Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
TSB-0064-1002/04/201010034284Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix procedures de11/01/2010
0470510/19/200510017659Malfunction indicator lamp on diagnostic trouble code p0420. *tt11/17/2005
0070502/16/200510016693Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0446 (evaporative emission control system vent control malfunction) (only). *tt09/27/2005
0370409/03/200410010021Engine bank 1 and bank 2 a/f and 02 identification. various toyota models. *tt11/03/2004
EG01303R09/29/2003EG0130310004636Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0440, p0441 and/or p0446 stored. *tt12/29/2003
EG0130309/29/200310003965Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0440, p0441 and/or p0446 stored. *tt11/07/2003

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE01036TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.10/19/200102/11/2002ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
 Alleged that the a fire can start in the engine compartment

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
12/10/200970000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2002 toyota sienna. whenever the charcoal canister or any minor malfunction occurred in the vehicle the traction control was deactivated. the traction control also deactivated when the fuel cap was not replaced properly on the fuel tank. the failure has occurred several times and the dealer stated that they are aware of the defect; yet, they require the contact to come in whenever the check engine light was illuminated. the contact was concerned about the safety risk since it rains in florida and the traction control when activated engaged itself to assist with traction. the contact had to replace the charcoal canister valve. the dealer also stated that the failure was normal and not a danger. the contact is concerned about the safety risk. the failure mileage was 70,000.
06/15/20030
 Oil sludge: it took some doing but toyota finally did pay for a new engine.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - HOSE
12/16/2004106/06/2002
 Purchase 2002 sienna ce in june 2002. have leak in top radiator hose where it joins the engine. looses coolant over several weeks. brought to toyota dealer where purchased and they refused to replace the hose. installed a new clamp. now 3 months later the problem is back. i believe this is a bad part that should be replaced under the warranty. the dealer is giving me the run around.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
01/11/200673000110/06/2001
 My 2002 sienna was diagnosed with oil sludge at 73,000 miles. dealer says it cannot replace engine at their cost without receipts to prove oil changes. since we did the changes ourselves we have no receipts. *nm
09/28/2005395234007/02/2002
 I have 2002 toyota sienna. the car was perfect until after 30k miles. we first noticed the car occasionally had difficulty of starting during warm weather or warm engine condition. then the situation got worst, the no starting got more often. we even got stuck in the freeway and busy street because we stopped the car and had a lot of difficulty to get the car started again. the situation could be dangerous in a traffic busy location. i have two friend who have sienna and they both had the similar problems with their sienna. the usual symptom of the problem: the car takes more cracking to start and then its rpm immediately drops to 400-200rpm and then the engine dies; some times pushing on the accelerator would help raising the rpm and got the car really started; at some other times, the engine would not start at all until the engineer cools down and/or the weather cools down; today, it happened again in an outdoor parking lot. i am still trying to get it started. *nm
01/01/200420000307/09/2002
 My 2002 sienna has 26,000 miles on it and has a loud engine knocking when accelerating at certain speeds. it has been doing it for about the last 6000 miles. at 20,000 miles, scott clarkes toyota in charlotte told me to use a better grade gasoline, with no results. at 24,000 miles, they told me i have spark knock and need to drive the car at higher speeds more often. (i drive mostly in the city). reading the other complaints about sludge, i think this is related, since they told me my oil was sludgey too. i think this problem needs to be investigated and recalled. *ak
10/13/200447542111/22/2001
 Told by toyota dealer that my three yr old 2002 toyota sienna with 47,542 miles needs a new engine due to sludge/gelling of engine oil.*ak
07/03/200435000106/16/2002
 Engine oil sludge forming in camshaft carrier and under oil filler cap after only 35k miles! i bought this sienna brand new for $32000 and perform maintenance religiously, changing oil & filter every 4000 - 5000. yet, last week on a routine oil change i noticed black gritty deposits caked underneath the oil filler cap! it was about 2-4 mm thick; i could scrape it with my fingernails and it felt like hardened sugar. i could see the black deposits well into the cam carrier. i found out that many other toyota owners are experiencing this sludge problem! this is obviously a design flaw in the 3.0l v6 engines causing the oil to sludge; toyota should issue a recall on these engines! *la
1
 The oil light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer on 5/28/2003 and it was determined that there was sludge in the engine and it had to be replaced. the vehicle would not function with the current engine. *nlm
01/29/20031
 Toyota sienna engine fire. the consumer inquired when the results of the fire investigation would be published. *ak *jb
03/03/2003500001
 The engine locked up.*jb
11/20/20022100009/09/2001
 I own a 2002 toyota sienna. the vehicle was purchased new from magic toyota in edmonds wa. the van has 20000 miles on it and is now in need of a new engine. i have had it serviced but apparently the toyota engines have an oil sludge build up problem which destroys the engine if it occurs. toyota is uncertain at this juncture if they are going to repair the engine which is still under warranty. i had it serviced on 11/20/02 at magic toyota. four weeks later the engine is dead lined with blue smoke, poor compression, and a knock. i have recently read that toyota engines from 2000 on were having this problem. i am also understanding that the state of idaho and possibly california are formulating a class action lawsuit on this issue. toyota is claiming that it is an owner maintenance issue not a defect. i request to file an official complaint against toyota in reference to this engine defect. they are not standing good for it. an engine with 20,000 miles on it should not be dead lined. ts
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
09/15/2003400005004/02/2002
 Idle control valve failure. prevents car from idling correctly. car will start and then cut off right after you drive off. potentially causing you to get hit by other vehicles. this happened on my 2002 sienna at 40k mile and continuously since. i know of 4 other people with this problem. my mechanic had about 10 or these defective parts in his shop and he said that he replaces these all the time on all the toyotas. i took my car to the fremont toyota dealer and the service rep said the failure rate was so high that there was a nationwide shortage for this part and that it would take 2 months for the part to be available. the dublin ca, toyota dealer was also well aware of this problem of the idle control valve. it's a very dangerous situation for all operators of siennas, camrys, and other totota vehicles with this idle control valve. *nm
07/06/2004300003
 Engine was replaced because of an accumalation of sludge which developed in the base of the motor. then, engine stalled. this was the third engine replacement.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
05/28/20031
 Vehicle was blowing white smoke out, and when you removed the oil refill cap there was a gel type substance on it, the mechanic called it oil gel. toyota knew about this and told consumer that they are not maintaining their auto, but with her vehicle this is not true. *tt