Toyota Sienna problems
The Toyota Sienna is a minivan manufactured and marketed by Toyota primarily for the North American market. It is named for the Italian city of Siena, in the region of Tuscany. It replaced the first generation Previa van in 1997 with a more conventional front-wheel drive layout and shares a heavily revised platform with the Camry. Both the Previa and original Sienna were smaller than the other minivans they competed against, but a redesign in 2003 (for the 2004 model year) increased the dimensions to match those of its competitors.
It was redesigned again in 2010 (for the 2011 model year). The third generation Sienna went on sale in the United States in February 2010 and is the first Sienna to ever receive a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. A 2020 redesign (for the 2021 model year) saw the Sienna becoming a hybrid vehicle for its fourth generation. While previous generations of the Sienna were exported to select Asian and European markets, the fourth generation is the first to be produced outside of the United States as Chinese production commenced in July 2021 by two Toyota joint ventures. In China, it is also marketed as the Toyota Granvia.
Following the discontinuation of General Motors's all-wheel drive minivans in 2006, the Sienna was the only minivan in its class offered with AWD in North America until the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica was introduced with an AWD option in 2020.
The Sienna is not available in Japan and Australia as it is not produced in a right-hand drive configuration, and the segment in these countries is already occupied by the Alphard/Vellfire and the HiAce/Granvia respectively.
As of the fourth generation, introduced in 2020, the Sienna is now built on Toyota's TNGA-K platform, which it shares with most of Toyota’s other large MPVs and crossovers.
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Toyota Sienna model years
Common Toyota Sienna problems
The Toyota Sienna is known for its solid reliability, earning a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating from RepairPal, placing it 8th out of 32 segment competitors. However, there are some common issues that potential buyers should be aware of.
One common problem is a loss of engine power, particularly in the 2007 model. Owners of this model have reported experiencing a loss of power when slowing down, sometimes accompanied by transmission problems like jerking and slipping. Unfortunately, the root cause of this issue remains undetermined.
Another common issue is cracking on the dashboard surface. This problem has been reported by owners of various Sienna models, including the 2006 model, where it was one of the most common problems reported.
Transmission failure is also a relatively common problem in older Siennas, with many reports of this issue occurring around 78,000 miles. The symptoms include the vehicle's RPM increasing without a corresponding increase in speed.
Power door issues are another safety concern for Sienna owners. The door's cable may become damaged, causing the power door to stop working. This issue poses a considerable safety risk, especially for rear passengers who may need to force the door open manually.
The 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2011 Toyota Sienna models are best avoided due to multiple complaints from several owners and a history of significant manufacturing defects. These defects include body/paint problems, brake problems, steering problems, exterior accessory problems, and engine problems.
On the other hand, the 1998 to 2003 Toyota Sienna models are generally safer to buy used, as they recorded few problems. The first generation of the Sienna, which ran from 1998 to 2003, had few issues related to the engine, brakes, and body/paint.
In summary, while the Toyota Sienna is generally a reliable vehicle, potential buyers should be aware of these common issues, particularly in certain model years.
What are the bad years for Toyota Sienna?
In the case of the Sienna, the most complained about model year is 2004. But the worst out of all the Toyota Sienna models is the 2007 model because its issues are expensive to fix.
Is the Toyota Sienna a reliable car?
If you're hunting for a minivan, the Toyota Sienna is one of the best options. It provides decent reliability and low repair costs on average per year. The most commonly reported troubles aren't too severe, allowing you to keep more money in your pocket by purchasing one of the most reliable years.
What year did Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?
Most of the worst issues filed involve the airbag, seat belts, and automatic sliding doors. Engine and transmission problems are also prevalent in the 2007 Sienna, while the 2008 model suffers from minor electrical issues.
How long do Toyota Sienna transmissions last?
