2000 Toyota Sienna Transmission Problems

Your parked Sienna rolled away on its own while the engine was off, even though the gear shifter was in Park. An independent mechanic couldn't reproduce the problem when they inspected it. The issue may involve the parking brake, transmission park pawl, or related transmission components that keep the vehicle stationary when parked.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD ONLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 10/2/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES MOSTLY IN WINTER AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. UPDATED 3/9/2015 *JS

THE VEHICLE (2000 TOYOTA SIENNA) WAS STOPPED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE SHIFTER SHEARED OFF THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON TAKING OFF THE STEERING COLUMN COVER, I NOTICED THE SHIFTER HAD BROKEN OFF THE COLUMN IN THREE AREAS WHERE IT IS ATTACHED TO THE ALUMINUM HOUSING THAT SURROUNDS THE STEERING COLUMN. I COULD NOT REMOVE THE KEY NOR DRIVE THE CAR FROM THE STOPPED LOCATION. THE SIENNA WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT TOYOTA HAD MADE TWO REVISIONS TO THIS PART AND IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED. I BELIEVE THIS PIECE BROKE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE AND POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN ON AN ARTERIAL OR IF SOMEONE WERE TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO THE LOWER GEARS WHILE UNDER MOVEMENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER DETACHED AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS HANGING BY A WIRE. THE CONTACT USED A SCREWDRIVER TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

THE DIFFERENTIAL/TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA IS FAILING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AT UNDER 100,000 MILES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE COMPLETED ALL REQUIRED SERVICE. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA TOTALLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ON THE ROAD WHICH CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION OF THE VAN HAVING NO WAY OF MOVING. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THEIR 2000 VANS AND ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT MY VAN MILEAGE IS OVER THEIR LIMIT HENCE THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE SPORADICALLY LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD REVVING NOISE THAT GREW PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. ONE WEEK LATER, SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT SHE MISSED IT BY FOUR MONTHS. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING HER VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

I AM SECOND OWNER OF TOYOTA SIENNA, 2000 .I BOUGHT AT 32000 MILES. TOYOTA HAS RECALL ON EXTENDED TRANSMISSION WARRANTY (SERVICE BULLETIN TC03014) . YESTERDAY I WAS ON THE WAY TO AIRPORT AND SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND TRY TO GO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE CAR HAD SOME NOISE COMING FROM IT AND IT DIDN'T MOVING , I TRIED DIFFERENT GEARS AND IT STILL DIDN'T MOVE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PARK. CAR WAS MOVING BACK SO I PUT SAFETY BRAKE ON AND I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS BOUGHT BY FIRST OWNER, NEXT DAY THEY CALL ME AND TELL ME IT HAS PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. I TELL THEM LAST YEAR WHEN I SERVICED MY CAR FOR 36K SERVICE TO CHECK MY CAR FOR TRANSMISSION BUT THEY TELL ME IT HAS NO PROBLEM RELATED TO THAT, ALSO I GIVE THEM EXTENDED WARRANTY RECALL LETTER. NOW THIS CAR HAS ONLY 47K MILES BUT JUST PASS PERIOD BY TWO MONTHS ONLY . BUT SHOULD STILL COVER UP TO 100K MILES EXTENDED WARRANTY AS PER RECALL LETTER , BUT ATLANT TOYOTA DON'T WANT TO FIX UNDER THAT WARRANTY. DO YOU THINK SUCH A REPUTABLE VEHICLE TO TOYOTA CAN HAVE PROBLEM AT 47K MILE FOR TRANSMISSION. I ASK TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA SERVICE TELEPHONE NO. BUT THEY DON'T GIVE ME ANY INFO. IS THERE ANYBODY THAT CAN HELP TO COVER SUCH A BIG EXPENSE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION ABOUT $. 3500.00. *JB

MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THAT THE "SPEED SENSOR" ON MY 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS GONE BAD AND CANNOT BE REPLACED. SHE STATED THAT THE SIENNA'S THAT WERE MANUFACTURED OVERSEAS HAVE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS PART, BUT THAT THOSE MADE IN THE U.S. HAVE NO WAY TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE RESULT OF THIS DEFECT IS THAT I NO LONGER HAVE A REVERSE GEAR AND SHE SAID THAT FIRST GEAR WILL GO AT ANY TIME, AND NO AMOUNT OF MONEY CAN FIX. NOW CAR IS WORTHLESS CAR. *JB

