Gasoline Engine Problems of Toyota Sienna - part 1

2001 Toyota Sienna le, purchased new, started having problems. "check engine" light came on when vehicle had approximately 25,000 plus/minus miles. Under warranty, Toyota dealership replaced the oxygen sensor without a charge. However, during this process, the "beep" signal you hear when locking-unlocking the vehicle with remote key was disappeared. This is also fixed under warranty. The "check engine" light came on again when the vehicle had about 35,000 miles. Toyota dealership said it is due to a dirty vacuum hose, they cleaned it with a charge little over $100. 00. The next day the "check engine" light came on again, this time the Toyota dealership said they need to replace the charcoal canister (parts free, but we have to pay labor--about $100. 00). This thing causes extreme mental distress, time, money, security etc.

See all problems of the 2001 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

1999 Toyota Sienna is sitting in driveway for past 2 months with seized engine due to this "oil sludging" problem. Cost to repair over 6000 from dealer. Certified mail sent 2/18/04 to Toyota motor sales in torrance, CA. , with copy of maintenance records showing oil filter & oil changes.

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At 107,000 miles while driving the motor just cut off. Then would not start. I always have changed the oil at every 3000 miles. Now my mechanic says that the camshaft broke. There can be no other answer than that this engine was a sludge defective motor from the manufacturer.

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Idle control valve failure. Prevents car from idling correctly. Car will start and then cut off right after you drive off. Potentially causing you to get hit by other vehicles. This happened on my 2002 Sienna at 40k mile and continuously since. I know of 4 other people with this problem. My mechanic had about 10 or these defective parts in his shop and he said that he replaces these all the time on all the Toyotas. I took my car to the fremont Toyota dealer and the service rep said the failure rate was so high that there was a nationwide shortage for this part and that it would take 2 months for the part to be available. The dublin CA, Toyota dealer was also well aware of this problem of the idle control valve. It's a very dangerous situation for all operators of Siennas, camrys, and other totota vehicles with this idle control valve.

See all problems of the 2002 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

Diagnosed as sludge in the engine due to "owner negligence"; owner has proof of regular oil changes and maintenance; owner accused of "never changing the oil"--not true; Toyota is aware of the problem in their Siennas and avalons, says we are ineligible for "assistance" because we are outside of the 60000 drive train warranty; properly maintained engines don't seize up at 64k miles!! we are outraged!!.

I had oil changed in the van in September ,2001 less than three thousand miles later it began to smoke. I took it to the dealer and they told me that I had engine sludge, in researching this subject on the internet I discovered that there are many complaints similar to mine. I was told at the dealership that my van was no longer under warranty however, that due to the low mileage I have on my van the dealership would be willing to help with the cost of repairs. The van was in the repair shop for two weeks, when I went to retrieve it I was told that the Toyota rep. Had also agreed to take care of part of the expenses. Needless to say that Toyotas' and the dealerships' generosity have made me somewhat suspicious since I was informed at the beginning that the van was no longer under warranty. Furthermore the complaints that I encountered from other owners on the internet lead me to believe that Toyota may be trying to cover-up something. Repairs cost me $1430. 81.

See all problems of the 1998 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

Driving to phoenix, engine went in ogden utah, said sludge in engine, although have oil change receipts, Toyota uninterested. Claims improper maintenance so no warranty coverage.

Engine sludge @ 25000, oil changed every 3000-5000 miles, Toyota not honoring warranty, contacted attorney.

Titan checkup engine analysis oil sample results revealed excessive fuel in the engine's oil after 6700 miles of driving. Oil noted to be too thin and some lead from bearing scuffing noted. Silicon also present in two oil analysis samples to date. Possible fire hazard with reduced flash point. Full investigation needed on 1998-2001 model Siennas in conjunction with current engine fire investigation on the 2002 model.

Another Sienna sludge victim. Toyota answers rehearsed. Did not even question owner about maintenance history; therefore, obviously irrelevant to them. Contacting attorney to inquire about class action lawsuit. No safety defect listed in summary.

We feel that kingsport Toyota (kingsport tennessee) did not want to be bothered with this issue due to the fact that problems were starting to arise and consumers were questioning Toyota about sludge build up in the engines.

Engine locked up. Dealer tells us no oil was present in the engine at the time of their inspection.

Engine sludge at 25,000 miles.

According to dealer, engine is sludged up (as many other owners have expereinced). They said they will repair it (w/o guarantee) for $2000, or $5500 (guaranteed).

This engine is under warranty. I provided more than the number of receipts requested by the dealership. Toyota says the oil change outlets must not have actually changed the oil. Vehicle was purchased as used with 153 miles on it. It was purchased at bale Honda in little rock. Bale Toyota had used it as a demonstrator. Bale Toyota is in conway, ar which is 35 miles away. Landers Toyota is the only Toyota service center in little rock. After I provided them with all the records requested, they still maintain that too few oil changes is the only cause of this problem. The vehicle smoked so bad that I thought it was on fire.

