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2005 Toyota Sienna Engine Problems

25 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

25
Complaints
1
Recalls
3
Fires
Jan 2005Dec 2012
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Engine Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #11V539000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Owner Complaints (25)

criticalENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2024

While driving at 65 mph, your oil warning light came on. You added oil at the roadside, but a mechanic later said the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle wasn't repaired or diagnosed by a dealer, and Toyota wasn't notified of the issue. The engine failure occurred at 142,000 miles.

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NHTSA #: 11571869
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2019

EMISSIONS FAIL, PRE MATURE FAILURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (2) , PART NOT LASTING ,SUBJECT TO PREMATURE RUSTING , A PROBLEM FOR MOST OF TOYOTA CARS

NHTSA #: 11205218
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING SOUND AND FELT AN ABMORNAL MOTION IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SUPPORTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA #: 10966319
mediumENGINE
FireFiled: Nov 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR EMITTING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA #: 10924632
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2015

~2007, RADIATOR LEAK, ENGINE HEATED UP - ALMOST FIRE ~2008, RADIATOR LEAK, ENGINE HEATED UP - ALMOST FIRE ~2011, RADIATOR LEAK, ENGINE HEATED UP ~2014, RADIATOR LEAK RADIATOR FAILURE HAS OCCURRED FOR EVERY TWO YEARS. ALMOST IN FIRE FOR MULTIPLE TIMES! DRIVER IS CONSTANTLY UNDER DANGER OF FIRE. TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONDED BY OFFERING A $200-300 CREDIT, SUGGESTING TOYOTA KNOWS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG FOR SUCH FREQUENT RADIATOR LEAKING. BUT IT REFUSES TO DISCLOSE DETAILS. FOR THE SAFETY OF DRIVERS, PLEASE INVESTIGATE. INDIVIDUAL DRIVER LIKE MYSELF IS TOO SMALL TO TALK TO TOYOTA. TOYOTA EVEN DID NOT ANSWER MY QUESTION.

NHTSA #: 10721285
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2013

DURING THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT, TOYOTA TECHNICIAN FOUND RADIATOR HAD A SMALL LEAK AND SUGGESTED TO CALL TOYOTA COMPANY . TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE FROM COMPANY INFORMED THE RADIATORS HAD PROBLEMS FOR 2005 SIENNA BUT THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX IT BECAUSE MILEAGE IS MORE THAN 75000 OR VEHICLE IS MORE THAN 7 YEARS OLD. *TR

NHTSA #: 10522430
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2013

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AFTER MERGE FROM RTE 20 INTO RTE 9, I DROVE UP HILL, ABOUT 50 YARDS TO MY STREET, I SAW SMOKE BEHIND MY VAN, I DID NOT SEE ANY WARNING LIGHT FROM MY DRIVING PANEL, MY VAN WAS STILL RUNNING SMOOTHLY, SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE TO MY HOUSE (ABOUT 150 YARDS) AWAY, AFTER I PARKED MY VAN, I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM HOOD, AND A LONG LEAKING OIL TRACK ALONG THE STREET. I CHECKED MY ENGINE OIL, IT WAS OK. NEXT MORNING, I STARTED MY VAN, IT IS STILL NO WARNING LIGHT ON MY DRIVING PANEL, I CALLED AAA TO GET MY VAN TOWED TO TOYOTA WESTBOROUGH MA. TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT MY ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD GOT BLOWN A HOLE AND OIL FLYING OUT TO BE BURNED AND PRODUCED SMOKE, POTENTIALLY IT WILL CATCH FIRE IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE. I HAD MY VAN OIL CHANGED ON 08/2012 BY SEARS SHOP, ABOUT 5,000 MILES WAS DRIVEN SINCE LAST OIL CHANGED. I BELIEVE THE ENGINE ALUMINUM HEAD WAS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, NOT BECAUSE OF OTHER REASON. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IT HAPPENED WHILE THE VAN WAS RUNNING AT HIGHWAY. IT COULD CATCH FIRE TOO. *TR

