This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
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.
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.
At 44,000 miles we had to have our cylinder reground and this shouldn't happen. We changed oil every 5,000 miles like the owner's manual said. This is ridiculous that it should happen at all! this is a faulty engine. We should have recieved a new engine under warranty, not had the damned cylinders reground. Now, they're telling us to change oil every 3,000 miles! what is going on? we've owned Toyota since 1969 and never had a problem with them--and certainly not something like this. This is poor quality of the engine and Toyota should give us a new and improved engine to replace this one.
- Cottonwood, AZ, USA
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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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Engine went out while driving 55 mph. Dealer replaced engine. Currently, new engine is making a rattling sound intermittently. Dealer cannot find problem with engine. Also, power locks are not working properly, sometimes it takes 3 or 4 times before doors will open.
A design flaw in the engine caused the engine to develop sludge, this is when the oil turns into a thick tar like goop that clogs the engine a oil systems, when the vehicle was take to the dealer it was stated that the only cause was improper maintenance which voids the customers warranty, there was no warning or indication that the engine as about to be damaged, the consumer had to have a new engine installed in their new vehicle. Nlm
Excessive sledge build up in engine which caused engine failure. Manufacturer notified, and refused to honor warranty. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Piscataway, NJ, USA