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.
The contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic and testing. The dealer advised that the vehicle converter for the exhaust system needed to be replaced at the owners expense. The dealer advised that the converter for the exhaust system can only be replaced in California. The vehicle was not repaired and the contact does not feel like traveling from Florida to California. The contact stated that he has lower fuel mileage as a result of the exhaust system defect. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The approximate current mileage was 112,000.
Noticed check engine light on and smoke on cold start up. Called local Toyota dealer and was told this would be a major "fix" and would cost at least $3,000 to repair. After doing a google search I realized my Sienna most likely had oil gel and called tmsusa in California to report it. Was told to take van to a local dealer and have diagnosed. Took it in the very next day and oil gel was confirmed (in writing). Was then told that the van was 90 days past coverage and it would cost $6,200 for a new engine. I tried to show documents of my oil changes and service manager said it would do no good. I refuse to drive this van for fear that the engine will seize! I am requesting that a second investigation be made into these vehicles. The class action lawsuit did no good for the Toyota consumers! also, for the record, I took the van in when the engine light first came on (engine was not smoking yet) and the dealer told me it was probably just the gas cap and that the engine light comes on in these vehicles all the time. They never documented my visits to the service department. I would have been within the 8 year time frame if they would have checked the engine at that time!
Check engine light has come on for months and was told that it was an O2 sensor and not a severe problem, just won't get as good gas mileage. Vehicle now smokes upon start up and is losing too much oil too quickly. Toyota said to take vehicle to a Toyota dealer and have them diagnose the problem. Came back that the engine had "gel" and would cost $2700 to clean and repair. Toyota district service manager denied the claim. Said warranty only good for 8 years from date vehicle was purchased. Now waiting to hear from case manager to see if she will O.K. the repairs to be paid for by Toyota. We bought the Sienna used in 2004 after the tsb was already established but were not made aware of this "gelling" problem. Just had oil changed in November 2008 and now the oil level is barely registering on the stick. Only 6 weeks after the last oil change!!! car is still at the Toyota dealership.
Ltr fwd fm fhwa re their defective 2000 Toyota Sienna xle, the van has problems with engine sludge... the vehicle started to blow blue smoke and ran rough. The dealer discovered engine gel deposits. The malfunctioning light had come on due to the oxygen sensor per dealer, the brakes squealed when stopped at low speeds(problem continued), and pulled to the left. The dealer could not duplicate. The engine sludge had come back again due to a burnt hole in the valve which was in the piston. The tachometer illumination appeared to be out and the bulb was replaced. The consumer requested reimbursement for the hotel stay and the vehicle rental.
On July 22nd I was driving with my 4 young children when very suddenly I almost blacked out. I was able to call 911 and pulled over safely. I was taken to the hospital where blood tests showed nothing obviously contributed to the extreme lightheadedness and disorientation I experienced. On my 3rd trip I had a similar experience and concluded it was my minivan.it was towed to the dealership and a test drive left 3 mechanics with similar effects.they were not able to determine the cause and CO2 and freon readings were negative.they steam cleaned the engine and stated the problem was no longer present.however, the problem has not gone away and our family continued to experience vomiting, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness and disorientation whenever traveling in the van.we can no longer drive the van for fear of health and safety issues.we believe this van is defective and dangerous.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Coral Springs, FL, USA