53 of the
570 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Sienna are about the
engine — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
77,300 miles.
The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while he was away, the fire department called to notify him that his vehicle had caught fire while parked in the driveway. The contact's neighbor was alerted to the fire by the vehicle's alarm system and called the fire department. The fire department extinguished the fire but was unable to determine the cause of the fire. A fire department report was filed. The fire destroyed the interior of the vehicle. The insurance company was made aware of the failure, but had not yet deemed the vehicle totaled. The vehicle remained in the driveway. The contact stated that the vehicle was an equipped BraunAbility handicap wheelchair ramp van. The contact also stated that prior to the fire, the vehicle had no failure and no warning light was illuminated. In addition, The fire wall of the engine performed as designed and protected the engine, although the interior of the vehicle was severely damaged as a result of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11727073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CA
ENGINE
The head gasket that was repaired failed and the radiator system also failed. Im not sure if these issues are dealer related or manufacture related as i spoke to the previous owner and they stated they had the vehicle serviced at a manufacturer prior to doing a trade in with the dealer
NHTSA complaint #11585798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 204,000 milesShreveport, LA
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while pulling into a grocery store, he heard an abnormal ticking sound. The contact stated upon parking and inspecting the outside of the vehicle, he noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground. Additionally, the oil dipstick was dry upon inspecting the oil level. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where oil was added in the vehicle and the contact drove to his residence. However, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust cam gear had fractured, causing damage to the engine and other unnamed components. The dealer diagnosed that the engine, the exhaust cam gear, and the timing chain needed to be replaced, and additional unknown repairs were also needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Toyota Extended Warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the vehicle manufactured date. The failure mileage was approximately 204,000.
NHTSA complaint #11499391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
ENGINE
CAR SPEED VARIES WHEN DOING A MODERATE SPEED EXAMPLE 40 MPH SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE ITS ENGINE SLIPS AND SPEED SLOWS CAR JUMPS FORWARD FEELS LIKE ENGINE SLIPS OR GEAR SHIFTS. ENGINE BOGS DOWN OR SOMETIMES REVS UP A LITTLE..SCARES ME SOMETIMES BUT NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE
NHTSA complaint #11416631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, CA
ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT ON AND OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENT. AT ANY TIME THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. IT IS NERVE BREAKING KNOWING THAT THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED BY TOYOTA. I HAVE MY TOYOTA SIENNA 2008 AND IT HAVE A VERY LOW MILES DUE TO LIGHTS SAFETY REASONS THAT CAN NOT BE SOLVED BY TOYOTA. EVERY TIME WE COMPLAIN, WE WERE ALWAYS TOLD THAT BRING THE CAR IN WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON IT WILL BE OFF WHEN WE GET TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE NOTICED WHEN THE CAR REACHED APPROXIMATELY 98,000 MILES. THE CAUSE OF THE ON AND OFF LIGHTS ARE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11350809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 184,000 milesAlvarado, TX
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY AUTISTIC CHILDREN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE VSC LIGHT AND THE TRAC OFF LIGHT ALL CAME ON AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THROUGH THE VAN INTO A DITCH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE FOR FAMILIES. I AM NOW KEEPING A LOG AND I DO PLAN ON RETAINING AN ATTORNEY AS NO ONE HAS ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE AS A SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11320604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesPowell, TN
ENGINE
LOWER OIL COOLER LINE DEVELOPED HOLE AND LEAKED ENGINE OIL WHILE IN MOTION ON COUNTY HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11228482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesOrlando, FL
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SHUDDERED BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF ORLANDO (3575 VINELAND RD, ORLANDO, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CAMSHAFT WAS FAULTY AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE IN 2011 AND THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. FURTHERMORE, IN 2016, THE CAMSHAFT WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11099210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,700 milesDenver, CO
ENGINE
VVTI OIL LINE HAS LARGE HOLE ALL OF A SUDDEN, CAUSED VERY QUICK LOSS OF ALL OIL IN CAR. I WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. IF I HAD BEEN IN A WORSE POSITION, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ENGINE SEIZURE. THERE IS A LIMITED SERVICE CAMPAIGN ON THIS, MY VEHICLE HAD IT REPLACED IN 2014, AND IT FAILED AGAIN BECAUSE THEY PUT THE SAME FAULTY PART WITH RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR. IN 2010 THEY ACTUALLY RELEASED SAME ENGINE WITH AN ALL METAL OIL HOSE, BUT THATS NOT WHAT THEY REPLACED IT WITH ON THE TECHNICAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN.
