8th Jun 2001, 10:36

50k on 2000 Avalon XLS. Oil changes EVERY 7000 miles. Sludge!!! Toyota won't look at oil change receipts, my fault they say.

5th Jul 2001, 10:04

1997 Toyota Camry V6XLE engine went out at 49,000 miles, Toyota refuses to fix under the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty - I produced maintenance receipts, they said due to having the oil changed at non Toyota places such as Jiffy Lube and Valvoline, they are trying to pass the blame.

20th Jul 2001, 21:52

2000 Avalon with 35,000 miles, got smoke from the tail pipe on start up, took it to the dealer - sludge he points out! Offered to break down the engine at a cost of $3,500 to me! Yes, I change my oil properly! Use Mobil I, used it for 15 years! In a 72 Nova hot rod, 88 Bonneville, 84 Cavalier, 92 Honda Accord, 92 Geo, and 96 Neon all over 100,000 miles, NO SLUDGE!!! But the Avalon sludges and it's "MY" not changing the oil they tell me!

9th Aug 2001, 17:46

Just bought 98 Avalon XLS with 61,000 miles from a used car dealer. Didn't see smoke until a couple of days later. Used car dealer has agreed to repair but am pretty sick to think about spending so much money on what is supposed to be a reliable car.

20th Sep 2001, 13:22

I can't help to think most of these oil sludge comments are written by the SAME PERSON. I have owned Toyotas' for years and have never had an oil sludge problem, plus I know a Toyota mechanic and he says it is total crap, they hardly ever see a sludged up engine and when they do it's always a high mileage engine that did not receive anywhere near regular maintenance. I have seen the same comment made here over and over in Toyota Discussion groups, made by the same lady over and over, it's HOG WASH...

26th Sep 2001, 09:24

I have owned 2 Toyota Avalons and I LOVE them. My first was a 1996 which I had an accident in and totaled. I replaced it with a used 1998 which I have owned for 2 years now.

Within the first 6 months that I owned the 1998 the AC went out. I had bought a warranty which covered the entire cost. I have only had minor problems such as the mirror on the visor breaking.

I will trade this car in very soon for a 2001 Avalon. I have a co-worker who had a 1998 and traded it in on a 2000 last year, and he has nothing but good things to say about it. I also have a family member that just bought a 2001 and they are thrilled with it thus far.

I previously owned a 1980 Toyota Supra and the Toyotas are without a doubt the best cars I have ever owned. I have never had any sludge in any Toyota that I have owned and would HIGHLY recommend the Toyota Avalon to anyone who wants a car that will last.

I feel that with any manufacturers cars you are going to get a lemon every once in a while. When you have mass quantities produced there is bound to be a couple of bad ones. From what I gather in the comments made, it's not the maker of the product, it's the dealer that sold them the car that they are having problems with. If the maker knew of the ongoing problems they were having, they probably would have taken care of it. When buying remember you're not just buying a product, but also a service. They may have the best deal, but not the best service.

23rd Nov 2001, 17:40

We have a 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS. It is the best car we have ever purchased. Now that it is 3 years old, it has 44,000 miles on it and still performes like a brand new one. We change the oil every 3,000 miles, using a synthetic oil (Castrol Syntec). The only problem we have had was the driver-side window. It was making a creaky noise when coming down, but a trip to the dealer solved the problem ($150) If you want a really dependable full-size upscale sedan, you'll find yourself driving an Avalon (XLS with extra options) We paid $36,000 w/o tax which has every available option on the XLS model.

25th Nov 2001, 18:13

I am glad to see others having the oil sludge problem. I take my car to the same dealer every time, and I return to have my oil changed when they recommend it. All of the maintenence records are in their computer, they performed every service, at intervals that they recommended, and they still claim that the problem is improper maintenence. I don't know how they get away with it. They are basically saying that the service they performed was sub-par, but somehow, it's my fault? I have never experienced a problem like this with any other of my previous Toyotas. I am deeply disappointed.

8th Dec 2001, 02:50

You guys are freaking me out... 20K miles on a 2001 Toyota Sienna, puff of white smoke on start up. Determined that this is burning oil since I have no leaks and the oil is diminishing pretty fast (1 1/2 quarts in the last 1K miles). I have not gotten to the dealer yet. Wish me luck.

17th Jan 2002, 23:54

My 2000 Sienna has the white smoke and apparently sludge has formed at 26,000 miles. I only use synthetic oil and filters and change both regularly.

I noticed the white smoke on Monday, and found I was two quarts low. It had been almost three weeks since the last oil change. Maybe Toyota's need oil changes every 100 miles?

Does anyone know how to get the sludge out without an engine overhaul? I used an engine flush before changing oil again this afternoon, but it's still smoking.

I've read that Toyota has begun using a pressure flush machine to clean sludge out of its engines. Anyone try it yet?

25th Jan 2002, 11:22

I have a 99 Camry with engine sludge too. Your Toyota dealership is very familiar with sludge, since so many are coming back that way, and the 1-800 national people are not surprised either - the newer engines are worse than the older ones, due to design changes Toyota made to them - mine is ruined at 45k miles with oil changes per the manual. See this website for more info. http://www.yotarepair.com

27th Feb 2002, 10:20

My 98 Avalon made it to 57,600 miles with absolutely no problems. A great car then! Then the oil usage and smoke appeared. Corner garage that changed the oil every 3000 to 3500 miles said it was sludged and the engine had an expected life of maybe 3,000 miles left. The garage knew it was not their fault. (Castrol oil and Wix filter every time). Toyota dealer kissed me off as fast as they could. Garage is going through a series of engine flushes to see if it helps. Screw Toyota.

22nd May 2002, 15:02

I have just purchased a 1996 Toyota Avalon with 75,000 miles on it and soon found it to be blowing white smoke at start-up. Did some research and found out about the sludge problem, needless to say I am very upset. The car seems to run well and the oil level has been steady, I really am not sure what I should do. I am curious if anyone has just lived with the smoke and not had engine failure? I went with a Toyota because I have witnessed and heard nothing but good things about them now it appears that my choice was not well made.