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA LE NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. HAS 73,000 MI. *NM

THE LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A STOP LIGHT, ON A 50 MPH ROAD, CAR TRANSMISSION SLIPPED TWICE, AND THEN WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT IT NEW FROM WALNUT CREEK TOYOTA, A 2000 SIENNA. *AK AT 6000 MILES, AT 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION GRABBED THE CAR THROWING THE FOUR OF US INTO ANOTHER LANE.IT WAS REPLACED. AT 53,000 OR 47000 ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION IT BEGAN TO GRIND AND IT WAS AGAIN REPLACED. 12,000 LATER AT 65,000. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURED. TOYOTA OF WALNUT CREEK HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO SHREAD THE TRANSMISSIONS. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE THE NEW TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AGAIN AND THIS TIME THERE MAY BE AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THE CAR HAS LOST ALL ITS VALUE.

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME LOOSE AND BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE WHEN PLACED IN PARK. *SC

I BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A TRASH CAN IN THE WAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY, SO I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND HOPPED OUT TO MOVE THE CAN. I TURNED TO GET BACK IN THE CAR AND FOUND IT MOVING FORWARD UP THE DRIVEWAY. I CHASED THE CAR UP THE DRIVEWAY. IT RAN OVER A JOGGERBUGGY AND STRUCK A RETAINING WALL BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET INTO IT AND STOP IT.

TOYOTA 2000 SIENNA WITH 62,000 MILES WITH FAITHFUL SERVICE, AND JUST HAD OIL CHANGE ON 8/13/2003, EN ROUTE TO ATLANTA FROM MARYLAND. AT CHARLOTTE, NC A HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND WAS HEARD. BY THE TIME ARRIVED IN ATLANTA SOUND WAS PERSISTENT. TOOK CAR TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO IDENTIFIED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AS "DIGESTING ITSELF". THIS SAME CAR HAD AN ENGINE SLUDGE AT 35K DESPITE OIL CHANGES. CAR OUT OF SERVICE WHILE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE ENTIRELY REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 AT 75-80 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION ALL OF THE SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING. THE ENGINE RACES WHEN GAS PEDAL DEPRESS AND NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, WAS ABLE TO WEAVE OUT OF HARMS WAY AND COAST TO AN EXIT AND ENOUGH SPEED TO STOP AT A GAS STATION. CALL FOR TOW TRUCK AND TOWED INTO O'STEEN TOYOTA @ BRUNSWICK. LONG WEEKEND PREVENTING ANY CAR RENTAL (ALL CLOSED) AND ENDED UP TAKING A TAXI (58 MILES AWAY) ALL THE WAY TO JACKSONVILLE AIRPORT FOR A CAR RENTAL TO GO BACK TO MELBOURNE, FL. TO TAKE ON VACATION THE NEXT DAY. CAR LEFT AT O'STEEN AND WAS TOLD A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION IS REPLACED AND POSSIBLE THOUGHT OF PINION GEAR FAILURE. SINCE THEY CANNOT OPEN UP THE TRANSMISSION FOR ANY DETAIL LOOK AT FAILURE. SERIOUS ACCIDENT CAN OCCUR IN THIS KIND OF FAILURE. LOOKS LIKE A WHOLE LOT OF SAME PROBLEMS SINCE 2000, WHY IS THERE NO EQUIPMENT RECALLS IS BEYOND ME. *JB

FLUID LEAK AROUND THE TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET. REPAIRED 3 TIMES BY 2 DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERS. EASY JOB BUT MAYBE IT IS A DEEPER PROBLEM? TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT WHEN COLD FOR ABOUT 2 MILES AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND TIME IT WAS "FIXED." AFTER THE THIRD TIME TRYING TO STOP THE OIL LEAK, THEY ADJUSTED THE THROTTLE CABLE AND NOW IT SEEMS TO SHIFT MORE NORMALLY IN COLD MORNINGS. SINCE NEW, THE LEFT SLIDING MANUAL DOOR WAS HARD TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. AFTER 2 TRIPS FOR "ADJUSTMENTS" THE DOOR IS OPENING CORRECTLY. *JB

VEHICLE, WITH NO ONE IT IT BUT RUNNING, SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE (AFTER STANDING STILL FOR AT LEAST A FULL MINUTE OR TWO). VEHICLE BACKED DOWN DRIVEWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND HOUSE. I'M NOT A CARELESS PERSON, SO I CHECKED YOUR DATABASE AND SEE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS.

PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MY SIENNA WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE AT LOW SPEEDS. TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND OUT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISION. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 - TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 67,000. SHARDS OF METAL PRESENT IN DRIP PAN. VEHICLE WAS WELL-MAINTAINED AND SERVICED AT TOYOTA DEALER AT SPECIFIED SERVICE INTERVALS. I AM JUST LUCKY IT DID NOT FREEZE UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE SO MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN 2000 SIENNAS AS IS EVIDENCED BY ALL THE COMMENTS AND COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REP DID GET THE PRICE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY; HOWEVER, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER HAS A DEFECT AND SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL OR RE-IMBURSE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM.

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. MY CAR IS A 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA WITH 24000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION QUICKLY AND THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, I FOUND FROM ONLINE WEB SITE THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 2000 TOYOTA SIENNAS. TS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR FIVE HOURS, THE TRANSMISSION WOOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD. DEALER REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

2000 TOYOTA SIENNA 75000 MILES FREQUENT AND TIMELY OIL CHANGES/MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES ADHERED TO AFTER HEARING A GRINDING SOUND AFTER DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT THE DAY CARE, THE VAN SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE SOMETHING BROKE. IT BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD IT TOWED FROM THIS LOCATION AND WE WERE TOLD BY LONGMONT TOYOTA THAT WE NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE AFTER MAINTAINING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AT 75000 MILES. AT THIS TIME WE ARE CONTACTING TOYOTA FOR RESOLUTION. I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WONDER WHY INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THOSE CONSUMERS WHO OWN THE 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICED, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. MR

THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR OF THE 2000 SIENNA HAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK. MOST OF THE TIME, THE INSIDE LOCK GETS STUCK FROM THE INSIDE AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE PASSENGER CAN GET OUT THAT DOOR. AND IT TAKES TIME BEFORE IT GETS FIXED -- MORE OFTEN THAN NOT I HAVE TO CONTEND MYSELF MOVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR SLID CLOSED, BUT NOT LOCKED. THIS IS NOT SAFE, ESPECIALLY FOR A PARENT LIKE ME WITH PASSENGER KIDS. ALSO, THE SIENNA HAS BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER FOR THE "UNUSUAL NOISE" BECOMING APPARENT ESP. WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES FROM 0-30 MPH. I HAVE REPORTED THE NOISE WHEN I HAD MY BELTS CHANGED, TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED, AND POWER STEERING BELT REPLACED -- BUT THE NOISE IS STILL THERE AFTER THE SERVICE AND AFTER IT COSTS ME $400.00! THEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE SHOP AND AFTER VISUALLY CHECKING IT, THE SERVICE GUY AT TOYOTA OF TEMECULA VALLEY SAID THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS THE PROBLEM AND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR $3,500.00 + TAX!! I ASKED HOW COME - CONSIDERING THAT THE CAR OBSERVES THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE RIGIDLY, NO ROUGH DRIVING, OILS/FILTERS CHANGED REGULARLY, FLUIDS FLUSHED-DRAINED-REFILLED PROPERLY, ETC. I EVEN HAVE A LIFETIME ALIGNMENT THAT IT GETS REGULARLY CHECKED AND BROUGHT BACK TO SPECS. THE SERVICE GUY SAID THAT "IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL SIENNAS" AND IT IS NO LONGER SURPRISING FOR THEM. I CHECKED ON THE REVIEWS AND FEEDBACKS AND TO MY SURPRISE, OTHER SIENNA OWNERS HAD THEIR TRANNYS REPLACED 2-3 TIMES ALREADY, THE VAN WILL EMIT THE SAME NOISE EVEN IF IT GETS FIXED, TRANNYS ACT OUT EVEN AT 15,000 MILES! MY CONTENTION IS THAT IS THE SERVICE SHOPS OF TOYOTA ARE ALREADY AWARE OF THAT PROBLEM, HOW COME IT DOESN'T GET RECALLED AND LET THEM FIX THE PROBLEM BEFOREHAND? I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND GETS NO CHILD SUPPORT FROM ANYBODY -- AND FOR A YOUNG CAR LIKE MINE IN YEARS AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND DEAL WITH A BIG TRANNY PROBLEM INSTANTLY REQUIRING BIG CASH, I FIND IT UNFAIR.*AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK POSITION AND KEY WAS IN IGNITION VEHICLE WENT OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE, AND VAN RAN INTO A TREE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE VAN SUDDENLY STOPPED MOVING. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND THE DEALER PROVIDED EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF WHICH CAUSES THESE FAILURES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT DISABLES THE VAN WITHOUT WARNING. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ROLL THE VAN OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY BEFORE ANYONE GOT HURT.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING ACCLERATOR VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED OR SHIFT INTO REVERSE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN VERY QUICKLY FORM THE HIGH SPEED THAT CONSUMER WAS DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD GIVEN, CONSUMER HAS HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE, ALSO THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED.*YD

