2000 Toyota Sienna XLE review from North America

The most significant problem has been engine sludge, which developed at 17,000 miles. My Toyota dealer said that the engine would need to be rebuilt at a cost of $3,300 and it would not be covered under warranty since the only cause that they will admit to for for sludge is lack of oil changes. I produced receipts for three oil changes all less than or within the owner's manual recommendation of every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.

Since having the engine rebuilt, the van is making a rumbling noise on idle. I will be taking it back in to check that out.

The van is very jerky on acceleration. I fear a transmission problem is brewing, since I have read much about this being a problem with the Sienna, also.

There is frequently a musty moldy odor although there are no visible leaks in the van.

Before buying the Sienna, I owned a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan. The Caravan was a lemon - in the four years that I owned it, I replaced the AC evaporator twice, transmission, tensionometer, brakes, and the power window mechanisms, to name a few. These problems, encountered over a four year period, barely add up to the cost I have had to pay on my Sienna in one year.

If you have this problem with your vehicle, post your complaint at http://www.nhtsa.gov and at http://www.ftc.gov.