For many car owners, the transmission may last the entire life of the vehicle, considering it can be about 200,000 miles before it needs to be replaced. However, factors can impact this like neglecting regular service. Toyota recommends that vehicles change their fluid between 60, 000 to 100,000 miles.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Toyota Sienna years
We have researched Toyota problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Toyota Sienna cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Toyota Sienna model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Toyota Sienna model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Toyota Sienna years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Toyota Sienna car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Toyota Sienna , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Structure problems
- Air bags problems
- Latches/locks/linkages problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Toyota Sienna vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Sienna model years
A total of 442 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Sienna model years
There were a total of 79 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Sienna model years
There were a total of 672 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Sienna model years
There were a total of 13 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 8721 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Toyota Sienna . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Toyota Sienna vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Toyota Sienna 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-26
- VIN: 5TDYRKEC9PS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Car lunges forward 10ft or so intermittently when braking is applied. This is very dangerous given situations. Toyota dealer is given new car models under 36k miles a free fix, but they would charge high mileage cars a lot of money. I wish NHTSA demand Toyota provide free fix for this issue.
Toyota Sienna 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-21
- VIN: 5TDYZ3DC1HS
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered that the plastic fuel lines were damaged due to the expanded anti corrosion coating applied to the fuel lines during manufacturing of the vehicle. The contact was advised to replace both the metal fuel lines from the fuel tank to the engine bay and the damaged plastic fuel lines. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 84,416.
Toyota Sienna 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: 5TDXZ3DCXHS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: While trying to accelerate on an onramp to the highway, the transmission failed to enter into higher gear, and the check engine light came on. The 2017 Sienna currently sits at 112,951 miles. Leading up to this, we had noticed the van jolting when being put into drive or reverse, and acceleration was often sluggish, with a whirring sound. Inspection by the local Toyota dealership found that the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The serial number of the transmission starts with UA02, which wasn't part of any of the existing 2017 Sienna service bulletins.
Toyota Sienna 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-15
- VIN: 5TDDK3DC7ES
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the passenger's side and driver's side sliding doors were locked and had failed to open automatically and manually. The contact stated that the motors of the doors were previously replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the doors could not be opened. The dealer determined that the Power Sliding Door Cable Sub-Assembly, the Sliding Door Center Hinge Assembly, the Fuel Filler Door Hinge and Pin, the Power Sliding Door Rear Lock Assembly, the Sliding Door Front Lock Assembly, and an unknown part had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer related the failure to Toyota Campaign Number: ZK1. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered because the campaign had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Toyota Sienna 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-14
- VIN: 5TDZSKFCXMS
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: At the begining of 2024, I received a recall letter from Toyota regarding the airbag malfunction. I was told to wait for a remedy by Q3 of 2024. I patiently waited and was very anxious driving my vehicle. I recently did talk to my local dealer during my maintenance and they stated that they do not have any information regarding that and that I should call Toyota. I tried calling Toyota and was instructed to wait as they still have not got a remedy and that if I was getting in any accidents Toyota will be fully responsible. I bought the car to drive for my safety an this is the level of safety that I am getting. Thus I am here looking for help on how I can get this matter resolved as driving knowing that airbag has failed on the passenger side is very unsafe.
Toyota Sienna 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-14
- VIN: 5TDZRKEC0MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: This problem has been happening for a while now, over one year. When I am braking there is a jolt of acceleration. This happens frequently, and I believe this is dangerous.
Toyota Sienna 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-12
- VIN: 5TDZSKFC0NS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: While braking at around 15 mph there is a sudden loss of braking force that causes the car to surge forward. This happens as the car switches from regenerative braking to pad braking. It has almost caused an accident a few times for me.
Toyota Sienna 2023
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-25
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-02
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5TDKRKEC4PS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Air bags did not deploy during a major crash took place on 9-25-2024 the vehicle was a total loss.
Toyota Sienna 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-01
- VIN: 5TDXRKEC3MS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: My 2021 Toyota Sienna has had an open and unrepaired recall for airbags failing to deploy since the beginning of the year. I been unable to use my vehicle because of this. They have pushed approximate date of the fix being available into next year which is unacceptable. A safety concern like this should be dealt with promptly.
