Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires: No worse for wear

Lots of tire life left based on our extended tread-life test.

We’ve had a series of blog reports on our Toyota Sienna following the tread life performance of its run-flat tires.  (See the links below.) Now, at just over 30,000 miles, (30,247 miles to be exact, as shown) we’re impressed with the wear performance of the tires, which are projected to wear out at no less than 54,000 miles—comparable or better than conventional all-season tires.   

For those of you just joining us, we purchased a new 2007 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD with the Dunlop SP Sport 4000 Self-Supporting Technology tires (DSST)—run-flat tires. After the road test was completed, we purchased a new set of Dunlop SP Sport 4000 DSST tires for a tread-life evaluation on our Sienna. The evaluation started at the end of March 2007 and now, one year later, the tires still are trucking on.

To be fair to the tires, we have been checking inflation pressures religiously; checking alignment, rotating the tires, and measuring the average tread depth in tread grooves (four grooves) across the tire’s tread width and at four places around the tire for a total of sixteen test points. In the course of the 30,000 mile test we measured tread depth of the new tires, and then eleven times throughout the test, most at 2,000-mile intervals.   

Some readers/subscribers have griped that nobody checks tires as often as we did and most certainly do not check alignments that often. To that end, we checked the tire’s inflation pressure just about every month, just like you should do. As for wheel alignment, we did check it routinely but never had to readjust the wheel alignment settings at all. And then there were our drivers, a sorted bunch of car enthusiasts, office administrators, and maintenance staff who drove the minivan all those miles. 

Minivans don’t excite many employees here with all the cars that we get to drive at our Auto Test Center, but with the enticement of free fuel, people were fighting over the use of the van, especially for long vacation trips. And so the van has been all over the New England region, and it enjoyed more places than I will ever see, from venturing into the deep-south of the United States to traveling across a wide swath of Canada.

At just over 30,000 miles, the tires still have about 25,000 miles or more left based on the fastest wearing groove, before they are worn-out to the tread wear indicator of 2/32” depth. On average, just two tires were about 50 percent worn out, one was just over 40 percent worn out, and a fourth tire had to be replaced after the previous tread measurement point due to an encounter with a large pot hole.  The tires were wearing faster at their shoulder grooves with a slight cupped shoulder. That continued to be the case at the last measurement, but the wear progressed more evenly across the width of the tire ensuring many more miles of happy travel. 

The bottom line: Our test doesn’t guarantee that you will get the same mileage. As they say, results may vary, as the total tire range depends on how and where you drive. But given the variability of our test with different drivers, roads, and seasons driven, we feel that with proper maintenance you can enjoy a long relationship with your Sienna’s run-flat tires.   

Background
Toyota Sienna all-wheel-drive owners clearly have a beef with the short tread life of the standard run-flat tires and continue to share complaints in letters and Cars forums posts, especially in Tire Talk, the online-subscriber-only tire forum at ConsumerReports.org. We've also covered the frustration of Sienna owners regarding fast-wearing tires here in the Cars blog.

As we’ve said before, most owners were pleased with the overall performance of their AWD Sienna—one of the top-rated models in Consumer Reports tests—but few are satisfied with the run-flat tire tread life, cost of replacement, and limited models from which to choose (two original-equipment suppliers). Some even have psychological fears about not having a spare tire on board.

Many owners have complained that the run-flat tires wear out much quicker than expected or unevenly—often within 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Some owners found themselves facing an aggravating annual tire replacement, costing $700 or more. Toyota finally addressed the issue last year with an extended warranty on 2004 to some 2006 model-year vehicles, mostly addressing the irregular wear condition. Later-model vehicles came with a revised tire intended to eliminate the wear condition.

—Gene Petersen, Jen Stockburger, Ryan Pszczolkowski

Related blog posts:
Update: Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires
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       

Research tires with our expanded tools. Discuss in the Cars forums, especially in Tire Talk, the online-subscriber-only tire forum.

Comments

[m.milhaupt]

I own a toyota sienna and would not recommend one to family's living in cold weather. Our side doors freeze everyday it is cold outside. It is a safety issue. They do not open from the inside and if you got in a accident or stuck on railroad tracks, you would not be able to get your kids out. Many of our friends who own Siennas experience the same thing with their doors. It is extremely frustrating. Several of us are writing to Toyota about this huge and dangerous problem. Why have a van when you cannot use the side doors. I cannot even pick up my parents because I am not going to ask my 75 year old parent to crawl through the front seat of the car to get in.
And we cannot sell it in good faith knowing that whoever buys it will inherit these unsafe issues with the van.

[w van]

we own a sienna awd 2004,I agree with the run flat tire problem and the freezing of the doors.We will have to do a lot more research before we buy another van.