WHILE DRIVING IN INTERSTATE 15 AT 70 MPH,I SUDDENLY LOST SPEED AND TACHOMETER WENT UP.THE ENGINE RUNNING BUT SPEED GOING DOWN.I JUST USE INERTIA TO PULL INTO THE MEDIAN. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM,PLEASE ACT ASAP. *AK

THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING FULLY REPLACED BY TOYOTA WITHOUT CHARGE.

WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VAN AND THE LITTLE SERVICE WE RECEIVE WE WISHED WE NEVER PURCHUSE THIS CAR..... UNSAFE & DEFECTIVE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

COMPLETE AND PERMANENT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND PERMANENTLY LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE/TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 65MPH. BARELY COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD WHILE TRYING TO AVOID TRAFFIC BEARING DOWN ON US (TWO ADULTS AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN). WE HAVE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THIS DEFECT WITH SIENNAS, WAS KNOWN AS EARLY AS JUNE 2000. THIS DEFECT USUALLY CAUSES COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING SUSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOYOTA WAS NEGLIGENT IN NOT WARNING OWNERS OF THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS DEFECT. OUR VEHICLE IS NOW ABOUT 300 MILES FROM OUR HOME, WITH NO FIX CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM TOYOTA. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINTAED, DEALER STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACED, ON DECEMBER 25TH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED, AXLE SHAFT WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT NOT BEING SEATED PROPERLY, HOWEVER THE DEALER PUT THE WRONG BOLTS IN CAUSING A METAL TO METAL SOUND TO HAPPEN WHILE TRAVELING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS. *SLC

WE WISH TO PLACE THIS REPORT AS IT IS AN UNUSUAL FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THE APPARENT BACK ORDER OF TRANSMISSIONS FROM TOYOTA SHOWS FAILURES MUST BE OVERWHELMING. IT IS A SUDDEN FAILURE AND PRESENTS A TREMENDOUS DANGER TO DRIVERS. OURS FAILED WHILE AT HIGH SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. WE WERE NEARLY REAR ENDED AND THE CRASH WOULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTING. WE CERTAINLY ARE INTERESTED IN DISCOVERING HOW MANY OTHER SIENNA'S OR SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES USING THE SAME TRANSMISSION HAVE FAILED.*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING AN EXCHANGE FOR A COMPARABLE CAR WITHOUT DEFECTS, OR HIS MONEY BACK. *SLC

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE. THE VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO BEV SMITH TOYOTA IN FT. PIERCE WHERE IT REMAINS TODAY. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION ARE ON BACK ORDER IN CALIFORNIA WHICH MEANS THEY MUST COME FROM JAPAN. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT SEVERAL HUNDRED SIENNA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT OUR REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE A "FIX" BUT NO ONE WILL TELL US WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE INCURRED NEARLY $2,000 ADDITIONAL EXPENSES TO DATE, WILL BE INCURRING ADDITIONAL EXPENSES FOR RENTING A VEHICLE, HAVE LOST FOUR DAYS OF WORK (THREE FAMILY MEMBERS), AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN OUR VEHICLE WILL BE RETURNED TO US. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA MOTOR SALES IS AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE 2000 SIENNA TRANSMISSIONS, BUT ISN'T TELLING OWNERS OR POTENTIAL BUYERS OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