NHTSA #: 10508985
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2012

UNDER TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM, A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS PUT OUT SAYING THAT 2005 TOYOTA SIENNAS HAD FAULTY RADIATORS THAT CRACKED IN COLD WEATHER AND COULD LEAD TO COOLANT LEAKAGE AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE SEIZURE (SAFETY REPORT #0506). WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED GETTING COLD THIS WINTER, MY RADIATOR CRACKED AND I NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AS THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING EXTREMELY HOT. WHEN I FOUND THIS BULLETIN AND BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA'S ATTENTION THEY REFUSED TO HONOR IT SAYING THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT IN THE RANGE. WHEN I ASKED WHY THIS WAS THE CASE, THEY CLAIMED (THEY BEING TOYOTA'S NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS) THAT THEY HAD REALIZED THE FAULT AND THEREFORE SWITCHED THE RADIATORS OUT DURING PRODUCTION. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION, THE BULLETIN WAS ANNOUNCED BY TOYOTA ON JANUARY 30, 2006. IF WHAT THEY CLAIM IS TRUE, THEN THEY WERE KNOWINGLY SELLING CARS WITH FAULTY RADIATORS FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF BEFORE THEY ISSUED THE RECALL. IF THEY WERE LYING, THEN THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL TOYOTA SIENNAS OF THAT YEAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10490121
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE TIMING BELT FRACTURED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE ROAD. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE TO HELP THE CONTACT PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROADWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 54,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10458483
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Apr 2012

A/C WENT OUT APRIL 2012. BLOWS HOT AIR. ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUMS THIS HAPPENS A LOT IN SIENNA'S - 2004 TO 2006 MODELS. WE HAVE 5 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT TAKE THEM VERY FAR EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN OR THEY COULD POSSIBLY GET HEATSTROKE. THEY ARE SWEATED WET BY THE TIME WE GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B. WE OPEN ALL WINDOWS AND THE REAR ONES THAT ONLY OPEN 2 INCHES AS WELL. FORUM LINK WHERE I FOUND THIS INFO (SAME ISSUE AS OUR SIENNA) IS HTTP://WWW.TOYOTAFANS.NET/2004-SIENNA-AC-PROBLEMS-T2523-ST20.HTM -THE SEAT BELTS IN OUR SIENNA LOCK UP, FOUND THE RECALL ON THIS SITE SO WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER FOR THAT. NOT JUST THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT BELTS THOUGH. IT IS REAR SEATBELTS AS WELL AS FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS. -THE TAIL LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT DECIDES TO. SOMETIMES IT IS OFF SO WE GET PULLED OVER - UNTIL THE POLICE OFFICER TAPS IT, AND IT DECIDES TO COME BACK ON. ON A SIDE NOTE - THE LEFT SPEAKER SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION EITHER UNLESS IT WANTS TO. SAME AS THE TAIL LIGHT. ONE MINUTE IT IS OFF (MOST OF THE TIME) AND THE NEXT MINUTE THE SOUND IS BLARING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10455054
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING. THE RADIATOR CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND OVERHEAT DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA #: 10454369
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Filed: Mar 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOISES WERE HEARD FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE NOISE HAD NOT CAUSED ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE NOISE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,420. UPDATED 4/2/12 *CN

NHTSA #: 10449974
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE ROSE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE YET THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE BECUASE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES PRIOR UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,834 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,113. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ

NHTSA #: 10406853
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jun 2010

2005 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE AWD - SLOW LEAK IN RADIATOR CONSISTENT WITH TSB REGARDING CRACKING OF PLASTIC IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS LEAD TO OVERHEATING OF VEHICLE. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED ($600+) AS WELL AS HEADS NEEDED TO BE REMOVED AND MILLED ($2000+). *TR

NHTSA #: 10335117
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2010

THE RADIATOR ON MY 2005 SIENNA DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE PLASTIC END CAP AT 54,00 MILES. A THREE INCH CRACK. I HAD NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM DEVELOPING IT HAPPENED QUICKLY AND LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS NOT PART OF THE DRIVE TRAIN. THEREFORE THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY DID NOT APPLY. A FRIEND TOLD ME THAT HIS 2005 SIENNA WAS COVERED BY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE TOYOTA IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM WITH RADIATORS CRACKING. I SENT MY COMMENTS/COMPLAINT TO TOYOTA WHO, AS USUAL DENIED MY CLAIM. THEY SAID THE EXTENSION ONLY APPLIED TO 2005 SIENNAS MANUFACTURED BEFORE SEPTEMBER AND GUESS MY TOYOTA WAS MANUFACTURER'S AFTER THAT DATE. I GUESS THEY DID NOT FIX PROBLEM FOR VEHICLES AFTER SEPTEMBER LIKE THEY THOUGHT. I COMPLETED THE REPAIR MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA #: 10329992
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Apr 2010

