Four problems related to check engine light on have been reported for the 2000 Toyota Sienna. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2000 Toyota Sienna based on all problems reported for the 2000 Sienna.
2000 Toyota Sienna has an on/off engine light problem. Consumer is adding information. 7/24/09 the consumer was told the ignition coil needed to be replaced, but after it was replaced, the engine light came back on. The spark plugs and wires were changed but to no avail. The consumer stated the vehicle runs poorly and it also stalls. The consumer discovered a website where other years of the Toyota Sienna were recalled for the same problem. Recall 98e035000.
Toyota Sienna LS, year 2000, approx 73000 miles. Always serviced by Toyota, electrical system / engine not modified or altered. Drove last Friday morning (July 16, 2004) from nc to the DC area. Just before DC, car completely stalled 3 times on I-95, at interstate speed, approx 15 to 20 minutes apart. Each time, the abs and low tire pressure dashboard light came on. Clock flashed. No check engine light came on. The car recovered within 2 to 3 seconds while moving, but lost speed, as the engine was not running. Radio was not turned on, not sure if it would have lost power also. Could duplicate one stall by turning the headlights on while moving. Again, engine stalled for 2 to 3 seconds, abs and low tire pressure dashboard light came on. I'm not totally sure, but I think that the rpm and the odometer needle went back to 0 during the engine stalls. But again, I'm not 100% sure on the odometer needle going to "0" , as it all happened fairly fast. Repair attempts: drove to the nearest Toyota dealer in DC on the same day, car stalled again as we drove into the dealer ship and came to a complete stand still. (Toyota of stafford, tel: 1-540-720-4700, repair ticket 16153) they test drove car for 2 x 20 mins, found no problem, computer did not log any error codes what so ever according to dealer. Drove back to nc, went to Toyota dealer in durham, nc today (July 19). Dealer told me that there is nothing they can do, unless the car is stalling right now and told us to return once the "check engine" light is on. It is very disappointing for me that the dealers can not locate this problem and that there is apparently no procedure from Toyota for finding critical problems that do not show up in the computer log. It is certainly no fun to have an engine stalling on I-95, while the 18 wheelers catch up with you.
Noticed white smoke upon starting car for a couple of days. The following Sunday, the oil pressure light came on while traveling-stopped and put in 1 quart of oil, light went out. The following Monday, the engine check light came on. The next morning, Tuesday I took the car to the nearest Toyota dealer and was told that our engine was full of sludge due to improper or lack of maintenance. The repairs were not covered under the warranty. Was given an estimate of $9k to replace the engine or $5500 to rebuild the engine. We then took the car back to the dealer where we purchased the car, and was told the same thing, only this estimate was $2k to "clean" the engine. The service manager called the Toyota rep on our behalf and was denied any help through the warranty. In filing a report with Toyota was told my next step was arbitration - "the paperwork is in your warranty book". I had to have the engine cleaned at my own expense.
The check engine light coming on seems to be a common problem in Siennas manufactured in June/July 2000. It has taken several weeks for the part to come in. I am told a transmission solenoid needs to be replaced, but they're really not sure. Toyota service and dealership response has been poor.