TOYOTA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE RENTAL OF ANOTHER MINIVAN DURING TWO WEEK REPAIR. I DROVE FOUR CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT OF A CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON CONTINUALLY, CAUSING WINDING SOUND FROM TRANSMISSION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFOMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL PART ARRIVED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BOTH PROBLEMS/INCIDENTS OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER ARE TIED TOGETHER. THE TOYOTA SIENNA WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND HAD 9,900 MILES ON IT. CRUISING AT 70MPH THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND THE ENGINE RACED TO 7,000RPMS. PULLING THE SIENNA OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY OF THE FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. THE SIENNA HAD TO BE TOWED TO DUBLIN TOYOTA FOR WARRANTY REPAIR ABOUT 65 MILES AWAY. DEALER CANNOT TELL ME WHAT FAILED, THEY WERE INSTRUCTED TO SEND PARTS INTACT BACK TO THE FACTORY FOR POST MORTEM DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE OPENED A REPORT WITH THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER ON 8/31, #20000-8311289. ALSO HAVE BEEN SPEAKING TO THE DUBLIN TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS MANAGER, JANET FRASER ABOUT FINDING THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO THESE DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS. IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS WITH NO RESPONSE.

ACCORDING TO AN EMPLOYEE OF THE GLENDALE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TORQUE CONVERTER. MANY CARS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR. THE PART WAS MANUFACTURED TO BE PLACED IN THE SMALLER TOYOTA CAMARY, AND APPARENTLY CAN NOT TAKE THE SIZE/WEIGHT OF THE LARGER VAN. IT SEEMS THAT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW - BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SELL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT NOTIFIYING POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS; AND CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM BECOMING KNOWN.*AK

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 50 MILES, WE WERE TOLD CAR NEEDS A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR WHILE THE PART COMES IN. SIX WEEKS LATER AND 2400 MILES ON THE CAR WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. WHEN CAR WAS RETURNED TO US IT SHIFTED WITH A JOLT. BACK IN THE SHOP WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NOT ACCEPTABLE ON A NEW CAR. *AK

MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIENNA'S TORQUE CONVERTERS,TOYOTA SAYS IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE IT.FOR MY WIFE'S AND 14 MONTH OLD I HOPE THEY ARE RIGHT.

AS WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 65 MI/HR THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT AND DRIVE ANOTHER MILE BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT MOVE. DEALER IN SAN ANTONIO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. REPAIR TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER BEING ON BACK ORDER.

WITH 100 MILES ON NEW VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SENSOR INDICATED FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. DEALER SAID IF SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, BRING THE VAN IN. SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. AFTER WAITING TWO WEEKS FOR NEW TORQUE CONVERTER TO BE DELIVERED, DEALER REPLACED IT. NEXT DAY, THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF "PARK". SHIFT LEVER MOVED, BUT TRANSMISSION REMAINED IN "PARK". PROBLEM WAS DEFECTIVE CLIP. CLIP IS OF DIFFERENT DESIGN THAN THAT OF PREVIOUS YEARS' MODELS OF SAME VEHICLE. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE DESIGN OF CLIP WAS TERRIBLE AND INSUFFICIENT. DEALER ORDERED NEW CLIP AND WILL INSTALL IT UPON ARRIVAL. TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISOR ACKNOWLEDED BROKEN CLIPS OCCURRING ON OTHER MODEL-YEAR 2000 SIENNA VANS. IF SO, THEN WHY DID THE DEALER NOT PUT NEW CLIP ON MY VEHICLE WHEN THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED? WHY HAS NOT TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS CLIP? THE DEALER KNOWS THE CLIP IS BAD AND I BET THE MANUFACTURER DOES ALSO..

OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN WE WERE ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. THE PART WAS REPLACED AFTER A 3 WEEK WAIT. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT FUTURE ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS FROM HAVING MY TRANSMISSION OPENED

THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY GOING 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE OUT OF STATE TOYOTA DEALER, TOYOTA WEST, IN STATESVILLE, N.C., COMPLETELY REPLACED OUR TRANSMISSION AND CONVERTER ASSEMBLY. WITHIN TWO AND A HALF MONTHS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY FAILED AGAIN. OUR LOCAL DEALER, KOONS TOYOTA, REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND CONVERTER AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY DID NOT PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN BUT A REBUILT ONE. WE WERE TOLD NO NEW TRANSMISSIONS WERE IN THE UNITED STATES!

