Update: Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires

The extended tread-life test on CR's Sienna AWD continues.

For those who have been following our saga of run-flat tires on our 2007 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD, we've been raking up the miles faster than you can say "minivans are the best family vehicle EVER!" After hearing many tales of premature wear of the original-equipment Dunlop SP Sport 4000 Self-Supporting Technology tires (DSST)—run-flat tires, in layman terms—we decided to do a long-term test to see for ourselves. After the traditional road test of our Sienna was completed, we purchased a new set of Dunlop SP Sport 4000 DSST tires for a tread-life evaluation. The evaluation started at the end of March, 2007, and is ongoing.

We've been checking inflation pressures religiously; aligning the wheels, rotating the tires, and measuring the average tread depth in no less than 16 test points around each tire at nearly every 2,000 miles. Admittedly, most consumers are not likely to follow our frequent alignment and rotation schedule, but we're giving the tires the best opportunity to wear optimally. So far, the results suggest that there are benefits in taking good care of your tires.

After some long vacations stints around Northeast parts of the United States and Canada, we've accumulated just over 22,000 miles. Our comprehensive tread-wear measurements tell us the tires still have plenty of life left. The tires are at least 32 percent worn out and some are closing in on the 40-percent mark based on the fastest wearing groove. Keep in mind that a tire is legally worn out when any one groove depth is flush to the tread wear indicator of 2/32 inch. Our Sienna's tires are showing more rapid tread loss at the shoulders, which is not uncommon for a radial tire, but we also observed a stepped wear condition to the inboard shoulder rib that started to appear around 19,000 miles. In addition, a cyclical tire whine is becoming very noticeable as the miles have accumulated.

We'll continue our put on the miles to see how the wear proceeds, including the step-wear condition.

—Gene Petersen

Related blog posts:
Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires wear well for us
Toyota Sienna AWD tires - patience wearing thin
Toyota extends run-flat tire warranty
Toyota Sienna run-flat tires? Spare us.
Run-flat tires go flat with our readers       

Discuss in the Cars forums, especially in Tire Talk, the online-subscriber-only tire forum.                                                                                                   

Comments

[Malcolm McWhorter]

I am a longtime subscriber and supporter, and thought it desirable to write you a note. I have a BMW325i which runs well but is extremely noisy--it seems to be run flat tires. BMW mechanics are oblivious to the problem altho several class action suits appear in the offing. People all over are complaining about short tire life, blowouts, horrible noise etc. There are a bunch of complaints in various car internet blogs. BMW seems to be ignoring the problem or accusing the owners of various mishandling events. No relief is in sight from BMW although a number of people are giving bad press for BMW. At the moment the situation is so bad I would remove Beemers from high on the approved list. (In my opinion the tires even affect safety because they make the car jumpy on grooved pavement.)

If you have any recommendation for a good runflat tire I would like to hear it because I'm about to spend $1000 for new tires. TNX for listening!

[Suzanne]

I have a 2006 Sienna which supposedly has the second generation fixed tires installed. I religiously rotated the tires and checked the pressure monthly. Guess what? 18 monts after purchase and at 15000 miles all four tires showed severe wear on the edges and had to be replaced at a cost of $250 per tire. So the "corrected" tires didn't hold up for me, and I was very cautious with the maintainance because I was aware of the first generation problem. These run flats are just no good. I would advise anyone replacing runflats on a sienna to buy a spare mount it in the rear and replace the runflats with a regular tire when they wear out. you lose some cargo space but thwe money savings is well worth it, unless you can afford $1200 worth of tires every other year.

[Tina]

I have a 2006 Sienna XLE AWD, and now all 4 tires have to be replaced after 31,700miles. Toyota says they won't cover it, since those are "improved" tires. What can I do besides plunking $1200 for every 30Kmiles on the tires?

[katie]

I have a 2006 Sienna XLE Limited AWD, and I had to replace all four tires due to excessive wear at 32,800 miles. I was told by Firestone that it was my fault because I didn't get the necessary front end alignments and the tires should have worn well for 40,000 miles. Even Toyota admits the average life for these tires is only 18-20,000 miles. Well, the noticeable wear was on the outside of the tire as well as the inside. An alignment I was told would only remedy the inner wear. I have been leasing vehicles for years and I can't remember the last time I had an alignment on a vehicle not to mention I have never replaced tires that I rotated regularly at just over 30,000 miles. I was sick when I had to dish out over 1,100 dollars for front brakes and tires on the same day. The new tires still have a very loud noise to them. I like the idea of the runflats, but I think they definitely need to be improved.

