Toyota Sienna fuel smell problems

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Fuel system · MT

Hi, I’d like to report a serious issue with my 2018 Toyota Sienna related to the recent fuel system recall. Since the repair, the vehicle has leaked all of its gasoline not once, but three separate times. One of those times, my family was inside the vehicle, and the smell of gas was overwhelming. The car wouldn’t start, and it was clearly an unsafe situation. Now the dealership is charging me $1,400 to replace the fuel pressure hose and clamp, which, after thorough research and review, appears to be directly related to the process they followed when replacing the recalled fuel pump. I’ve also tried contacting the service manager, but I haven’t received a call back. That’s why I’m now requesting that Toyota open a formal case to investigate this properly. I believe this repair should be covered, and I’m asking for support from Toyota directly.

Filed Aug 13, 2019 · Fuel system · 4,000 miles · CA

Interior of van was consumed with fuel vapors. Exterior front of van engine compartment also smells like a fuel leak. Problem taken to dealer and they could not find the source of leak. Van was released to me in a unsafe condition. Intermittent fuel smell became more progressive to the point the van was not able to be driven to to saftey concern of fire. Second trip to dealer they could not find source of fuel leak. Description of problem. When van was driven with or without AC fuel vapors would be noticed on the exterior of the van. This progressed to the interior while driving. I also tested the van with the engine on and both AC on/off with the van in the parked position and still notice a very strong order of fuel vapors. The van is unsafe for transportation on public roads and unsafe to drive in with my family. The problem was noticed when the van was stationary or in motion on city/highways.

Filed Sep 27, 2018 · Driver assistance · 209,202 miles · NC

Check engine light, vsc and trac off. As I was driving after just purchasing this vehicle from a dealer after about 60 miles or so these lights all came on the same time. I was told after a scanner was placed on the vehicles computer system that it is due to either catalytic convertor/o2 sensor malfunctions.this is an important exhaust and emission component designed to burn up toxic exhaust fumes that sets off these lights. This is a major issue with not only this vehicle but other toyotas. This needs to be addressed. We in the USA would like to breath clean air and it doesn't seem feasible to have to continue to "fix" these sensors designed to make consumers spend large amounts of money to fix their vehicles.

Filed Jul 25, 2017 · Fuel system · 300 miles · IA

Car smelled of gas from the time I bought it (new) after it was started and it was driven for a few miles. Sitting overnight, the smell would dissipate, but the same thing happened each day -- strong gas smell after a few miles of driving . Colder weather, the smell was more pronounced. Dealer didn't see any dripping gas, so sent me home twice without repairs being done. After they kept it overnight, they smelled the smell in the morning and only then decided to call toyota who said there has been a few problems with injector seals. It was repaired and is fine now. My daughter's friend had the same 2017 sienna and it caught fire on the highway and exploded --- my guess is that there is a very serious issue here that needs to be addressed.

Filed Apr 7, 2016 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · SC

Complaint: toyota sienna 2011 se on 2/3/2016 I took my 2011 sienna to the local toyota dealership because the information display screen indicated vsc system warning and the engine light, trac system light, and warning lights were on. After diagnostics the service advisor explained that fuel emission switch valve was stuck in the off position. The technician report identified the part as p2440 evaporative emission pressure switch valve. The switch regulates the amount of gasoline pumped into the tank through the intake and outtake of air. Vacuum hoses connect the valve to a 'charcoal canister' which collects gas fumes from the tank and routes them to the engine for combustion. Unfortunately, toyota sells these various components in emission system as one unit. The part was $537.92 and $148.88 for labor. The suggested cause was overfilling the gas tank. We have never had a problem filling up tanks (stopping before the point of overflow) with many previously owned toyota trucks and sedans. The core of my grievance is the fact that the owner's manual does not specifically caution the owner that this practice can damage or cause a malfunction of the emission system. The manual only cautions the person pumping fuel 'do not spill fuel during refueling.'(p.150 in refueling section). If this was the real cause for the needed emission part replacement I hope that toyota will write a clear warning about the consequences of "filling up" in their manual or consider redesigning the emission system. Perhaps this complaint will prevent another toyota customer the cost and dissatisfaction of this same experience.

Filed Jul 1, 2014 · Fuel system · 89,500 miles · OR

While exiting a parking lot, car stalled. Immediately, there was a smell of gas and gas was leaking on the ground. Car would not restart. When we got it repaired, the mechanic said he discovered the "fuel line quick connect" disconnected. He asked if we had any recent work done on the car and I replied no.

Filed May 9, 2013 · Fuel system · 8,200 miles · CO

My name is [xxx]I am a quadriplegic paralyzed person.I live by myself with 24 hour cna care. I was injured at work on nov.2000 by a gun shot. I bought a van in 2006.right after one year,I noticed check engine light on. I took my van to stevenson toyota dealer,aurora,co. After diagnostics,they found gas/oil leakage from my gas cap. They changed gas cap,cleared the code. 3 week later,check engine light came back on.again I took it back,same diagnostics,gas leakage from gas cap.again cleared the code from their machine. 2 weeks later,check engine light came back. I took my van several times back to the dealer but never solved the problem. I park my van at a garage. I've noticed that my van is taking lots of gas and strong smell of gas in garage. I am really scared of caught on fire inside the garage or fire on my van. I am tired of paying lots of money I am very low income person. Now they are saying I've to pay whole bunch of money that I can't afford. The person I talked to the dealer is con vo.he is very rude and saying that he can't find my van info. In his system but other lady I talked to says she can .and my door is hard to open.I heard that there is sludge/oil recall to address this problem. So I'd like to request you to investigate my problem and find a reasonable solution for this.thank you and god bless you. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 29, 2012 · Fuel system · 102,542 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong gasoline fuel odor while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the contact was advised that the odor was due to a faulty fuel canister and cap. The dealer replaced the fuel canister and cap but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the failure was located at the fuel pipe assembly lines. The fuel pipe assembly lines were replaced twice to correct the failure. The manufacturer denied assistance with the repair, due the vehicle mileage. The failure mileage was 102,542 and the current mileage was 103,515.

Filed Sep 2, 2011 · Engine · 40,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota sienna. The contact stated that exhaust fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jun 13, 2010 · Engine · 10,000 miles · CA · fire

Early am on 6/1/10 I was driving to my cabin in the country and heard a soft popping sound, stopped my car and smoke began flowing out all opening around the hood, when I looked under the car I saw fire falling to the road. I went to the passenger side and opened the door only to find that area filled with toxic fumes, shutting the door I realized all was hopeless except to get away from the vehicle. Within seconds my car was engulfed in flames. I ran as fast as I could to get help. Had I been less alert, inactive, less proactive I would have probably died. The car was purchased new in nov, 2008 and had a little over 10,000 miles. There was no smell of fuel or another strange odor. The car was burned totally, with nothing remaining except the steel frame.