NHTSA complaint #11082573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,000 milesOrrville, OH
ENGINE
THIS VEHICLE HAS 3 OPEN RECALLS ON IT I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN WOOSTER OHIO AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME IT WOULD TAKE A FEW HOURS TO DO ALL THE REPAIRS AND ID HAVE TO WAIT OR DROP IT OFF I AS A CUSTOMER FEEL ITS UNFAIR FOR TOYOTA TO MAKE A CUSTOMER WAIT FOR HOURS TO FIX REPAIRS THAT ARE FAULTS OF THE CAR MANUFACTUER I ASKED FOR A LOANER CAR WHILE THE WORK IS COMPLETED THEY REFUSED SAYING THE ONLY WAY A LOANER IS GIVEN IS IS THE RECALL IS DOOR RELATED
NHTSA complaint #11064332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE
MY 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA BEGAN TO CREATE A SMOKE SCREEN IMPAIRING ME FROM HAVING A CLEAR VISUAL OF THE ROAD. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CHECK IF MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ONCE I INSPECTED THE OUTSIDE AND OPEN THE HOOD TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS ON FIRE I NOTICE A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE AN UPON FURTHER LOOK MY ENGINE MOTOR OIL COOLING HOSE HAD BURST, SPRAYING THE MOTOR AND EVERYTHING INSIDE WITH MOTOR OIL. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11010725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesDallas, NC
ENGINE
WHILE PUTTING ON THE BRAKES TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP TO 6000 RPM AND TRIED TO TAKE OFF BY ITSELF. I PUSHED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING. I KICKED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT DISENGAGED. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NOT A FLOOR MAT INVOLVED AS THERE WAS NOT ONE IN THE CAR AT THIS TIME. THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO A TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT THIS THEY SAID THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN AND I WAS WRONG ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. THE DEALER DID NOT DOCUMENT ANY OF THIS AND WANTED NOTHING FURTHER TO DO WITH ME. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING WHEN YOU PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL OR TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE. MY WIFE WAS ALSO IN THE CAR TWO OF THE TIMES AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED. SHE WAS NOT IN THE CAR FOR THE LATEST EPISODE.
NHTSA complaint #10972344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,637 milesEstero, FL
ENGINE
THAT WAS AROUND 2012 NEW YEAR TIME WHEN I , MY WIFE AND MY KID VISITED OUR FRIEND AT ATLANTA, GA. WE DROVE OUR VAN ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I-75, IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR TRIP, OUR VAN STARTED SHAKING VIGOROUSLY. I FELT THAT WAS FROM ENGINE, IT FORCED ME TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF I-75. AFTER A WHILE WE RESTARTED OUR VAN, WE COULD ONLY DRIVE FOR < 65 MILES/HOUR. ANY ACCELERATION RESULTED IN VIGOROUS SHAKING. AFTER WE CAME HOME I DROVE MY VAN TO AN AUTO SERVICE CENTER, AND WAS CHECKED. IT TURNED OUT THAT 3 IGNITION COILS, SPARK PLUGS, AND MANIFOLD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. YESTERDAY (9/10/2015) THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10762888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT COOLING THE VEHICLE, AND SHE THOUGHT IT JUST NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. AFTER TWO HOURS OF DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. BY THE TIME SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, THE ENGINE WAS RUINED, THE DEALER STATED THE ENGINE WATER HOSE AND OIL HOSE HAD MALFUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #10760546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesCharles Town, WV
ENGINE
CAR COMPLETELY STOPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON AN EXTREMLY BUSY ROAD. EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES ARE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND CAR WILL NO LONGER MOVE. STILL CLUESSLESS ON THE ISSUE AT HAND.
