Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution: Engine Oil Sludge

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We, the undersigned petitioners, including former and current Toyota owners, do hereby give notice to Toyota Motor Corporation, that we are dissatisfied with the current customer service initiatives for owner complaints of engine oil sludge and associated secondary problems. This includes the former "SPA" or "Special Policy Adjustment" (Feb. 2002) as well as the current "CSP" or "Customer Support Program" (April 2002) for "engine oil gelation." These initiatives do not restore the original warranty rights of the affected consumers who continue to be blamed for the problem by this company. In addition, these initiatives do nothing to help those who had to trade in their vehicles due to an inability to pay for exorbitant repairs within the warranty period. While model year vehicles prior to 1997 have had the same sludge problem, these owners are not helped by the current program.

Pointing the finger at the owners is unconscionable given that untold numbers of owners properly maintained their vehicles according to your recommended maintenance schedule. We, the "Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution" consumer group are not willing to accept blame for this very serious engine problem any longer! We would like a formal retraction of blame immediately. A public statement by Toyota Motor Corporation is appropriate. We would also like a recall of the affected engines. If these engines cannot be fixed permanently, we would like this company to repurchase the affected vehicles once the problem is formally acknowledged. The owners must be compensated for the loss of resale value of their vehicles due to this condition. In addition, all incidental and collateral expenses must be covered. Nothing less would be fair to the affected owners!

Engine oil sludge development is unacceptable, especially in these late model vehicles. These engines are not the same after repair. Some owners with engine replacement have experienced a recurrent sludge condition. Lack of owner maintenance is not the cause of either the slow or sudden demise of these engines. Toyota owner engine analyses reveal adverse changes in the engine's oil condition even with less than 3,000 miles on the engine's oil. We, the owners, believe there is a mechanical problem which is contributing to premature wear of these engines.

Owners are very concerned about the safety of these vehicles. Some engines are seizing at highway speeds. There are owner reports of engine compartment fires after the engine throws a rod through the engine block. Engine failure is unpredictable. Some owners have lost all traces of engine oil suddenly. Some owners have noted excessive fuel in the engine's oil and/or glycol-contaminated engine oil. Owners have lost faith in their vehicles based on these occurrences.

Owners are also very concerned about the emissions control in these vehicles. Some owners' vehicles are not passing state emissions testing. Other owners note large volumes of smoke production on cold startup, while idling, and with acceleration. Oil analyses of some owners' engine oil reveal low viscosity and high nitration and oxidation within the manufacturer's recommended oil change interval. There are also high levels of silicon noted on engine oil analysis. Owners report oxygen sensor replacements. Others note replacement of catalytic converters, PCV valves, EGR valves, and other emissions control components. Some owners have had fuel injection problems prior to engine oil sludge development.

Here is what the networking owners have discovered to date:

1) Toyota has NOT notified all the affected owners about the "Customer Support Program" based on a random sample survey of "Toyota Owners Unite for Resolution" members and associates.

2) Toyota is not honoring the current "Customer Support Program" for all owners who present with engine oil sludge at Toyota dealerships. Some dealerships are not providing any information about the program until asked directly. Even then, owners report vague information.

3) Toyota is charging some owners for sludge inspections or labor when repairs are made for engine oil sludge. It is denying "Customer Support Program" coverage for repairs for other owners despite legitimate qualification for the program.

4) Some owners who purchased "Certified Used Toyotas" from dealerships have discovered engine oil sludge within one month of ownership. Some of these owners have been told that they do not qualify for repair coverage under the
"Customer Support Program" because the owners cannot produce the oil change receipts.

5) Before the introduction of the SPA or CSP, Toyota asked untold numbers of owners to pay over $5,000 for new engines. Since the introduction of the programs, engine replacements are not routinely done when Toyota pays for the repairs. Repeat sludge problems have been reported by owners.

6) The NHTSA and the EPA are not formally investigating the affected vehicles based in part on Toyota's promises to remedy the "engine oil gelation" situation via the CSP.

7) Toyota technicians/employees have refuted many of the complaint claims made by Toyota owners on the Internet over a two year+ period.

8) A computer virus originated from a Milwaukee Toyota dealership and spread throughout an owner list comprised of several hundred dissatisfied Toyota owners. The most vocal Toyota owners have experienced a myriad of computer problems since speaking out about this problem.

