Very comfortable seats, great smooth engine (no sludge problems), decent gas mileage (24 mpg on the road), and build quality. First set of tires went 40,000 miles.

The squealing brakes drive me nuts! I had a steering problem that was fixed under warranty. The CD player died after a year.

Overall, I'm happy with the Sienna. I have 42,000 miles on it and have used Mobile 1 since it was new. My main complaint is the squeaky brakes. But I love the sound system!

Similar Products Used:

Three Ford Windstars, Mazda MPV.

Engine is very powerful yet smooth. Very quiet ride (when bumps, things rattle). Good style.

Turning radius is HUGE! It's almost as big as a BUS! Noise coming from the dash board and rear side panels. Break feel is very poor. Breaking power increases exponentially when applied. The Dunlop tires they come with have no traction on snow. Poor head lights. (Replaced with after market bulbs)

I purchased my Sienna brand new in year 2000. It has over 65 000 km on it and fortunately I haven't had the "sludge" engine problem. I believe the reason why Toyota put in Avalon/Lexus engine in 2001 model was to eliminate this engine sludge problem (but I could be wrong). Some of the problems that occured to date: - Driver side power window switch prevented passenger side power window from going up/down. Switch replaced and got rid of the problem. - Sometimes only the first 2 (2 lowest gears) work although the engine has been running for a while. It won't kick into 3rd gear or OD. Travelling 80 km/h at around 3000 RPM. - Clicking noise coming from inside the dash board and more noise coming from the rear side panels. - The luminating ignition key ring never worked. Went to the dealer, talked to the service dept. They told me this lame excuse that they were not sure if they're suppose to light up! They said they'll find out and let me know. Haven't heard from them since and now that my warranty is over, it's going to cost me to get it fixed. My last advice is to find out by asking around which dealer offers their customer the best service after they have purchased their car. Don't just go and buy a car from a dealer that give you the best price unless you know they provide good after service. Just remember, if something goes wrong with your vehicle within the first 36 months or 60 000 km, you know you're going to go back to that dealer!

Similar Products Used:

My first minivan.

good driving experience, nice looking van and drives like a car.

brake problems. Lack of customer service

I have had the sienna CE for close to three years and have no problem until a few month earlier that the rear brake started making noise. I had it checked out and the dealership service rep said there was nothing wrong and "It is the characteristics of sienna.". I told how comd this "Characteristic" did not show up when I bought it. Later, she told me that Toyota is aware of it and there will be a technical bulletin coming up soon to fix this problem. My warrenty is going to run out and she said that the fix only applies to cars under warrenty. I have called Toyota headquarter and they have not answer rather than redirecting back to the dealership. I am wondering if class action lawsuit will get them attention.

Similar Products Used:

NONE. I will not buy Toyota anymore. Maybe Lexus SUV from now on.

I really like the quad seating & ability to take out 1/2 of the back seat. With 3 kids, taking out the back seat gave us plenty of storage room. After test-driving the Odessy, I decided I wouldn't buy the car because it didn't have that feature, looks too basic & costs more than its worth.

We had an unusual & expensive brake repair at about 35,000 miles or so. The biggest concern is my seat having broken in my recent car accident. I was rear ended while waiting for traffic on the freeway. The other car was probably driving 40-60 mph before they hit me. My seat rolled 3 inches backward on the slider, the seat itself reclined back another 90 degree (throwing my head another two feet further back than it should have) & the entire mechanical mechanism of the seat was broken. I am following this up with Toyota.

I thought I loved the van. I loved that the back seat could be divided, all the interior features & the drive. However, I guess in hindsight, we did have some expensive brake repairs (over $1,000) at about 40,000 miles. My car was just totalled in a car accident & I just decided to look at some reviews before contemplating another Sienna. Well I guess I won't because I won't take the chance on the sludge problem. However, I wanted to note that in the accident (was rear ended while waiting for traffic at about 40-60 mph) my seat broke in the accident.

Similar Products Used:

We have had 2 Honda's, but this was our first mini-van. I loved the practicality of the van, but will likely buy an SUV now. Although Toyota has good crash ratings, my seat still broke in my recent ac

Straightforward controls, nice interior, good looks, excellent reliability, easy to handle, holds a lot of people and weight. Strong heat and AC, comfortable seats and fun to drive. We have 84,000+ miles on it with NO PROBLEMS.That's right, NO PROBLEMS. Everyone in the family wants to drive it - I am thinking of a lottery system.

