We have a toyota sienna van. In 8/02 we had 'oil gel sludging' and the engine was fixed under warranty. Now, we have exactly the same problem and toyota refuses to pay for the repair. With the initial repair, they acknowledged it was a design flaw. Since the engine was poorly designed, and there is a recurring problem due to the design, why do they think a one-time repair will suffice?
1998 Toyota Sienna engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 34 of 34, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Approximately 5 years ago we purchased a new 1998 toyota sienna because we wanted a new vehicle with an excellent reputation for quality and service. Because of toyota's reputation, we paid approximately $10,000 more for the van than we could have purchased any other van in our area. Recently our van started emitting blue smoke. When we took our van to our local toyota dealership for service they said that they could not find the problem, and offered to tear down the motor and send pictures to toyota with a fee of one hour's labor. When we scheduled this service, after tearing down the motor, we were asked for documentation of oil changes. Although we have had them done regularly, we did not save this paperwork. Since we are out of our warranty period, I thought this was an unusual request. However, after researching my van on the internet, I realize that this is a very common problem with my van. Unfortunately, I did not find this information soon enough to start saving all of those oil change receipts. The oil in my van is very thick, and we were treated as though we never had oil changes done. We were told that they could replace the valve covers and clean the heads and that it might take care of the problem or we could spend $5000 to purchase a new motor for a van bought new and still being paid for! I will no longer be able to purchase a vehicle based on reputation. Not only was this a problem that has occurred often, but we were never notified, and then basically accused of not maintaining our vehicle. We were charged a $75.00 fee to find the problem even though the mechanics should have know this was on ongoing problem the first time the van was taken for service. Because of their defective motor, I also have now lost that "great trade in value" that toyota vehicles always "maintain". Again, I am very disappointed in my van and toyota. I purchased my van because of the high recommendations given to me, but I will not pass this recommendation on to others.
We have a 1998 toyota sienna. For several years we have had problems opening the rear passenger doors because of faulty springs on the door buttons. Now the vehicle spews out blue smoke when starting up or accelerating. The oil is also sludgey. We took it to the dealer after hearing that the blue smoke problem is a recall issue, but the dealer wants proof of all oil changes, even though I change the oil and filter myself. A friend around the corner has the same problems with the faulty doors.
Oil seals around spark plugs failed in both fwd and aft bank of valve covers.
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.
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.
Engine locked up. Dealer tells us no oil was present in the engine at the time of their inspection.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 toyotas' 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.
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.
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).
Engine sludge at 25,000 miles.
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.
Idle air control valve failure caused vehicle to stall at intersections. To keep from stalling throttle had to be applied with right foot while left foot used to apply brake.
Engine is full of sludge, there was never any warning light or system check that indicated the engine had any problems.
At only 30,000 miles, while vehicle still under full bumper to bumper warranty, smoke began emitting from exhaust pipe. Took to dealer - dealer says it is steam. Next smoke gets worse (its blue) & oil light flashes when braking. Take it back to dealer - dealer says need oil change. Do it. Next - same stuff. Take it back. Dealer says oil leak in valves or rings - will call to set up appt. For repair. No call. I call dealer. Dealer says want oil change receipts. I get them. Dealer says no fix under warranty, not covered, caused by consumer lack of maintenance. I complain to manufacturer. No luck. I look on internet - hundreds of identical complaints on various web sites. Caused by sludge in engine, which analysis of shows water & fuel in oil. I contaact you.
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: )
Engine--camshaft and belt.
Crankshaft ball bearings are defective, causing decrease in oil pressure and crankshaft and oil pump failures
Accepted for arbitration by wa state atty general
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