1998 Toyota Sienna: engine failure

Filed Feb 16, 2006 · Engine · 127,910 miles · SC

Engine light came on in my 1998 toyota sienna on i75 in atlanta ga while visiting friends, was able to get to median before it died. Had it towed to independent mechanic who verified sludge build up. Called toyota about engine failure. Was told to take van to a toyota dealership in sc (where we live) towed the van home took it to dealership who also verified sludge build up. Was told by toyota that they were aware of the problems in their engines but was not going to pay for engine replacement because we did not have receipts proving that oil/filters changes were made. We changed our oil every 3000 miles without fail. If we didn't engine would have died sooner. Toyota did say that we could pay for repairs $9000 and then submit receipts for review and may be reimbursed for repairs. Still fighting with toyota, have made complaint with bbb. Police were called to the scene, I was alone with 4 children.

Filed Jun 25, 2005 · Transmission · 910,000 miles · NC · fire

My 98 toyota sienna failed to respond to the acelerator while I was making a left turn twice on 6/22/05. On the second time, the engine failed. I was able to restart the engine, and go back home three blocks away where this happened. I parked my car inside my garage, went inside my house and luckily I had to go back to the garage immediately, because my car was on fire. I am still waiting for my nsurance company to do their investigation and I opened a claim with toyota, since I did all the necessary maintenance and the car was fine until that day. How can I be sure I am going to find out the truth why the car got on fire and if there is any problem related to the year and model of my car that may expalin what happened? Sometime ago I received a letter from toyota saying that they were extending the warranty on transaxle case and internal part, torque converter and parts related to the transaxle because certain models of sienna had a "no movemen" or "slipping condition" related to that parts. My car was fine until the morning of 6/22/05 and then did not respond to the accelerator twice (is this what they call no movement or slipping condition?) and then got on fire. Does the fire could happen because o anything related to the transaxle case and internal parts any other parts related to it? I am afraid, since I am the only one who has anything to loose , that toyota won't take resposibility for this and my insurance company already advised me that they do not cover the cause of fire only damages caused by the fire, they do not cover rental care while my car is incvestigated and I don't feel that they are in any hurry to do solve my problem. I would like to know if there is any way to get an investigation of the cause of the fire from someone who has no interest in the case, who is not the one to take responsibility or not, or who is not the one in charge to cover the expenses related to what happened to my car? Thank you very much.

Filed Jun 14, 2004 · Engine · 92 miles · TX

While driving 35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle stalled on the highway. The dealer examined the vehicle and found a build up of sludge in the engine. A new engine was installed. Two years later, the same problem recurred and a new engine was needed. *ak on march 22, 2004 the check engine light had come on. On march 23, 2004 the vehicle was towed to a service dealer who suggested that sludge was the problem. *sc

Filed May 7, 2004 · Engine · 70,000 miles · CA

We leased a 1998 toyota sienna because it was the safest van out there at the time. Two years later I was driving to work, when the ( dummy gauge) for the oil light turned on. I stopped at the first gas station and checked the oil it was fine. On my way home that morning from work on the freeway. The oil light came on again, then suddenly the engine stalled & I heard some knocking noise , I pulled over, and had it towed to the toyota dealearship where we leased the van. They had it checked out then told us that there was oil sludging and has caused engine damage. They told us that the van needed a new engine and it was not covered under warranty because we had gone over the warranty miles. The estimate was over 5,000.00 , we did not have the funds, or credit available to cover for the estimate on the van. So we had no other choice but to give it up as a voluntary repo. Knowing that the leasing company was going to try to get their money. There was no other choice but to file for bankruptcy. I had excellent credit and now my credit is ruined. In the year 2002 I received a letter from the manufacturer stating that they were reimbursing and or extending the warranty on the engine at no cost to all customers who had the problem with engine damage due to oil sludging. Well I no longer had the van in my possesion but I did suffer some damages and I only think it is fair that I get some compensation from the toyota manufacturer due to their own defective engine. I wrote a letter to toyota and I have not heard a response from them yet.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 97,000 miles · MD

My car's engine failed at 20,000 miles. The dealer said it was due to sludge, based on my not changing the oil often enough. I had changed the oil every 6000 miles, not every 3000 miles. The dealer, jim coleman toyota of bethesda md stated that I was at fault and that toyota would do nothing for me. First coleman flushed the engine, at a cost of 1000. When this repair only held for 2000 miles or so, I was told I needed to replace my engine. I did so at ernie's, a top-rated repair shop in bethesda (consumer check list)at a cost of 5600, considerably less than toyota's price of 7500. I have faithfully changed my oil since that time on or before the 3000 mile mark. The engine has again failed due to sludge build-up!!! I am now expecting that toyota will replace the engine at no cost to me, but I am concerned that there will be some catch to this...

Filed Jan 6, 2004 · Engine · NC

Fax fm george a. Stouffer (nc) request that toyota cover the cost of a new engine for this 1998 toyota sienna due to an "oil gel" problem. *mr white smoke had come from the tail pipe. The service dealer diagnosed that toyota labeled an "oil gel problem" and told the consumer that the engine would be cleaned under warranty. The problem recurred and destroyed the engine. Toyota should be responsible for the payment under the same provisions as before. (they refused the request) *sc the request for assistance was denied, because the manufacturer stated the consumer did not properly maintain the vehicle, however the consumer had proof that the vehicle was well maintained, once that proof was sent, the manufacturer claimed the warranty only covered one single repair, but the original repair never fixed the design flaw, but only cleaned out the oil gel.

Filed Nov 24, 2003 · Engine · NC

We are on our third motor for a toyota sienna 1998 van, purchased new. Several months ago, we had the motor replaced. We were charged $4-500, though toyota handled it under warranty. Now, 10,000 miles later, we must replace the engine again, at a cost of $6000. The problem, again, is 'sludge'. We are also, like others filing complaints on your site and others, being harassed by the dealership, who claim we have "never changed the oil." for argument, let's say this is true. In 10,000 miles, you will utterly destroy a new engine if you miss an oil change, recommended for between 5,000 and 7500 miles? I believe the public has been sold a defective design, and that the company, deliberately or not, is refusing to take owner complaints seriously.

Filed May 19, 2002 · Engine · PR

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.

Filed Mar 2, 2002 · Engine · FL

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 $6800.00 not $4,000.00. 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.

Filed Aug 26, 2000 · Engine, Tires · TX · fire

Loud bang from egine 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: )