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Comments
I'll contact Toyota regarding this matter and I suggest that let's all who have this problem call Toyota, they might release a bulletin replacing the locking mechanism of cargo door with a better one.
door? I have had mine in to the shop 5 times.
Twice
they changed the motor and the microprocessor that
controls its function. When the button is pushed
it won't close it just makes a clicking sound. Now
it closes but 75% of the time it pops open after
closing leaving the door ajar alarm and light on.
Do you have any experience related to this?
I appreciate any input. Thanks.
Tony
Tony
You can search for the TSBs at the NHTSA's website: www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Hope this helps!
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Service Bulletin Number: BR00698
Bulletin Sequence Number: 386
Date of Bulletin: 9809
NHTSA Item Number: SB603846
Make: TOYOTA TRUCK
Model: SIENNA
Year: 1998
Component: BRAKES:SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: SOME VEHICLES ARE EXPERIENCING BRAKE NOISE. *YC
Hope such may be helpful.
I have a 1985 BMW with 233,000+ miles and I have been changing the oil at ~5000 miles. The filters and oil of today far exceed the standards of yesteryear where 3000 mile oil changes were required. Unless you drive hard (stop and go etc.), extended oil changes should be OK. I use non-synthetic oil on the BMW.
I also have a 1995 Nissan van with 100,000 miles and I change the oil every 10,000 miles (filter every 5000 miles). Use synthetic (Castrol) on the Nissan. It was recommended that I start with non-syn. oil for the initial 10,000 miles and have followed the 10k regimen since then.
Changing the oil is a waste of resources and for me no added value based on a great running BMW and Nissan van.
If you would like future correspondence including the details on this problem and Toyota's diagnostic procedures then send me email: siennaowners@home.com
Look for my previous postings in version 1 of this conference.
Regarding the best time to switch over to synthetic oil, there are a wide variety of opinions on the subject. Some manufacturers put synthetic oil in from day 1, others say wait X miles. My Toyota service advisor said to go through a few regular oil changes before putting it in, and since my Sienna is still on warranty, I decided to take his advice.
Regarding the royal runaround, could you explain what you meant by "including the replacement warranty term under the Sienna's original 5yr/60K period"? Also, does just TC failure qualify for what you mentioned about the Toyota standard policy or has to be transmission failure as well? Your answer is much appreciated.
Tony
The dealer confirmed that the transmission failed and will be replaced by a new one. I am not still sure what I am going to do, I realy want the vehicle be replaced totally but I don't think the Toyota will do it. I agree with other people's comment that the Sienna we're getting is not a brand new van but, with all those major work and parts replacement done, our Sienna's are considered as refurbished, this is very true in my case considering my Sienna has only 118 miles in it. We should get a reimbursement for that but I don't think it will happen.
Extended warranty, is that the only best deal we could get from Toyota?
I had the torque converter replaced and then experienced alignment problems. Brought it back and the service department realigned the sienna. It seems to drive fine now. Let's hope this is the end of it.
Each state has different criteria for their lemon law. If I remember correctly, common ones include failure to repair after 3 attempts, safety of car jeopardized due to the problem, value of the car reduced by 10% by the problem. You may wish to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in lemon law (such firms exist), and seek one that works on a contingency basis.
I had a new sedan with a failed cylinder. The manufacturer wanted to replace the engine. I wanted a new car. With the help of an attorney (who only dealt with lemon law) the case was settled out of court resulting in a new vehicle. There were no legal fees paid by me.
Look into it.
PLEASE, if anyone has been given an extended warrantee for free because of repair problems let me know the details. I paid $700 for an extended warrantee and wouldn't mind trying to get that $$ back. If anyone has gotten one for free was it from Toyota or the dealer???
Could tell us more about your case? I called 1800 number and was told they would not do that for me. Could you tell us who you talked with in Toyota custom service? so we can follow your 'road'? Is your 'platinum' free of charge?
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
I just learned that never once has my daughter's friend put anything other than bottled water in the door!! It is a "canned statement" and you would be wise NOT to buy it from the dealership or Toyota!
