Toyota Sienna engine failure problems

Filed Aug 26, 2026 · Engine · TX

Component Failed & Availability: The engine on my 2015 Toyota Sienna (99,000 miles) catastrophically failed and is completely seized. The vehicle and engine are in my possession and are fully available for physical inspection. Safety Risk: The vehicle shut down completely while in motion, causing an immediate loss of motive power, power steering, and power braking assistance. Had this un-warned seizure occurred at highway speeds rather than a parking lot, the sudden loss of vehicle control would have posed a severe crash hazard. Reproduced/Confirmed: Yes. A certified mechanic removed the serpentine belt, attempted to turn the engine with a lock bar, and confirmed the engine block is completely seized. The local dealership, Fred Haas ToyotaWorld, also confirmed the vehicle does not run. Inspections: The vehicle was inspected by my independent mechanic and the local dealership. However, Toyota Corporate formally refused my request to dispatch a field engineer to inspect the defective engine. Prior Warnings: There were absolutely no warning lamps, check engine lights, temperature spikes, or abnormal noises prior to the failure. The engine seized instantly and without warning.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Electrical · MD

All interior dome/lights (door side lights, visor mirror lights, all overhead passenger lights, etc) not lighting up at all. Fuse in engine compartment is good. Vehicle has been at auto dealership where originally purchased. Safety concerns are that at night, unable to determine if there has been access by person or if person is actually in vehicle. Vehicle diagnoses was begun on 6/12/2023 and is still in process of issues. Received a call from the service representative on 6/19/2023 that water had accumulated under the fuse box in the engine compartment causing corrosion at the connection of the wire harness to the underside of the fuse box. Initially this caused the the internal lights to fail. There is much more corrosion occurring which will eventually cause a complete electrical failure and possible engine failure/fire. Current recommendation from service manager is to completely replace the wire harness at a cost of $7,000+. Insurance may or may not cover the cost of repair. The insurance adjuster is meeting today with the service manager. In my opinion, this is a serious defect in Toyota Sienna manufacturing, design and materials used.

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 126,300 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota sienna. The contact stated while stopped at traffic light, the vehicle stalled with the brake pedal depressed. Several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact shifted the vehicle into neutral and coasted into a driveway. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine. The contact refilled the oil however, the oil immediately leaked out the vehicle. A mechanic arrived on scene and replaced an oil hose. After the hose was replaced, the contact heard an abnormal knocking noise in the engine. The contact took the vehicle to several independent mechanics and was informed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to suburban toyota of farmington hills (25000 haggerty rd, farmington hills, mi 48335) who confirmed there was an engine failure. The contact then had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where the engine was replaced. After the engine replacement, the contact experienced several transmission issues. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle independently shifted in and out of gear without warning. Also, while in reverse, the vehicle coasted and jerked upon slight depression of the accelerator pedal. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,300.*dt

Filed Sep 12, 2020 · Engine · 127,000 miles · MN

Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlhcldcxtn4&feature=share&fbclid=iwar3tipwlfm7uxqpyitisicpv6sgc-6vesvn-z04zs4e2pwycyn2ty9u4l34 my motor now has a severe valve and rod knock watch the video. Millions of people could be stranded in the middle of nowhere if they do not know about this negligent design flaw. Toyota designed an rubber oil hose that gets stiff and breaks. This is design negligence to use rubber hoses on an oil system. Toyota redesigned this part with steel instead of rubber .this shows me they knew the design was bad in the first place. Van's ABS and vsc lights come on but no oil light warning. My motor started making noise but I didn't know it ran out of oil. There was no oil warning light. I didn't know it was the motor making noise. My car engine was completely out of oil. Again, no oil light warning. Since I found out about this, I found out about four more sienna's that had the same defective parts. Frankly all of these hoses will go bad as the mechanic remarked about this problem car engineers know exactly what they are doing when they design a car. I worked in manufacturing and engineering those parts are well documented when they are predicted to fail. One would consider two scenarios. 1.they had bad engineers designing this system, however car manufacturers know exactly what they are doing when they design a vehicle. 2.or they designed it to break to sell more replacement engines for four thousand dollars each. They kept this a secret or made no mention of this probably to sell engine replacements. The toyota manager called me and basically told me tough. Therefore I will be suing them in small claims court. Hopefully toyota will be replacing my motor. By the way I take very good care of my vehicles I maintain them with regular vehicle inspections along with oil changes at the prescribed mileage.

Filed Aug 28, 2020 · Transmission · 119,647 miles · NY

Service tech at the toyota dealer said my electromagnetic coupler / viscous coupler and driveshaft ujoint seized. After further research online it seems its common. Wondering if toyota would put out a recall?

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Engine · 144,000 miles · CA

As I was driving the van, I noticed a smell like burning rubber, although all gauges were normal and no check engine light was on. Since I was close to home, I pulled into the garage and noticed smoke coming from under the hood and a trail of oil on the drive way. Within a few minutes, there was a large puddle of oil under the vehicle as well. I had it towed to the mechanic and was told the oil cooler hose had broken. The mechanic said if I had driven it to the shop, I likely would have ruined the engine because the oil loss was so significant (out of 5 quarts, only .25 was remaining). The mechanic also said that toyota was aware of this issue but did not issue a recall, even though the replacement hoses are now steel and not rubber. This is a safety issue as the engine could have seized up while running (due to the quick loss of oil) causing potentially serious accident and injury.

Filed Dec 26, 2019 · Steering · 20,904 miles · HI

The steering seized up on my 2016 toyota van while stopped at a traffic light. I had to get the vehicle towed. There are only 20904 miles on the odometer. Toyota says my warranty is expired. Toyota says I will need a new steering assembly, which I will have to pay is for $3200.

Filed Nov 18, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 89,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota sienna. While driving around a curve at 35 MPH, the vehicle seized and the traction warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving without any further issue. The contact called glockner toyota (located at 2867 us-23, portsmouth, oh 45662, (740) 354-3255) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that she continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Engine · 67,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 toyota sienna. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the engine. Simultaneously, all of the warning indicators illuminated and smoke appeared from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle immediately shut off and was towed to an independent mechanic where the water pump was repaired; however, the failure was not corrected. The contact spoke with the toyota manufacturer who advised him to take the vehicle to a local toyota dealer. The vehicle was towed to hillside toyota (139-65 queens blvd, jamaica, ny 11435, (718) 521-4554) where it was diagnosed that there was massive engine failure. The contact agreed to have the vehicle repaired and the dealer kept it for nearly a month. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 140,000 miles · CT · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota sienna. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, the steering wheel seized. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle, but the brake pedal failed to operate. The vehicle spun around at least four times to the left and crashed into a parked vehicle twice while spinning. The contact quickly powered off the engine to stop the vehicle from spinning. The contact waited one hour before the vehicle was restarted and was able to drive home. The contact stated that she was in shock and was not aware of any warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained foot, right hip, and back injuries. The front passenger also sustained back injuries. Both occupants required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.