THE A/C IN MY 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR OUT OF THE DRIVER SIDE VENTS. THE COMPRESSOR KEPT KICKING ON AND OFF. THIS OCCURRED EVERYTIME I USED THE A/C. AFTER REPLACING THE COMPRESSOR TWICE, WE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HOT AIR COMING OUT OF THE VENT WHILE THE A/C IS ON. NOW THE VAN TODAY 4/5/2010 HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR AND ONLY BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN THE A/C IS TURNED ON. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THE A/C PULLEY HAS NOT BURNED UP. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AC003-05 BUT IT ONLY COVERS VEHICLES UNTIL 36,000. SINCE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AFTER THAT MILEAGE, WE ARE NOT COVERED. THIS IS THE THIRD MAJOR ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS 2005 VAN. I HAVE HAD THE BACK DOOR GAS SHOCKS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL AND THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. THE FIX FOR THE A/C IS ESTIMATED AT $4,000! *TR

NHTSA #: 10323849
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2010

THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP BRIEFLY ON ITS OWN CAUSING VEHICLE TO BRIEFLY SPEED UP. IT USUALLY LASTS ONLY A FEW SECONDS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10316325
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2009

A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE ON 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA LE MINIVAN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10278638
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2009

RADIATOR ON 2005 SIENNA SPRUNG A LEAK AND DRAINED THE COOLANT DRY WITHIN A HALF DAY. ENGINE OVERHEATED AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED ON ROADSIDE. WATER WAS POURED TO REPLACE MISSING COOLANT ALLOWING OWNER TO GET HOME. BROUGHT TO TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER THE NEXT DAY. OWNER OPTED FOR A NON-TOYOTA REPLACEMENT RADIATOR (OWNER WAS TOLD THE OLD RADIATOR WAS BEYOND REPAIR) SINCE A TOYOTA PART WOULD HAVE TAKEN DAYS TO PROCURE. TWO SUCH REPLACEMENTS WERE ATTEMPTED TO BE INSTALLED. NEITHER ONE FIT. NOT ONLY WAS A TOYOTA RADIATOR UNAVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY, IT COST $200 MORE. OWNER HAD TO BE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR AT LEAST 4 DAYS AT HIS EXPENSE (A RENTAL). EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 100,000 MILES; INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 104,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10258902
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Jan 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WERE INOPERABLE. THE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT OPERATE AND SHE COULD ONLY ENTER THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANIPULATE THE LOCK ENTRY IN ORDER TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE BY HOLDING THE MANUAL LOCK IN PLACE WHILE CLOSING AND/OR OPENING THE DOOR. THE RADIATOR WAS ALSO IN NEED OF REPAIR. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE OVER 100,000.

NHTSA #: 10255180
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Dec 2008

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY DURING NORMAL USE. FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF EXHAUST MUFFLER AND QUICKLY SPREAD INTO THE CABIN. *TR

NHTSA #: 10252514
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Jan 2008

ON DECEMBER 5, 2007, I CAME OUT OF COSTCO TO FIND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY PUT OUT THE ENGINE FIRE ON MY 2005 TOYOTA SIENNA - ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED AFTER I HAD GONE IN TO SHOP SO THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OFF WITH NO PERSON IN IT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10216210
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS AND CAUSED ACCELERATION ISSUES. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ADJUSTED TO THE DRIVER AND THIS WAS A NORMAL FUNCTION. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THE GEARS DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. UPDATED 10/18/2006 - THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN PICKING UP SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER FOUND CODE FOR EVAP PURGE VALVE. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE VACUUM LINES OFF AT INTAKE. *NM

NHTSA #: 10168289
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2006

VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE SPARK KNOCK AT LOW SPEEDS, STARTING FROM A STOP AND AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED WHEN ENGINE IS UNDER A LOAD. SPARK KNOCK WORSE WHEN ENGINE IS WARMED UP AND DURING WARM WEATHER. CHANGING OCTANE LEVEL DOES NOT HELP SPARK KNOCK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN APRIL 2005. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO TRY TO FIX THE ISSUE TO NO AVAIL. *JB

NHTSA #: 10157760
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2005

COOLANT DRIPPING UNDER THE MUFFLER WHEN THE BRAND NEW VAN WAS DRIVEN 955 MILES AND THE DEALER STILL FIXING IT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE VAN IS IN THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOTOALLY THEY HAS SPENT 15 DAYS. THEY SAID IT WAS BECASUE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE REAR HEATER CORE.*AK

NHTSA #: 10105717

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