2005 Toyota Sienna Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system
  6
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  1
• Engine
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  719%
• 25k–50k
  411%
• 50k–75k
  616%
• 75k–100k
  411%
• 100k–150k
  1232%
• 150k+
  411%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, opened the hood, and added additional oil. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed him that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

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.

While driving on 4 lane highway, I began to smell burning rubber, then noticed that the battery discharge indicator light came on. Found that the serpentine belt driving the alternator and compressor had been shredded and was hanging to the ground. Upon a closer look, the crankshaft pulley had failed (it had come apart). It appeared that the outer ring had separated from the rubber inner ring of the pulley and the outer ring had become misaligned. The misalignment appeared to have caused the serpentine belt failure. It also caused damage to the timing belt cover, the timing belt and the power steering belt. The battery light came on because of the failed serpentine belt. Fortunately, I maintained power steering because the power steering belt had not completely failed when I pulled off the highway. …

The traction control system is activating improperly. The vehicle's anti-slip indicator warning light illuminates; an alarm sounds; the ABS system activates; and the vehicle sometimes loses power. This happens on dry roads, most commonly either going downhill or else on a curve, even a mild one. This happens above 20 MPH. When it happens, the combination of alerts and sensations are very startling to the driver, creating a dangerous situation. It has occurred while trying to accelerate to merge onto a highway. This was exceptionally dangerous as the vehicle began losing power and vehicles behind us almost hit us from behind as we were slowing instead of increasing speed. From my internet searches (including NHTSA complaints), this appears to be a recurring issue with this make/model/year range. This has been happening for the past 3 months. …

Crankshaft pulley safety recall - 2005 Toyota Sienna -recall # 11V539000 more vehicles possibly affected than stated in recall notice. Dealer stated VIN did not fall in range of recall, although the defective crankshaft pulley part stamped with mark has been identified on my vehicle. Burning smell related to drive belt while driving and abnormal engine noise. Upon replacing new drive belt, the crankshaft pulley was inspected and shown to fail due the inadequate adhesive stated in the recall. Notified dealer, called Toyota representative and opened case#1611070038. Both dealer and Toyota refused recall since VIN was not in range. Toyota representative stated no photos or evidence were required to show the failed crankshaft pulley. Please used the details and photos attached for odi# 10924632

My car has the exact symptoms for a recall involving a crankshaft pulley, yet my VIN is apparently not involved with that recall. My engine model 3mz-fe is involved with the recall yet Toyota service dealerships and Toyota customer experience both say it isn't. Currently my car is not safe to drive according to the service dealership and a fee of roughly $800 awaits me. I do not understand how my make, model, model year, engine model, can all be related to a certain recall, and yet be told that my car does not qualify for that recall. I've been a loyal Toyota customer for years recommending friends and family. Extremely disappointed, and most likely won't purchase another Toyota.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated the vehicle abnormally accelerate as she had just taken the gear shift out of park.. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileage was 62,005. ....updated 06/18/12 the consumer stated one month before the accident, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was inspected, but a problem was never found. The vehicle idled rough and it was noisy. Updated 06/22/12

~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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started to lose power for a few seconds and the ESC warning indicator flashed. The contact stated that the failure occurred every day when exiting the highway for approximately six months. The vehicle was taken to team Toyota of princeton (2871 us-1, lawrenceville, nj, 08648) to be diagnosed, but they could not replicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 161,388.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stability control off warning light illuminated and engine would surge, the rpms would decrease and the vehicle would jerk to the left. The contact indicated that the failure would occur for approximately 10 seconds. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Sienna years