DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 209 – Eric T. from New Orleans, LA
Dear Suzanne,
Do you ever wake up thinking, “Today’s gonna be a great day”? That used to be me—until my van decided that reliable transportation was too much to ask for. Some days, it runs just fine. Other days, it feels like it’s raising the white flag.
For months now, I’ve been dealing with a series of problems that come and go as they please. I’ve pressured the Toyota dealership to fix it, but nothing seems to stick. It’s clear something is seriously wrong, but figuring out the exact cause has been impossible.
Instead of accepting my fate, I’ve decided to get to the bottom of this mess. There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel. This is my battle with my 2023 Toyota Sienna Minivan.
Infotainment System Glitches and Early Warning Signs
Do you want to know how this nightmare started? It all began with a small but annoying problem—the infotainment system randomly resetting itself. At first, I brushed it off, thinking it was just a software bug or a bad Bluetooth connection. But then things got weird.
Whenever I slowed down—especially while braking—the screen would go blank, and my music would cut out. A few seconds later, the Toyota splash screen would pop up, like I had just started the car. Sometimes, it would even play a little “ding,” and the traction control light would flicker on and off, like my van was trying to communicate in Morse code.
Then, the real trouble started. My engine began hesitating, and the fans suddenly dropped their output. Every time I rolled up to a red light, the van would downshift, the RPMs would dip to around 600, and then—bam!—the whole vehicle would shudder, like a minor earthquake just hit.
I knew something wasn’t right, so I took the Sienna to the dealership. I expected answers. What I got was frustration.
Dealership Visits: The Endless Back-and-Forth
The first time I brought it in, they said they couldn’t replicate the issue and asked me to record a video the next time it happened. So I did. When I came back with proof, they still couldn’t figure it out.
This pattern repeated over and over. I’d bring the van in, they’d check a few things, tell me they couldn’t find the problem, and send me on my way. Eventually, I gave up on them ever fixing it. But then things went from frustrating to downright dangerous.
Complete Power Loss on the Highway
One day, while merging onto the highway, my van shut off—no warning, no dramatic sputtering, just an instant loss of power. Suddenly, I was rolling into fast-moving traffic in a dead vehicle, and let me tell you, that was not a fun experience.
Somehow, I managed to coast to the shoulder without getting hit. Once I was safely off the road, I checked the voltage readings. What I saw scared the hell out of me. The system was dropping from the standard 13+ volts all the way down to 8 or lower. No wonder the engine wasn’t cooperating.
I called the dealership, and they sent a tow truck. When they got my van back to the shop, they checked every fuse in the TIPM (fuse box), reset connections, and even did a hard reset. Strangely enough, this seemed to fix the issue—for a few days. But just like a horror movie villain, the problem refused to stay dead.
From Low to High Voltage
When the problem came back, it didn’t return in the same way. This time, my van decided to get creative.
One day, the little LED lights in the gauge cluster started flickering like an old fluorescent bulb. Sometimes they would go completely dark, only to come back a minute later. Other times, they would jitter and shake like they were trying to break free from the dashboard.
The next day, the dealer called with some unsettling news. They had checked the voltage again, and now it was spiking—not dropping, but shooting up to 18 or even 20 volts. According to them, this wasn’t just unusual; it was dangerous. “It’s so bad it could fry your entire electrical system,” they told me.
At that point, I wasn’t willing to risk it anymore. I left the van at the dealership and told them not to call me until they had a real solution.
The Dealer’s Attempts to Fix It
Since then, the dealership has thrown every fix they can think of at the problem, but nothing has worked. Here’s what they’ve tried so far:
- They replaced the alternator after it failed a test, but the new one failed the charging system test too.
- They checked the belt and tensioner, but both looked fine.
- They reset the TIPM again, but this time it didn’t help.
- They inspected the battery connections and grounds, but everything seemed solid.
With all the easy fixes ruled out, I’m starting to think my van might be possessed.
Where Do I Go from Here?
At this point, I feel like I have two choices: either keep troubleshooting and hope for a miracle, or cut my losses and get rid of the van.