[Chris]

After driving for 30+ years and having one flat tire, my wife has had three with her 2007 Sienna in 15 months. With the most recent, the run flat also failed to do its job and she had to be towed in.

The Toyota dealership is replacing all four tires with new run flats, but as soon they wear out or one fails (this shouldn't take too long) we're going to conventional tires.

[Linda]

Had to replace supposed "2nd generation tires" at 15,000. Uneven wear and cupping. I contacted Toyota and got a case #, the dealer replaced tires but disposed of them (not honoring my request to keep one - wanted to have it evaluated)and charged for labor, etc...

I had religiously brought this car in for every service and two alignments had been done. Air pressure was maintained. I am at 25,000 now and yet again have cupping issues with at least two tires.

Supposedly my model was "exempt" from the class action lawsuit and extended wear warranty. Well...guess what - same problem! In spite of what Toyota says, this problem has NOT been fixed.
Buyer beware. I will be purchasing non run-flats and keeping a spare in my van...somewhere...

[Nelson Lathrop]

I have a Toyota Siena XLE AWD with SP4000T DSST Ctt (OEM -
P225/60R17 98T M+S) on the standard 10 spoke wheel. The car has been regularly serviced and tires rotated. We have maimtained the pressure at recommended value (air compressor in the garage) and it made it to 26K miles before the tires "went". I am now getting bounced between Toyota (out of VIN range for the "2004 through Early 2006 Model Year Sienna All Wheel Drive (AWD) Run-Flat Tire Customer Support Program") and Dunlop (Goodyear)...

The dealer says they can't do anything and tha no matter how often we had rotated or "aligned", we would have the same problem. They repeatedly stated that I had to take it up with Toyota.

[Kevin]

We recently had a runflat tire blowout due to rapid tire loss on the inside shoulder of the tire. This one tire cost me $700! Nobody in Yellowstone National Park would touch a runflat tire.... had to get towed to West Yellowstone City and stay the night while a Firestone tire (I have Dunlop) was driven down special from Bozeman MT. This cost us a day of vacation and a lot of $$$.

I called Toyota Corporate while stuck in Yellowstone - they wouldn't help at all.

After this experience I'm gonna sell my Sienna. I liked it up till now but.... I don't want anything like this again!

[Steve]

I own a 2006 Sienna limited AWD. At around 15,000 miles my tires started to growl. The faster I went the louder the growl. It was loud enough to be intrusive and annoying - it was very quiet when I first purchased the vehicle.

The car has been dealer services since I purchased it. When I brought it in with the tire complaint they told me the tires were "chopped" and replaced all four. The minivan was back to normal - nice and quiet - for about 12,000 miles and then it started all over again. I'm now at about 34,000 miles and the tires are growling loudly again (I think caused by cupping). The tread levels are fine according to the dealer so I guess I can live with it for a while. I think I'm going to ditch the run flats and go with a spare when these need replacement.

I'm annoyed with Toyota - From what I have been reading this issue is very common. Toyota should recall these vehicles and fix this for everyone. Toyota has most likley lost me as a repeat customer because of they way they are handling this.

[Lillian]

Add me to the list of drivers with the already mentioned problems with run-flat tires. The Toyota service department gave me a shocking announcement this morning that my 2006 Sienna needs new tires at only 28,000 miles. The terms "chopped", "lack of alignment", etc. were all used to convince me to fork over another grand for a new set of these inadequate tires. No thanks; it looks as though I'll be placing a regular spare in the cargo space along with replacing these pathetic run-flats with regular tires.

[Cecil]

I have a 2006 XLE AWD Limited Toyota Siena with the Dunlop tires. I bought the van in Sept. 2006 and the first sets of tires were replaced in July of 2007 with under 12k miles on them. The dealership replaced the tires with the same type of Dunlop tires. In May of this year the same noise returned from the tires. Now Toyota will not replace the tires stating my van vin number does not fall under there replacement numbers. After a no-win-situation speak with the Toyota Care Center in Ca. I was told I could take this up with Dunlop. $1000.00 a year tire replacement for run flats on a $43,000.00 vehicle. Please…….. How can they get away with this?