NHTSA complaint #10750016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,496 milesFlorence, SC
ENGINE
UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE, WE BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL AND THE LIGHT FOR THE A/C STARTED FLASHING AND WOULDN'T TURN BACK ON. WE DROVE ABOUT A MILE THINKING THAT THE SMELL WAS ROADWORK, BUT THEN WE DECIDED TO STOP AND CHECK IT UNDER THE HOOD. ONCE WE OPENED THE HOOD, WE WERE HIT WITH A PLUME OF SMOKE, AND REALIZED THERE WAS A POOL OF OIL UNDER THE VAN. WE BEGAN TO LOOK ON THE INTERNET FOR CAUSES, WHERE WE CAME ACROSS SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE OIL HOSE BLOWING AND THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. THEY DIDN'T KNOW OF ONE, BUT STATED THAT THEY'D FIXED SEVERAL VEHICLES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS VERY ALARMING SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, ETC DIDN'T EVEN TURN ON. HAD WE DRIVEN ANOTHER MILE, WOULD THE VAN HAVE CAUGHT FIRE? WE HAVE A VAN FULL OF CHILDREN, AND IT'S FRIGHTENING TO THINK THAT THIS COULD HAVE ENDED MUCH WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10717381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,358 milesBirmingham, AL
ENGINE
VARIABLE VALVE TIMING OIL SUPPLY LINE SPRANG A LEAK AT BEND ON RUBBER TUBING. TOYOTA HAS A NEW REPLACEMENT TUBE ,BUT NOT PAYING FOR TUBE OR LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #10695503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,200 milesOverland Park, KS
ENGINE
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE MINIVAN WITH BOTH KIDS IN THE CAR AFTER GROCERY SHOPPING AND PICKING THEM UP FROM THE PRESCHOOL. WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING INTO THE GARAGE SHE SMELLED AND SAW OIL FUME COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. SHE THOUGHT THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND GRABBED THE KIDS AND GOT OUT OF THE VAN AS QUICKLY AS SHE CAN. I GOT HER CALL AND RUSHED HOME FROM WORK. IT TURNED OUT THERE WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE OF A OIL COOLING PIPE ON THE ENGINE. ALL OF THE ENGINE OIL HAD ALMOST LEAKED OUT (THERE WAS MAYBE ABOUT QUARTER OF INCH SHOWING ON THE DIP STICK). AFTER WE TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WE FOUND OUT THE OIL HAD LEAKED FROM AN ENGINE COOLER PIPE WHICH WAS POORLY DESIGNED AND OVER TIME IT COULD DEVELOP A SLOW SEEP LEAK OR IN OUR CASE FAILED IN A SUDDEN BURST AND CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK OUT LIKE A RUNNING FAUCET. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE BECAUSE IT OCCURRED JUST WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VAN IN OUR SUBDIVISION. TOYOTA HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE LAST SUMMER BUT DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS. IF IT HAPPENED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND WE DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE ENGINE LIGHT, THE ENGINE MAY BURN OR WORSE IT COULD SEIZE AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE WEB, I FOUND OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. TOYOTA ACTUALLY HAD A RECALL OTHER MODELS OF CARS FOR THE SAME ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I WONDER WHY THEY DIDN'T RECALL THE 2008 SIENNA AND THEY SHOULD HAVE. I WANT TO REPORT THIS AND HOPEFULLY FORCE TOYOTA TO START RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR ALL IMPACTED MODELS SO OTHERS WON'T HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THIS AND AVOID POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10676927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesLockport (Manitoba, Canada), ND
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE ODOUR OF SOMETHING BURNING ENTERED THE CABIN. NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH APPEARED AND DROVE TO THE NEXT PARKING LOT TO FIND A TRAIL OF OIL BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND A POOL OF OIL UNDER THE ENGINE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT A 'PIN HOLE' WAS FOUND IN THE OIL COOLER HOSE. THIS IS NOT THE SAME HOSE AS THE VVTI THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED ALREADY. THE DEALER INFORMED ME IT'S LIKE THE TWO OTHER RUBBER HOSES CARRYING OIL ON THE ENGINE BUT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THE COST TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A STEEL LINE IS $429 CDN. THIS VAN WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2009 AND BROUGHT INTO MANITOBA, CANADA FROM THE US.
NHTSA complaint #10652450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBirmingham, AL
ENGINE
TOYOTA KNOWN DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN GASKET. LEAKING OIL.