Toyota Sienna 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-30
- VIN: 5TDYZ3DC5HS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a hard shift and a high-pitched whining sound while the transmission was shifting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. In addition, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Toyota Sienna 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-14
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 5TDKRKECXNS
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: When engaging the cruise control, the vehicle continued to accelerate even after I let off the button. During a trip with this vehicle on September 14, 2024, this vehicle did this twice. I have never driven another vehicle where this occurs. If this is supposed to be a "feature", it's unsafe and should not be legal. If it remains legal, there should at least be some kind of safety sticker.
Toyota Sienna 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 5TDDSKFC1MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Unexpected sudden acceleration when braking at low speed
Toyota Sienna 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-23
- VIN: 5TDYRKECXMS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: When applying the brakes, at lower speeds around 20 MPH my Sienna lunges forward for a few seconds, increasing speeds. This is happening frequently in school zones due to the slow speeds. Dealer told me it was out of warranty (36k or 3 yrs) and i had to pay $250 for diagnostic plus $300 for a TSB solfware reset because the Fed didn't receive enough complaints from users to make Toyota do a recall on this Safety issue. This is a major safety issue myself and many other Sienna owners are dealing with.
Toyota Sienna 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 5TDESKFC2MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: In certain conditions, like coasting downhill and lightly braking and then going to harder braking - there is an unintended lurch forward which requires immediate harder braking to stop the vehicle.
Toyota Sienna 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-20
- VIN: 5TDKRKECXMS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Car lurches forward a few feet while braking. Listed approximate start date but it happens intermittently.
Latest 5 recalls Toyota Sienna
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 154 recalls for different components of the Toyota Sienna.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Toyota Sienna 2022
- Report Received Date: 2022-04-13
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Consequence: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
- Model: Toyota Sienna 2021
- Report Received Date: 2022-04-13
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Consequence: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
- Model: Toyota Sienna 2022
- Report Received Date: 2021-11-17
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Sienna vehicles equipped with seating for eight passengers. An incorrect seat belt webbing guide may have been installed on the outboard second-row seat belt assemblies.
- Consequence: During seat belt pre-tensioner deployment, the incorrect webbing guide may damage the seat belt webbing, causing it to tear and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the outboard second-row seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB08 and 21TA08.
- Model: Toyota Sienna 2018
- Report Received Date: 2020-11-04
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
- Model: Toyota Sienna 2017
- Report Received Date: 2020-11-04
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
Latest negative Toyota Sienna car reviews
Latest positive Toyota Sienna car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2023
I have this car for about 20 months and it has been great. I have mostly positive things to say about it. I family person and need space to haul kids and make long trips across the country.In hindsight I like my decision to go with this car and I will do it again if I have to do it today.I am male and I don't care people's perception about driving van which is typically associated with soccer mom's kind of image. Its very comfortable vehicle with advanced safety tech and built with Toyota quality Pros:1. Ample power to do the Job, I wouldn't call it slow by any means, Enough to do its job.2. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 seems to work well3. The van drives more like a car4. Capable AWD certainly helps and I have it used it multiple times in lot of snow successfully 5. When you have family you need tons of cargo space and there is no lack of it here.Cons:1. I got woodland edition thinking to get an inch of ground clearance but loading the van the rear bottoms down. I might want to get it lifted with journey off road kit. You might also have problem if you have steep driveway2. The heat is kind of finicky, It works but not as hot at 73 like other cars may be its the hybrid engine, Its not consistent . May be its thermostat or something, I plan to get it checked3. Toyota woodland package is not good value for money. I would suggest to get XSE instead and get it lifted couple inches with kit (Journey's off road)
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Vehicle year: 2003
Today marks the 2nd anniversary of owning our 03 Sienna. I never imagined that my wife and I would be competing to drive it! It's just such a great ride - quiet, smooth, and powerful with good gas mileage. The only issue we've had was a squeaking power steering gear, but luckily it was replaced under warranty. Even on long trips from St. Paul to Chicago, we never feel fatigued. In fact, my 3-year-old prefers this car over my 1999 Altima and always chooses it whenever we go out.
