Was the beeping sound 5 beeps with about 1/2 second in between the beeps? This is what happens in our 2008 when the stability control activates. The traction control light on the dash lights up only when the traction control activates. If both the traction control and stability control are activating for no good reason, that sounds like a major problem.

 

A while back there was some info about faulty yaw sensors and them causing this. I don't know much more as mine doesn't have VSC or traction control. Seems to happen in Sequoia's as well:

http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic544406.htm

I have a 2005 XLE. In the last month, I have had three instances where it did something very strange: Driving along, once freeway doing 65, once city street doing about 35, and once on a freeway on ramp at about 25, the traction control kicked in, the van braked, and the traction control light on dashboard came on with a beeping sound. I understand how the traction control works, but each time it was dry, level pavement, no rain, no gravel, no conditions that would necessitate the traction control. The last time it happened, the traction control was off, as I was driving it to the dealer to have it looked at. Dealer had it for two days and says they can't find anything wrong with it. Anyone else have this happen before?

 

you beat me to it - back on the old board there were a couple of threads about this, particularly with the early models of the sienna.

long story short, for those affected the problem occurred intermittently, so it was initially hard to diagnose because the dealers couldn't recreate the problem on demand, but it was eventually traced back to a faulty yaw sensor.

i'm not sure if there was a TSB on it, though.

 

edit - this looks like there is a TSB on it, scroll down a bit through the list.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Sienna/2004/tsbs.shtml

 

the problem we have been haaving w sienna. over 12 phonecalls and multiple visits to the dealership w full warranty and we are constantly blown off.

 

the problem we have been haaving w sienna. over 12 phonecalls and multiple visits to the dealership w full warranty and we are constantly blown off.

I HAVE THE FIX!!!!! This was a nightmare for me and after MUCH research, taking my minivan to Toyota Dealer crooks, and 2 independent garages, I got it taken care of. I thought I was going to have to junk the vehicle, but much persistence, I got it fixed.

It was the rack and pinion bushings were badly worn. Replaced rack and pinion for $625 and all the problems were gone. No more alarm, bucking/braking, loss of acceleration. Sure hopes this helps someone else as it was a horrible experience and I will NEVER buy a Toyota again.

Best of luck to you.

 

this happens to us ALL THE TIME and toyota refuses to acknowledge any problem see the video we got of it today...

toyota claims to never be able to replicate the issue, yet we caught it on iphone video 14 times on our drive today.

 

We have the same problem. Toyota cannot replicate. Constant breaking and beeping regardless of weather, conditions, speed. Did you find a solution?

 

I assume that someone has performed the zero point calibration procedure on your van? Alternate version.

 

I had this happen over the weekend. I brought it to a mom & Pop dealer where I bought the van. HERES HOW THEY FIXED IT
Symptoms: Driving when hits 35 mph, traction control alarm beeps and light flashes. Over 45 mph, vehicle begins braking. All symptoms stop when below 25 mph.
Action taken: Diagnostic for the ABS / trac control system. Read all codes and scope each sensor for faulty signal. Run system and confirm all modules and sensors are functioning. Test drive vehicle and confirm problem. RESET AND RECALIBRATE ECM AND BCM AND YAW RATE SENSORS.
they say this was all due to badly worn wheel bearings. I did not hear them, probably because I got used to the noise over time.

 

Did your problem get resolved? If so, what was the fix? My sis is having the same problem and the dealer and a couple independent shops could not figure it out. Thanks.

 

Same problem here. Started a couple of weeks ago, it has happened a half-dozen or so times. Haven't been to the dealer yet. Nearly got rear-ended this morning. I was hoping to find a recall or service bulletin on this problem. Anyone else experiencing this?

 

... the traction control kicked in, the van braked, and the traction control light on dashboard came on with a beeping sound. ... Anyone else have this happen before?

We've been experiencing this for the last couple of weeks. Today was the first time it happened with Traction Control off. It usually begins on a curve, but continues up to a mile or two on straight freeway. This is on a 2006 Sienna LE. Is this a known problem with this vehicle? Are there any related recalls or service bulletins?

Thanks for your help.

 

I have experienced the same issue with 2004 Sienna XLE Limited with 100,500 miles. Traction Control kicks in at 60 miles per hour on straightaway, and brakes car and cuts power. Almost lost control of vehicle when it happened, steering into other lanes. Took it to dealer Wondries Toyota in Alhambra CA, twice but unable to duplicate. How do you get toyota corporate to look at it and how do you report it to NTSB?

 

I have an 2006 sienna xle and have the same problem. Just started last month and scares the heck out of you when it happens. I have had the scanner put on the ecm and they say it holds no history. Happened again tonight after I took it last week and had the front end aligned to manufacturers specs. Not sure where to go next but sounds like a sensor. Other posts say a YAW sensor may be bad. I will have that checked next. That is if I don't wreck the car first.

 

Refer again to my post #8 above. Any time you have a change to the suspension calibrations, and this includes alignment, you must have the zero point calibration done to recenter the sensors. And as these vans age, worn struts, bushings and ball joints, even a change of tires can trigger it.

 

Kinerets Post - I own a Toyota Sienna minivan and it is doing the same thing you captured in video. We have had the van in with Toyota for a total of $3000.00 worth of expenses. However, problem was not fixed. Were you ever able to identify the problem and fix the problem completely? Please post and update. The situation is frightening. My car has only 100,000 miles but I am afraid to drive. We did have zero point calibration done, steering wheel sensor replaced, sensors on wheels tested, as well as many of the other things referenced in post 8 completed. It also happens with TRAC Auto button off.

 

I posted a few weeks back about the same issue with my Sienna. Were you able to get the issue with your van fixed?

