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.
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.
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.
The vehicle cranks but does not start, the vehicle consumes excessive oil due to to the engine being sludged and the rings were bad, the dealer informed consumer that a short block assembly needed to be installed, and would could $6000 because the warranty was considered to be invalid due to improper maintenance.
Our Sienna was diagnosed with sludge buildup in May 2000. We were told it was necessary to replace the engine as eventually we will encounter engine failure at some point. Toyota refuses to take responsiblity of this matter and continually blames the owners for lack of maintanence. There have been other owners who have encountered engine failure while driving. We are fortunate to not have had that. However, we have no peace of mind in driving this vehicle every day, with our children mind you, and knowing we could have engine failure at any time. It is very important that an investigation into this matter be done. It is obvious there is a problem as Toyota has had over 3000 complaints such as ours. It is only a matter of time before someone is injured or killed as a result of Toyota negligence in this matter. Is there a stipulation that someone nust be injured or killed before an Agency such as yours will investigate? that makes no sense. When there is a potential for injury you must follow through. Please.
Sludge problem started at 11111 miles - also tires needed realignment and replacement at only 13115 miles. The van blows blue smoke upon startup. We have been blamed for the sludge problem. We have receipts for oil changes and have done some ourselves. Now we are told, by the service dpt. That we have to change our oil every 1000 miles and check the oil every two days. Been doing a lot of reading on this, and have talked to others - this is a defect in the Sienna and other cars, Lexus being one. Was told the engine would seize eventually and I would have to put out $5000 - $8000 for a new one. This isn't covered under warranty either.
- Cedar Park, TX, USA
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Engine sludged at 29,080 miles. All oil changes were performed as required per warranty maintenance agreement. An entire engine overhaul is now required.
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.
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.
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.
There was white smoke coming from exhaust at start up, vehicle was using 6-7 quarts of oil in a 10 week period. Dealer determined there was sludge build up in engine, and engine needed to be replaced.
The vehicle cranks but does not start, the vehicle consumes excessive oil due to to the engine being sludged and the rings were bad, the dealer informed consumer that a short block assembly needed to be installed, and would could $6000 because the warranty was considered to be invalid due to improper maintenance.
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.
Upon starting up and normal operation of vehicle, smoke will come from exhaust. Dealership examined vehicle, and determined there was oil all over and throughout engine, causing smoke. Factory representative voided warranty, and informed consumer that repairs were at her expense, approximately $5000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Loganville, GA, USA