2005 Toyota Sienna: engine overheating

Filed Jan 21, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 63,000 miles · MA

I was driving the car and noticed it was a bit sluggish. The next thing I know, the brake pedal is on the floor even though I am not pressing it, and the car is still moving. I had my three children in the car, so I drove carefully to a safe stopping place, used the emergency brake, and exited the car. I then noticed that all four brakes or tires were smoking and there was a very strong burning smell. If there had been a need for me to stop suddenly while I was still moving, my brakes would not have worked! After getting the car towed and replacing both the ABS actuator and the master cylinder, my mechanic diagnosed the source of the problem: the brake light switch and bracket had been knocked out of alignment and were causing brake application even when the pedal was not depressed by the driver. This caused ABS and vehicle stability control failures when the brakes overheated. I searched toyota's recalls and found a recall for this exact problem was issued for 2011 siennas only, but I had experienced precisely the same problem in a 2005 sienna. I called toyota and got nowhere; because no recall had been issued for my model year, they would not help me at all with covering the tremendous cost I had incurred.

Filed Dec 26, 2012 · Engine · 97,000 miles · MD

Under toyota's customer support program, a technical service bulletin was put out saying that 2005 toyota siennas had faulty radiators that cracked in cold weather and could lead to coolant leakage and subsequent engine seizure (safety report #0506). When the weather started getting cold this winter, my radiator cracked and I needed to be repaired as the engine was running extremely hot. When I found this bulletin and brought it to toyota's attention they refused to honor it saying that my VIN number was not in the range. When I asked why this was the case, they claimed (they being toyota's national headquarters) that they had realized the fault and therefore switched the radiators out during production. Upon closer examination, the bulletin was announced by toyota on january 30, 2006. If what they claim is true, then they were knowingly selling cars with faulty radiators for about a year and a half before they issued the recall. If they were lying, then the recall needs to be extended to include all toyota siennas of that year.

Filed Apr 6, 2012 · Engine · 67,000 miles · ND

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while having the vehicle serviced, the mechanic noticed that the radiator was leaking. The radiator caused the vehicle to stall and overheat due to loss of fluid. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and the dealer stated that the radiator needed to be replaced. The radiator was replaced at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2011 · Engine · 10,834 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota sienna. The contact stated that the check engine and battery warning lamp was illuminated. He also stated that the engine temperature rose and caused the vehicle to overheat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the air conditioner compressor was defective and needed to be replace yet the remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance becuase the vehicle was repaired four times prior under factory warranty. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 10,834 and the current mileage was 83,113. Updated 07/20/11

Filed Jun 7, 2010 · Engine · 99,750 miles · PA

2005 toyota sienna xle awd - slow leak in radiator consistent with tsb regarding cracking of plastic in cold weather conditions lead to overheating of vehicle. Radiator was replaced ($600+) as well as heads needed to be removed and milled ($2000+).

Filed Feb 17, 2009 · Engine · 104,000 miles · LA

Radiator on 2005 sienna sprung a leak and drained the coolant dry within a half day. Engine overheated and vehicle had to be stopped on roadside. Water was poured to replace missing coolant allowing owner to get home. Brought to toyota service center the next day. Owner opted for a non-toyota replacement radiator (owner was told the old radiator was beyond repair) since a toyota part would have taken days to procure. Two such replacements were attempted to be installed. Neither one fit. Not only was a toyota radiator unavailable immediately, it cost $200 more. Owner had to be without transportation for at least 4 days at his expense (a rental). Extended warranty expired at 100,000 miles; incident happened at 104,000 miles.