2000 Toyota Sienna complaints

OIL GELLING RELATED DAMAGE-2000 TOYOTA SIENNA W/V6 WITH OIL GELLING. THIS ENGINE WAS REPAIRED UNDER TOYOTA'S SPECIAL REPAIR PROGRAM. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE REPAIR DOES NOT INCLUDE ENOUGH PARTS TO PROPERLY RETURN THE UNIT INTO SERVICE WITHOUT COMPRAMISING THE MAIN AND ROD BEARINGS, AS WELL AS THE REAR AND FRONT SEALS. I AM NOW FACED WITH A $1400 REPAIR BILL FOR THE REAR MAIN SEAL AT 65K MILES. I BELEIVE THAT THIS PORTION OF THE ENGINE WAS COMPRIMISED DO TO LACK OF OIL CASUED BY THE OIL GELLING. THE SCREEN WAS 85% BLOCKED AND SINCE THE MAIN AND ROD BEARINGS ARE THE FIRST TO BE FED OIL FROM THE PUMP, THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED ACCELERATED WEAR. I BASE THIS ON MY DISCOVERY WHEN AT THE DEALER. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN WITH ENGINE SPECIALITY RATINGS, SO I CAN SPEAK AS AN EXPERT ON THIS MATTER. I TRIED TO DISCUSS WITH TOYOTA CORP AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND THEY DO NOT SEE ANY REASON TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE THE LEFT THIRD ROW SEAT BELT, THE BELT BECAME STUCK AND DID NOT MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A JUMPSTART WAS GIVEN TO A NEIGHBORING VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY THE HOOD WAS RELEASED TO JUMPSTART THE NEIGHBORING VEHICLE AGAIN. THE JUMPSTART WAS NOT NEEDED. THE HOOD WAS NOT LOCKED DOWN BUT WAS NOT FULLY UNLATCHED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, ON A SMOOTH BLACKTOP PAVED ROAD, WHEN THE HOOD BLEW BACK INTO THE WIND SHIELD AND DAMAGED THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, WIPERS AND THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN AUTO-BODY SHOP.

FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS REAR ENDED I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS FILLING THE FUEL TANK. THE PUMP WOULD CLICK OFF AS IF IT WAS FULL AT .70 CENTS AND WOULD CONTINUE THIS WHILE FILLING THE TANK WHEN THE TANK WAS CLEARLY EMPTY. I WAS ADVISED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE TO MOVE THE HANDLE AROUND WHILE FILLING THIS DID NOT HELP. IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE BODY SHOP WHO SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG & ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE FILLING PROBLEM CONTINUED & ACTUALLY GOT WORSE & WAS TAKING LONGER & LONGER TO FILL. TODAY I WENT TO FILL IT GOT TO ABOUT 2 1/2 GALLONS AND FUEL STARTED COMING OUT OF THE TANK AS IF I OVERFILLED IT. I TRIED TO FILL IT AGAIN IT DID THE SAME THING EVERY TIME. ALSO QUITE A BIT OF FUEL SPILLED OUT ON EACH ATTEMPT. *NM

ABS PUMP MOTOR FAILURE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL ON WET SURFACE. ABS PANEL LIGHT WAS ON SINCE AUG. 20006, TOYOTA DEALER INSPECTION STATED CODE #14,51 (ABS PUMP MOTOR FAILURE) IT IS UNUSUAL BUT NOT COVER BY WARRANTY. *JB

