Our dealership has one person doing the work which three did at my girlfriend's old dealership; they keep telling us to "keep a log" of problems. She went in and told them the car had to be fixed; they said okay, and it sat for a week while they ordered parts which we thought they already would have in, due to our previous/numerous complaints. So now it's going _back_ in Monday morning, although they continue to insist they don't think they have parts for the inside door locks; she's going to ask them about it. It is very frustrating to have the dealership say "we don't have the parts" and/or "keep a log" when Toyota must have the parts -- it's their vehicle!! -- and we don't need to. 1 qt. Of oil per every 100 miles travelled for the last six-twelve months is insane. And Toyota continues to insist that it's from "lack of maintenance" when the oil changes were done primarily at dealerships in mi and fl... does not sit well with me. Please contact me re: Any developments pertaining to the Sienna... thanks!! -- george seger, (231) 932-9501.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

The engine needs replacing, apparently sludge and the dealer/manufacturer is trying to blame me for sloppy maintenance. I was at the dealer in 5/01 for a major maintenance which include engine flush, etc. $550. And since I have been back in 8/01 and 1/02 for different issues and was never asked to perform additional maintenance or warned that I should be careful, etc. I'm aware that I have performed oil & filter changes subsequent to the 5/01 major maintenance but I'm having trouble finding the evidence, in part because I moved aroudn 9 mo. Ago and still haven't quite settled in completely. Based on my search in the internet the manufacturer has apparently conceded about a month ago that there is a problem and is paying for the repairs but apparently puerto rico has not heard about this since they are making me jump through hoops to prove the adequate maintenance in order to maybe accept responsibility. I think this is especially sneaky since I have been to the authorized dealer in my new area twice and was never told that I should be doing something additional to the problem observed (in one case I had a check engine light on that they simply re-programmed). Thanks.

- Isabela, PR, USA

The engine needs replacing, apparently sludge and the dealer/manufacturer is trying to blame me for sloppy maintenance. I was at the dealer in 5/01 for a major maintenance which include engine flush, etc. $550. And since I have been back in 8/01 and 1/02 for different issues and was never asked to perform additional maintenance or warned that I should be careful, etc. I'm aware that I have performed oil & filter changes subsequent to the 5/01 major maintenance but I'm having trouble finding the evidence, in part because I moved aroudn 9 mo. Ago and still haven't quite settled in completely. Based on my search in the internet the manufacturer has apparently conceded about a month ago that there is a problem and is paying for the repairs but apparently puerto rico has not heard about this since they are making me jump through hoops to prove the adequate maintenance in order to maybe accept responsibility. I think this is especially sneaky since I have been to the authorized dealer in my new area twice and was never told that I should be doing something additional to the problem observed (in one case I had a check engine light on that they simply re-programmed). Thanks.

- Isabela, PR, USA

Vehicle did not pass vehicle emissions test, dealer said that dirty oil had leaked into the engine causing engine sludge, repairs were not covered under warranty, owner stated that the oil was changed regularly, and knew of other similar cases, onwer is concerned that this condition is a result of a manufacturing or design defect.

- Nashville, TN, USA

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

- Greenwood, IN, USA

In February of 2001 my 1998 Sienna engine froze up. No engine light came on. I had it towed to the fort myers Toyota dealer and they told me it was my fault and I would need a new engine. Mr myers the sevice manager told mr carpenter the new car saleman that a new engine would cost $5,000 minus a $1,000 dollar rebate or a total of $4,000. I told him to go ahead and change the motor. When I went to pick up the van the cost was $6800 not $4,000. I put the charge on my credit card. Later that month I traded the van in for a 2001 highlander. I had trouble with the electrical system in 1999 in Ohio and didn't want to have additional problem in fla. This Sienna was a leased van and mr carpenter allowed me to drop the leased van in fort myers. I heard the other day that Toyota was recalling 1998 Sienna because of engine problems. The oil was clogging the engine. Please advise me of the recall. Thanks.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

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.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Began issuing blue smoke at startup at about 52000 miles. Dealer finds sludge in engine, refuses to repair under warranty, citing lack of maintenance. Vehicle has had regular oil changes, and an older vehicle (Ford escort) in identical service with same maintenance schedule has no problems. Believe that the failure is due to defective engine crankcase ventilation system design, and that failure is leading to emissions in excess of legal limits.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

Engine sludged at 35000 miles, and again at 79000 miles. Warranty coverage was denied even though we presented evidence of regular maintenance. We were recently offered reimbursement for the first repair by Toyota in the amount of $2300. They denied reimbursement on the second repair in the amount of $7100 because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The engine has sludged twice in spite of regular oil changes. Total repair and incidental costs have exceeded $10,000.

- Brandon, MS, USA

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 Toyota' 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.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

Vehicle did not pass vehicle emissions test, dealer said that dirty oil had leaked into the engine causing engine sludge, repairs were not covered under warranty, owner stated that the oil was changed regularly, and knew of other similar cases, onwer is concerned that this condition is a result of a manufacturing or design defect.

- Nashville, TN, USA

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).

- Greer, SC, USA

Engine sludge at 25,000 miles.

- Nashville, TN, USA

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.

- Little Rock, AL, USA

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

- Fairview, NC, USA

Loud bang from engine followed by fire. Dealer says engine threw a rod and found hole in engine. Also damage to right axle from projectile from engine. Complained about white smoke at startup to dealer at 22,500 mile service, but dealer found no problems. Now dealer refuses to honor warranty claiming that sludge is in engine. When I had similar smoke problem with 1998 Toyota Camry, dealer advised that the valve seals were defective and replaced the valve seals and gasket under warranty. Internet serches have revealed at least one and possibly as many as three other similar engine failures due to sludge after complaints were made to the dealer of white smoke at startup. I also found multiple reports of engine failure assoiciated with white smoke at startup when doing searches regarding the Camry. When I went to dealer to remove articles from the van after it was towed, the service advisor pointed out the left rear tire, on which approximately 10-12 inches of the tread had separated from the body of the tire. This is Firestone fr 680 tire with less than 30,000 miles on it. The tire was checked and was fine prior to out trip to pick up out eight year old daughter from summer camp. The engine failure and fire and the separation of thread of the tire occurred after we had driven for approximately 2 hours in 100 degree plus temperatures while returning from the camp. Local police and fire department was called to the scene.( dot number: )

- League City, TX, USA

Accepted for arbitration by wa state atty general

- Redmond, WA, USA