NHTSA complaint #10643696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesEvergreen, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, BUT NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT OIL SPILLED ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY, HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE OIL COOLER SUPPLY LINE BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
NHTSA complaint #10631873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
ENGINE
UPON EXITING FREEWAY IN BUTTE, MT, AND SLOWING DONE FOR RED LIGHT AT BOTTOM OF RAMP, HEARD TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. DROVE ONE BLOCK TO GAS STATION, AND WHILE PUMPING GAS, NOTICED LARGE QUANTITY OF ENGINE OIL PUDDLING UNDER THE ENGINE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT OIL COOLER HOSE HAD RUPTURED. FORTUNATELY, NO APPARENT ENGINE DAMAGE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ON SIENNA OWNERS' FORUM, LEARNED THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON CERTAIN TOYOTA MODELS IN CERTAIN YEARS, INCLUDING THE 2008 SIENNA WITH TOW PACKAGE LIKE OURS, AND THAT TOYOTA HAD PUT OUT A TSB ON THIS, BUT APPARENTLY HAD NEVER INFORMED OWNERS. IT TOOK 4 DAYS FOR THE REPLACEMENT HOSE TO ARRIVE, AND THE REPAIR COST $520. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE MY FAMILY WAS FAR FROM HOME (SILVER SPRING, MD) ON A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP AND THUS FORCED THEM TO CANCEL PART OF VACATION AND SPEND EXTRA $$ ON HOTELS AND A RENTAL CAR. BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE - THE OIL COULD HAVE DRAINED WHILE AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, RUINING THE ENGINE, STRANDING MY FAMILY IN AN ISOLATED AREA OR CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR ENGINE FIRE AND POSSIBLE INJURIES. GIVEN THAT TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IT COULD HAVE INFORMED US SO WE COULD HAVE HAD THE HOSE REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10610859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesEstero, FL
ENGINE
VVT-I HOSE BROKEN, RAPID OIL LOSS AND ALMOST NO OIL LEFT IN ENGINE WHEN PROBLEM WAS SPOTTED. OIL SPILLED TO THE BELTS AROUND THE VVT-I HOSE. WHEN TURN STEERING WHEEL, NOISE HEARD. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE TO THE OTHER RECALLS BUT NOT APPLICABLE TO TOYOTA SIENNA. HTTP://TOYOTANEWS.PRESSROOM.TOYOTA.COM/ARTICLE_DISPLAY.CFM?ARTICLE_ID=1906 I WAS TOLD MAY CAUSE PROBLEM TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, OR ACCIDENT. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO FILE THE CLAIM TO YOUR OFFICE. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10597076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMechanisville, VA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10593748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,543 milesSterling, VA
ENGINE
THE RUBBER PORTION OF THE OIL SUPPLY HOSE FOR THE WT-1 ACTUATOR FAILED RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL. THIS OIL WAS CARRIED ALONG THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND SPRAYED A FINE MIST OF OIL ON THE WINDSHIELDS OF THE CARS BEHIND THE VAN. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED CLOSE TO HOME AT A LOW SPEED. IF THIS WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SUDDEN REDUCED VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVERS BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. I AM SORRY BUT USING A RUBBER HOSE ON AN OIL LINE IS ONE OF THE DUMBEST THINGS I HAVE HEARD OF. FORTUNATELY FOR US, NO ONE WAS HURT AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT TURNED INTO A RECALL. THIS WAS A BIG MISTAKE ON TOYOTA'S PART.
NHTSA complaint #10587347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesPoquoson, VA
ENGINE
DURING A RECENT TRIP TO ALABAMA FROM VIRGINIA, OUR 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL INSTEAD OF BRAKING. BOTH TIMES, WE WERE APPROACHING MODERATELY HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY WIFE WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VAN. INSTEAD OF BRAKING AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE, THE VAN WENT INTO FULL ACCELERATION MODE. THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED AND STARTED APPLYING FULL THROTTLE. THE FIRST TIME WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING CRAZY. THE SECOND TIME, BOTH MY WIFE AND I WATCHED AS HER FOOT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TO OUR AMAZEMENT, THE VAN STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN! LUCKILY BOTH TIMES, MY WIFE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLIED ONCE THE VAN STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE BRAKES WORKED THEN. I HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO TAKE THIS INTO THE TOYOTA DEALER YET. WE ARE STILL UNDER A 30 DAY WARRANTY WITH CARMAX, SO I HAVE COMMUNICATION OUT TO THEM TO SEE HOW WE SHOULD HANDLE THIS SITUATION. I THOUGHT THIS TOYOTA SUDDEN ACCELERATION STORY WAS EXAGGERATED. NOW I'VE EXPERIENCED IT MYSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10578588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesHeathrow, FLCrash
