10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 49,017 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
1999 Toyota Sienna engine froze up unexpectedly. Was advised it was possibly a sludge problem. This vehicle was purchased - used - in 2002 from a local dealer who will not accept any responsibility for the estimated $6850 engine replacement cost, even though Toyota changed the engine warranty to 8 years/unlimited mileage.
- Longmont, CO, USA
My wife was driving on the Florida turnpike with our sons (ages 3 and 1) in the vehicle. The engine light came on and the engine died. She coasted over to the side of the road. She stayed in vehicle and kept the boys in their car seats as she was along a major highway. A road side assistance vehicle pulled up behind her within a minute or two. He asked my wife what the problem was. She told him and he asked her to pop the hood. She did. He opened it and flames came out of the engine compartment. Neither he nor my wife knew or suspected a fire. No flames. No smoke. No smell. No heat. He yelled to my wife to get herself and the kids out of the car. She did and they were all unharmed. He put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. Obviously, my wife and children probably would have been killed had that road side assistant not been there. Fl highway patrol arrived. The fhp officer filed incident report # fhpk05off042549. I had the vehicle towed to where I bought it, Toyota of orlando (3800 w. colonial drive orlando, fl 32808 407-298-4500) I video taped the burned engine and the vehicle from head to toe and will be happy to submit a copy to you. I was called by a Mr. Manny colon of Toyota of orlando. He explained to me that sludge build up was found and said that was probably the cause of the fire. I have records (with a different shop-Goodyear) showing that the oil was changed regularly and not terribly long ago. There seems to be an extremely well documented (and acknowledged by Toyota) sludge problem with Toyota's - including the 99 Sienna. I have found many articles on the internet and I am collecting them. I was never informed of this issue by anyone. If this issue can cause an engine fire, why are these vehicles being allowed on the road with families and children riding in them? my entire family almost died yesterday. Please investigate this. I don't want others to die if it can be avoided.
- Orlando, FL, USA
The consumer states vehicle is burning excessive oil. The consumer stated that oil was in the pan. The consumer stated that other owners have the same problem.
- Phoenix, NY, USA
Oil sludge (gelling) develops in engine resulting in the necessity to replace the engine at great cost. Toyota states that they will pay for the repairs if all required maintenance has been performed, but they have refused to do so and have refused to let us speak with anyone with the authority to honor their warranty.
- Boca Raton, FL, USA
My 1999 Toyota Sienna's engine suddenly froze up with slightly less than 72,000 miles on it. The engine is totally gone with estimates currently in the neighborhood of $8,000. This vehicle has been maintained as stated in the owners manual. The complaint is that Toyota knows there is a problem with Sienna's and has failed to do anything about notifying owners that oil changes need to be at 3000 mile intervals and that valves need to be checked very regularly. Since sludge build-up is obviously occurring in their vehicles, something needs to be done to protect the consumer.
- Hopkinsville, KY, USA
Engine of 1999 Toyota Sienna (van) had sludged engine oil in July 2002, dealer rebuilt engine. In November 2003, oil pump failed on same vehicle. Dealer contends the failure of the oil pump is not related to the engine oil gelling/becoming sludge. Since engine was rebuilt, owner has changed oil every 3,000 miles and has receipts to prove it.
- Lexington, KY, USA
The consumer believed Toyota was not honoring the customer support program as reported by owners, in regards to oil sludge build up in engines. Updated 05/04/10.
- Vienna, VA, USA
- Annapolis, MD, USA