Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2000 Toyota Sienna's engine was rebuilt last February/March 2004 due to engine oil gel. Had an oil change at Toyota dealership last June. Had 82,500 maintenance done at another Toyota dealership during the first week of September. It caught fire. Droplets of fire seen falling underneath the engine. Neighbor tried to extinguish the fire but to no avail. Called 911 and they extinguished the fire.
I drove my van from work to my house which is around 18 miles. When I got home I could see smoke coming from under the hood. I quickly got out and pulled my baby out of her car seat. Within a few mins the smoke increased by a lot and I called 911. By the time they arrived the van was completely engulfed in flames, it was completely gutted by the time they put out the fire.
The engine leaks oil at valve covers. They have been replaced. Still leaks. And a lot of sludge builds up= on pump screen. Blew engine!! Had engine replaced. Same thing happening. I am on social security. &3 and can not afford thousands on this vehicle.. Please help@+!!
I am not sure of dates, but our Toyota dealer tried to blame us for the "smoking" problem due to the lack of oil changes. We did not slack off on the oil changes, and now they admit that the "smoking" problem is due to bad engine design, or whatever. We have had the van in for repairs several times, but I am not sure of dates, or how much we have spent. The problem has started again, and this time, not only is it smomking, and reads low oil (on the dip stick), but we are now going thru a quart of oil per tank of gas!!! I am about to deal with Toyota, and see what they can/will do for us. They originally claimed we had to send them all kinds of info, now, what I am reading, is that they have (not quite) admitted the problem is due to a manufactureing defect, and they claim they will fix it. Toyota has replaced our motor. …
Noticed check engine light on and smoke on cold start up. Called local Toyota dealer and was told this would be a major "fix" and would cost at least $3,000.00 to repair. After doing a google search I realized my Sienna most likely had oil gel and called tmsusa in california to report it. Was told to take van to a local dealer and have diagnosed. Took it in the very next day and oil gel was confirmed (in writing). Was then told that the van was 90 days past coverage and it would cost $6,200.00 for a new engine. I tried to show documents of my oil changes and service manager said it would do no good. I refuse to drive this van for fear that the engine will seize! I am requesting that a second investigation be made into these vehicles. The class action lawsuit did no good for the Toyota consumers! …
Engine oil light came on when driving, when taken to dealer, service rep. Indicated this would potentially be a very expensive repair. After a quick search on the internet revealed an "issue" with this engine and a call to Toyota national and some "discussions" with the dealer the car was taken for "desludging". Proof of oil changes had to be provided, much discussion about how it was "our fault". Since we are both engineers and typically keep our vehicles a very long time, this was insulting. Van was returned, but oil light came on within 10 miles. It then stayed for quite a while (I think they said it had at least 6 oil changes). No offer of rental car was made. After it was returned within a month it blew a hole through the valve cover (mechanic forget to torque one of the head/cam bolts, bolt backed off and washer blew a small hole in valve cover).oil/smoke everywhere. …
Sludge in the engine. Van is in the shop as we speak. Dealer says the repairs will be covered but who is going to cover our lose when we try to sell this van with the pile of crap for an engine? I sat in the office of the service manager and listen to him side-step the problem unitl I could take no more. I then questioned him about any other issues with a 2000 Sienna and he looked me right in the eyes and said no. No, until I questioned him about the addtional drive train problem at which time his response was, "oh, um, yeah we did just recieve a letter an that". Toyota and the dealers should be held accountable like a low-life con artist that swindle and scam people. I paid my van off three weeks ago and I'm sitting here looking at a worthless document that is the title. …
Oil gelling related damage-2000 Toyota Sienna w/v6 with oil gelling. This engine was repaired under Toyota's special repair program. The issue is that the repair does not include enough parts to properly return the unit into service without compramising the main and rod bearings, as well as the rear and front seals. I am now faced with a $1400 repair bill for the rear main seal at 65K miles. I beleive that this portion of the engine was comprimised do to lack of oil casued by the oil gelling. The screen was 85% blocked and since the main and rod bearings are the first to be fed oil from the pump, they have experienced accelerated wear. I base this on my discovery when at the dealer. I am an ase certified automotive technician with engine speciality ratings, so I can speak as an expert on this matter. …
Check engine light has come on for months and was told that it was an o2 sensor and not a severe problem, just won't get as good gas mileage. Vehicle now smokes upon start up and is losing too much oil too quickly. Toyota said to take vehicle to a Toyota dealer and have them diagnose the problem. Came back that the engine had "gel" and would cost $2700.00 to clean and repair. Toyota district service manager denied the claim. Said warranty only good for 8 years from date vehicle was purchased. Now waiting to hear from case manager to see if she will o.k. The repairs to be paid for by Toyota. We bought the Sienna used in 2004 after the TSB was already established but were not made aware of this "gelling" problem. Just had oil changed in November 2008 and now the oil level is barely registering on the stick. Only 6 weeks after the last oil change!!! Car is still at the Toyota dealership.
The engine in my 2000 Toyota Sienna has a defect that causes engine oil jelling and leads to a total failure of the engine. The problem first occurred at 38000 miles while still under the new car warranty. Toyota fixed the problem by cleaning the sludge from the value area of the engine but this did not eliminate the problem. At 68000, there was a complete failure of the engine that was a result of engine oil gelling. A Toyota technician who inspected the car stated that there is scaring of the internal engine parts that indicate a history of oil starvation. The oil starvation problem that caused the engine failure is due to oil gelling problem. Toyota has agreed to extend the warranty on my vehicle to cover this problem for a period of eight years with unlimited mileage, however, they are now refusing to honor this warranty.
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Engine complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Toyota Sienna, 19% of the model year's 363 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Sienna engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Toyota Sienna, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Sienna engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.