Consumer was pulling up in driveway and noticed that there was white smoke coming from underneath of vehicle. She took it to gas station, and mechanic told her that oil was less than three quarts low. Dealership was aware of problem.

Car using oil since 20000mi. 9/01 dealer found sludge in engine and claimed it was my fault and would not repair under warranty.

The engine seized while driving home on interstate 75. We had just had the oil changed before leaving on vacation. Toyota said that we did not service the vehicle properly despite our having provided proof of oil changes. Toyota would not cover repairs of $6200. The finance company reposessed the car because we could not afford to pay for it to be fixed.

Sienna engine seized while traveling on interstate 75. We had just had the oil changed prior to leaving to go on vacation. Toyota blamed us for the problem: said it was due to lack of vehicle maintenance despite our furnishing proof of regular oil changes. Cost of replacement engine was estimated @ approx. $5000. We could not pay for the repairs and Toyota would not cover them. Van was reposessed by our finance company. We had to take out a home equity loan to pay off the balance of $6,000 owed to our finance company.

All the oil ports were completely pluged and there was no warning either time. It is a wonder that with all the ports pluged and the engine both times not getting any oil to the upper engine that it did n ot freese up and cause a serious accadent.

Purchased a manufacturer-certified Sienna and it spewed blue smoke on the first cold start. Engine sludge was blamed for the problem and the manufacturer covered the issue under warranty since the vehicle was certified and recently purchased.

The engine produce clouds of grey/white smoke for 5 to 10 seconds after a cold start up. Upon checking, found the engine oil 1. 5 to 2 quarts low. Added oil and drove vehicle for a few days with similar symptoms - smoke after cold start of after being parked for more than 2 hours. On 7/3/01 brought the car in to dealer for diagnosis. The dealer looked under only one camshaft cover, found evidence of sludge and - even though I had receipts and proof of three prir oil & filter changes at 5800, 11000, and 16595 miles - declared my engine warranty null & void and made no other attempt to diagnose the problem. I am currently trying to get toyoata to honor my warranty and to have another dealer or mechanic diagnose the problem. However, research on the web indicates that Toyota is stonewalling many customer like myself.

Engine is full of sludge, there was never any warning light or system check that indicated the engine had any problems.

Blue smoke is coming from tailpipe of vehicle. There is sludge build up in engine. Dealer claims this was caused by non changing of oil. Consumer stated that oil was changed every 3000 miles. Engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced.

Transmission went out at 75 mph/tachometer went to zero, and engine kept running. Dealer informed consumer that she was # 49 on waiting list for a transmission which was on back order.

Have been told I have sludge build up in my engine due to lack of maintanance. I have receipts for 3 oil changes in the first 19000 miles, but they then tell me it must have been inferior oil. Have found this to be problem with people nation wide, and Toyota will not stand behind its warranty. There is no way that this problem has been caused solely due to a lack of maintanance to all the people having the same problem. Toyota wants to rebuild the engine on a one year old van with 19000 miles for $2200, though it was properly maintained. Will not accept receipts for service done as proof of maintanance. What else are we supposed to have to ensure proof?.

Engine developed sludge despite maintenance; warranty coverage denied. Dealer and distirct representative for Toyota refused to look at oil change receipts or discuss the matter. Automation revocation of warranty without consideration of maintenance records.

At 30,874 miles our van started blowing blue smoke. We took it to the dealer who told us that the engine had "sludged up" and would require at least $3,000 to fix. We were also told that it wasn't covered by warranty (3 year/36,000 miles). We asked why and were told that the sludge could only be caused by lack of maintenance (oil changes). We produced receipts showing oil changes were done, but the company still won't cover the work under warranty. We have spoke to the Toyota's regional customer relations administrator and gone through the Toyota provided arbitration proceedings to no avail. We went to the internet and searched under "Toyota Sienna sludge" and found dozens of other people having the same problem with their Siennas and warranty coverage. We believe the is a defect in the Sienna v6 engine causing the sludge build up.

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

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Told by Toyota that sludge in the engine is our fault despite regular oil changes. We don't have all our recepts but changed the oil at least 4 times since we owned the car. Impossible to believe that we were neglectful, especially when I am seeing so many other cases with the same thing happening. There needs to be an investigation here soon.

We have to wait for the part(s) because every Sienna has the same problem.

Several t/c defects on the 2000 Toyota Siennas. . . Why arent they not being recalled by the manufacturer?.

Engine sludged at 11,105 miles in spite of correct oil changes. Tires need replacement at 13,100 miles.

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