Toyota Sienna Service and Repair

Black car by Rinat Aidarkhan used under Unsplash License
A superb choice for a minivan, the Toyota Sienna is a solid investment. Smaller than its competitors, but large enough to satisfy the need for extra space, it’s an extremely popular vehicle for families as the 3 rows of seats provide ample room.
The majority of the Sienna minivans on the road today are equipped with a 3.5 or a 3.3 liter V6 engine which has seen little change during the 16 years they were in production. As of 2021, the Sienna is available only as a hybrid and comes with a 4 cylinder 2.5 liter. This engine is matched with either 2 (2 wheel drive) or 3 (all wheel drive) “hybrid” electric motors that effectively drive the front and rear wheels. This design is a departure from the standard automotive drive train which utilizes drive shafts and transfer cases in the case of the AWD, named “Electronic On Demand All Wheel Drive”. This post 2020 Sienna is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, has an upgraded audio system and navigation, traffic and weather are integrated.
Highlights of driving a Toyota Sienna are reliability and safety. The Sienna has earned good safety ratings amongst other minivans in almost all the categories. Their reliability stems from the engine and transmission which if maintained regularly and serviced by technicians who are familiar with Toyotas, can be driven for many years and miles with relatively little need for repair. Another huge benefit of owning and driving a Toyota Sienna is they are known to maintain their value and have one of the best resale values on the market due in part to brand loyalty; once you’ve owned a Toyota you’re likely to buy another!
Not too many things go wrong on the Toyota Sierra. Although, a common concern is malfunctioning electric sliding doors, they tend to take a lot of wear and tear. If your Sienna is having problems with the electric sliding doors, don’t wait, bring it in to your auto garage as soon as you can. With continued use, an improperly operating sliding door can do additional damage to costly electrical components. Why not let our trained, nationally recognized ASE certified technicians have a look.
A few other concerns to watch out for are “Check engine light” occurrences which often indicate a problem with the emissions evaporative system but could be fuel system related as well. The fault tracing and repair for these type of problems should be undertaken by an auto garage with experience in testing and inspection of these systems. We commonly see the oxygen sensor, it’s also an emissions control, failing on Toyota Sienna minivans which have over 60,000 miles. Driving with a weak or failed oxygen sensor will trigger the check engine light and can cause the vehicle to run poorly, using more or less fuel than required which subsequently can cause damage to other parts in the system. If you suspect you have a problem with your Sienna’s oxygen sensor, take it in and have it tested and repaired as soon as possible to avoid damage to other costly components.
To avoid an engine sludge build up, common in Toyota Sienna engines, have the vehicle serviced every 5,000 miles or sooner, changing the engine oil and filter at that time. Also recommended, is replacing the fluids in the transmission and transfer case (AWD models) every 3-5 years. In addition to periodic brake and suspension inspections which are advised on large capacity passenger vans like the Sienna, the engine coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid (if not equipped with electric steering) should be tested annually and replaced when needed. In the Bay Area, because we have hills, intense traffic and our close proximity to the ocean, the brake fluid may need replacement every couple years, the engine coolant and power steering fluid will last longer, typically up to 60,000.
So if you own a Toyota Sienna or are thinking of buying one, Berkeley Bob’s is the perfect auto service and repair for you. Our talented, trained, nationally recognized ASE technicians have over 30 years combined experience working on Toyota Sienna. We know these cars. Also if you are looking to buy a used Toyota Sienna, we can perform a pre-purchase inspection which gives you a window into the health of the vehicle before you buy. So next time you’re in need of service or repair, give the experts at Berkeley Bob’s a call and our friendly customer service staff will assist in answering your questions and can reserve a time for your Toyota Sienna. You can also schedule an appointment online if you prefer.