2 months ago i purchased a brand new toyota sienna minivan ( right now it has only 600 miles on ) after i registered the van, and drove it
for 60 miles, my lower back was killing me. When i first test drove the
van with the salesman, it was alittle uncomforftable but i was thinking
it is a new car and the seat is different from my currant van, which is a
2005 oddessy lx ( the honda seat is like a dream, soft,and i can drive that van for hours with no pain or discomfort.) I do have 2 bad discs
in my lower back, but all my years of buying new cars, i had no problems til now. The dealer would not help me, and i also called
toyota corp. 800 number, was told nothing can be donne. On top
it. toyota told me that if i alter the van in any way, they will cancell
my factory warranty.
I tried different foam cushions under me, back of me, but nothin helps.
The toyota dealer wanted to give me 16,500 for my new van with 200
miles on it,but not cash, only as a trade-in. I paid 23,500 with sales
tax. ( i am 66 years old, and cant afford to loose that kin of money.)
This won't sound right to you but you need to consider the dealers' perspective in buying back the vehicle, especially at this time of year. 2010 models will be arriving and yours although virtually new can now only be sold as used. If you were to buy it today you would not pay full price either.
On to the solution. The Odyssey and the Sienna are both great vehicles, but a seat is specific to the user.Identical twins would sit different in the same seat.
I have been around the industry for a number of years. I have seen seats modified to fit specific drivers and full power lift seats for the disabled installed in a new Sienna. I drive a Sienna myself, fully loaded.
There are two things you can do with your seat, first, elevate the front of the cushion fully to support the weight of your thighs. Do this with the long seat cushion lever, lift it fully at the front.This will greatly reduce the strain on your lower back. Second, try an Obus Form or similar support from a Seating Specialty Store for your lumbar (lower back) area .Some people use a small roll or a wedge in this area.
IF you are patient you should be able to adapt your seat to a similar form to the Odyssey. Once have established that , go to either an orthopedic seating store, or a recommended Auto Upholstery shop and find out if they have a matching long term device to build into your seat. If necessary have the seat modified to support your back. There are seating specialists out there who can help you and make this vehicle enjoyable for you. Rather than take a loss on selling the vehicle , spend a few $100 and you will be set long term Toyota will not eliminate your entire warranty if you modify the seat, especially for medical issue,but they must protect themselves with a blanket policy. I know of a dealer who has an upholstery shop install aftermarket leather seating in their new TOYOTA vehicles frequently, as an option for new car purchasers who don`t want all the other upgrades from factory. This company also installs heaters in the seats in Toyotas and I have seen it done. The guys show up, unwrap the fabric and recover it with leather. This is not leather from factory. The seats still have full warranty coverage, so this can be done to your seat as well.
Be patient and find an upholstery shop recommended by someone who is familar with back issues. Office and household furniture and car seats get modified frequently for this exact reason.
Toyota will not cancel your entire warranty.
However they may restrict coverage on the modified seat itself, but if you find a good seating specialist to pad your seat similar to the Odyssey you will win with a great van.Remember there are erasons you chose this van. They have not changed. The seat can be adapted if you er patient and then you will enjoy driving again.
FYI in Canada, Toyota HEAD OFFICE actually works with an organization which modifies the SIENNA SEATING for disabled folks!!!!!! I have seen them at trade shows for mobilty products , such as scooters and walkers. Worst case, go to a scooter store or medical device company and start asking questions. Someone WILL help.
So I`m sure if you dig around you will be able to solve your problem without any warranty issues. All the Best.....
741 views
Usually answered in minutes!
I have EXACTLY the same issue witht the 2012 Sienna I have had for one month and cannot drive due to the pain from the seat. I had been driving a Sienna forr the past 12 years but the new seats are the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in.We paind 33,000 and can only get 26,000 trade in. It has less than 3000 miles.
×