Background: We bought a brand spanking new Toyota Sienna minivan. Since we purchased 2 months ago, the check engine light has come on 4 times, it has been in the shop a grand total of 5 days. Toyota seems to have no idea why light keeps coming on.
We are going on a 10.5 hour (each way) round trip to IL for thanksgiving. WWYD- take minivan with potential car issues? Or take SUV which is cramped but has no car issues?
pomegranate / 3895 posts
I would rent a car. I know that's not an option you provided, but being cramped sounds miserable and I would view it as an opportunity to try out a different van!
pomelo / 5660 posts
@LBee: I'm so bummed because we REALLY need the space of a minivan. The trip is awful in our current SUV.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Wait so you have the Sienna back but the issue hasn't been resolved?
I would take the SUV. I would NOT want to be stuck on the road waiting for AAA to come out with two kids in the car.
I would also rent a minivan and make your dealer pay for it.
pomegranate / 3895 posts
@BandDmommy: That sucks! I would totally rent a van, but I'm biased as my husband travels so much for work that we have a lot of free rentals. You should tell your husband that you don't want to put the miles on the van if you end up having to trade!
pomelo / 5660 posts
@regberadaisy: Not yet, it's in the shop still. Day 3. They don't know why the light keeps going on.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@BandDmommy: when do you leave for your road trip?
pomelo / 5660 posts
@regberadaisy: Tuesday. But my guess is the light will come back on sometime soon. Hopefully before we leave for our trip.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
@BandDmommy: Make them loan you a Lexus LX or something, lol! This is really unacceptable. They really need to do something about your upcoming trip, since neither options are good! Make a big stink on social media! I hear now that's what gets their attention by writing on their FB/IG/Twitter, tagging them, etc.
squash / 13208 posts
@BandDmommy: take the minivan - maybe it will break down 30 mins into your trip then you have an excuse not to go! 
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
It's just a light, right? So, take the minivan! Then yell at the dealership again when you get back. Sue them for pain and suffering (worry over what-ifs). 
pomelo / 5660 posts
@mediagirl: I have just always been told it's a big no to drive with check engine light. I'm such a rule follower. This will be living on the edge for me.
grapefruit / 4817 posts
@BandDmommy: I'd just take the new van. But that's only because I'm willing to bet its just a faulty sensor. I think it's ridiculous they can't locate it, but if it's driving fine, then it probably is.
honeydew / 7917 posts
I would take the SUV. A reliable and safe car is important for such a long trip. I drive a small sedan (Acura TSX), and it has been our go to road trip car.
As far as check engine lights go, my DH has a device that checks for the problem associated. Most of the time he can look it up and fix it himself. Each time the issue was small, and we could continue to drive. I would be worried as to why it keeps coming up though.
watermelon / 14467 posts
@BandDmommy: Have you checked your owner's manual to see what it says? My check engine light came on a few weeks ago and my manual said it was something with the emissions system. I took it to Auto Zone to check the codes, changed the air filter and after a week the light went off.
I'd say it's likely a sensor, but have you taken it to Auto Zone and had them plug the code reader in to see what it could be? That might narrow your possible problems.
Also, I would rent a car for sure.
pomelo / 5660 posts
@avivoca: honestly, at 2000 miles I think the dealership should know how to fix it and if they can't fix it, I certainly can not. Plus I don't think it's my responsibility. A car that new shouldn't have issues.
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
I would demand a rental minivan from the dealer for the trip, if the issue hasn't been resolved by then. We did this when my husband's brand new truck repeatedly wouldn't start and they had no idea why it kept happening.
pomelo / 5660 posts
@BananaPancakes: the problem is that when the light pops on all the display does is flash "urgent check light." It's incredibly annoying.
grapefruit / 4817 posts
@BandDmommy: I definetly think you're doing the right thing by raising a stink about it to the dealership because that is not cool, but I doubt it is urgent with it being a new vehicle. You have any lawyer friends or clients you could trade services with? I'd be starting he process to scare the dealership a little at this point. My SIL's father is an attorney and they just went through this with a new VW and got it swapped it with another after doing a little threatening.
pomelo / 5660 posts
@BananaPancakes: one of my husbands bosses is friends with the owner of the dealership. DH has thrown that out a few times, not sure if he would do anything though.
persimmon / 1427 posts
@BandDmommy: Are you talking to the sales manager or service manager? If not, get them involved quickly. Explain that you purchased your brand new Toyota because of the reputation for being safe and reliable. You are very disatisfied that you have spent a lot of time dealing with a check engine light that shouldn't be dealing with on a brand new Toyota. Explain you have 2 small kids and will be doing a roadtrip for Thanksgiving and you don't feel save driving your current minivan and request a loaner from Toyota.
pomelo / 5660 posts
Update: Still no idea what is wrong with car. It will be in shop for foreseeable future. They are giving us a minivan loaner for our road trip.
cantaloupe / 6923 posts
Is Toyota the car where the breaks went out or something? Take back the minivan and get a new suv. Glad they are giving you a rental atleast!
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