2001 Toyota Sienna Problems: 3 Known Issues

2001 Toyota Sienna Problems: 3 Known Issues | Au7o

NHTSA Recalls13 recalls

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Campaign #14V74300019/11/2014

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Campaign #16V39600002/06/2016

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.

Campaign #14V27300022/05/2014

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.

Campaign #13V42900026/09/2013

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Campaign #09V22300015/06/2009

+ 8 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Toyota Sienna problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2001 Toyota Sienna has 3 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: U140E/U140F 4-Speed Automatic Slipping, Flare, and No-Movement from Valve Body Wear, 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 Oil Gelling (Engine Sludge) from PCV/Oil-Return Restriction, Steering Intermediate Shaft U-Joint Corrosion Causing Notchy Steering and Dash-Area Clunk. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Toyota Sienna reliable?

The 2001 Toyota Sienna has 3 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: U140E/U140F 4-Speed Automatic Slipping, Flare, and No-Movement from Valve Body Wear and 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 Oil Gelling (Engine Sludge) from PCV/Oil-Return Restriction. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Sienna problems?

Repair costs for known Toyota Sienna issues range from $180 to $5,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, U140E/U140F 4-Speed Automatic Slipping, Flare, and No-Movement from Valve Body Wear, typically costs $1,400-$3,800 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1998-2003 Toyota Sienna U140E/U140F 4-Speed Automatic Slipping, Flare, and No-Movement from Valve Body Wear?

The XL10 Sienna used the Aisin U140E (FWD) / U140F (AWD) four-speed automatic. On high-mileage vans the valve body bores and shift solenoids wear, line pressure falls off, and the transaxle first flares between gears, then slips, then loses forward movement entirely. Shift soleno… Repairs typically run $1,400-$3,800. Severity: high.

What is the 1998-2003 Toyota Sienna 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 Oil Gelling (Engine Sludge) from PCV/Oil-Return Restriction?

First-generation XL10 Siennas built with the 3.0L 1MZ-FE V6 are part of Toyota's well-documented oil-gelling population. Restricted crankcase ventilation and undersized oil drain-back passages let oil oxidize into a gel that blocks the pickup screen and oil galleries. Owners repo… Repairs typically run $900-$5,500. Severity: high.

What is the 1998-2010 Toyota Sienna Steering Intermediate Shaft U-Joint Corrosion Causing Notchy Steering and Dash-Area Clunk?

The intermediate shaft that links the steering column to the rack carries a U-joint that rusts and binds on older Siennas, especially in salt states. The result is a stiff, notchy, catchy feel just off center and a clunk or pop from the dash/firewall area on turn-in or over bumps… Repairs typically run $180-$500. Severity: medium.

2001 Toyota Sienna Problems: 3 Known Issues

All 3 Known Issues

1998-2003 Toyota Sienna: U140E/U140F 4-Speed Automatic Slipping, Flare, and No-Movement from Valve Body Wear#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

1998-2003 Toyota Sienna: 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 Oil Gelling (Engine Sludge) from PCV/Oil-Return Restriction#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

1998-2010 Toyota Sienna: Steering Intermediate Shaft U-Joint Corrosion Causing Notchy Steering and Dash-Area Clunk#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

Research This Issue

Other Toyota Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Toyota Sienna problems?

Is the Toyota Sienna reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Sienna problems?

What is the 1998-2003 Toyota Sienna U140E/U140F 4-Speed Automatic Slipping, Flare, and No-Movement from Valve Body Wear?

What is the 1998-2003 Toyota Sienna 1MZ-FE 3.0L V6 Oil Gelling (Engine Sludge) from PCV/Oil-Return Restriction?

What is the 1998-2010 Toyota Sienna Steering Intermediate Shaft U-Joint Corrosion Causing Notchy Steering and Dash-Area Clunk?