[mary Ruggiero]

I also own a 2006 Toyota Sienna with Dunlop Run Flat Tires and at 11,000 miles started to experience excessive noise from the tires. I also was told that my tires were cupped and it was my fault because I did not rotate my tires at 5,000 miles. I now rotate my tires and the noise did not go away. I have been going back and forth with Toyota and they do not want to give me any help. There definitely is a problem with these tires. Something has to be done. Oh yes, my vin number does not match the recall so I do not qualify for new tires. I have also experienced flat tires. I had two flat tires within 2 months of each other. (I had a flat in upper state New York and there was no authorized dealer for miles to fix my tire! What an inconvenice to get one of these tires fixed) One tire had to be replaced the other was repairable. I have been driving for over 40 years and never had a flat tire (maybe that was just luck) but I am having any luck with this Toyota.

[Eric]

I have a 2004 Sienna XLT AWD with only 38000. I am on my second set of runflats and have been told by Toyota service that I need another set. The van has had alignments, tire rotations, and pressure checks religiously, so I think we can put that feeble excuse to rest. I am of the opinion that the runflats are junk (I think that this is a univeral understanding).
From what I can tell, Toyota did this because on the AWD Sienna, there is no place to put a spare, and since it is an AWD vehicle, the spare has to be full size. It usually goes on the outside, underneath the second row passengers seat on the passenger side, but AWD equipment must prevent its placement there.
I am interested in replacing the "funflats" with regular. In addition to the benefit of treadlife, I understand that the ride is better with the regulars. I am curious to learn where people with the AWD and regular tires are putting their spares. Any thoughts?

[Sayyeed Mohammed]

I have a 2004 Sienna XLE Limited AWD with just about 35,000 miles. The only problem I have is with the run flat tires. I had the first set changed under recall/warranty at 15k miles. Now 20k after, one of the tires have severe wear on one side. Because of the known problem with the first set of tires, I rotated the tires and check pressure and allignment every 5k miles. I do not think I could do anything more to prevent uneven wear. I think these tires should be replaced by another make of run flats. It is obvious the Dunlop tires are no good and should be recalled. I was very disappointed that Toyota replaced them with the exact type at 15k miles. I would think that Toyota would learn from this mistake and what is is costing them. If they do not have another manufacturer to provide run flats, then they should offer a recall to replace these runflats with standard tires and a full size spare.

[Steve Paspek]

Anyone running "regular" tires on their AWD Sienna?

Anyone know of a good place to get a compact spare?

Will an earlier model compact spare (04 or 05) fit a 2006 Sienna?

[Darryl Dworkin]

I have a 2004 Sienna AWD with now just about 90,000 miles and fear that the reviews on the run-flat tires miss some important issues entirely.
I'm now on the 4 1/4 set of tires having replaced just today a Dunlap tire for tread separation (under warranty) at 10,000 miles. Over the years I've had to replace tires for small nails (only one in a tire), a piece of glass (also small), premature wear (covered under the first warranty - I had the car re-aligned and paid for that alignment), and various other non-treadlife factors. This tire cannot be fixed by most service stations because their equipment is simply not strong enough to get the tire off the rim and they won't touch it. When the latest tire failed, the repair shop I pulled into actually cut the entire sidewall with a grinding tool to get the tire off the rim and I had to buy a tire just to get to where I was going. I've contacted both Toyota and Bridgestone asking why this expensive tire doesn't simply have a sealant inside to fix small leaks (as the Continental Tire has) with zero result. I will NEVER buy another car that has run-flat tires regardless of any other factor on the car and have been let to believe that the next Toyota Sienna AWD will no longer have run-flats.

[Leslie Pestaina]

I have a 2005 AWD Sienna. We have gone through 15 tires. We've now spent over $2000 on tires in just over 2 years. I've written to Toyota and never gotten a response. I find it laughable that everyone is slamming the big 3 for not producing quality cars and here we have Toyota hanging owners of their cars out to dry. AWD cars should not be sold with run flat tires and people should be informed of the problems with these tires when the purchase is being made. I'm so disgusted with Toyota that I cannot even put it into words.

[Andrew]

Have had problems with the runflats since 90 day after I bought the Sienna. Toyota replaced the first two tires and then 12 mos later they all went out. Toyota wont stand behind it anymore. They suck and I am done with Japanese rice burning cars. USA all the way!!

