Has anyone else had problems with 2003 Sienna brake calipers? I am distressed, 73,000 miles & facing a $750 bill to replace brake calipers. I've already had problems (unresolved) with the 2nd row door; the tire pressure warning system; replaced all 4 tires, replaced the alternator & battery; and now this major brake job. Any insights - is it time to trade?
Replacing tires is normal and not a sign your vehicle is a lemon.As for the other problems listed,they are unusual for a 2003.Heat is as hard on batteries as the cold that we have in Maine,so that may even be excusable.Those sliding doors are a pain.The tire light works fine with 4 tires that match-I've never experienced ongoing problems with those.Alternators usually hold up better than that,but if you went to a parts-tossing repair shop chain,they tend to do alt's and batteries as a set .
Some more info on your service (not repair) history and brake problem would help.
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We have a 2003 Sienna. I was also told that the break calipers need to be replaced. Since 2003 they have already been ground down once. According to consumer reports it sounds like it is a problem for the 2003 vans.
We have a 2003 Sienna. I was also told that the break calipers need to be replaced. Since 2003 they have already been ground down once. According to consumer reports it sounds like it is a problem for the 2003 vans.
He is referring to brake calipers (brake pads are attached to this) and I believe you are referring to the rotors and they can require resurfacing periodically depending on braking habits.
Larry
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2004 Tundra V8 Limited Access Cab 4X4, Michelin 265/65/R17 LTX-AT2's, Auto Dim Comp/Temp Mirror, Aero Turbine #2525 muffler, Access Roll Up Cover, Optima D31A battery, Multi-Vex adaptive outside mirrors, Eclipse AVN5510 Nav unit and Sirius SIR-ECL1 tuner, as of 10/07 pictures in my photo gallery
If a combo of all these whizz bangs met their claims you'd have to siphon gas out of your tank every second day and sell the excess horsepower on the third????
If your engine doesn't consume ANY oil it will seize???
Some people should not be allowed access to tools without books!!!
I also have a 2003 Sienna XLE and had problems with the brakes. Took it back to the dealers probably 10 times since I bought the car to have the brakes fixed... not haven't had problems with the calipers yet. My van only has 40,000 miles on it.
My wife (Yes my wife, not ME!) has a 05 XLE LTD with 12K miles on it, so far we do not have any problems with the van at all, its an awesome van! However, front brakes on a van should be replaced more often than a regular 4 door sedan due to its weigh, so I'm not surprised if you have to resurface the rotor and replace the pads. One thing is that you shouldn't have to resurface the rotor unless they have deep groves on them or wrapped rotors. As far as calipers are concerned, they should last longer than 75K miles. I don't see how someone can try to charge $750 for brake job, we have 2 Toyotas and 2 Hondas and I maintain everyone of them myself, and I can tell you that $750 for brake job is just plain absurd!
We have a 2007 Sienna with ALL the bells and whistles. While quite happy over all, we too have issues with the brakes. At 25000 miles, the wheel is starting to "Shimmy". The service techs claim that the Disks are warped and need to be turned. The Supervisor stated that the brakes should have another 10,000 miles on them and that the cost for repairs is going to run approximately $250. He claims that anytime they change the pads, they always turn the rotors on ALL Toyotas? Never had this done on our Camary. (after service bulletin complied with and replaced the original rotors with a heavey duty set from the truck line). Our Van is supposed to be setup for towing! If this is the quality of the brakes, makes me wonder if I ever really want to put anything behind me on a hitch. To say the least, I'm a little more than dissapointed in Toyota and their handling of this issue.
Do the Sienna's have rear disc or drum? If drum, MANY people do not use the e-brake which helps to adjust the rear brakes. Without them adjusted constantly the fronts have to work more causing more heat, helping to cause warping. Read some of the brake threads here at TS. Also go to some of the sites like Discount Performance Brakes - Brake Pads & Brake Rotors- RaceShopper.com or StopTech : Balanced Brake Upgrades and read their FAQ's. Most shops will resurface the rotors because it provides a flat clean surface to bed the new brakes in. It also prevents you coming back saying they don't grab right or I have a slight vibration and they have to redo it again some for free, some to charge you again duplicating labor costs for something that would have only added a slight amount of time while on lift already.
I had many problems with my old Ford Explorer with front brakes because I never used the e-brake to adjust the rears. Once fixed many problems went away. My Corolla had a lot of dirt and rust keeping the self adjusters from working over the years. Parking brake actually wouldn't hold it anymore until adjusted manually but kept getting loose. Cleaned, wire brushed, lubed no issues for multiple years.
Good point about the drum brakes. It's been so long since I've had em. My 06 Sienna has drums on the rear. The e-brake is important and could be some of the reason why so many are reporting problems with
longevity on the front brakes on these vehicles.
Good points on e-brake use, also it takes the load off the parking pawl in auto transmissions for those of you who only use "park" to keep your vans from rolling,...not good.
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'06 Lexus IS350 Tungsten Pearl w/ Lux Package.
2003 Sienna Brakes - do I have a lemon?
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Re: 2003 Sienna Brakes - do I have a lemon?
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