2001 Toyota Sienna

I recently bought a 2001 Sienna and love it except for the door design,
which allows water, salt and mud to splash up under the door. It seems
there should be a rubber gasket there to seal this area, and two Toyota
mechanics have acknowledged it doesn't look right or behave right, but
there appears to be nothing missing. Not only does it splash the cargo
door hinge mechanism, it will wreak havoc and rust come winter. This
design includes a plastic lower edge that is open about 1/8 inch. I'm
wondering if anyone else has noticed this with their 2001?

[email]george.manlove@adelphia.net[/email], 12/1/2006,5:48:08 PM, wrote:
[color=blue]
> I recently bought a 2001 Sienna and love it except for the door
> design, which allows water, salt and mud to splash up under the door.
> It seems there should be a rubber gasket there to seal this area, and
> two Toyota mechanics have acknowledged it doesn't look right or
> behave right, but there appears to be nothing missing. Not only does
> it splash the cargo door hinge mechanism, it will wreak havoc and
> rust come winter. This design includes a plastic lower edge that is
> open about 1/8 inch. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this
> with their 2001?[/color]

I have a 2000 Sienna which is the same design as yours. It does have a
rubber gasket but it is all attached to the body side of the vehicle,
not the door side. I have had the van for 2 years and have had no
problems with water getting into the cabin. Sure there is some dirt
below the gasket but as long as you don't scratch the paint it should
be fine. Also if you ever wash the car the water will get up there a
bit and clean it too. If you are really worried about it you could
wipe it down every once in a while.