[Jennifer]

Me too! I have a 2005 awd sienna I;m on my 3rd set of tires, and ready to put on set number four. I'm trying Regular tires this time and use my space for a spare, 68k miles and every time I get in the car I,m wondering if the tires are flat again, and are we going to be safe. I waited so long to purchace this van which I love but, can;t afford to buy 4 tires every year or so. I will never buy a toyota again. they say how safe this van is for familys,and is the reason I picked this it. My 3 foster and adopted kids love it but, for a single mom it's to much for me. toyota should be ashamed,I also have my tires rotated every oil change, this tire issue really sucks.

[Anthony DePrizio]

I am on my second set of tires at 52,000 miles. I just had a flat and was told the tire was gone and the car shoud'nt be driven. Because I have no spare which I did not know I had to buy new tires but coud'nt because the tires that were on the car had to be removed by a toyota dealer. Because of all this I had to get towed home after five hours of trying to get myself home and for one problem after another and because of run flat tires and not knowing all this from your Toyota dealer you find all this out the hard way.

[gordon dong]

I have a 2006 Sienna AWD, it equipped with Bridgestone B380RFT run flat tire. I heard running noise since the new tire. I appoint local dealer and Toyota local rep did road running test. However, the rep said he did not hear anything. Now I have driven the car for 18k miles with growing noise. It is like driving and tractor with big running noise. The tire can easy feel high/low spot everywhere! I called Toyota and told them the law suit regarding to the tire (web link http://notchconsulting.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/consumer-reports-investigates-run-flat-tires/) however, they said my vin is not in the replace program. I am not interested how they arrange me vin number, just want to follow the judgement that I am 100% match the criteria of the law suit and they can not refuse take care my tires just because they did not put vin in the list!!!. I hate the Toyota USA and their careless attitude. This destroyed Toyota reputation in my heart and I write it here to tell everyone never trust the “famous branded” Toyota.

[Mike Hede]

I'm posting this as I wait for the 3rd, yes 3rd set of tires to be put on our 2006 Toyota Sienna AWD and it only has 47k miles on it. The original set got replaced in June 2007 and now those Bridgestone B380 RFTs are completely gone. I have seen similar issues to the posts above and am very frustrated with dropping $1000+ every 1.5 years on a tire with sub-standard tread wear. I had a long talk with the owner of our trusted tire shop and he mentioned that a recent lawsuit between Honda and Michelin over a similar issue with the Oddessy mini-van may result in removal of restrictions placed against run flat tires by the major auto manufacturers. The pressure has to come from the consumer, but we are our own worst enemy in issues like this. As long as frivolous lawsuits continue to be processed to take advantage of cases where "idiot-proofing" is not an option, the auto manufacturers will continue to "cover their rear ends".

[kathy]

I went thru 2 sets of run flats (one pair replaced by Toyota). I paid about $35K for the van and Toyota suggested I buy their spare tire kit (because I cannot afford another pair of run flats) I can't remember what they wanted to charge me for the kit but I know it was expensive.It wasn't going to work anyway because you need to give up your 7th seat if you want the kit. I need my 7th seat, that is why I bought the van in the 1st place. I keep a spare in my garage. It seems I need new tires every 20K miles regardless of what I do. I love the van but I can't afford tires every year. I'm glad "I guess" to know I am not at fault.

[AG]

Have Sienna purchased Dec/2005 with B380 run flats with 27K miles. First few wires are showing on zero inner tread.
I Did Not Receive anything in the mail from Toyota Corp regarding their replacement. Further, the dealears that serviced the vehicle noticed the uneven wear on the inside of the tire and came back with a quote for purchasing a brand new set of run flat tires.
It wasn't until today that I have learned this has been an issue with other consumers by reading about it online. Upon calling them, Toyota refused to provide service stating that the extended warranty is passed. Still have docs from dealers doing the tire rotation.
SHAME on Toyota and their Dealer network for doing everything possible to avoid this issue.
Is there any recourse?

[KW]

I have a 2005 awd sienna - love the vehicle but the run flats have been a headache. The vehicle has under 50k miles on it and we went through 2 sets of run flats. After getting a flat on our way our vacation at 5:45 pm we were lucky to literally hobble into a les schwab just before they closed. We said "enough" and the run flats replaced with regular tires and purchased a spare. To me it is worth the peace of mind. As far as I am concerned the run flats present a safety hazard and Toyota should cease in installing them.