9) Toyota executives and/or spokespersons have continued to publicly claim that there are only a "few vocal owners" in this matter. These executives state that they are "not aware of engine sludge in cases where owners have properly maintained their vehicles." These same representatives say that there are very few cases of engine oil sludge in the affected engines. They base their claim on another claim that only 3,200 owners have formally written to the company to notify it about their problem.

We, the undersigned are shocked and appalled by the actions of Toyota Motor Corporation. We expected more from our Toyota vehicles given the daily advertisements describing these vehicles as the "platinum standard" in quality and reliability. We want what we paid for...a safe, reliable vehicle that holds its value over time. We don't think this is asking too much! We want Toyota to do the right thing!

3275 Signatures

  • Holly R
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 98 Toyota Sienna 80,000 miles
    • Case Details
    • Sludged Engine
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Jennifer B
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Tacoma 2001 78,000
    • Case Details
    • I did wait a while to change the oil the first time, but afterwards I changed it regularly. I did not use cheap oil either, I use higher quality synthetic oil.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • BRENDA M
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1997 ES300
    • Case Details
    • SLUDGE
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • FALSE
    • Contact Information
    • FALSE
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • FALSE
    • Case Details
    • FALSE
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Jian L
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • camry XLE V6, 97,123500km
    • Case Details
    • engine oil sludge
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • CArolyn B
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1997 Toyota Camry 105,000
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Luis M L
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Sienna CE with 105000
    • Case Details
    • Sludge for second time, engine broken
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Ivor N
    • Contact Information
    • 512 632 8619
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Avalon, 2002, 35,600
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Carl M
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1992 Carmy, 101,000
    • Case Details
    • Told needs a new oil pump
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • AHMAD T
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2000 CAMRY
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Donald B. A
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Toyota Avalon 2000 , 118,000 miles
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Daphne W
    • Contact Information
    • email address
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Toyota Camry, 1995, 100+miles
    • Case Details
    • rebuilt engine, cost 4k, diagnosis: OIL SLUDGE!
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Andrea G
    • Contact Information
    • 727-866-7542 (home) 727-540-3536 (work)
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Corolla VE, 2000, 77,000
    • Case Details
    • Engine as well as Transmission Failure at 77,000 miles
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Anna and Jeff P
    • Contact Information
    • [email protected]
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2000, Sienna, 35,000
    • Case Details
    • We sold it! We took a bath and we will never buy a Toyota product again. We tell everyone we know what happened.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Andrew H
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 95 Avalon 85,000 when sludged
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • J. Mark T
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2000 Sienna 75,000
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Frank D
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1999 Lexus RX300
    • Case Details
    • Sludge build-up
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Lisa Maxwell M
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1998,Sienna,40,000
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Gary L
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1966 Toyota Camry 80,000 miles
    • Case Details
    • Sludge
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Steve C
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Sienna, 2000, 65000
    • Case Details
    • sludge at 30 some thousand miles, did cleanings, engine trouble again at 60 some thousand miles. Had Toyota repair and traded in vehicle. Have had no reimbursement for prior expenses and/or hassle.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • ROBERT R
    • Contact Information
    • engine overhauled told it wont happen again if I dont put BAD OIL IN AGAIN ..oIL service said they did not pu BAD oil in.
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 20000
    • Case Details
    • oil used up in a very short distance
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Eddie L
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 98 rav4 12400
    • Case Details
    • had to rebuild engine cause the sludge and it burnt a valve
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Carol G
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Toyota Sienna 1999, 88,000 miles
    • Case Details
    • I do not believe my car is worth what I am paying for it. Toyota should reimburse people for these faulty automobiles we have purchased from them.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Andrew W
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2001 Toyota Sienna 36K
    • Case Details
    • Sludge developed at 22K destroying the engine. It has never been the same after dealer repair.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Steve T
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1999 Lexus Rx300
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Crystal M
    • Contact Information
    • 270-303-1014
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Camry, 1998, 112000
    • Case Details
    • 2nd engine with oil sludge!
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Linda and Jim Munroe(Munroe Family T
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Avalon, 1999, 67,000 miles