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Vehicle year: 2015
. Overall, I love the minivan, except for one issue. My van is a brand new 2015 model, but it has a drifting issue. It becomes tiring over a long trip because you constantly have to keep your hand on the steering wheel. As soon as you let it go, the van starts drifting to the left and right. I have had the dealer do the front-end alignment and tire rotation, but it has not helped. At first, I thought it was the tire pressure, but I made sure that the pressure level was the same for all tires and to the recommended PSI (36). I wonder if anyone out there has had the same problem and got it fixed. I am not sure if the tires are the issue or not either. 2. I called Toyota directly, and they stated that there is no report on the drifting issue, but I found a few comments on the web regarding drifting issues on the SE model, even when the van is brand new. If anyone out there has the same issue and has figured out what the problem is, please let me know. Thank
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Vehicle year: 2004
I completely agree that Toyota has done an amazing job with their Sienna minivans! My family has owned 5 minivans in total, 4 Chryslers and one Pontiac Montana, but the Sienna stands out as the best. Even with high mileage, the Sienna still performs better than the others with half the mileage. On a recent trip with 8 people and a car top carrier, we still managed to average 22.8 miles to the gallon, and on a shorter trip, we even got 26.7 mpg with no luggage! I recently put new Michelin tires on it, and it's so quiet that it feels like you're flying. I'm definitely planning on buying another Sienna in the future!
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Vehicle year: 2008
Great utility vehicle! It's so comfortable for long trips and perfect for handling large items and up to 7 people. I mostly drive on local highways and still manage to get an average gas mileage of 23 to 24 mpg. All my trips to the dealer have been for routine maintenance. Let me know if you have any questions!
Are you having problems with your Toyota Sienna?
Jayson Bogan 2025-04-17
Vehicle year: 2021
Hello, I have a 2021 Toyota Sienna and I have noticed that the 3rd row seats bounce up and down while driving. This is a concern for me as it could be a safety issue. If I had to brake suddenly, the seats could launch forward into an upright position and potentially harm someone or something in its way. I have reported this issue to both the dealer and Toyota headquarters, but unfortunately, I have not received a satisfactory response. The dealer suggested weighing down the seats with cases of water, which is not a practical solution. Toyota headquarters informed me that engineers are aware of the problem and are working on a fix, but it has been 10 months since then. As a loyal Toyota customer, I am surprised that this safety issue has not been addressed yet. Despite this issue, I still appreciate some of the features of this van.
Laron Simonis 2025-04-17
Vehicle year: 2021
First of all, I am a huge fan of Minivans, especially Siennas. I have owned a 2001, 2007, 2010, 2013, and now a 2021 XLE. While the quality and performance of the older models were better, I still really love the 2013. Unfortunately, it was totaled, and I had to consider the newly redesigned 2021 model. I highly recommend test driving it before you buy. The Good: The MPG is impressive. I used it for 3700 miles and 3 months and averaged 33.4 MPG, which made my trips longer with fewer gas stops. The redesigned model looks very nice and more like an SUV than a Minivan. The wireless no-touch sliding door opener and wireless trunk opener are convenient. The Bad: I had the White Pearl, which has two colors - white pearl outside and flat white on the inside trim and trunk. The interior is smaller than before, with no hanger on the driver's side, and the passenger seat is very high and cannot be taken down. The center console looks modern but is impractical, with limited storage space and one less glove compartment. There is no coin storage either. The XLE trim should have more luxury features like the old models, including leather seats, an entertainment system, 3rd-row curtains, a better sound system, and more. This new XLE comes with fewer features than before, and the non-leather seats are cheap and look very cheap. I paid $47K for a Minivan that feels like $25K. The trunk space is smaller, and the cargo space is even tighter. The height on the back trunk door makes it way smaller than the older model. The windows on the trunk are smaller and reduce visibility. The finishes on this 2021 model are cheap, and the carpet on the front floor looks like it was made in a hurry. There is no spare tire, and the third seat on the second row is smaller than the older version...The sound system on the XLE trim is not as upgraded as before with JBL, but it still sounds decent. However, the backup camera could use some improvement. For a $50K car, the features seem to be lacking, especially compared to my 2016 Lexus. The camera doesn't have any guiding moving lines that adjust with rotation, it's just a straight line. Unfortunately, Toyota Connect and Alexa features didn't work for me, even after taking it to the dealer for 3 hours. However, I still appreciate the design of the Sienna. Overall, I sold it within 3 months, but I'm glad that used cars are now more expensive than new ones. I hope Toyota can address these issues to maintain their reputation for quality.
