1999 Toyota Sienna: engine failure

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Engine · CO

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 $6850.00 engine replacement cost, even though toyota changed the engine warranty to 8 years/unlimited mileage.

Filed Aug 3, 2005 · Engine · 90,133 miles · FL · fire

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.

Filed Dec 22, 2004 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Feb 20, 2004 · Engine · 134,608 miles · NJ

1999 toyota sienna is sitting in driveway for past 2 months with seized engine due to this "oil sludging" problem. Cost to repair over 6000 from dealer. Certified mail sent 2/18/04 to toyota motor sales in torrance, ca., with copy of maintenance records showing oil filter & oil changes.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 67,000 miles · CT

Waiting to hear from toyota on our oil sludge engine failure problem. We are gathering the oil change receipts and were 1st told we did not maintain the vehicle. Now seeing that we are not alone with this issue.

Filed Sep 7, 2002 · Engine · FL

The engine seized while driving home on interstate 75. We had just had the oil changed before leaving on vacation. Toyota said that we did not service the vehicle properly despite our having provided proof of oil changes. Toyota would not cover repairs of $6200. The finance company reposessed the car because we could not afford to pay for it to be fixed.

Filed May 30, 2002 · Engine · FL

Sienna engine seized while traveling on interstate 75. We had just had the oil changed prior to leaving to go on vacation. Toyota blamed us for the problem: said it was due to lack of vehicle maintenance despite our furnishing proof of regular oil changes. Cost of replacement engine was estimated @ approx. $5000. We could not pay for the repairs and toyota would not cover them. Van was reposessed by our finance company. We had to take out a home equity loan to pay off the balance of $6,000 owed to our finance company.

Filed Apr 18, 2002 · Engine · AZ

At 44,000 miles we had to have our cylinder reground and this shouldn't happen. We changed oil every 5,000 miles like the owner's manual said. This is ridiculous that it should happen at all! This is a faulty engine. We should have recieved a new engine under warranty, not had the damned cylinders reground. Now, they're telling us to change oil every 3,000 miles! What is going on? We've owned toyotas since 1969 and never had a problem with them--and certainly not something like this. This is poor quality of the engine and toyota should give us a new and improved engine to replace this one.

Filed Mar 13, 2001 · Body, Engine · CA

Engine went out while driving 55 MPH. Dealer replaced engine. Currently, new engine is making a rattling sound intermittently. Dealer cannot find problem with engine. Also, power locks are not working properly, sometimes it takes 3 or 4 times before doors will open.

Filed Feb 23, 2001 · Engine · PA

Excessive sledge build up in engine which caused engine failure. Manufacturer notified, and refused to honor warranty. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Filed Jan 9, 2001 · Engine · UN

A design flaw in the engine caused the engine to develop sludge, this is when the oil turns into a thick tar like goop that clogs the engine a oil systems, when the vehicle was take to the dealer it was stated that the only cause was improper maintenance which voids the customers warranty, there was no warning or indication that the engine as about to be damaged, the consumer had to have a new engine installed in their new vehicle. Nlm