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • EVA F
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2001 SIENNA
    • Case Details
    • 2ND TIME FOR SLUDGE PROBLEM DEALER REFUSING TO FIX THE PROBLEM CITING OWNER NEGLECT
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Pam F
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1997 Toyota Camry
    • Case Details
    • My engine seized and I was told it was a broken cam shaft from not having oil changesand they would not cover under the oil gelling mandate. I provided records off my oil changes including the one (1) week prior at Garden Grove Toyota. They say I owe them $2200.00 for tearing down engine so Toyota could look at it and deny the oil sludge.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Katherine V
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1998 toyota camry
    • Case Details
    • my engine got lead in it from problems with the rod bearings. Dealership claimed that i did not do proper maintenance which i did. This happened because of poor lubrication
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • SHARON SIMS S
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1998, TOYOTA CAMRY, 105K
    • Case Details
    • INITALLY OIL SLUGING, THEN UNEXPLAINED USE OF OIL WITH FINALLY ENGINE BREAKDDOWN
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Tracy W
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2000 Avalon V-6 47,000
    • Case Details
    • excessive engine smoke
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Jul
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Toyota Camry, 1998, 125000
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Dianne G
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1995 Toyota Camry LE
    • Case Details
    • Car was burning and blowing smoke. Brought car to Toyota Dealer for service and was told I needed heads replaced and short block due to oil gelling in the engine. I was quoted a price of $3,000.00 - $6,000.00 to repair it. Asked for a better estimate told them I could not make a decision with a $3,000.00 window. They couldn't help me further. It cost me $190.00 to find out that my engine needs to be replaced. I purchased the car used in January 1998 with 29,000 miles on it, I now have 70,000 miles on it, so in the last 5 years I've driven 40,000 miles, if you do the math that's 8,000 miles a year, well below what most people drive. The main reason for purchasing a Toyota was because I wanted my vehicle to last as long as possible. I've spoken with Toyota, they want proof of oil changes done. I am trying to gather this information. Not sure how this will end but I can tell you this I will never ever purchase another Toyota. I've learned my lesson the hard way!!!
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Merriann T
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1999 Toyota Camry 94,750
    • Case Details
    • Car just totally gave out about 50 miles from home in the middle of the night. It was just 5 days before Christmas we spent every penny we had for a used engine. It was a very big heartship on my family and to say the least a very depressing Christmas. My question now is , is this going to happen to me again with this used engine!!!!
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Latoya S
    • Contact Information
    • 804-934-5733
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 99 Toyota Solara 62000
    • Case Details
    • Blue Smoke - Engine sludge
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Gary and Mary L
    • Contact Information
    • 47 King Arthur Way Mansfield, MA 02048
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1996 Toyota Camry Wagon 80,000 miles
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Frank E. F
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • avalon, 1998, 6800
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Pat M
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2001 Toyota Avalon
    • Case Details
    • Engine Oil Sludge
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • JEFF M
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA 63,000 MILES
    • Case Details
    • JUST STARTED HAVING PROBLEM WITH SEVERE SMOKING
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Kimberly S
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 99 Toyota Solara
    • Case Details
    • engine blew up at 96000 miles, also messed up transmittion, one dealership said it was full of sludge another sees none. Have already paid over $700 on tow bill and having looked at by Toyota. Going to cost $6000 for used motor and transmittion.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Brian S
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1997 Toyota Camry
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Joshua
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Corolla, 99, and 97K
    • Case Details
    • Engine Sludge
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Victor Z
    • Contact Information
    • 407-245-4994
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Sienna Van, 1999, Miliage-46,000 miles
    • Case Details
    • Sludge problem
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Janet P
    • Contact Information
    • (209) 367-5609
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Camry, 2000, 45,000
    • Case Details
    • cylinder went through short block, no warning
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • JOHN P
    • Contact Information
    • JPARANDES@AO[email protected]
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1997 CAMRY LE
    • Case Details
    • engine replaced
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Wendy W
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • Sienna, 1999, 86,000 miles
    • Case Details
    • engine oil sludged July 2002, oil pump failed November 2003
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • SANDRA B
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1996 AVALON 70,OOO
    • Case Details
    • ENGINE OIL SLUDGE
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • Tim Saasta/Mary O
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 1999 Toyota Sienna. 106,000 miles
    • Case Details
    • Catastrophic engine failure one year after engine cleaned for sludge. So far Toyota has refused any responsibility.
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No
  • STEFAN G
    • Model, Year, and Mileage
    • 97 LEXUS ES300
    • Formal Notification to Toyota?
    • No