Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Problems of Toyota Sienna

Observed slipping during full stops, engine died several occasions before the actual total failure of parts involved, loss of forward motion or speed pick-up, transmission fluid leaked (Toyota issued an automatic transaxle warranty enhancement notice involving 1998-2000 Siennas but apparently the company already have knowledge of this problem to occur).

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

My 98 Toyota Sienna failed to respond to the acelerator while I was making a left turn twice on 6/22/05. On the second time, the engine failed. I was able to restart the engine, and go back home three blocks away where this happened. I parked my car inside my garage, went inside my house and luckily I had to go back to the garage immediately, because my car was on fire. I am still waiting for my nsurance company to do their investigation and I opened a claim with Toyota, since I did all the necessary maintenance and the car was fine until that day. How can I be sure I am going to find out the truth why the car got on fire and if there is any problem related to the year and model of my car that may expalin what happened? sometime ago I received a letter from Toyota saying that they were extending the warranty on transaxle case and internal part, torque converter and parts related to the transaxle because certain models of Sienna had a "no movemen" or "slipping condition" related to that parts. My car was fine until the morning of 6/22/05 and then did not respond to the accelerator twice (is this what they call no movement or slipping condition?) and then got on fire. Does the fire could happen because o anything related to the transaxle case and internal parts any other parts related to it? I am afraid, since I am the only one who has anything to loose , that Toyota won't take resposibility for this and my insurance company already advised me that they do not cover the cause of fire only damages caused by the fire, they do not cover rental care while my car is incvestigated and I don't feel that they are in any hurry to do solve my problem. I would like to know if there is any way to get an investigation of the cause of the fire from someone who has no interest in the case, who is not the one to take responsibility or not, or who is not the one in charge to cover the expenses related to what happened to my car? thank you very much.

See all problems of the 1998 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

There were problems with transmission and tire equipment. Mr the vehicle was on it's fourth set of tires due to a tracking problem. There was a whine coming from the torque converter pump. The transmission shifted to neutral on three occasions. Dealer saw indications of early sludge build up in the oil. The engine made noises and vibrated. (dayton/goodyear).

See all problems of the 2000 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

While driving on the highway, vehicle suddenly lost power and started slowing down very quickly form the high speed that consumer was driving, vehicle was towed and consumer was informed that the transmission had given, consumer has had transmission replaced twice, also the torque converter replaced.

According to an employee of the glendale Toyota service department, there have been many complaints about the torque converter. Many cars have been brought in for repair. The part was manufactured to be placed in the smaller Toyota camary, and apparently can not take the size/weight of the larger van. It seems that the dealer and the manufacturer has known about this problem for some time now - but they continue to sell the vehicle without notifiying potential customers; and customers who bought the vehicle prior to the problem becoming known.

Both problems/incidents of the automatic transmission and torque converter are tied together. The Toyota Sienna was less than a year old and had 9,900 miles on it. Cruising at 70mph the transmission disengaged and the engine raced to 7,000rpms. Pulling the Sienna over to the side of the road, the transmission would not engage in any of the forward or reverse gears. The Sienna had to be towed to dublin Toyota for warranty repair about 65 miles away. Dealer cannot tell me what failed, they were instructed to send parts intact back to the factory for post mortem diagnosis. I have opened a report with the Toyota customer assistance center on 8/31, #20000-8311289. Also have been speaking to the dublin Toyota customer relations manager, janet fraser about finding the cause of the problem and extending the warranty to these drive train components. It has been two weeks with no response.

As we were driving the vehicle at about 65 mi/hr the transmission failed with no warning. We were able to coast into a parking lot and drive another mile before the vehicle locked up and would not move. Dealer in san antonio replaced the transmission and torque converter. Repair took longer than expected due to torque converter being on back order.

Many complaints about Sienna's torque converters,Toyota says it is safe to drive it. For my wife's and 14 month old I hope they are right.

Our check engine light came on when we were on the way home from the dealership. It was diagnosed as a faulty torque converter. The part was replaced after a 3 week wait. I'm concerned about future associated problems from having my transmission opened.

