1999 Toyota Sienna problems
Owners have filed 250 complaints about the 1999 Toyota Sienna with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 16% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of structure at 14.4%.
Complaints250
Crashes17
Fires4
Injuries27
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 16.0% · 40
Structure 14.4% · 36
Tires 11.6% · 29
Steering 8.4% · 21
Latches/locks/linkages 7.6% · 19
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.6% · 14
Suspension 5.6% · 14
Unknown or other 5.2% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire, 27 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 19 model years of the Toyota Sienna in this data, 1999 sits 12th by complaint volume. 2004 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 8 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 91,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Diagnosed as sludge in the engine due to "owner negligence"; owner has proof of regular oil changes and maintenance; owner accused of "never changing the oil"--not true; Toyota is aware of the problem in their siennas and avalons, says we are ineligible for "assistance" because we are outside of the 60000 drive train warranty; properly maintained engines don't seize up at 64k miles!! We are outraged!! Engine and engine cooling
Oil sludge.Started blowing at stop lights and all startups.Calling Toyota this week. This Sienna is in mint condition.We bought it for safety and dependability for our 7 week old son.Now we'll see if Toyota stands behind it.This is our 1st Toyota,but there are 7 lexus/toyotas' within our families.This engine is damaged and from what we have read,expect a complete new one. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 79,000 miles
The engine seized while driving home on interstate 75. We had just had the oil changed before leaving on vacation. Toyota said that we did not service the vehicle properly despite our having provided proof of oil changes. Toyota would not cover repairs of $6200. The finance company reposessed the car because we could not afford to pay for it to be fixed. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…