ENGINE
MY WIFE WAS PARKING OUR 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH OUR 3 YOUNG BOYS IN THE AUTOMOBILE. SHE SLOWLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP; NEVER USING GAS, JUST COVERING AND TAPPING LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE. ONCE THE AUTOMOBILE CAME TO A STOP MY WIFE PRESSED THE BRAKE A LITTLE MORE IN ORDER TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. AT THAT MOMENT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INCREDIBLE FAST, JUMPED OVER AN 8 INCH CONCRETE PARKING LOT DIVIDER AND CRASHED INTO A TREE ABOUT 10 - 15 FEET FROM THE CONCRETE DIVIDER. WE ARE CERTAIN THAT THIS WAS A "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" INCIDENT CAUSED BY SOME MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, PROGRAMMING OR OTHER DEFECT IN THE '08 SIENNA. THIS WAS NOT "DRIVER ERROR"! MY WIFE DID NOT CONFUSE THE GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE. THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY A FLOOR MAT OBSTRUCTING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS WAS CAUSED BY SOME TYPE OF A DESIGN OR COMPONENT DEFECT. HOW CAN W BE SO CERTAIN? MY WIFE AND I HAVE PARKED IN THIS PARKING SPOT (LOCATED IN OUR APARTMENT COMPLEX) HUNDREDS OF TIMES. TO PARK IN THIS PARKING SPOT YOU FIRST HAVE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT A STOP SIGN. THIS STOP SIGN IS ABOUT 30 - 40 FEET FROM THE PARKING SPOT, WHICH REQUIRES THAT YOU MAKE A SHARP RIGHT TURN. ONCE YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY TO MAKE THE LEFT AT THE STOP SIGN, YOU DO NOT USE THE GAS AGAIN. YOU SIMPLY TAP AND COVER YOUR BRAKE UNTIL YOU MAKE THE RIGHT INTO THE PARKING SPOT. OUR VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. IN FACT, UPON "STOPPING" ONE OF OUR 3 BOYS REMOVED HIS SEAT BELT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. I'M ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM SOMEONE WITHIN TOYOTA OR THE NHTSA WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THIS FLAW. MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE "FORTUNATE". BUT THIS IS A "FATAL FLAW" AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10576090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,253 milesPensacola, FL
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO MAKE A STRANGE KNOCKING SOUND AS I ACCELERATED. I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND TOWN FOR SEVERAL HOURS THAT MORNING. I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE ENGINE, AND SAW SOME TYPE OF FLUID ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND WALL. I PULLED THE OIL DIPSTICK OUT AND THERE WAS NO OIL ON IT AT ALL. COMPLETELY DRY! I HAD SOMEONE BRING ME SOME OIL AND I DROVE MY CAR UP TO THE REPAIR SHOP JUST A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE LINE -VALVE COVER VARIABLE TIMING-ON TOP OF MOTOR TO RIGHT ON PASSENGER SIDE HAD BURST. PART OF THE LINE IS RUBBER AND THAT PART HAD RUPTURED AND ALL THE OIL HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE. MY OIL LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AT ANY TIME NOR DID MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. EVEN AFTER I STOPPED IT DID NOT COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10568778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesShow LOW, AZ
ENGINE
THE RUBBER IN THE OIL COOLING LINE BROKE DOWN AND DRAINED MOST OF THE OIL FROM THE ENGINE. FROM LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT BOARDS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS HOSE. TOYOTA EVEN RE-DESIGNED THE HOSE WITH A METAL SLEEVE BECAUSE OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10556015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesYoungwood, PA
ENGINE
I HAD A OIL HOSE IN MY VAN GET A HOLE. WHEN IT HAPPENED IT SPILLED OIL ALL OVER AND IN MY OPINION COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE.THE HOSE IS CONNECTED TO A PIPE AND THE HOSE CANNOT BE REPLACED. THE WHOLE PIPE HAS TO BE REPLACED AND I REPLACED MINE. MY RESEARCH REVEALED THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IN THE BULLETIN THEY CLAIM IT'S FOR SEEPAGE OF OIL. OBVIOUSLY TOYOTA KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AS THE NEW PART I ORDERED IS COMPLETE PIPE WITH NO HOSES. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE PIPE IS 15767. IS THIS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FURTHER LOOKED INTO AS TO WHY THIS IS NOT A RECALL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD PROPERLY FIX?
NHTSA complaint #10547430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.