MY WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN WERE DRIVING IN OUR 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO A HIGHWAY, THE HOOD ABRUPTLY RELEASED AND SLAMMED AGAINST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER AND DAMAGING THE ROOF. MY WIFE PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST COMPLETELY BLIND TO WHAT WAS IN FRONT OF HER. THE CAR WAS NEARLY HIT BY A SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY HURT FROM THE INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT BOTH THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LATCHES WERE BOTH NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT APPEARS THAT THE SPRINGS THAT ARE USED WITHIN THESE MECHANISMS HAD LOST THEIR SPRING EFFECTIVENESS. THIS WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE "STICKINESS" CAUSED BY SOME RUSTING ON THE LATCH. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY AT A TOYOTA DEALER MAINTENANCE CENTER. I FEEL THAT THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY SHOULD HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO CHECK THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT. IN REVIEWING THE NHTSA DATABASE, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ACROSS AUTOMOBILES. I WOULD EXPECT THEIR TO BE SOME RECURRING MAINTENANCE ON THE LATCHING MECHANISM (AT 30,000 OR 60,000 MILES) TO PREVENT SUCH AN INCIDENT FROM OCCURRING...I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE SHOP MAINTENANCE MANUALS SO I DON'T KNOW IF SUCH AN INSPECTION IS IN THE MANUALS. IF THERE IS NO SUCH INSPECTION IN TOYOTA'S MAINTENANCE MANUAL, I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA IS NEGLIGENT ON THIS VERY HAZARDOUS FAILURE MECHANISM. IF THERE IS SUCH AN INSPECTION, I BELIEVE THE TOYOTA MAINTENANCE FACILITY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *JB

I HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR WINDOW MOTORS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I HAVE DISCOVERED THE MOTOR CONTAINS A FAULTY LOAD SENSOR. IT IS NOT THE ACTUAL MOTOR, BUT THE LOAD SENSOR THAT IS FAILING. THE SENOR IS LOCATED INTERNALLY IN THE MOTOR. TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP. NOW ONE OF MY TWO NEW MOTORS IS STARTING TO SHOWS SIGNS OF ITS SENSOR FAILING. TOYOTA NEEDS TO COVER THE COST OR MAKE THE SENSOR REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE, OTHERWISE IT IS $270 FOR THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR PLUS LABOR. *JB

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT IS FAULTY. IN THE BEGINNING, THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THE OPPOSITE -- BLINKING WHEN BUCKLED, OFF WHEN UNBUCKLED. THEN AFTER COUPLE WEEKS IT JUST KEEPS BLINKING NO MATTER WHAT. IT'S BELIEVED THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION SENSOR. THE MALFUNCTION IS CAUSED BY THE HOUSING OF THE SENSOR. THE HOUSING IS OVER-SIZED AND ALLOWS THE SENSOR CAP POPS OUT EASILY AND CAUSES THE MALFUNCTION. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT! AND IF THE SRS SYSTEM WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS IS A BIG QUESTION. THE WARNING LIGHT JUST KEEPS BLINKING AFTER THE MALFUNCTION, NO MATTER IF YOU ARE BUCKLED UP OR NOT. THE DRIVER, AFTER SOME TIME, WILL GET USED TO THE FALSE WARNING AND WILL TEND TO IGNORE IT AND WILL NOT BE AWARE IF THE SEAT BELT IS REALLY BUCKLED. WHICH MAY INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY OR DEATH IN A CRASH. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECTIVE DESIGN FOR THAT SENSOR!*JB

MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THAT THE "SPEED SENSOR" ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS GONE BAD AND CANNOT BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE SIENNA'S THAT WERE MANUFACTURED OVERSEAS HAVE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS PART, BUT THAT THOSE MADE IN THE U.S. HAVE NO WAY TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE RESULT OF THIS DEFECT IS THAT I NO LONGER HAVE A REVERSE GEAR AND SHE SAID THAT FIRST GEAR WILL GO AT ANY TIME, AND NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN FIX. NOW CAR IS WORTHLESS CAR. *JB

2000 SIENNA HOOD OPENED WHILE DRIVING STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. *TS *JB

I PUT MY CAR IN THE SHOP AT COLEMAN TOYOTA TELLING THEM THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CHAMBER AND THEN PHONED TO SAY THE STARTER WAS BAD TOO- THEY CHARGED ME ABOUT $575. I PICKED UP THE CAR WEDNESDAY MARCH 15 AND ON MARCH 16 THE CAR JUST STOPPED AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO COLEMAN TOYOTA. THEY PHONED TO TELL ME THE ENGINE HAD "LOCKED" AND THE CAR WAS SHOT. THEY REFUSE TO REFUND ME THE $575 FOR THE UNNECESSARY REPAIRS AND REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO "GELLING" IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *NM

