Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- Component
- Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- Manufacturer
- TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Vehicles affected
- 196,222
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2008-06-03
- Owners notified
- 2008-08-04
Defect description
TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING 196,222 MY 2004-2006 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS. THE GAS STRUTS USED TO HELP LIFT AND SUPPORT THE REAR POWER LIFTGATE COULD WEAR OUT SOONER THAN EXPECTED. AS THE GAS STRUTS DETERIORATE, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFTGATE WILL BEGIN TO DEGRADE AND THE POWER REAR LIFTGATE WILL OPERATE MORE SLOWLY THAN WHEN THE GAS STRUTS WERE NEW.
Safety risk
IF NOT REPAIRED, THE GAS STRUTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE LIFTGATE WHEN IT IS OPEN EVENTUALLY, THE GAS STRUTS COULD DETERIORATE TO THE POINT THAT THE LIFTGATE WILL FALL ABOUT TEN INCHES AFTER IT REACHES THE FULLY OPEN POSITION, AT WHICH POINT THE POWER MOTOR WILL ENGAGE AND POWER THE LIFTGATE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INJURY TO A PERSON WHO IS STRUCK BY THE LIFTGATE WHEN IT FALLS OR WHEN IT IS CLOSING.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GAS STRUTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED GAS STRUTS THAT HAVE A LONGER SERVICE LIFE. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008, AND WILL BE MAILED IN THREE PHASES ENDING IN LATE DECEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.