Engine

COMMON PROBLEMS: Oil Leaks, Oil Consumption, Rough Idle, Misfires, Carbon Buildup

One common problem in the V6-powered Sienna is oil leaks. Typically, the oil leak is found coming from the valve cover and/or timing cover gaskets. It is not uncommon for these engines to use some oil between oil changes and if you notice a strange odor, it is likely oil that has come into contact with a hot surface. In addition to oil leaks, worn spark plugs and/or voltages affected by the spark plugs can cause problems such as rough idle or misfires. Lastly, some of the Direct Injected Siennas can develop carbon on the intake valves which can cause problems as well.

Transmission

COMMON PROBLEMS: Harsh Shifting, Shudder, Slipping, Delayed Engagement, Fluid Breakdown

A transmission sees a lot of work, especially when a lot of weight is in a vehicle. All that work creates a lot of heat, which is what breaks down the fluid. As the fluid breaks down so does the transmission and it can cause harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping and even the feeling of being delayed when putting the Sienna into gear. Most problems that we encounter with transmissions are the result of old, worn-out fluid.

Power Sliding Doors

COMMON PROBLEMS: Door Won’t Open, Door Sticks, Cable Failure, Motor Wear, Latch Problems

A common repair request from Sienna owners is the power sliding doors. Since these are used frequently, the cables, motors and latches all wear out over time. So a door not opening, a door sticking or error messages on the dash are all common problems with these vans. Driven Auto Care is able to diagnose which part has failed before ordering an entire assembly.

Suspension

COMMON PROBLEMS: Clunking Noise, Worn Struts, Uneven Tire Wear, Steering Vibration, Rough Ride

As a loaded van, your Sienna will be putting a lot of stress on your suspension. Eventually, your struts wear out, causing a bouncy ride. Other suspension parts like bushings and links can start to wear and cause clunking noise as you drive over bumps. We check all of the joints for play when we lift up your van for repair. In addition, we check the tire wear to see how much wear has actually occurred on that component.

Brakes

COMMON PROBLEMS: Squealing, Vibration When Braking, Premature Wear, Grinding, Soft Pedal

Brakes on the Sienna can wear rather fast. For instance, you may hear a squealing noise when your Sienna brakes. We see many cases where a poor brake job was performed in the past. The shake in your brake pedal when braking could be indicative of a warped brake rotor. This can get worse the longer you drive with them. Your brake pedal may feel soft when pressing down on it to stop. This is also another area we would tackle ASAP to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.