Check engine light came on - informed torque converter needs to be replaced. Part still on back order per dealer 15 vehicles at this dealership are on back order for same part. Dealership stating ok to drive per Toyota company.

Check engine light came on 7/29/00 van was taken in 7/31/00 am was called same day pm told torque converter needed to be replaced was given a rental car since my auto would not be available until 8/1. Was informed Toyota is unable to receive part due to back order due to same problems and Toyota only releasing a couple a day. Yesterday I was called and told they did not know when they would be able to receive part but auto is driveable. I called Toyota customer svc and reported incident. Today I receive phone call from hamer stating I need to return auto due to memo released my auto is driveable but part would not be available until 8/16/00. Why question would be why was not my auto driveable last week but is today. I have refused to pick up my purchanse and have returned rental. Please look into this since I have been told they are really having alot of problems by the dealer , Toyota customer svc and also from the customer svc reps at enterprise car rental.

Engine check light came on due to a defective torque converter which is on back order. This seems to be a wide spread problem.

The check engine light came on at 50 miles, we were told car needs a new torque converter and that it is safe to drive the car while the part comes in. Six weeks later and 2400 miles on the car with engine light on and off the torque converter was replaced. When car was returned to us it shifted with a jolt. Back in the shop with transmission problems. Not acceptable on a new car.

With 100 miles on new vehicle, the engine sensor indicated faulty torque converter. Dealer said if sensor light came on again, bring the van in. Sensor light came on again. After waiting two weeks for new torque converter to be delivered, dealer replaced it. Next day, the transmission could not be shifted out of "park". Shift lever moved, but transmission remained in "park". Problem was defective clip. Clip is of different design than that of previous years' models of same vehicle. Mechanic said that the design of clip was terrible and insufficient. Dealer ordered new clip and will install it upon arrival. Toyota service advisor acknowleded broken clips occurring on other model-year 2000 Sienna vans. If so, then why did the dealer not put new clip on my vehicle when the torque converter was replaced? why has not Toyota issued a recall on this clip? the dealer knows the clip is bad and I bet the manufacturer does also. .

Check engine light illuminated, dealer stated the torque converter needed replaced, consumer is requesting an exchange for a comparable car without defects, or his money back.

Problems with tire wear, transmission and power steering pump. The vehicle is on it's fourth set of tires at 45,000 miles due to tracking problem. There was a whine coming from the torque converter pump. The transmission shifted to neutral on three occasions. The dealer never mentioned there was early sludge building up in the oil. The engine made noise and vibrated. Dealer notified.

This 2000 Sienna is a lemon. At 50 miles the torque converter needed to be replaced. At 100 miles I noticed that the van pulls to the left at highway speeds of 65 to 70 mph. At 28,000 miles the front tires firestone were all chewed up belts showing even though we had 3 alignments done in less than a year. The automatic side passenger door got stuck and would not close, dealer replaced door computer, at 15,000miles paint was chipping off the door handles and a short time later paint was chipping off the front hood as well. At around 20k the remote key/alarm started blowing fuses, it's been back 4 time to get fixed w/ nothing done to fix it. This is the circut that has the alarm, clock and dome light. From the very begining the trans. Sometimes would shift either hard or w/ a dely between 1st & 2nd gear then at about 30,100 miles the clutch cable was replaced. A clunk now happens when going from park to reverse esp. When on a hill. It still does not shift from 1st to 2nd right all the time. The sun visor, when it's covering the left drivers side window, will move and hit the driver when making a left turn at anything over 5 mph. So now every time I make a left hand turn one hand is on the visor and the other on the wheel, when I blew one of the front tires the aaa serviceman couldn't crank the cable that holds the tire back under the van, dealer replaced cable and other parts. The radiocd player skips a lot when going over bumps, have been waiting almost 2 months for the replacment. Mind you we've only had this van less than 2 yrs!!! other stuff, battery was replace within a year, why I don't know, change door keeps popping open (drivers left side) weather stripping on drivers side at the bottom on the car (not door) is falling apart. Head lights are either not aimed right when in spec. Or bad design. I think this is due to the way the lights are shaped, there is very little light directly in front of you but plenty of light on the 2 sides of the road.