Faults:

The engine blew up at 60,000 due to Toyota Engine Sludge problem. Paid to have a re-built engine installed. The engine blew-up again at 120,000 miles. The dealer wants $4000 to fix again.

General Comments:

Other than the engine blowing up every 60,000 miles it has been a good van.

Faults:

I had very little go wrong with the 99 Sienna. Mechanically, I don't think I ever had to replace anything. I owned it for 5 years, just had the oil changed regularly, the AC needed some work a year ago, gave it some new brake pads and that's it.

General Comments:

This is a great van. I used it heavily lugging 4 children around. Took the back seats out and folded the middle row down to take the dogs to the vets. Loved the luggage rack. Good sound system. Very comfortable seats. Great gas mileage. I loved this van so much that I traded it in for a 2004 Sienna!

Faults:

Spare Tyre winch had to be replaced.

Passenger window got stuck -- but, probably due to kid playing with up/down buttons.

General Comments:

Its mini-van, and drives like one. Handles like a big boat, but then, it's a mini-van.

Very comfortable, and great for long trips with the extended family.

Extremely reliable -- no mechanical issues whatsoever -- now up to 130,000k (81,000 miles). I guess its that famous Toyota reliability, just like my old 86 Camry.

Faults:

The power door once wouldn't operate but the dealer took care of that by cleaning the electric contacts and greasing the runner at about 30,000 miles.

An idiot light on the dash tells me that I need to check my tire pressure even though all tires have correct pressure. This light has been lying to me since about the year 2001 but it doens't worry me enought to fix it.

There is a slight rattling sound, very faint, coming from behind the instrument panel. Something is vibrating in there against something else.

General Comments:

I bought this minivan with all the bells and whistles (air cond., cd player, sunroof, leather, alloy wheels, etc. The engine is a good performer and has plenty of passing power. The power seats, the engine, none of that stuff has failed.

I am the original owner and have only been to the dealership a few times to fix the problems that I have mentioned. However, the idiot light came back as a problem, after the warranty period. Nothing about this vehicle warrants serious concern.

All in all, this has been a trouble-free vehicle. I have changed the oil about every 4,000 miles. It doesn't leak or burn oil. It has always gotten me safely to my destination. I was motivated to write this review after reading a bad review of a Sienna. If I wanted to replace this minivan, I certainly would do so with either another Toyota, and I would consider a Honda too because their seats can be removed a little easier.

I bought the Sienna for its 5 star rating in crash tests and for the Toyota reputation for reliability. I never crashed it so I can't speak to that, but as far as reliability I'd guess I made the right choice. Besides oil changes and tires, I really haven't spent a penny on it and have stayed out of the dealership fairly well.