Forget dealers for service - they're too expensive. Use a shop that specializes in Asian vehicles. You'll notice the mechanics own Toyotas, Nissans, etc. themselves. They've been great at doing a thorough job and are pleasant to deal with. One shop near me was voted the best in the area by Cartalk. Buy parts online. They're about 70% cheaper (I use Jay Marks Toyota). I've heard about the sludge problem and believe me, Toyota is not alone. If you have a sludge problem, don't fool around with your dealer. Go to your state Consumer Affairs Commission, or start a class action lawsuit. Toyota of Japan is the honorable company, not the Toyota dealer or distributor. Change your oil with 100% synthetic like Mobil 1 and your PCV valve every 6,000 miles. That's a good rule of thumb for every car made today. All newer cars are running hotter, an unpleasant side effect of meeting stricter emission guidelines, fuel management issues, greater demand for accessories, etc. "Oil is cheaper than engines."

The Toyota van has been a trmendous asset to me and my family. It has convinced me that it is the best AMERICAN MADE minivan (Georgetown, Kentucky). Most other minivans and/or parts are manufactured in places like Canada and Central America. The Sienna's V6, four cam engine is a superbly smooth and sophisticated piece of engineering. The gas mileage is excellent and its ability to manage the hectic traffic here in the DC area is excellent. We got the LE package: Captains chairs, dual AC & heat, upgrade everything, etc.

Similar Products Used:

I've driven every kind of car in my (sigh) 32 years of driving. SUV's, family sedans, econo-boxes, French, German, American, etc. The Sienna ranks as second in my book. The other was a Lexus.

Peppy, looks good. Comfortable passenger seat. 12V slave in the rear is a nice feature.

Room in the back. No luggage space. Van too short. Brakes squeal and sqawk a lot!

Our first van. We are leasing it from the place where we have gotten other vehicles (5) We always got a decent deal before now. Shottenkirk really bent us over the table on this one. Their service sucks. I brought the van to them to get the rear brakes looked at and they told me over the phone that they wouldn't charge me anything because of "customer loyalty" They are so full of sh**. They charged me $35 to look at the van and then told me that there was nothing wrong with the brakes.... Wait, it gets better. When I looked at my bill, it said that there was nothing wrong with the front brakes! But also at the top of the page where it tells the mechanics what to look it, it said REAR BRAKES! Neanderthals! As for the van, we think that there is far too little room in the back for adults. Right now we really don't need it for adults but it would be nice to have more room. I would also like to have more options.... We paid quite a lot of money for this van and would have liked to get our money's worth. Now I have to keep this piece of sh** for 9 years in order to get my money back. I think that the next Van we get will be either a Town and Country or a Odyssey.

Similar Products Used:

Dodge Caravan - Good van! Toyota Sienna - Bad van!

0

sludge

sludge

Good pickup, drives well. Looks good for a van.

Brakes always a problem. Replaced tires way too soon. Doors sticks from inside and outside.

I really like most everything about the van, however, we have had multiple brake problems. I am still within my 36,000 mile warranty, but am very afraid what will happen when it is up. We have had brakes replaces, drums scored, squeaks alot, pulls to the right, struts replaced, pads replaced..you name it, if it involves brakes, it has been replaced. Have had scheduled mainteance. Also had to replace tires at 27,000 miles - doesn't seem right. Was told at the tire place that this van wears tires out very badly and quickly. Dealership has taken care of everything, but will not admit that there is a real problem with our brakes (??!!??) Considering the 2004 sienna, but unsure.I have also had the same problems with the door sticking.

Similar Products Used:

Nissan Quest

for me it has great pick up and go.. this is my first mini van and i have been pleasantly surprised at the easy acceleration. roomy front mid is good too. love the seats that remove and slide in back!!

only thing i would change is access to the back seat.. its a tough climb. LOL kinda tight getting back their unless you drop the mid seat down.. then not a prob. so i just let the rear passengers in first. NO biggie. also i guess the $$ on the lease is the SAME as my mortgage! LOL said it was NO car credit history?? lol. well i got it now.. look out toyota! i wanna better deal next time round!! ill be back!!

I have had this van as a lease for 3 yrs now. Always have scheduled tune ups at dealership(i know i pay more that way but i hopefully can throw back into their lap if i have a prob) OVER ALL i love this van!!! no probs!!! i have had a few times the button on side door sticks.. but it resolves self. I worry about the SLUDGE probs i read about but again.. NONE SO FAR. i have 28,000 on it and due for the 30000 tune up. hope i dont find out anything bad then.

Reliabiity, Handling, fit and finish

A little small, back seat is for kids only - too tight for adults

I have had this van for 3 years and have put on 155,000 KM. Only repair was a broken headlamp. Only had to have the breaks done once since I purchased. Lots of power and smooth drive. Had a Dodge caravan before - changed the transmission once and repaired front wiper assembly 3 times. Would recommend the Sienna. I hear the 2004 model is larger. I wish the seat would be more flexible like my previous Caravan. I had excellent service from my Local dealer and am looking at buying another Toyota product (Highlander)

Similar Products Used:

Dodge Caravan, Chevy Venture