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA LE NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. HAS 73,000 MI. *NM

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELTS IN MY SIENNA FOR SOME TIME NOW. THE WARNING INDICATOR NEVER GOES OFF ALTHOUGH THE SEAT BELT IS ON. THIS IS FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA AT LEAST FOUR TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. AT LEAST $500 PER BELT. WHEN I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO KEEP IT IN THE CURRENT CONDITION, I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA TO CARRY A PAIR OF SCISSORS WITH ME IN CASE THE SEAT BELT FAILS IN AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TYPE OF REPAIR FOR THE LIFE OF A CAR SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

THE PASSENGER (MANUAL ) SLIDING DOOR BECAME HARD TO OPEN. THE HANDLE STICKS AND DOES NOT OPEN ON THE FIRST TRY. THE HANDLE THEN BROKE OFF COMPLETELY LEAVING THE DOOR UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO LATCH PROPERLY. WE PURCHASED A NEW HANDLE FROM THE DEALER FOR A PRICE OF $95.00. WE FEEL THIS SPECIFIC CAR HANDLE IS NOT MADE TO WITHSTAND THE USE OF A SLIDING DOOR OR THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR AND WILL FAIL WITH CONTINUED USE. YOU MUST PULL OUT THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOOR AND CONTINUE TO HOLD IT OUT UNTIL THE DOOR IS COMPLETELY OPEN. ALL THE WEIGHT OF THE DOOR AND THE MOMENTUM OF THE SLIDER REST OF THIS HANDLE. HAVE FOUND OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS ONLINE. ALSO, MAY CONSIDER WEATHER AS A FACTOR TOO. THE COLDER THE WEATHER THE WORSE IT PERFORMS. *JB

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH APPROX. 64,000 MILES: ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) COMPUTER FAILED. DEALER SAID REPLACEMENT COST WOULD BE $2000 AND BLAMED FAILURE ON "DIRTY BRAKE FLUID" WHICH SEEMS EXTREMELY UNLIKELY SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE AT 36,000 MILES LESS THAN 2 YEARS PRIOR TO FAILURE. FAILED ABS COMPUTER IS STILL INSTALLED ON VEHICLE SINCE WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT. *NM

BOTH OF THE OUTSIDE HANDLES ON THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA BROKE WITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS. (ONE HANDLE BROKE OFF COMPLETELY AND ONE IS STILL PARTIALLY ATTACHED TO THE DOOR.) ONE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE OTHER ONE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE NATIONAL 800 NUMBER. BOTH THE LOCAL AND THE NATIONAL POINTS OF CONTACT SAID THERE WERE NO KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE DOOR HANDLES AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT I COULD PAY THEM @$300 A DOOR TO HAVE THE BROKEN HANDLES REPLACED. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND DID FIND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS / POSTINGS ABOUT BROKEN DOOR HANDLES. *NM

WHEN I TRIED TO START MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN LAST WEEK, IT DID NOT START NORMALLY AND IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, AND THE NOISE CONTINUED. I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE. IT APPEARED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO START, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS NO LONGER IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS MAKING A CHUGGING NOISE - THAT MIGHT HAVE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RUNNING TO SOMEONE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE CAR. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I CALLED FOR A FRIEND TO COME AND HELP. HE ARRIVED APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER - THE CAR WAS CHUGGING CONTINUOUSLY ALL THIS TIME AND MY GARAGE (WHERE THE VAN WAS PARKED) WAS STARTING TO SMELL. MY FRIEND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VAN ON AND OFF AGAIN - THIS HAD NO EFFECT. HE OPENED THE HOOD, (THERE WAS SOME SMOKE) AND EVENTUALLY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY USING A WRENCH - THIS FINALLY STOPPED THE VAN. HE BELIEVES THAT A FIRE WOULD HAVE STARTED HAD HE NOT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STARTER. THEY SAID THAT THE STARTER MUST HAVE SHORTED OUT AND THAT IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT WE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THIS HAPPENED IN MY GARAGE IN MY HOME AS I WAS ABOUT TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. I AFRAID THAT THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS FIRE, DAMAGE TO MY HOME AND POSSIBLY SERIOUS INJURY TO MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF. *NM