That’s where you come in. If I decide to pursue a lemon law claim, how many repair visits do I need before I qualify? If I file a claim, what kind of compensation could I expect? And honestly—given how unreliable this van has been—do you think I have a strong case?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Eric T.
New Orleans, LA
Editor’s Note: This letter has been edited for clarity, and personally identifiable details like names and actual locations have been changed to protect the letter sender’s privacy.
Sounds Like Your 2023 Toyota Sienna Qualifies as a Lemon
Hi Eric,
I can only imagine how frustrating and stressful this has been for you. You buy a brand-new minivan expecting it to be reliable, and instead, you’ve been dealing with electrical failures, stalling, and voltage spikes that make driving downright dangerous. It’s even worse when the dealership can’t seem to figure it out, leaving you stuck with a vehicle you can’t trust. I know you’re at the end of your rope, and I want to help you understand what your options are under Louisiana’s Lemon Law.
Let’s go through your questions one by one.
If I decide to get rid of the car, what are my options?
Since your 2023 Toyota Sienna has had repeated electrical failures and safety issues, you may qualify for relief under Louisiana’s Lemon Law. This law applies to new vehicles with serious defects that the manufacturer or dealer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts. If your vehicle qualifies, you could be entitled to either:
- A replacement vehicle – The manufacturer provides you with a new, comparable vehicle at no additional cost.
- A full refund – You get your money back, minus a small deduction for the miles you’ve driven.
There’s also the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which may give you additional options beyond the state law, including compensation for repairs and inconvenience. If your vehicle doesn’t qualify under the Lemon Law, you may still have other legal avenues to recover your losses.
How many repair visits do I need before I qualify?
In Louisiana, the law says the manufacturer gets a “reasonable number of attempts” to fix your car. This means:
- Four or more repair attempts for the same issue without a fix, OR
- One repair attempt for a defect that could cause serious injury or death, OR
- Your car has been in the shop for 45 or more total days (not necessarily consecutive) for warranty repairs.
From what you’ve described, it sounds like your vehicle may meet these conditions, especially given the safety risks and repeated unsuccessful repairs.
If I file a claim, what kind of compensation can I receive?
If your Sienna qualifies as a lemon, you could receive:
- A refund of the purchase price, including taxes and fees, minus a mileage deduction.
- A new replacement vehicle, if that’s your preferred option.
- Possible compensation for repair costs, towing fees, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the defect.
The manufacturer may also try to offer a cash settlement, where you keep the car but get compensated for the trouble. Whether that’s a good option depends on how severe the issues are and whether you feel comfortable keeping the vehicle long-term.
Next Steps: Talk to a Lemon Law Attorney
Since Louisiana’s Lemon Law has specific requirements and deadlines, I highly recommend speaking with a knowledgeable lemon law attorney as soon as possible. They can review your repair records, determine if your case qualifies, and deal with the manufacturer on your behalf. Having an experienced attorney makes a big difference in getting the best outcome—whether that’s a buyback, replacement, or settlement.
Final Thoughts
You’ve done everything you were supposed to—taking it to the dealership, giving them multiple chances, and documenting the issues. At this point, it’s clear that fixing it isn’t working. Instead of dealing with more frustration, let’s focus on getting you the compensation or replacement you deserve.
Suzanne
2023 Toyota Sienna Lemon Car? Here’s Your Solution!
Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about Texas’ lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (833) 743-1990 to discuss your situation with someone who understands how frustrating it can be to have a lemon car, and what to do about it.
DEAR SUZANNE is a weekly column written by Suzanne Henderson and published in LemonLawyers.ORG. If you have a defective lemon vehicle and have questions about Louisiana Lemon Law or how to file a claim, please write to [email protected]. While not guaranteed, we will try to feature your letter in this column to provide you the answers you need, as well as enlighten other consumers who may have lemon problems similar to yours.
Disclaimer: Suzanne Henderson is not a lawyer and the points discussed here are intended for general information and reference purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a Louisiana Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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- Louisiana Lemon Law: Your Guide to Repair Attempts and Time Limits!
- Cracked the Code: Louisiana Lemon Law Revealed!
Featured Images:
- 2023 Toyota Sienna ©HJUdall (CC BY 1.0 Universal)
