Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the rear passenger sliding door window failed and became stuck open. The contact began to smell something burning in the area of the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the master switch burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls on her vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. While driving at 5 MPH, the rear passenger side window was activated and the window fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the window needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 09/01/2015 updated 9/24/15
Radiator ruptured and the engine overheated; hose replaced in steering column recall; rust protective tape recall; dvd screen replaced and the entire dvd player replaced(screen still not easily visible in middle row); passenger seat belt replaced; middle passenger seat belt failing; gasoline smell inside of car with ac on recirculation; driver's window fell inside door in snow storm and was not considered a safety issue to get a loaner vehicle even though the vehicle could not be locked; tires completely bald and leaking under 30,000 miles, dvd player must be at a high db volume and when returned to radio/cd will almost deafen you; interior lights have to be manually over ridden or will drain battery; car hesitates 1-2 seconds when trying to quickly accelerate and then lurches forward alarmingly; cruise control is not functioning; waiting to have fuel mixture sensor replaced. …
Since 9/07, rear power tailgate would not raise to full height. Actually walked into gate due to this problem. Thought it was the cooler weather. As winter approached, the gate would raise, not fully, then close on it's own, no warning. Without the power hatch, you could lift and hold the gate, but, it would not stay up on it's own. Toyota, can replace the gas struts/shocks, parts only $286/each. It's a flaw, and should be a recalled item since many consumers have had the same faulty hatch, it can come down at any time on anyone and will not stay up unless held open with a stick. It has not worked properly for over 6 months, just spoke with the dealer 15/5/8, honestly thinking the problem would correct itself with warmer weather. Obviously, it did not.
I own a 2004 Toyota Sienna. I bought the van when it first came out, had to wait a couple of weeks to get it (because of demand) and paid full sticker price. Last year, while driving, my air condition unit went. It is blowing warm air. I took it to a garage to get it looked at and was told that compressor was working and freon is full. I did some research on my own and found out there are numerous complaints from people, with the same year and make. Some of these people have spent up to $4,000 to get repairs with still no satisfaction. Apparently, Toyota was aware of the problem with the air conditioning units in the 2004 and 2005 models and made the corrective changes in the following year. However, never informed the owners of potential repairs.
While driving to florida noted that there were stains on both windshields either from a manufacturers defect or from the windshield washer solvent which appeared to be of gel consistency. When checked by the dealership I was told it was hard water stains but they were unable to remove the stains. When inspected by the manufacturers rep at the dealership he refused any aid. These stains present a safety hazard when driving at night and in bad weather. Nothing is being done to correct this problem. This is the third stage of the dispute process for me and Toyota is not acknowledging any responsibility for the problem that exists. This make very unsafe driving conditions especially on interstates like 95 when we head south for the winter.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. While driving 50 MPH she heard an extremely loud noise coming from the roof of the vehicle. She pulled over and discovered the noise she had heard was the sunroof which had violently exploded. A temporary repair was made to the vehicle. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer for repair. The failure mileage was 124,949. The current mileage was 125,249. Updated 01/25/10 the repairs were paid for through the consumers insurance company. The repair technician noted that there was no evidence of any foreign object having impacted the glass. No further problems since the repair. Updated 01/26/10.
While driving 55 MPH, my driverside vent window popped out. Staying connected to the Sienna 2004 by only a wire. I pulled over and taped the window (not broken) back onto the van. The window did not fail, nor did the mechanism that opens the window. The adhesive that secures the window to the mechanical part of the vent window gave up. No acid rain, vandalism, mechanical breakdown was involved with this incident. Toyota will not replace the gluing to make this safe again. They want to replace the whole system at my cost. $500 later we are considering trading in to get a Kia. Thank goodness the window did not come off completely into oncoming traffic.
While driving on the freeway the glass sunroof/moonroof of my 2004 Toyota Sienna xle shattered. From the pattern of the glass breakage it looks like the glass broke due to interior cabin pressure. This is actually the second time this has occurred with this vehicle. We had been on the road for about 4 hours, we did not hit a pothole and we had not gone under an overpass. We heard a loud boom and then the sound of broken glass on the roof and dropping onto the sunshade. Luckily the sunshade was closed or my wife and kids would have been showered with broken glass. I called my insurance company and the glass was replaced by the dealer only part.
We recently had an issue with the pass. Side vent window on our 2004 Sienna. While driving the window was opened the glue failed and the window swung down the side of the van only being held on by the motorized arm. It appears as if the track that the window is attached to has been painted prior to the glue being applied. So instead of glass, glue, metal it was glass, glue, paint, metal. This seems to be a growing issue based on a quick search online. If the glass had broken free of the arm, it would have gone flying into traffic. The dealer and Toyota were contacted and both dismissed the issue.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2004 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2004 Toyota Sienna, 1% of the model year's 2,062 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Sienna window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2004 Toyota Sienna, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Toyota Sienna window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.