1998 Toyota Sienna XLE review from North America

On 7/17/00 on my way to work, the engine started to run very rough and the power reduced like the car was going to die on the road. Then the engine warning light came on. I took the car to nearest Toyota dealer - Arlington Toyota - in Jacksonville, Florida (less than 2 miles). No car loan was offered this day.

Arlington Toyota found the problem, replaced all six fuel injectors (fp2320920010) still under warranty. I received the car back (11:00am July 18). The car ran fine for 2 days. However I noticed white smoke for 5 seconds when first started in the morning, or when making a fast right turn.

I took the car back to Arlington Toyota at 7:00pm July 20. Complained to the General Manager. He drove the van and acknowledged the lack of engine power. Later, they found a new problem with the cam sensor. The parts had to be ordered, and a loan car was provided (Toyota Camry SE) on July 21. The car was held for repair until July 25. A new cam sensor was installed; however they could not find the reason for the smoke.

The dealer kept the car for further investigations. On July 27 Arlington Toyota found the problem. They opened the engine valve cover and discovered oil sludge. The dealer called and stated that the problem is not covered under warranty. They said this was due to lack of oil changes and then took back the loan car. They suggested I rented the car on my own from another place and waited for a Southeastern Toyota representative to evaluate my warranty on Aug. 03, 2000.

I provided the dealer proofs of receipts of all the 5 oil/filter changes that the car had over a period of 2 years and 2 months (approx. 1 oil change every 6 months following the manufacturer's recommendations), the first 2 with a Toyota dealer, and the subsequent ones done by my workers.

According to the manager, Toyota will not consider this problem to be under warranty.

The car is unreliable:

1. Electrical: 2 out of 3 cig. lighters don't work (short circuit when something is plugged in). The dealer repaired them but the problem came back and they are still not working.

2. Batteries: died after 22,000 miles. Dealer replaced new batteries.

3. Tire alignment problem: from the beginning. all 4 tires had to be replaced at 5,500 miles.

4. Tire balancing: vibrations in steering wheel while driving. Tire balance sensor light constantly came on.