I loved this van until the engine sludged. A Toyota convert has been changed to a "I will never buy another Toyota again" disciple.

What I have been told is that the engine sludge is due to modifications beginning with 1999 models in the 3.0 L., V-6 engine in Sienna's, Lexus RX300, Camry, Avalon, and others. Changes were made to improve fuel efficiency and to reduce emissions. However, these changes reduced the size of the coolant passages in the head gasket cylinder heads, resulting in the engines running at extremely hot temperatures. It is literally frying the oil and causing the sludge buildup. This is happening no matter how frequently you change the oil -- it just may take a little longer for the problems to show themselves if you have very frequent changes.

I am very disappointed. I am a previous Dodge Caravan owner and was exasperated with the problems I experienced with that vehicle. Went to a Toyota because of what I thought was a reputation for good quality and excellent customer service. I am another victim of the sludge problem. Only 17,000 miles. Had oil changes (and documentation) at 7,000 mi., 10,000 mi., and 16,000 mi. Toyota refused to pay so I had to shell out $3,000 for repairs.

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Dodge Caravan - I have paid more in one year for repairs on my Toyota Sienna than I did in 4 years on my Caravan. Caravan problems include AC replacement, brake pads, tenisonometer, power windows, and more.

189hp v6 motor is great. my father and i like to screw around with people at our local illegal drags and we'll race them. we've beat toyota tacoma's and acura integras. also i think the sienna also has the most cup holders for a minivan. handles like a car, good acceleration for a minivan(16's on the 1/4 mile i believe.)

gas mileage sucks, the left rear speaker blew out and the right rear is about to go as well

Great mini van. I don't know anything about a sludge problem. my father and i have change the oil regularly. sometimes we even forgot to change oil at times, the motor is still running great. no oil burning. its a great minivan and when you want it to, it'll get up and go.

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Plymouth, nissan

None

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There seems to be a Toyota plant among us trying to discredit legitimate issues with the Sienna. I have made only one previous post on this website (see JJ from Orlando below). My internet provider is AOL, so it would be no big surprise if there was more than one person posting with the same IP. How did this person get my IP anyway? Sounds like a hoax or like there is a problem with the Privacy Policy of this site. My advice - do your own research at sources in addition to the web. Because there are no problems reported on a vehicle on this website doesn't mean that one doesn't exist -- and if there are 500 postings of engine sludge, it does not mean that these are legitimate. The posts on this site (and all websites combined) are a statistically invalid sampling of Toyota Sienna owners and their opinions about their vehicle anyway. Good luck and choose your vehicle wisely.

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None at his moment.

In addition to the major problem there are only the soft ride, tire wear, and poor visability. Back seat is only good for children.

SLUDE! Sludge at 24,000 miles! This car has lost oil since 14000 miles, been in the shop twice and they added 2-3 quarts of oil. Never did the oil light go on until the end of June. Took it in, they ordered front end gaskets, then decided in was sludged due to lack of maintainance. Hello! I have had several oil changes, and MANY additional multiple additions of oil! VANDERSTYNE says it's my fault. I"ve read the board and know this is happening to many other people. I need some advice about arbitration or possibly a class action suit. Needless to say I have to buy a used engine (3000) because I can't afford a new one (4900). Now I will have no warranty....like I had one anyway!!!

I am a ten year, four new Toyota's customer, who only had good things to say, but I never had a problem. Now I have one and the dealership can't help me. Gee, they sure helped me spend my money.

I have read all the board and agree that there must be a defect, and I am sure I will not be allowed to be successful at arbitration, because if one person is helped they would have to help too many more. Can you say HONDA anybody!

I would appreciate any comments anyone has, or experiences. Thanks.

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Caravan, camry x2, Previa (excellent but unstable in wind)

Quiet, comfortable, better mileage than counterparts, and built to last.

Styling could be better (CE model downright ugly) and suspension could be a little tougher.

(1998 Model) - We've had our Sienna for a year now and I have no regrets about buying it. Having owned a Dodge Caravan in the past, the extra costs for the Toyota were well worth it. Our van has had a pretty hard life. It has already done 60,000 km and often carries a heavy load, but it has never been to the shop for any unscheduled repairs ever. I think that this is a testament to the van's quality. And amazingly enough, it drives and sounds almost as if it were new. There's not much more to ask from a car maker. On the down side though, styling is pretty bland. Personally, the styling of a barebones Caravan still beats a Sienna even when it has all the decorative frills. Also, the soft suspension is not adequate for hauling heavy loads. With 7 passengers and a few suitcases, the back of the Sienna sinks to the ground. Under these conditions one must be careful not to hit even medium-sized bumps at high speeds because it may quickly reduce the life of the suspension system. Overall though, the Sienna is a solid vehicle that drives like a Camry but holds a whole lot more.