[Suzanne]

Don't buy a Sienna with run flats. I own a 2006 AWD with run flats and It just cost me $1200 for four new tires because mine prematurely wore out with only 15000 miles on the vehicle. I religiously checked the pressure and rotated every 5000 miles, but that did not stop all four tires from showing severe wear patterns. I also drive like a granny, so they can't blame it on the driving style either. I don't fall under thier "customer support" program for the run flat wear problem because my tires are the second generation with the "Improved" tires. These are tire are still junk and if I have to spend $1200 every 18 months for new tires then I'm going to trade this baby in for a Honda without runflats.

[Diane]

I own a 2004 Toyota van - I am not going to replace my third set of tires. I have research this topic endlessly. When Toyota decided to replace one set of tires free they stated that the new tires were improved and better. However I had the manager at Les Swabb tires research that for me and there were no improvements made to the RFT. Both tire companies denied any changes made to their run flat tires. When informing Toyota of this their comment was by replacing one set with another for free that would equal out to 40,000 miles. That is the case for the first replacement but not for any other replacements that come out of your own pocket.
Not only have I had trouble with the tire wear. But my front door weld came apart with which they are continuing to address this issue and I will end up replacing the front door eventually. My rear door comes down on top of you - that also is being addressed by an additional warrenty. Also my side doors froze too and on top of that my drive side sliding door has broke its cable and that is not under warrenty. I will never buy another toyota AWD van again. Although I love my van for its practical use - the headaches that I have gone though are not worth it.

[Steve]

I have a 2005 AWD Sienna and I am replacing the run flat tires now with about 49,000 miles. That isn't too bad, but it is not good. I also have problems with the side doors freezing in winter. That is a pain in the A$$. The mileage also stinks. Otherwise I like it.

[Alan]

Our experience with our 2004 XLE AWD was not as good as the above. The tires began wearing oddly in the first 15,000 miles and were pretty toasted by 25 despite rotating etc. To Toyotas credit they replaced the tires no charge, but I would expect to get at least 60K out of a set of tires.

[Brad]

We have a Sienna LE AWD, bought it new in 2004. For the first 3 years we experienced the same problems with the run flat tires described by others. Last Fall we decided to stop replacing the run flats with more run flats and just bought a set of regular tires. It was the right decision for us. No more run flats for us. We live in Northwest Colorado, get 300-400 inches of snow in the winter and have never had a side door freeze up. We use the crud out of those doors too with 4 kids, never had a problem.

[Hogbristle]

I have 46K miles on 1st set of run flats, with ~ 5-10K more miles expected. They have been rotated and air pressure checked every 5-10K miles. I don;t have a big beef. 75K from a set of good tires is what i have gotten on my other vehicles, so this is not entirely satisfactory.

Toyota did replace my rear wheel drive axle (I have the AWD) under warranty at 40K mile because it was out of alignment from the factory apparently.
Nice van, decent performance, no other mechanical issues, depreciated horrible, paid $40K, now worth ~ 25K after 3 yrs...ugh, gets 18mpg. AWD is awesome for trailering 18 ft IO boat and a 6X10 cargo trailer.

[Jennifer]

I own a 2005 Sienna... love the van, hate the run-flats. I am going to be on my 3rd set before reaching 50,000. Toyota replaced them at 13,000 and 35,000 and now won't do anything for me. Even the service department wants to replace them ,but the Field Tech states the tires are "normal". I'm asking to meet with him and let him drive with me so he can hear the noise and tell me it is normal. My husband and I are looking at trading it in if Toyota doesn't address the situation. I don't feel safe driving it.

[Jody]

We own a 2006 Limited AWD and love it; all but the run flats. At around 5,000 miles we began hearing a loud sound that progressively got worse over time. Then at 6,000 one tire got a bubble in the sidewall and while we don't recall hitting anything the service dept. insisted we did. So $279 later we had a new tire. The sound continued and finally after a few months of constant complaining and at 9,000 miles the local Toyota service dept. offered that the tires could be replaced - the remaning 3 - under good faith as our 2006 vin apparently fell outside the window of vehicles under the warranty. Then this spring, with now 21K miles on the new set of tires, the sound began again only louder than ever. The service dept. first insisted that it was our fault due to not rotating frequently enough (every 10 K). The took a look at the tires and insisted they are 100% safe and said they would not replace them. I began to research the tires and documents I received when we bought the car.

I found a Yellow Brochure that came with one set (not sure which one) of tires. The brochure has the tire brand etc. and is titles "Toyota Original Equipment Tires Owners Manual and Limited Warranty". If you don't have it - find this document. This is the first time I fully read this docuemnt and in it the language clearly states under the Free Replacement section "Any new Dunlop SP Sport 4000 DSST tire removed from service due to a covered warranty condition or rendered not repairable due to a road hazard injury during the first 2/32nds of an inch of tread wear or 12 months from date of purchase , whichever occurs first, will be replaced at no charge. Mounting and balancing are included. Repairable punctures will also be repaired at no charge during this period. (Without proof of purchase, date of manufacture will be used to determine age)."

