2001 Toyota Sienna LE 3.0 1mzfe

Summary:

Could be better

Faults:

ECM at 77K.

Transmission issue at 77K.

General Comments:

1998-2003 CE, LE, XLE, 1mzfe motor.

Faulty ECM ends in 60, the replacement version ends in 63, warranty is 96 months or 80K miles, whatever comes first. This is a TSB and the number is 012508 (TSB - Toyota Service Bulletin).

The issue's you may notice are, pinging or knocking, you are running too lean; this causes engine failure eventually.

Motor may run rough.

Power surges or power loss at certain times, climate also makes the issues vary.

Transmission may hang when cold.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th November, 2010

2001 Toyota Sienna CE 3.6 gasoline

Summary:

A great family car

Faults:

Over its first 330,000 miles, the most common problem was the "Check Engine" light would come on. Eventually, we figured out that the problem is the light itself, it comes on when there is nothing wrong with the car. So, I personally check the oil level and fluid levels once a week, but ignore the "check engine" light.

When I tell the staff at the Toyota dealer to ignore the fact the "check engine" light was on, they smile, as they also know the light, not the engine, is the problem.

After 330,000 miles, the engine and transmission both function like new, and have only needed routine scheduled maintenance.

General Comments:

After 330,000 miles, the car runs like new. The engine has great acceleration, and we get 20 mpg in the city, and 23 mpg on the highway. The Sienna makes 500 miles trips as comfortable as sitting in the living room.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd December, 2009

17th May 2013, 00:18

Thanks for the mention of the CEL quirk. Here's why I appreciate it: at about 150k miles (2012) on mine that I've owned since 90k miles (2007), the CEL illuminated. The code readout was the one suggesting catalytic converter or downstream sensor as the root cause, depending on source. While I was mulling over further diagnostic and repair options for about a month, the light went out on its own, never to re-illuminate. That is, until last week when it lit up for the 2nd time since I've owned it. However, I found the root cause: a faulty auto-shutoff sensor/switch on a gas pump I used had allowed gas to overflow during a routine fill-up; apparently the excess pressure resulting from the overfill triggered it. Once I used that tank of gas and bought gas at another station, the CEL went out again.

2001 Toyota Sienna XLE 3.0

Summary:

Reliable, but a little noisy on highway

Faults:

Rear hatch lift pistons; dealer changed under warranty.

Very noisy fan when heat or AC are on. Dealer says get use to it! That's the way it is.

Check engine light comes on about every 10K miles. Always caused by dirty Mass Air Flow Sensor. Dealer will charge you $75 to clean each time. You can do it yourself with the same CRC spray from Pep-boys in about 5 minutes (a can is about $5 and will last for many years quick spray). Check the Internet for easy procedure for cleaning the MAF Sensor. This is a common problem on most Toyota cars.

General Comments:

Very reliable vehicle, but not as quiet on highway as you would expect from Toyota.

The engine is very reliable except for nagging check engine light due to dirty MAF sensor. Not a problem if you're handy, but it could be a pain if you had to bring it into the shop every 10k for a $75 spray clean.

Still has same pep as new, even with 104,000 miles.

No oil sludge problems that others have had.

Change oil and antifreeze as required!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th February, 2008

2001 Toyota Sienna CE 3L V6 3.0

Summary:

Very very disappointing

Faults:

Front brake disc's warped.

Front brake calipers locked.

Tail lights filed with water.

Air conditioning quit, twice.

Replaced all four tires in second year.

General Comments:

Spent more money keeping this vehicle on the road in six years than I did in 15 years on a Dodge Caravan.

Not good value, overpriced.

Through my experience found it unreliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th August, 2007

10th Aug 2007, 23:50

Tail lights full of water is a warning sign of past damage. Perhaps this is because you bought it used? There is indication it was 1 year old when you bought it.

11th Aug 2007, 14:06

Tail lights full of water can also mean that it wasnt assembled well in the first place.

11th Aug 2007, 16:03

Yes, on a Chrysler because you can see white light coming out from around the edges of the lenses, but on a Toyota? NO! These cars are actually inspected out of the factory. I am sorry if the last commenter is used to owning a Ford or Chrysler.

12th Aug 2007, 17:00

Oh great another Toyota lover in the comment above, geeze. The reviewer had problems with his Toyota. That's not impossible now is it.

13th Aug 2007, 00:13

If these cars are inspected so well out of the factory and are such quality vehicles, then explain all the problems the reviewer has had with their Toyota!