general problems of the 2003 Toyota Sienna

Tl- the contact owns 2003 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated the instrument panel on the vehicle does not work and when the vehicle exceeds 30-40 mph, it slows down and the all of the warning light illuminate. The local mechanic replaced the sensors for the computer, but that did not correct the problem. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 74,000. Rvk.

2003 Toyota Sienna, spontaneous, uncontrolled acceleration. First occurrence on or about 7/20/09. At least 3 successive occurrences. Toyota dealer (larry h miller big Toyota city) was able to duplicate problem in road tests. When it happened to me, I threw transmission in neutral. Engine hit redline in time it took to turn key to off. (1-2 seconds) first mis identified as sticking throttle cables. Toyota replaced cables eventually (after recurrence) replaced throttle body. Wife nearly had accident with first occurrence, had to stand on brakes to get car stopped. Shut down vehicle in left turn lane on busy six lane road. Vehicle towed. I had to replace brakes/rotors. Able to avoid accident with recurrence by showing wife how to throw transmission in neutral and shut down vehicle. Wife does not trust vehicle although new throttle body seems to have solved problem. Toyota kept vehicle twice for total of two weeks, we paid over $1,300. Toyota never acknowledged nor accepted responsibility for this serious safety issue. Offered free car wash when we complained to service manager.

When picking up my vehicle from Toyota town in stockton, CA, we discovered that the oil light was on following a 60,000 mile service. The mechanic released the vehicle to us without explanation. Then after two visits in the same day to the service department, my husband demanded an explanation. The mechanic said it was our problem that there was sludge or "gel" in the oil that was released when he removed the head for servicing. After changing the oil himself twice, my husband saw the oil light go off. Thinking that it was safe to drive, we took it on the highway the next day. Within 100 miles the engine froze, leaving us stranded on a major interstate. Currently, the dealer is refusing to fix the problem even though Toyota recently settled this problem with the owners of the 2002 models. Our van is a 2003. This problem obviously continues to exist.