Drives well, very safe

Engine sludge, meaningless warranty

Purchased vehicle at Cobb County Toyota from Tony Cloud, in April 2000. Vehicle drove great, had one minor problem with rear seatbelt. Toyota fixed it. Had oil changes done as owners manual specified every 5000 miles, though I did think that was a long interval. Manual specs are 7500 miles!! At 16,000 miles, billowing grey exhaust, vehicle into dealer, you guessed it- engine sludge- $4600. Met with District service Manager (who calls himself a factory rep) Kai Ramadan. He was so rude! Refused to look at my receipts, said he "did not have to". I had just had surgery for melanoma skin cancer- did I need this? Filed for arbitration. Found a lawyer in Marietta GA, John Barrett, who was eager to take this case, but I was moving to Illinois; this would have meant traveling back for hearing. Anyone in Atlanta area should contact him. My arbitration hearing is now set for 8-31 in Arlington Hts Il, but I understand that I will have to sign a document not to diccuss proceedings.

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Never have encountered a company that refused to honor warranty, never ahd engine sludge

Smooth ride, more power, thank God good engineering, reliable!

Price, I wish it is cheaper but you know the saying, you get what you pay for!

Traded in my new 2001 Dodge Caravan SE V6 with 3.3L, I did not wanted to take risk with the Dodge because I heard of many problem even with the newly designed Dodge Caravan. The transmission is the problem according to the messages I saw posted on the internet. I never owned a Toyota but have decided to.

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Dodge, Honda, Suzuki, Hyuandai.

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everything

Horrible from the start...We got the sludge at 24,000 miles. Same as all who have reported. No helpfrom Toyota. I have an attorney reviewing the matter and urge all with similar cases to email me.

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Toyota Rav4, Toyota Camry

Really like the van -looks nice

Engine problems

Hi:

I just read your statement on car review about your
Toyota Mini-van. Our mini van is a whole 16-months
old. 2 -weeks ago my husband was in the driveway and
there was the black blums of smoke billowing out of
the back. I said "what is going on?" We have had 2
prior Toyota vehicles and never had a problem with any
of them, they both ran like tops up and over 100,000
miles.

Long story short: my husband drove the Sienna to the
dealership. Since he did all the oil changes
according to the written manual, which states oil
changes at 7,500 miles. The dealership said it was
neglect, we need a new engine, the van has 22,000
miles, the cost of a new engine $7,000! They told my
husband to locate the receipts, which were cash
receipts, thrown out months ago, then they will pay
half. My husband has done oil changes on all his cars
his whole life and was insulted by Toyota maintenance
- they think we are all stupid.

We called other mechanics in the area and they all
said that Toyota was negligent to write oil changes at
7500 miles because these new engines need them at 1000
to 3000 miles due to the emissions and high
performance. They want to sell cars and pretend these
engines are maintenance free.

We went on the Internet and found thousands of Sienna
owners with the same exact problem, Toyota giving the
same party line. Toyota maintenance kept changing
their story about the cost of the repairs too. We
wanted the cost in writing. They gave the $3500
repair that is only valid for one week! and told us
next time we will have to pay for a loaner vehicle
from the dealership. Despicable!

My husband looked down at the repair book and there
were a bunch of cars there for valve work - different
vehicles too???

That van cost 25K. What are we going to do? We work
our tails off to pay that car payment. It is a brand
new car, and worth nothing with no engine. Maybe we
should be like Fred Flintstone.

Class action lawsuit is what Toyota deserves. Then
the best issue is that a new replacement engine for
$7,000 has the exact same problems.

We took our minivan out of Toyota dealership and did
not let them do any repairs. For now, my husband will
change the oil every 1000 to 3000 miles and placed
engine cleaner in to see if that works for now. Still
what is everyone going to do, these cars are lemons.

Each state has a lemon law, which all Sienna owners may want to check out.

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Celica - great car

None I hate it.

Brakes, sludge, bad stereo, magnet to get hit in the parking lots

I also have had the sludge problem and it has been fixed 3 times. One dealer said it would not be covered because of poor maintenance and then i
took it to another who would cover it but still put blame on me. It would have cost 17,000 to fix in total. Then replaced the valve cover each time.
I am also having a lot of trouble with squeeky brakes. It got 2 sets of
pads right off the bat new and now 21/2 years later it is really squeeky and grinding to a stop. I do not know where to turn.

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