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECEIVER STOPPED WORKING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER, A SMALL PLASTIC TAB (HE CALLED IT A "SPACER") IN THE BUCKLE RECEIVER BROKE OFF AND PREVENTED THE BUCKLE FROM LATCHING. I NOTE THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE 2001 FORD ESCAPE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A VOLUNTARY RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V507000).*JB

THERE IS AN ADMITTED DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE 1999-2001 TOYOTA SIENNA AND CAMRY ENGINES. THE COOLING CHAMBER PASSAGES TO THE CYLINDERS WERE REDUCED IN SIZE TO REDUCE HAZARDOUS EMISSIONS WHICH HAD THE UNANTICIPATED SIDE EFFECT OF CAUSING THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CYLINDER HEADS TO REACH UP TO 130 DEGREES. FOR MANY OWNERS, THIS HAS CAUSED THE OIL TO OXIDIZE FORMING A SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE WHICH IN OUR CASE LED TO ENGINE FAILURE IN OUR 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN REQUIRING ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT 59,000 MILES COSTING OVER $8,000. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURRED WITH OUR 1999 CAMRY. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THIS IS DUE TO NOT CHANGING THE OIL FREQUENTLY ENOUGH, AND THIS MAY BE TRUE. HOWEVER MY BROTHER'S FRIEND BOUGHT A TOYOTA CELICA BACK IN THE 1970'S AND NEVER CHANGED THE OIL, NEVER EVEN OPENED THE HOOD TO ADD OIL OR MAINTENANCE IT AT ALL - JUST DROVE IT UNTIL QUIT - AT 80,000 MILES. GRANTED THIS IS NOT ADVISABLE BUT EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT WHILE LESS THAN OPTIMAL OIL CHANGE FREQUENCIES MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THIS ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM IN THE 1999-2001 MODELS, BASED ON OTHER RESEARCH I HAVE READ WITH OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM LEADING TO ENGINE FAILURE IN THESE MODELS EVEN WITH MILEAGES AS LOW AS 29,000 MILES, I DON'T BUY TOYOTA'S ARGUMENT. WE OWNED 3 TOYOTA'S AT THE TIME, 2 CAMRYS AND 1 SIENNA. BECAUSE TOYOTA DID NOT OWN UP TO THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THEIR FLAWED ENGINE DESIGN WITHOUT THEIR PROVIDING OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS - (E.G. WHAT IF YOU DON'T SAVE

AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON. EVENTUALLY ABS LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE ABS SYSTEM STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE ABS SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE VERY HIGH COST OF THE ABS ACTUATOR PART. THE LACK OF A FUNCTIONING ABS SYSTEM MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING FEATURE IS NEEDED (SUCH AS WET ROADS). *NM

I WAS DRIVING THE 2000 SIENNA XLE MINIVAN AND THE BRAKES FAILED. IT TOOK A LOT OF PRESSURE TO PUSH THE BRAKE IN AND THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK. NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET PUSHING DOWN TO GET THE MINIVAN TO STOP. THIS PROBLEM CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN. I TOOK IT IN TO OUR MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. I CALLED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. TOYOTA SAID THEIR FINAL ANSWER WAS THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AS IT ONLY COVERED THE DRIVE TRAIN. OUR ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY! BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT COVER THIS ADDITIONAL FAILURE -- THE CAR IS A LEMON, CLEARLY. SO I HAD TO PAY $1350 TO HAVE THE BRAKE BOOSTER REPLACED. THEN THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE! THE BRAKES FAILED THE DAY I PICKED IT UP FROM THE SHOP. THE MECHANIC TESTED IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND SAID HE COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FAILURE. I HAVE TAKEN THE MINIVAN HOME, BUT I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR OF THEIR SAFETY. HELP!*JB

