10th Jun 2002, 20:50

We were going to buy a 2000 Toyota Sienna XLE with only 31,700 miles until I checked under the oil fill cap and discovered black gritty/sludge. The engine seems to run fine, but after all the comments we have read I decided to not take any chances and took the car by a Toyota dealer to check it out. This dealership is not the one selling the car and they quickly said it is sludge. They said that it "probably" would be covered under warranty, but their district manager would have to approve the repair. Now understand that we had proof that the car had oil changes at every 5000 miles (found all the documentation the previous owner left in the glove box). Some of the oil changes were even done by the Toyota dealer that said it is sludge and would need repair.

Needless to say, we promptly returned the van to the dealer trying to sell it and told them everything the Toyota dealer had said (the dealerships are across the street from one another).

We loved the van, but are scared about possible future sludge buildup even if Toyota repairs the engine this time.

21st Dec 2002, 05:49

I own a Toyota Sienna CE 2000. I had receive a notification about the problem of possible oil sludge in the mail. It is true that Toyota recommends oil change every 5,000 miles on this particular model. I have a lifetime oil change from the dealer, so I get the oil change every 3,000 miles. Toyota is a very reliable company and make excellent vehicles. This is my third Toyota. Previously I had an 83 Toyota Corolla which had 185,000 miles on it, it got into an accident and was beyond repair. I have an 91 Corolla with 280,000 miles on it. If you perform the regular maintenance on the vehicle, you should not have problems.

17th Feb 2003, 15:42

I found my Sienna to be the most unreliable auto I have ever owned. The engine was sludged, the ABS did not function properly, the sliding doors stuck and Toyota blew me off on all of these problems. I dumped it before I was out of warranty. Traded it. Check out used vans carefully. Go to a mechanic that will pull the valve cover for you first if you really want it.

1st Dec 2003, 23:58

I bought my 2000 Sienna CE brand new, around at 5500 miles my right window switch went out, took six trips to a local dealer to get it replaced, at around 32000 miles Cd player started skipping occasionally, brought to the same dealer, they said it might be due to dust, but if it gets worse let us know. This event they did not document. At about 38000 miles the CD player stopped working, I brought the van back to same dealer, they said you are out of warranty, can't help. Talked to corporate Toyota, they were nice to talk to, but no help.. I think they make the products so they start falling apart right at or after warranty expiration.. wish you all Toyota owners the best.

31st Dec 2003, 13:58

I own a 1999 Toyota Sienna with 89,500 miles on it. I bought it new. I change the oil every three months and the average mileage in that time is 5,000 miles. When I was younger, I changed the oil on my cars myself and always did it at 1500 miles so I was a little hesitant going to 5,000 between changes. But, it has worked out fine. My engine runs as strong as new and I don't have sludge problems. I always go to the dealer and they use Toyota brand oil. I would think that sludge problems are a function of the type of oil used and not the engine itself.

14th Jan 2004, 08:20

My dealer says to change the oil in the Sienna every 3000 miles unless you are going with synthetic oil which can withstand high engine temperatures better, then he says 5000 is OK. He says in no condition should you go to 7500 miles like the manual says you can with these engines, no matter how you drive. I have heard that the 2004 models have eliminated the 7500 altogether and are going with a straight 5000 mile interval.

20th Feb 2004, 09:26

I read a report from Amy. Engine Rebuilders Assoc. that says once an engine has sludged and been cleaned you need to change oil every 1,000 miles to prevent it from happening again. Be careful if buying used. You don't know if it sludged. Will vin. records show this?

16th Jun 2004, 14:45

Many of these are not made in Japan. The Sienna was made at the Kentucky plant and now is made in Indiana. There are also US locations for the Camry and other models.

11th Nov 2004, 21:16

Typically the engines are made in Japan and installed in US factories.

21st Dec 2005, 19:23

Sludge can be built in any engine at anytime. It is under the conditions in which one drives, and the maintenance one provides. When one drives ones car at high RPMs oil is rushed to various mechanics of the engine, i.e. cam shaft, pistons...etc. Oil works like batter, the more it is mixed the thicker it gets. All oil eventually becomes thick resulting in sludge. Check the Internet, and you will find that majority of cars have a sludge problem, because you must consider the driver not the car. A Van is not meant to be floored and driven at high RPMs. Use the car for its purpose, and drive it for what it is made for and you will not have these problems. I have a 2000 sienna LE with 99,000 miles, and it runs superb. the engine runs like it is new, I have no sludge problems, nor do I have any significant problems. The van runs great if you drive it the way you are suppose to just like any other car. In sienna's defense, I strongly recommend it.

16th Nov 2006, 14:41

I too had an issue with a 2000 Sienna. I am a mechanic and also ASE certified, so I got less than the runaround that most had. After speaking in detail to the Toyota Tech, the conclusion is that the wrong temperature thermostat was installed. They installed a lower temp version in order to lower the emissions for the engine to pass US EPA for this year. It had to do with the NOX's. Lowering the engine temp caused the oil to stay cool enough and not allow the moisture to burn off the oil. Toyota rebuilt the engine and also installed a hotter thermostat and I have been watching the engine. I have also switched to Mobile One also.

13th Jan 2007, 19:08

I have a 2000 Sienna Van. I change the oil myself every 3,000 miles and ALWAYS use Toyota oil filters and Castrol oil. The van has 142,000 miles and NO sign of sludge. I just spent $650.00 getting an engine light fixed. They replaced the temp sensor and 2 oxygen sensors. No more problems. I will say it really grinds me to see they put a junky Delco radio in my Toyota. The CD player ate a brand new CD and now doesn't work. They want $300.00 bucks to fix it and then I still have an American made DELCO radio. NO THANKS! I have owned 9 Toyotas. I must say the Sienna van has been more disappointing than any other Toyota that I have owned. It is still a great vehicle.