Reagan O'Reilly 2025-04-17
Vehicle year: 2017
We previously leased a 2014 Honda Odyssey EX-L and were planning to wait for the 2018 model to come out before leasing another one. However, we couldn't find any information on when it would be released. Instead of extending the lease, we decided to give Toyota a try. We compared the SE and XLE models and found that the SE had a more 'sporting' feel, while the XLE was too soft in its responses. We also preferred the styling of the SE. Our SE Premium has everything we need, although it's missing some features found in the XLE or Limited van. Our initial impressions were positive, with the Sienna being quieter on the road than our previous Odyssey. The 3.5 V6 engine is strong and it's great to have full manual control of the gears when needed, which isn't possible with a Honda. The seats are decent, although we think the Honda has better ones. However, after 8 months of ownership, we wish we had waited for the new Odyssey. The V6 in the Sienna has great power, but only at high RPMs. The 'Eco' mode is intrusive and makes the vehicle feel sluggish, especially where we live with plenty of hills. You can change this by putting it in 'Power' mode, but you have to do it every time you start the car. The eight-speed is sometimes slow and clunky, and there have been a few rough downshifts at slow speeds. Toyota's Maintenance Minder system can be obnoxious, especially if you're following their maintenance plan as provided with a new vehicle. At 5000 miles, the system displays 'Maintenance Required', but if you're following ToyotaCare (which you must for the warranty), it's only a tire rotation. However, you HAVE to take it to the dealer to reset the system! In terms of storage and seat configuration, our old Odyssey wins over this Sienna.The third row seat is made of vinyl instead of leather, which is disappointing for a 40k vehicle. The rear vent windows in the SE model are not powered, but they do open, which is a plus over the Honda. However, the XLE and Limited models have powered rear vent windows. The Entune entertainment system can be clunky and difficult to use at times, and it requires the use of the Entune app to sync with iPhones. Overall, we had some minor annoyances with our 2017 Sienna SE, but it was a reliable vehicle for three years. We recently leased a 2020 Honda Odyssey EXL and it seems like a better overall package. While the Sienna is a handsome van in SE trim, we are not fans of the 2018+ 'triangle snout' on the new vans. Unless Toyota releases a Sienna hybrid, we will not be returning to the brand. The Honda may have less room than our previous 2017 Sienna, but I am still very happy with our decision to switch to Honda. I would love to see Honda release a hybrid Odyssey to compete with the new Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica, but regardless, I still prefer Honda over Toyota.
Monte Dooley 2025-04-14
Vehicle year: 2011
We recently purchased the Sienna XLE, hoping for a high-quality vehicle. Unfortunately, we have been disappointed with our experience so far. The back seats have been squeaking and rattling, starting with the 3rd row seat and then the pilot chair seats. We brought it to the dealership to have it looked at, and they informed us that Toyota was aware of the issue on some Siennas, but there was no immediate fix. They did mention that Toyota is working on a redesign. When we asked the dealership for assistance in resolving the issue, they were unable to help us. While we are disappointed with our experience, we remain hopeful that Toyota will address this issue in the future. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Korbin Stroman 2025-04-11
Vehicle year: 2017
The run flat tires on Sienna's have had a history of problems dating back to 2006. However, I can confidently say that these issues have been resolved. In fact, I spoke with the San Francisco Toyota dealer who assured me that the problem had been fixed. While it is true that I had to purchase a new set at 19,000 miles, this was a result of normal wear and tear. During a recent snowstorm, I found that the AWD performed well, although not quite as well as our previous 2008 Sienna AWD with Bridgestone run flat tires. Additionally, the brakes did warp by 12,000 miles, but Toyota promptly replaced them after I raised my concerns. As a long-time Toyota Sienna owner, I can attest to the quality and reliability of these vehicles. While I was initially disappointed with the safety features of the tires and brakes on this limited AWD Sienna, I am confident that Toyota listens to its consumers and takes their feedback seriously. I look forward to continuing to drive Toyota Siennas in the future.