This block of information clearly states that we should not have paid for the first replacement and that the replacement of our other 3 tires was under warranty. NOW if you read the Limitation section of this brochure our complaint (and many others in this blog) is a ride disturbance - loud noise and rough ride - and per this brouchre is acceptable as a vaild complaint.

So my current concern is that the tires still on our vehcile should fall under this 12 month warranty due to our ride disturbance complaint especially since our tires are not worn beyond the 1/32" tread life - see the Limitation seciton for more. After I made my argument to the service rep supervisor he agreed to replace one for free since I already paid for it when I should not have, he says his regional representative has agreed to pay for 2 tires, but they want me to pay for one - another $279 out of my pocket. I am not happy with this offer and think that we should get all four tires replaced under this warranty - it does read clearly "ANY" DUNLOP TIRE. Additionally, i want to be refunded for the first $279 that we paid and should not have paid!!! I have a call into the Toyota Costomer Experience Center who promised to research and phone me back within two days. That was four days ago - I plan to call them back tomorrow. I am curious to know more from Jennifer who posted on 07/02/08 - in particular I would like to know what approach/justification she used to get the second set of tires due to this problem? I am in New England and it is this regional Representative that is invloved - where are you located?

[Ann Monday]

I have a 2005 Toyota Sienna and got a new set of run flat tires (courtesy of Toyota)due to uneven wear last August. Now - almost exactly one year and 14,000 miles later I have 4 shot tires. I refuse to put the Bridgestone run flats back on my van. I rotated these tires as needed (every other oil change). I spoke w/ the dealer and Toyota Customer Experience and they will do nothing. They replaced bad tires with worse tires. I'm furious and will never buy another Toyota.

[chad]

We also have a 2005 Sienna and live it Pittsburgh, PA. This morning, it was 32 degrees outside and the rear sliding doors where frozen shut.

I did talk to Toyota and the handle is not covered under our extended warranty.

Plus, they have "NO RECORD" of customer's reporting problems with their doors freezing shut.

What a mess!!! Anyone want to buy a van?

[hwtsz]

LOL ... I have been rolling reading all these posts. I too have a 2005 Toyota Sienna AWD. My run flat tires did not even last 10,000 miles. This was my third Toyota van. I used to love the Sienna style. I tried to work with Toyota to replace my tires, but they refused even with the class action law suit. I finally purchased triple A and bought regular tires for the van. Now I'm having problems with the tire sensor thinking the tires are low. I will be doing 60 MPH and the van will begin to lock up. Be careful!

[Rhonda]

Who manufactures the run flats (Sienna) that so many of you are complaining about?

[Gordon]

I have 2006 sienna AwG and run flat tire wire out with loud sound at 15k mile. local Toyota service told me this is Toyota engineering design issue and can not be solved even change to regular tires - I need to prepare to replace tire every 30k mile regardless what tire replaced. What a BAD design. I wrote here and advise buyre DO NOT buy Sienna unless you prepare to replace new tires every a few K miles.

[Mike]

I am the original purchaser of a 2005 Toyota Sienna AWD with 60,000 miles. The first three sets lasted 23K, 20K and 18K. The last set are worn out and need replacing. I have routinely checked inflation and rotated them, and aligined the car with each new set. The tires stink. I figure the tires cost about 75 per month. I have never approached tire mileaged that Consumer Reports got in its road test.

Toyota should be ashamed that it sells this car.

[Phil]

I own a 2004 XLE Limited, and I hate the run flat tires. Like others, they had to be replaced when I had about 25K on the tires, which Toyota repaired for free. I was just informed I need to get a new set of tires 30K miles later. I will not be purchasing run flat tires. The Toyota service manager told me as long as I have AAA and a cell phone (no spare), buy Michelin and you will get a much better ride and significant tire life. He stated the run flats will only last about 25k miles. On the doors - I have had the same problem and it is very frustrating. I don't have an extended warranty (Toyota usually is high quality), but I will be switching to Honda on my next purchase.

[Klaire]

WELL I have to say that TOYOTA done the worst job with their Sienna, I own a 2005 Sienna and the side down often freeze during the snow season, beside I have to complain that with only 7000+ mile the tire already started to wear. Even worst is when I called the Toyota customer service line, they said "it is not TOYOTA's problem we are also victim, if you wanna blame someone just blame dunlop for making the run-flat tire." So next time when you are thinking to buy a TOYOTA, you ought to have your mind set ready for their special Japanese customer service.

[850boston]

I have a 2005 AWD XLE Limited. I had the first set replaced at 11k due to noise. I am on my second set with 2 alignments done and rotations (31k miles now).

My observation is that the REAR CAMBER IS OFF! even when within spec. This causes the inside of the rear tires to wear prematurely, then rotated up front, they cause much noise.

Anyone figure out how to get a full size spear under the van?
What REGULAR tires have worked well on the Sienna? Anyone?