna

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading Review: 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited

Review: 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Sienna score in Consumer Reports plunges, no longer top-rated

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Crossover, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Toyota


2011 Toyota Sienna – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s generally accepted that every new iteration of any vehicle is somehow better than its predecessor. And that’s true of the 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan, which is festooned with more goodies (like a 16.4-inch widescreen monitor for rear-seat passengers) and a sportier flair (complete with a sporty SE trim) than the previous generation Sienna. The only question that remains, then, is this: Do those improvements automatically equal a better vehicle?

According to Consumer Reports, the answer is no. And surprisingly, it’s not even close, with the new Sienna’s overall test score of 80 paling in comparison to the 2010’s overall score of 94. The main culprits cited by CR for the plummeting score are poor fit and finish and excessive interior noise – bad enough that CR claims it’s not possible to have a proper conversation between front and rear passengers.

So, if not the Toyota Sienna – which held the honor for three straight years – what is CR’s top-rated minivan? The six-year-old Honda Odyssey. For what it’s worth, there’s a new Odyssey coming out next year, but as we’ve seen from the Sienna, a new model doesn’t necessarily equal one that tests better at the influential magazine. It’s also worth noting that the new Sienna’s overall score is roughly on par with that of the Kia Sedona, which has been available in its current configuration since 2006.

Consumer Reports also tested other people movers, such as the micro-minivan Mazda5 and the large box-on-wheels crossover Ford Flex. Both vehicles got rather positive reviews, and testers found that they may be looked at as realistic replacements for the tried-and-true minivan paradigm of the Toyota Sienna. Check out the official press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Toyota Sienna

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Continue reading Toyota Sienna score in Consumer Reports plunges, no longer top-rated

Toyota Sienna score in Consumer Reports plunges, no longer top-rated originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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