DT: THE CALLER STATES THAT THE OIL IN VEHICLE WAS DISAPPEARING FROM THE ENGINE. HE DROVE 800 MILES TO FLORIDA AND HAD TO PUT 4 OR 5 QUARTS OF OIL. HE HAS TO PUT THAT MUCH OIL EVERY 1500 MILES. DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE AUGUST 5, 2005 AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER SENT THE CALLER A LETTER STATING THE ENGINE COULD FAIL BECAUSE OF THE OIL PROBLEM. IT WAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES THE SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ENGAGED, BUT IT WAS NOT. THE CONSUMER STATED HER SIX YEAR OLD CHILD BROKE THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER YET.*AK

I HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA IN WHICH SEAT BELTS LOCK WITH LITTLE MOVEMENT AFTER BEING RETRACTED FROM THE CAR WALL (I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT IS DESIGNED THIS WAY, AND HAD BEEN BOTHERED BY THE DESIGN WELL BEFORE WHAT I REPORT HERE). ONE DAY MY 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER MOVED AROUND WHILE UNDER THE SEAT BELT AND WAS ENTANGLED IN IT. SHE KEPT TRYING TO GET HERSELF OUT, BUT THE BELT WOULD ONLY MOVE A FEW MILLIMETERS INTO THE WALL, AND NEVER OUTWARDS. BY THE TIME I REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON SHE WAS GROANING IN PAIN WITH THE BELT TIGHTLY AROUND THE BELLY AND TO THE SEAT. I HAD TO CUT THE BELT TO GET HER LOOSE (WHICH LATER COST ABOUT $200 TO REPLACE). THE REPAIRED BELT WORKS WITH THE SAME TECHNOLOGY AS THE OLD, AND ALL OTHERS IN THE CAR. *NM

ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHEN DRIVING, WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER, SERVICE REP. INDICATED THIS WOULD POTENTIALLY BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. AFTER A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED AN "ISSUE" WITH THIS ENGINE AND A CALL TO TOYOTA NATIONAL AND SOME "DISCUSSIONS" WITH THE DEALER THE CAR WAS TAKEN FOR "DESLUDGING". PROOF OF OIL CHANGES HAD TO BE PROVIDED, MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW IT WAS "OUR FAULT". SINCE WE ARE BOTH ENGINEERS AND TYPICALLY KEEP OUR VEHICLES A VERY LONG TIME, THIS WAS INSULTING. VAN WAS RETURNED, BUT OIL LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 10 MILES. IT THEN STAYED FOR QUITE A WHILE (I THINK THEY SAID IT HAD AT LEAST 6 OIL CHANGES). NO OFFER OF RENTAL CAR WAS MADE. AFTER IT WAS RETURNED WITHIN A MONTH IT BLEW A HOLE THROUGH THE VALVE COVER (MECHANIC FORGET TO TORQUE ONE OF THE HEAD/CAM BOLTS, BOLT BACKED OFF AND WASHER BLEW A SMALL HOLE IN VALVE COVER).OIL/SMOKE EVERYWHERE. IT BURNED OFF OIL FOR MONTHS AFTERWARD. IT WAS TOWED BACK. HOLE WAS ON EXTREME DRIVERS SIDE OF ENGINE. VALVE COVER WAS REPLACE, BOLT/WASHER EITHER REPLACED OR RETORQUED. *NM