 

Just purchased 2006 XLE experienced the same issues others have described all in excellent driving conditions. This is a huge blow to Toyota in my mind. My loyalty level has diminished greatly. Not because there is a problem. Because they won't fix it. I've filed a complaint with the U.S. DOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. I would recommend all do the same!!!

http://www.safercar.gov/

 

We also have been experiencing this issue with our 2005 XLE Limited for the past few months. My wife is very worry about being rear-ended during one of these occurrences. Talked to the dealer briefly about a month ago - they said they have not heard of the issue. Taking the car back to them again with info I collected form this forum and others on the web. Also captured the occurrence on my phone to show to them.

 

Add me to the list. Traction control kicked in doing 65 on a straight away. Clear sunny day. Scared the crap out of me. It happened again 2 days later while my husband was driving. This time it was raining, but not significantly out of the ordinary.

 

Add me to the list too. We are the original owners of a 2004 Sienna XLE of which we have had serviced on a regular basis and have replaced/repaired items as needed.
The traction control has engaged four times, once each in September and October 2015, and twice in the last ten days (January 2016). Three out of four times the van was traveling on dry pavement, all four times traveling between 35-45 mph. The first time it happened it scared the heck out of me. The van seized up (braked on its own) and an internal audible alarm sounded (after owning the van almost 12 years I was quite surprised to learn there was an internal alarm). I immediately pulled over, got out and check the tires, looked under the van, and while I didn’t open the hood there wasn’t any steam, hissing sounds or sounds of fluid draining. I got back in and proceeded with caution to my destination. I then took the van to our independent mechanic, with whom I took a drive with as he ran diagnostics on the - unfortunately nothing showed up. After the second time, our mechanic did some research and learned the problem was probably due to a faulty sensor. He has recommended (which my husband agrees with) disconnecting traction control, since after owning the van for twelve years we’ve never been in a situation where we need traction control to engage. I have been hesitant to have it disconnected but after the last two incidents I worry that I could get into an accident if this was to happen again, especially if someone is following to closely or going through an intersection with on coming cars heading towards me. VERY SCARY. I have reported this to NHTSA. I also mentioned to my local Toyota dealer and at least one of the employees was familiar with the problem. We didn't get into a discussion about the problem as he was not a service tech and I was at the dealership regarding the dashboard recall. I plan on calling the local dealership tomorrow to further discuss this issue. I sure hope Toyota does the right thing by us vehicle owners.

 

Did you find a solution to this problem? I have had the same problem and it has limited my driving to very short local trips, not highways or sharp curves. So far I am batting zero and all I want to do is find out where to disconnect this control. Any help such as where is the YAW Sensor would be appreciated. ( Original owner of 2005 Toyota Sienna AWD)

 

My 08 Sienna had a similar problem where VSV and a bunch of other lights illuminated. After 2 or 3 unsuccessful attempts by the dealership I insisted (not so politely) a more qualified Toyota technician (they had roving super techs at the time that they could call in) troubleshoot on my next visit. After driving around with a diagnostic monitoring computer connected, they determined it was a bad sensor (I think it was a bad air qty sensor in the air intake side of the house). They explained that when the ECS determined the sensor was faulty, degraded/limp home mode was activated, which disabled the VSV/traction control functions. They replaced the sensor, and no problems for the last 7 yrs.
Hope this helps.

 

What was your resolution, if any?

 

I had this problem with my 2006 Sienna and it took a long time to finally isolate it.

Long story short: the fix for me was to replace the Rack and Pinion. I can't commend my local mechanic enough for finding this after others couldn't.

Have your mechanic look underneath at the rack while someone turns the steering wheel left and right while the car is on the ground. If there is play in the rack it is probably because the bushings are shot. If you do a search for a Sienna rack you will find they can be as cheap as $250 for rebuilt and new ones could run about $750. It should take a mechanic about 3 hours to replace it, so the low end would be about $600 total for the repair. You will need to align the car afterwards.

The sensor alarm stopped going off after this fix. This kind of makes sense if the steering angle sensor is getting a false read from the rack slipping. An indication that this could be your problem is if you notice more play in your steering wheel while driving.

 

I have a 2004 Sienna that does exactly the same thing. While driving over 30 miles an hour the VSC alarm will start beeping. There are several curves it consistently happens on. It also happens on the freeway on slight curves and often puts the ABS brakes on, lurching the occupants forward and pulling the vehicle to the side. We have been into the dealer/shop 5 times last year, twice serviced and nothing worked. The computer would not give them any codes to find the problem. They calibrated the YAW sensor, then next they replaced the sensor. It is getting worse and happens most days. I called Toyota headquarters and was told because the car is old and has a lot of miles, they would not pay to fix it. The dealer wants to replace the lower control arm bushings and the steering rack and shaft for $4300. They do not guarantee that will fix the problem. Not sure what those are. So I am searching the forums. To those that have had this problem, does this sound like what you had fixed? Was they problem resolved permanently?

 

The more worn the suspension & steering components get, the more likely that this will happen. Anytime the computer 'believes' that the body is not tracking exactly where the steering wheel is turned, it will invoke one or two corner brakes to help coax it into the right arc. On an older van this will become problematic as everything gets loose. Drive a new van and yours back to back. If you can feel the sloppiness of it's handling, so can the computer.

The 2004 models are likely the most problematic of the series, given that there were a few TSB's related to components and software. It's unfortunately the typical story of any first year model (debugging it) and the first time Stability Control was used on the vans. Ideally they could 'numb' the system a bit so that it wasn't so fast to react, but I don't know of any way to do this. Disabling it likely means loosing your ABS system entirely.

You need to find an independent suspension shop that can objectively look at all your alignment, struts, shocks, bushings, links, ball joints, steering rack & it's mounts, and even your tires, along with the stability sensors.

This isn't going to be easy.... or cheap to fix.