As for the transmission problems, I am flabbergasted! Just tonight our van was shuddering at intervals. We would drive along and this wave of vibration was felt by front, middle and rear passengers. It was most bizarre AND unsettling in light of the all the transmission posts.
I am trying to find out if those who experienced the sludge problem also had some shuddering. With all the different scenarios on this van, WHO KNOWS what is going on!! All I do know it that although it might be "characteristic of the vehicle," it is certainly NOT NORMAL or remotely acceptable!!
I sent Toyota a letter back in August. Recently, it made a call to my house. I have not yet had time to get back to it, but rest assured I will. I am making a flier with all the known problems listed, as well as resources for owners. I will bring it with me to parking lots as I make my travels. I will also mail it to other owners to use, if they would like to do so. I am also interested in getting a web site created to address these yet unresolved issues.
At least, that is what Toyota may force me to do if it continues to deny the problems or only give bandaid treatments for them. I have been told that my van does not fall under any T.S.B.s, but Toyota cannot explain why I am having the same problems as indicated on these T.S.B.s. It just isn't fair!
The van has problems that are real, not related to any lack of maintenance, and in need of permanent correction. I am not interested in any further runarounds!
Just a word of caution for 2000 and 2001 owners, the transmission may be your biggest problem now, but it may not be your last. I hope that these models do not show the early engine sludge problems that some '99 owners are having. It will bear watching, I suspect.....
cblake@erols.com
At this point we ALL realize you have the following position:
Toyota sucks
My van has every problem known to man
My van will have every problem known to man
The Sienna sucks
Had I not caught the person who scraped the bumper, I might have gone for a touch-up, but since her insurance company paid the freight, I had the work done according to the way the body shops told me it should be done (to the tune of about $350 all together).
On a brand-new van, I would insist on a complete job, not just a touch-up - if for no other reason than for resale purposes later on.
I too can only relay my Sienna experiences. We had a '95 Camry, our first Toyota. We were very happy with this car and yes, Toyota's had a bullet proof reputation, along with Honda. In '98 we needed a new car and really felt we needed a van at this point. The Honda wasn't a van yet, just an ugly station wagon. There was the Caravan, the first and most refined because of it's time on the market but it's JD Powers and Consumer Reports long term history were weak. The Town and Country was a beutiful van but again if you look at the history numbers there is a lot of truth "Chrysler can sure bend sheet medal" but that's it.
We were thrilled that Toyota came out with the Sienna and bought a '98 XLE with leather, sunroof and walnut dash. I do believe that ALL car makers don't do as good as job as they could for are hard earned money so almost every new car is going to have some problems, some severe and some mild. I have not had the pulling, sludge or transmission problems that SOME (not all) owners have had. I have had a rack and pinion issue (no safety concern and rack was replaced with no hassles) and I was probably the first to struggle with Toyota about the clicking break pedal but I got it resolved. I was even less than 1,000 miles away from my waranty ending and got my rotors and breaks replaced because of a slight wobble. They could have come at me with saying that it was my breaking habits but they didn't.
So my experience has been good, the van has been great and I would by another one in a minute. And no I don't work for Toyota, just another computer networking geek.
Remember, you are on a forum for PROBLEMS, that is what you are going to read about and other than the T/C issue, there aren't that many.
Sorry for the ramble but I'll end with this. It is not past any manufacturer to spit out a lemon now and then. I had an Aunt who bought a Mercedes and had nothing but trouble with it, she sold it and bought a VW 412 (going back a few years). Does that mean the VW 412 was a better car than the Mercedes product?
When an automobile manufacturer bulilds as many vans as Toyota does you're bound to have some people that have problems-and that's what you see in this forum. Look into other van forums (ie Honda, Chrysler, Ford) and you'll see the same. The bottom line is there has only been 1 major problem with the Toyota Sienna which took place in 3/4 months of production (May-Aug '00 ??) of the 2000 line. During this time their was a defective torque converter in a small % of Sienna's. Although nobody likes to have this major repair done to a brand new vehicle it's something that many of us have had to deal with. Mine went with 41 miles on the van and Toyota promptly replaced it and provided a loaner van. To my knowledge this problem has been fixed for the 2001's.