MY VAN HAD 66,000 MILES ON IT AND ONE DAY I OPENED THE BACK HATCH, WHICH IS RARELY USED, AND THE HATCH HANDLE BROKE-OFF IN MY HAND. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BACK HATCH HANDLE BREAK ON ANY OF MY VANS. I TOOK AND TO DEALER AND IT QUITE A WHILE FOR THEM TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE OF HOW THE HANDLE IS POSITION IN REAR DOOR. *NM

TIRE FAILURE - APPARENT BELT SLIP/FAILURE TIRE MARKING IS SP40 A/S

AUGUST 2003: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE TAKEN TO CRYSTAL MOTORS, A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. CRYSTAL MOTORS REPLACED "IGNITION COIL". PROBLEM APPARENTLY RESOLVED. COST: $350-$500. JANUARY 2005: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. VEHICLE TAKEN TO CRYSTAL MOTORS. REPLACED "ALL INJECTORS AND COILS". ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS AND THREE COILS WERE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED, ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN. PROBLEM APPARENTLY SOLVED. THE SERVICE COST APPROXIMATELY $2100. JULY 2005: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. CRYSTAL CLAIMS THAT A COIL HAS GONE BAD, ONLY 6 MONTHS INTO ITS USE. CRYSTAL IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE THE DEFECTIVE PART ON DEMAND. I WAS NOT CHARGED FOR THIS SERVICE.

ABS BRAKES FAIL. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY TOYOTA BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2001 AS A USED CAR. IN 2003 THE BRAKE PETAL STARTED TO VIBRATE THE THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. TOYOTA DID REPAIRS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRENTEE. YESTERDAY THE LIGHT CAME ON, I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. AS I STARTED TO PROCEED I HEARD THIS LOUD SOUND FROM THE BRAKES AND HAD TO STAND ON THE PETAL TO STOP THE CAR. ONCE THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION I REMOVED THE ABS FUSE AND WILL NOT REPLACE IT FOR FEAR OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HAVE SENT AN E-MAIL TO TOYOTA AS WELL. I AM SENDING THIS MAINLY SO THERE IS A RECORD IN CASE OTHERS HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT I WILL NOT USE THE ABS BRAKES EVEN IF TOYOTA OFFERS TO FIX THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL TWICE AND I WILL NOT RIDE IN THIS CAR WITH MY GRAND KIDS. TOYOTA SIENNA 2000

DT: VEHICLE HAS A SLIDING ELECTRIC DOOR ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. DOOR STARTED OPENING OR STAYING OPEN AT THE WRONG TIME. FINALLY, THE ELECTRICAL DOOR STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE OR THE REMOTE. CONSUMER JUST NOTICED THAT THE DOOR WILL ALSO NOT OPEN MANUALLY FROM THE INSIDE OF VEHICLE, BUT WILL OPEN MANUALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER DID TAKE VEHICLE O DEALER IN JANUARY 2005 FOR AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS, AND FOUND THAT THE COST OF REPAIRS WOULD BE $1886.00. *AK

HANDLE/LATCH TO OPEN HATCH ON BACK DOOR OF 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA LE MINIVAN BREAKS EASILY WHEN TRYING TO OPEN. HATCH REMAINS UNOPENABLE UNTIL LATCH IS REPLACED. DIFFICULT TO REPLACE BECAUSE INSIDE PANEL FROM HATCH MUST BE REMOVED FROM INSIDE THE VAN AND IF THE BACK ROW OF SEATS IS IN PLACE IT IS VERY HARD TO GET TO.

WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH, RESULTING IN A CRASH AND A ROLL OVER. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED IN THE COLLISION. *AK *SC *JB

THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A STOP LIGHT, ON A 50 MPH ROAD, CAR TRANSMISSION SLIPPED TWICE, AND THEN WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT IT NEW FROM WALNUT CREEK TOYOTA, A 2000 SIENNA. *AK AT 6000 MILES, AT 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION GRABBED THE CAR THROWING THE FOUR OF US INTO ANOTHER LANE.IT WAS REPLACED. AT 53,000 OR 47000 ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION IT BEGAN TO GRIND AND IT WAS AGAIN REPLACED. 12,000 LATER AT 65,000. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURED. TOYOTA OF WALNUT CREEK HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SHREAD THE TRANSMISSIONS. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE THE NEW TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AGAIN AND THIS TIME THERE MAY BE AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THE CAR HAS LOST ALL ITS VALUE.

