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1999 Toyota Sienna engine complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 39 of 39, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1999 Toyota Sienna engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · KY

Engine oil gelled/became sludged in july 2002, oil pump failed in november 2003

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 Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · NY

Light blue smoke from tail pipe .oil cap dark brown

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · CA

All the above data is an estimate becuase we are waiting for copies of all maintenance and repair records from toyota - - but we have had multiple problems with this vehicle including screeching brakes, left veer when driving, bad transmission (replaced twice),smog check failure due to oxygen sensor and/or engine problems, clunking noises in engine, a shuddering of vehicle when driving or braking. The car has been at dealers for as long as 3 weeks; dealer admits not knowing what is wrong. Failed

Filed Nov 20, 2003 · Engine · KY

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.

Filed Nov 17, 2003 · Engine · 74,000 miles · TX

Oil burns at high heat which causes the oil to develop into a gel. As a result, the engine fails prematurely.

Filed Nov 17, 2003 · Engine · 70,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Apr 7, 2003 · Engine · VA

The consumer believed toyota was not honoring the customer support program as reported by owners, in regards to oil sludge build up in engines. *ak *jb updated 05/04/10.

Filed Jan 21, 2003 · Engine · 50,000 miles · GA

While driving vehicle consumer states" noticed blue smoke coming from exhaust. Took to dealer and they performed a engine overhaul. Consumer feels engine may seize up. Please provide any further information. Ts

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 29, 2002 · Engine · TN

We feel that kingsport toyota (kingsport tennessee) did not want to be bothered with this issue due to the fact that problems were starting to arise and consumers were questioning toyota about sludge build up in the engines.

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 16, 2002 · Engine · OR

All the oil ports were completely pluged and there was no warning either time. It is a wonder that with all the ports pluged and the engine both times not getting any oil to the upper engine that it did n ot freese up and cause a serious accadent.

Filed Feb 25, 2002 · Engine · NC

Diagnosed as sludge in the engine due to "owner negligence"; owner has proof of regular oil changes and maintenance; owner accused of "never changing the oil"--not true; toyota is aware of the problem in their siennas and avalons, says we are ineligible for "assistance" because we are outside of the 60000 drive train warranty; properly maintained engines don't seize up at 64k miles!! We are outraged!!

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Engine · AZ

Driving to phoenix, engine went in ogden utah, said sludge in engine, although have oil change receipts, toyota uninterested. Claims improper maintenance so no warranty coverage.

Filed Dec 31, 2001 · Engine · VA

Titan checkup engine analysis oil sample results revealed excessive fuel in the engine's oil after 6700 miles of driving. Oil noted to be too thin and some lead from bearing scuffing noted. Silicon also present in two oil analysis samples to date. Possible fire hazard with reduced flash point. Full investigation needed on 1998-2001 model siennas in conjunction with current engine fire investigation on the 2002 model.

Filed Dec 24, 2001 · Engine · TX

The engines in 1999 sienna vans are possibly having early failure of the crankecase ventilation system that causes oil to sludge up and the engine begins to burn oil at a very early age. I recently de-sludged my van's engine and noted that the crankecase vent baffles are very narrow and had likley been stopped up for a long time. From the amount of postings on the internet about this problem this is not an isolated problem with this model.

Filed Oct 23, 2001 · Engine · MO

Car using oil since 20000mi. 9/01 dealer found sludge in engine and claimed it was my fault and would not repair under warranty.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Engine · CA

Purchased a manufacturer-certified sienna and it spewed blue smoke on the first cold start. Engine sludge was blamed for the problem and the manufacturer covered the issue under warranty since the vehicle was certified and recently purchased.

Filed Jul 18, 2001 · Engine · WA

At 30,874 miles our van started blowing blue smoke. We took it to the dealer who told us that the engine had "sludged up" and would require at least $3,000 to fix. We were also told that it wasn't covered by warranty (3 year/36,000 miles). We asked why and were told that the sludge could only be caused by lack of maintenance (oil changes). We produced receipts showing oil changes were done, but the company still won't cover the work under warranty. We have spoke to the toyota's regional customer relations administrator and gone through the toyota provided arbitration proceedings to no avail. We went to the internet and searched under "toyota sienna sludge" and found dozens of other people having the same problem with their siennas and warranty coverage. We believe the is a defect in the sienna v6 engine causing the sludge build up.

Filed Jun 22, 2001 · Engine · FL

Blue smoke is coming from tailpipe of vehicle. There is sludge build up in engine. Dealer claims this was caused by non changing of oil. Consumer stated that oil was changed every 3000 miles. Engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced.

Filed Jun 4, 2001 · Engine · CT

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

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

Filed Oct 3, 2000 · Engine · FL

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Mar 22, 2000 · Engine · CA

Engine light appeared. Oxegen sensor fried 5 times.

Filed Oct 6, 1999 · Engine · FL

No summary.

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