As far as being plain and boring, I'd have to differ. We have factory leather, a 6-CD player with upgraded speakers, power moonroof, wood grain dash, lumbar support, running boards, cargo net, roof rack, power sliding door (the 2001's have 2 !!), center console, and most importantly a great VCR entertainment system with wireless headsets-GREAT for the kids (although mine are too young to use the headsets yet)!
I did have the rear seats make too much squeaking when up, but I fixed this with a few sprays of
silicon spray. The dash had an intermittent rattle, that I fixed by pushing in some rubber stripping between the Black plastic instrument panel and the dash, easy to do and completely fixed the rattle. Have taken several trips and
have been completely satisfied with the smooth quiet ride. Living in Oregon, We have driven through the Mountains several times. The Van has
enough power to easily make it over the long Mountain passes. It is quite an improvement over
our 93 MPV, although I did like the MPV, it was underpowered and would barely maintain 45 mph over the same passes, the Sienna had no problems with Mt roads. Quite pleased with our first year of driving. I know four people who have bought Sienna's, all have had very positive experiences and love their vans.
I had this car for less than 2 weeks. Took it to the dealer service dept who diagnosed that the right cable and brake to the emergency brake was not releasing. They cut the cable and said a new one would be in Monday-haven't heard from them yet. I spent 1 hour there last friday and at least an hour when they fix it for good. Doesn't seem right for a brand new car. And why did the emergency brake light not stay on if the brake was "half on"?
I have done a little bit of highway driving since they cut the cable and it seems resolved, although the emergency brake is messed up.
Strange problem>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You might want them to check out the brake pads (or is it disk on the rear?) for wear on that wheeel since you are still under warranty and it was a fault of the car - not the way you drive.
Carole
What are the other possibilities?
By the way, "beckp," I don't work for Honda. I OWN a Sienna and I am having some common problems in it. I want a resolution and a future reliable van. End of story.
cblake@erols.com
I bought my 2000 Sienna LE in May. With just over 5000 miles on it, not one problem. I do have the power door and love it. Looked at the honda ody, but liked the sienna better.
I had a 95 V6 Camry and also never had it into the shop for anything but maintenance (oil/filters).
I must first admit, to not reading them with frequency, but looking at selected topics, when I am interested in a purchase.
The recurring theme, is not just an edmunds one, but rather an Internet posting one.
Much is to learned from exchange of information on the internet, but just like in real-life, there are going to be people that rant and speak about their problems on a continual basis.
I would like to see Edmunds have the ability, which a few of the national boards are starting to implement.
An ignore feature.
I.E. you place the individual's name/address on an ignore list, and they do not appear when reading posts.
This, I believe would require a different board set-up, so not sure if practical at Edmunds.
People need to use the Internet for information, with an eye for practicality.
Anonymous postings allow people to be less than human, and one must look at the pattern of people's posts at times, and use common sense in weighing the viewpoints of others.
We just returned from a 4 day trip with 5 people, a Golden Retriever and all the baggage from 4 females! (Please excuse the political incorrectness...I'll spare you the mother-in-law jokes.) Everyone had their own seat. Try doing THAT in a Honda!
This van has pulled a 2500 lb. boat plus supplies and a passenger load of 4 (plus dog) from sea level to 5000 ft elevation without noticable effort.
If you're thinking of buying one, but are tentative in your decision making because of some disgruntled posters, go for it! I would do it all over again if needed. And, no, I don't work in the auto business. Just another HAPPY TOYOTA OWNER!!
WTF?!?!! Unbelievable.... I have always bought Honda cars but this time didn't and was willing to take a chance on my first "Toy"ota purchase. Spending 30 large shouldn't get me back in the shop a week later with a some bozo ripping my tranny out and replacing a major piece of the drive-train...
Ok, I'm over it!
Also, anyone else have the crooked steering-wheel? What I mean is the right side of the wheel is closer to the driver than the left. It obstructs the view of the instrument a panel and just seems poorly manufactured....
Very frustrated and concerned, but hopeful that all problems will be resolved.