I TOOK MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA INTO A DEALER BECAUSE THE "ABS" LIGHT WENT ON APPROXIMATELY 2-3 DAYS AGO. ALTHOUGH PHOENIX HAS HAD A WET WINTER, THERE HAS BEEN NO SIGNIFICANT RAIN FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS. THE DEALER SAID THE ABS "ECU" WAS "DRIPPING WET" AND THE ABS COMPUTER WAS "FRIED". THE COST TO REPLACE WITH MATERIALS AND LABOR WAS $1,800. DO THESE UNITS TYPICALLY FAIL? WHY WOULD THE ECU BE SO EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AS TO MAKE IT "DRIPPING WET"? HE DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY DEFECT IN ANY PROTECTIVE COVER (IF THERE IS SUCH A THING).*AK

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE BRAKE WAS ON, AND THE VEHICLE WENT TO 40 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP BY SHIFTING INTO PARK, APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TURNING THE KEY OFF.*AK

THREE SHOULDER STRAP SEAT BELTS IN MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA HAVE FAILED. THEY ARE FROZEN AND INOPERABLE. THE DEALER SAYS HE WILL REPLACE AT $200 PER SEATBELT. OTHER THAN THAT THERE IS NOTHING HE CAN DO TO REPAIR THE SEATBELT. THE VEHICLE IS USELESS WITHOUT SEATBELTS. I AM AFRAID THAT THE OTHER 3 WILL FAIL ALSO. *AK

THE ABS CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON, WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL THAT BRAKES MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. MANUFACTURER WILL NOTIFIED BY OWNER.*AK

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON TO INDICATE THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO PUT HIS SEAT BELT ON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB

FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE, ALL (5) WHEEL STUDS SHEARED OFF, AND WHEEL FELL OFF OF VEHICLE. LUG NUTS DID NOT APPEAR TO BE LOOSE PRIOR TO STUDS SHEARING.*AK

THE ENGINE IN MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS A DEFECT THAT CAUSES ENGINE OIL JELLING AND LEADS TO A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AT 38000 MILES WHILE STILL UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. TOYOTA FIXED THE PROBLEM BY CLEANING THE SLUDGE FROM THE VALUE AREA OF THE ENGINE BUT THIS DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. AT 68000, THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE THAT WAS A RESULT OF ENGINE OIL GELLING. A TOYOTA TECHNICIAN WHO INSPECTED THE CAR STATED THAT THERE IS SCARING OF THE INTERNAL ENGINE PARTS THAT INDICATE A HISTORY OF OIL STARVATION. THE OIL STARVATION PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE FAILURE IS DUE TO OIL GELLING PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON MY VEHICLE TO COVER THIS PROBLEM FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE, HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOW REFUSING TO HONOR THIS WARRANTY.*AK

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME LOOSE AND BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE WHEN PLACED IN PARK. *SC

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA'S ENGINE WAS REBUILT LAST FEBRUARY/MARCH 2004 DUE TO ENGINE OIL GEL. HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP LAST JUNE. HAD 82,500 MAINTENANCE DONE AT ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER. IT CAUGHT FIRE. DROPLETS OF FIRE SEEN FALLING UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE. NEIGHBOR TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BUT TO NO AVAIL. CALLED 911 AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.*AK

I PURCHASED A TOYOTA SIENNA NEW IN 4/2000. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAK EVERY TIME I BRAKED. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME COUNTLESS SIENNA'S FROM 1998-2003 HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. TOYOTA TRIED A FIX THAT WORKED 8 MONTHS. IT IS A SHAME THAT YOU PAY $30,000 FOR A VEHICLE AND THE CO. WILL NOT STAND BEHIND IT. *AK

I BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A TRASH CAN IN THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY, SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HOPPED OUT TO MOVE THE CAN. I TURNED TO GET BACK IN THE CAR AND FOUND IT MOVING FORWARD UP THE DRIVEWAY. I CHASED THE CAR UP THE DRIVEWAY. IT RAN OVER A JOGGERBUGGY AND STRUCK A RETAINING WALL BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO IT AND STOP IT.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. FEDERAL, SUPER STEEL, P215/65R15, DOT UXKW0303.*AK

WHILE DRIVING OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCK NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN SERVICED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *TS

PURCHASED TOYOTA CERTIFIED USED IN 2000. ABS PUMP FAILED WITHIN ONE MONTH. NOT PART OF POWER TRAIN, NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA EXPERIENCED SERIOUS SLUDGING PROBLEM AND HAD "SLUDGE/GEL REPAIR" DONE BY TOYOTA AT 58K MILES. SERVICE DATES: OCT 14 AND 15, 2002. ON JULY 18, 2004, THE SIENNA (WITH 81K MILES) BROKE DOWN DURING A VACATION TRIP. DIAGNOSIS: RESIDUAL ENGINE DAMAGE FROM SLUDGE PROBLEM AND INADEQUATE REPAIR LED TO FAILURE OF A THRUST WASHER/BEARING THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE FROM METAL FRAGMENTS THAT SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST: $7,300. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET TOYOTA TO REPAIR THE ENGINE AT THEIR COST AND TO COVER ALL OF MY RELATED COSTS DUE TO THE FAILURE (E.G. HOTEL COSTS, RENTAL CAR). *JB

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 60 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLED OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING, AND BRAKES. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED THREE TIMES ON THE SAME DAY WHILE DRIVING LONG HOURS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *LA

TOYOTA SIENNA LS, YEAR 2000, APPROX 73000 MILES. ALWAYS SERVICED BY TOYOTA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM / ENGINE NOT MODIFIED OR ALTERED. DROVE LAST FRIDAY MORNING (JULY 16, 2004) FROM NC TO THE DC AREA. JUST BEFORE DC, CAR COMPLETELY STALLED 3 TIMES ON I-95, AT INTERSTATE SPEED, APPROX 15 TO 20 MINUTES APART. EACH TIME, THE ABS AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON. CLOCK FLASHED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR RECOVERED WITHIN 2 TO 3 SECONDS WHILE MOVING, BUT LOST SPEED, AS THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. RADIO WAS NOT TURNED ON, NOT SURE IF IT WOULD HAVE LOST POWER ALSO. COULD DUPLICATE ONE STALL BY TURNING THE HEADLIGHTS ON WHILE MOVING. AGAIN, ENGINE STALLED FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS, ABS AND LOW TIRE PRESSURE DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON. I'M NOT TOTALLY SURE, BUT I THINK THAT THE RPM AND THE ODOMETER NEEDLE WENT BACK TO 0 DURING THE ENGINE STALLS. BUT AGAIN, I'M NOT 100% SURE ON THE ODOMETER NEEDLE GOING TO "0" , AS IT ALL HAPPENED FAIRLY FAST. REPAIR ATTEMPTS: DROVE TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER IN DC ON THE SAME DAY, CAR STALLED AGAIN AS WE DROVE INTO THE DEALER SHIP AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STAND STILL. (TOYOTA OF STAFFORD, TEL: 1-540-720-4700, REPAIR TICKET 16153) THEY TEST DROVE CAR FOR 2 X 20 MINS, FOUND NO PROBLEM, COMPUTER DID NOT LOG ANY ERROR CODES WHAT SO EVER ACCORDING TO DEALER. DROVE BACK TO NC, WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER IN DURHAM, NC TODAY (JULY 19). DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, UNLESS THE CAR IS STALLING RIGHT NOW AND TOLD US TO RETURN ONCE THE "CHE