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Toyota Sienna Maintenance and Repair (2003 earlier) - READ ONLY

3687 messages,  Last post on Jul 18, 2007 at 11:32 AM

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Messages Page 207 of 369

#2060 of 3687 1999 SiennaTransmission & Power Train Warranty by armm753

Jul 21, 2002 (10:16 am)

I need some assistance please.
 
I am the owner of a '99 Toyota Sienna that was purchased new on 5/17/99. In 1/01, I was transferred to work in Germany. On 5/27/02 with 42,254 miles on the powertrain, the transmission went out. After having it towed 6 hrs to my home to the local German dealership; I was told the transmission was gone. I was given two options by the dealership: 1) Pay up front $5,000.00 for repairs or 2) Have Toyota USA contact Toyota Germany for authorization to pay for all these repairs.
 
5/02, contacted customer service 800-331-4331, given a case number and told to pay for these services up front; submit all of this info to Toyota Torrance CA for a board to review for "potential" reimbursement.
 
7/02, contacted Toyota customer service again and they are still saying the same as what was told to me in 5/02.
 
I've contacted my Congressman (I'm a US citizen, a Federal, Dept of Defense employee serving my country); Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission and National Highway Transportation and Safey Commission for their assistance.
 
The German dealership has replaced transmissions in two Siennas for Americans in this area. One was placed at no cost to the owner. I've spoken to him and he owns a 2000 Sienna and his transmission went out at 18,000. I'm still trying to locate the other owner.
 
Toyota is stating that due to my vehicle being in a location other than USA or Canada; they don't have to honor my warranty.
 
If someone has experienced the same problems with Toyota, please send me an email to ARMM753hotmail.com.
 
I really need your assistance.

#2061 of 3687 Dual AC on Sienna by deepan

Jul 22, 2002 (6:37 am)

Youre correct. I was told at the dealership that it has only 1 compressor for sure and possibly two evaporators. also the rear a/c will not work without the front a/c switch pushed in (and fan speed set to anything otherthan off)

#2062 of 3687 armm by cliffy1

Jul 22, 2002 (2:59 pm)

It is correct that Toyota is not obligated to honor the warranty outside North America. This is actually stated in your original warranty book that came with the van. Your van's warranty is covered by Toyota Motor Sales, US and technically not Toyota itself. I know this is an odd distinction, but I believe it is a common practice in the automotive industry.
 
Having said that, you will *probably* be able to get the work covered, due to your status. I don't know how to advise you as to how to go about this, but I know it is done with some regularity. I used to work at a dealership with a guy who's wife was stationed in Germany and he told me about the process involved in warranty claims. He said it was slow and frustrating, but customers did eventually get their repairs covered.
 
Good luck.

#2063 of 3687 child seat floor anchor broken by deepan

Jul 23, 2002 (12:34 pm)

the screw on child seat floor anchor (behind the 2nd row seat driver side) on my friends van broke cant remove the broken screw. Is there any way to get it out like drilling or something and hopefully not damage the van. or is there a way that another self piercing screw can be inserted.

#2064 of 3687 2002 Sienna Smell - Water Leak Problem by asennap1

Jul 23, 2002 (7:58 pm)

just got our sienna 7 months ago. dont think this is a typical AC smell problem. wondering if anyone else has seen this problem. There is a really mildewy strong smell inside the van. found where the problem is... if you take the drivers side floor mat hook out of its anchor hole.. there is lots of water in there. it is soaking into the carpet. also, on the passenger side if you take the floor mat up and push on the carpet you can hear water squishing around under the carpet. anyone else having this problem?? this to me is a SERIOUS problem in that after being in the van for 20 minutes our clothes actually keep the odor - its bad.
 
taking it to my local toyota dealer tomorrow AM but i have a very bad feeling about this.

#2065 of 3687 AC recharge by mrfong1

Jul 24, 2002 (8:12 am)

I've noticed a slight decrease in performance in my 2000XLE's air conditioner. I figure it is simply a need for a recharge in compressor solvent. Has anyone used the kits available at auto parts stores to do this?

#2066 of 3687 Sticky sliding door on Packer fan by gopackgo

Jul 24, 2002 (11:49 am)

Dear Packer fan (#1948),
 
  I had the same problem. I tried washing and re-lubing with lithium grease to no avail. I brought it in for a 35K service check and mentioned it to the technician. When I picked it up, the door opened like new. I called the dealership and got the fixer on the phone. The problem? Well, one of my kids spilled some 7-Up on the floor. It dried to a tacky, clear finish. So, if you managed to wrench the door open, you could see nothing. When you closed it and it sat for a while the "glue" set up again. A toast to the man, all around! (Even though he was a Bengals fan....)

#2067 of 3687 Sticky sliding door - gopackgo by gopackers

Jul 29, 2002 (8:32 am)

Thanks gopackgo. The door has been good all summer, I guess my kids just haven't spilled any sticky drinks in a while! If it happens again I will try a good cleaning and see if it helps.

#2068 of 3687 What do you think my Toyota Used Car dealer will say? by jhulet

Jul 29, 2002 (1:51 pm)

Hello,
 
My wife and I purchased our first minivan on July 24th, 2002, Last Wednesday. After our rather good experience with our 1994 Camry with 147,000+ miles on it, we really wanted a Sienna.
 
We didn't want to invest $27,000 for a new Sienna so we searched for a nice used one. We found one at your local Toyota Dealership here in Traverse City, Michigan ( Traverse Motors, Inc.)
 
It was a 1999 Toyota Sienna in perfect cosmetic condition and ran and drove smooth as silk. It has 68,000 miles on it. We drove it off the lot last wednesday, July 24th, 2002. The next day the 25th, thurdsay we began to notice white/blue smoke on startup, not always the first of the day, but at different times during the course of the day. I called my salesman at first sight. His first thought and suggestion was moisture in the exhaust and was wondering if it was blue or just white. Its blue & white and a few times "plumed" out the exhause and over the van and down the windshield, viewed from the drivers seat! No it doesn't do it all the time, on all startups, but most. And its not as bad sometimes as others...it varies.
 
Anyway...my salesman told me to give the service department a call and schedule an appointment to have it looked any anyway - to be safe. This was Thurday and it was going to take a week, until this coming thurday to get it in.
 
IN HE MEAN TIME, I did some deeper research on the vehicle in general and thats were the ulcer started! I was jaw a gape finding all the talk about engine gelling/sludge, something I had never seen or heard of before, and surely never expected Toyota to roll something out the door with any major problems like this... I was in shock.
 
So, I purchased the 1999 Sienna with 68,000 miles on it USED. I understand that I am the second owner per the title. I notified the Toyota dealership the second day of ownership to bring to light what the vehicle was doing... It is supposed to have a 30 day/3000 mile warranty from the dealership. I have no PAST HISTORY of maintence of oil changes......
 
What do you all think they will tell me Thurday the 2nd of August when I bring the Sienna in to get checked out? =)
 
Jason
Traverse City, Mi

#2069 of 3687 jason by cliffy1

Jul 29, 2002 (3:53 pm)

If it is what you think it is, you should be able to get relief under what is called an SPA. It is my understanding that Toyota has been pretty generous when it comes to used car buyers. My guess is that your dealer will coordinate a claim with Toyota. If they don't contact Toyota yourself. Check the Toyota response topic to this issue for contact information.

Messages Page 207 of 369

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