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - INFORMED TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PART STILL ON BACK ORDER PER DEALER 15 VEHICLES AT THIS DEALERSHIP ARE ON BACK ORDER FOR SAME PART. DEALERSHIP STATING OK TO DRIVE PER TOYOTA COMPANY.

TOYOTA IS UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AS THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THERE IS AN INDICATION THAT TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AS OF 7/24/00 ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT WARNED PRIOR TO PURCHASING OUR CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 7/29/00 VAN WAS TAKEN IN 7/31/00 AM WAS CALLED SAME DAY PM TOLD TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WAS GIVEN A RENTAL CAR SINCE MY AUTO WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 8/1. WAS INFORMED TOYOTA IS UNABLE TO RECEIVE PART DUE TO BACK ORDER DUE TO SAME PROBLEMS AND TOYOTA ONLY RELEASING A COUPLE A DAY. YESTERDAY I WAS CALLED AND TOLD THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE PART BUT AUTO IS DRIVEABLE. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SVC AND REPORTED INCIDENT. TODAY I RECEIVE PHONE CALL FROM HAMER STATING I NEED TO RETURN AUTO DUE TO MEMO RELEASED MY AUTO IS DRIVEABLE BUT PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 8/16/00. WHY QUESTION WOULD BE WHY WAS NOT MY AUTO DRIVEABLE LAST WEEK BUT IS TODAY. I HAVE REFUSED TO PICK UP MY PURCHANSE AND HAVE RETURNED RENTAL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SINCE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY ARE REALLY HAVING ALOT OF PROBLEMS BY THE DEALER , TOYOTA CUSTOMER SVC AND ALSO FROM THE CUSTOMER SVC REPS AT ENTERPRISE CAR RENTAL.*AK

SUBSEQUENTLY INFORMED BY DEALER THAT METAL FRAGMENTS HAD CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE UNCOMMANDED DOWN-SHIFTING.

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE METAL CHIPS ARE PRESENT IN TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO LOCK-UP. YH

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *AK

MANUAL SLIDING DOOR - ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE MANUAL SLIDING DOOR RATTLES WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. TRANSMISSION - WHEN THE CAR IS IN REVERSE, THE CAR MAKES A LOAD THUMPING NOISE, WHILE IT IS IN MOTION. *AK

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) CAME ON AT 64 MILES AND REMAINS ON. GAS TANK NOT EMPTY AND GAS CAP IS ON SECURELY. DEALER SERVICE CENTER ADVISED THAT THIS IS DUE TO AN INACCURATE TRANSMISSION CODE BEING THROWN, AND I SHOULD CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHILE THEY WAIT FOR A TSB FROM TOYOTA.

VEHICLE STALLED ,AND LEFT CONSUMER AND PASSENGER STRANDED ON HIGHWAY DUE TO FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. DEALER PULLED OUT TRANSMISSION, AND SENT IT BACK TO FACTORY TO GET INVESTAGATED. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS PUT ON, AND ABOUT 1000 MILES AFTERWARD WHEEL BEARING FAILED.*AK

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING, THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET, AND NOBODY WAS IN/NEAR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A VERY MILD DECLINE ON CEMENT/ASPHALT SURFACE. VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS, DROPPED OFF AN 18" LEDGE AND CAME TO REST AGAINST A STORAGE SHED, WHICH THE VEHICLE PUSHED BACK ABOUT 5'. VEHCILE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE 2 MEN TRIED TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE VEHICLE WITH NO LUCK.

AT 70 MPH ON A MAJOR FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY GAVE OUT. NO GEAR WORKED, THE TACHOMETER RACED. A TRUCK ALMOST HIT ME IN THE REAR END. WITH INCREDIBLE LUCK I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SEVERAL MORE SUCH FAILURES OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MILES CAUSED ME TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND HAVE THE VEHICHLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER. WITH A GREAT DEAL OF LUCK, I AM ALIVE TO FILE THIS REPORT. IT WAS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY AND MUST BE INVESTIGATED. SERVICE MANGAGER REPORTED THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK