2021 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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Common 2021 Toyota Sienna problems
The 2021 Toyota Sienna has been reported to have several issues by its owners. One of the most common problems is a wide range of error lights and messages that appear upon start-up. This issue has been persistent, with multiple visits to the dealership for repairs, but the problem eventually reoccurs. The owner of the vehicle believes it to be a computer issue or a sensor issue.
Another issue reported is the design flaw in the rear bumper. The bumper does not stick out, making it susceptible to damage in case of a rear-end collision. This flaw has been criticized by consumers, who feel that it is a significant safety concern.
The entertainment system in the 2021 Toyota Sienna has also been a source of frustration for some owners. The system is reported to be a behemoth failure, with terrible support from Toyota. The lack of a DVD player and the difficulty in hooking up an external one has been a significant issue. The system also dominates the car's system, making it impossible to use other features like GPS while using the video.
The 2021 Toyota Sienna has also been reported to have issues with its self-propelling feature. The vehicle speeds up when the left blinker is turned on, which can be dangerous when changing lanes. Additionally, the vehicle has been known to propel forward unexpectedly when the break pedal is released, which can cause accidents.
The 2021 Toyota Sienna has also been reported to have issues with its electrical system. One owner reported that the 12-volt battery was down to 5.5 volts, making it impossible to operate the vehicle. A new battery was installed under warranty, but the issue was not resolved. The service director suggested that infrequent driving or a faulty battery were the cause. Another owner reported that the car would not start due to a dead battery in the key fob. The car was only a little over a year old, and there was no way around the problem.
In summary, the 2021 Toyota Sienna has several issues that have been reported by its owners. These issues include a wide range of error lights and messages upon start-up, a design flaw in the rear bumper, a behemoth failure in the entertainment system, uncontrolled self-propelling, and issues with the electrical system. These issues have caused frustration and safety concerns for some owners, and it is essential to be aware of them before purchasing this vehicle.
What is the common issue with Toyota Sienna?
The most common defects include body/paint problems, brake problems, steering problems, exterior accessory problems, and engine problems. Overall, these models pose several issues, and it's best to stay away from them if you're looking to buy a used minivan.
What is the best year for a Toyota Sienna?
2017 to 2020 Toyota Sienna
Apart from the earlier models with the door issues mentioned earlier, the third-generation Sienna is a good buy. We do have a few tips, however. As with most cars, this generation Sienna had a few recalls. We'd opt for the later 2017 to 2020 models for two reasons.
How long will Sienna hybrid battery last?
With proper usage and normal driving conditions, a hybrid car battery replacement should occur around every 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first.
Is it worth it to buy a Toyota Sienna?
The Sienna gets much better fuel economy than most of its rivals. The EPA estimates that the Sienna gets up to 36 mpg in combined driving, versus 26 mpg combined for its main rival, the Honda Odyssey. It's even better than what the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid gets after its plug-in battery runs out of power.
What is the common issue with Toyota Sienna?
The most common defects include body/paint problems, brake problems, steering problems, exterior accessory problems, and engine problems. Overall, these models pose several issues, and it's best to stay away from them if you're looking to buy a used minivan.
What is the fuel consumption of the Toyota Sienna 2021?
The 2021 Toyota Sienna has an amazing mpg that makes it the perfect vehicle for any person on the go. The 2021 Toyota Sienna provides drivers with around 36 miles per gallon on the highway.
How long will Sienna hybrid battery last?
With proper usage and normal driving conditions, a hybrid car battery replacement should occur around every 150,000 miles or 15 years, whichever comes first.
Is the Toyota Sienna hybrid reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid LE is a reliable minivan, but there are a few potential issues that you may experience after 58,000 miles. These include:Hybrid battery degradation: The hybrid battery in the Sienna is designed to last for the life of the vehicle, but it may start to degrade after 50,000 miles or so.
2021 Toyota Sienna car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Sienna problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Seats problems
- Electrical system problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Toyota Sienna vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2021 Toyota Sienna
The NHTSA has received 130 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Toyota Sienna. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Toyota Sienna vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-09
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 5TDDSKFC1MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Unexpected sudden acceleration when braking at low speed
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-17
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-09-01
- VIN: 5TDKRKECXMS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Car lurches forward a few feet while braking. Listed approximate start date but it happens intermittently.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 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.
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-28
- VIN: 5TDESKFC1MS
- Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: When stop at the stop sign and step in the brake... the car momentary accelerates by its self. Its very dangerous. Pls fix the problems Toyota.
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- VIN: 5TDZSKFC3MS
- Components: POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: -Multiple instances recently of feeling like the car was accelerating or lurching forward lightly while I was braking - thought I was going crazy. Today however, the car very clearly lurched forward while I was braking coming into an intersection with my kids in the car. Checked my foot on the pedal, mats, etc. Will be taken to dealer on earliest appointment they have in 7 days. -If there was a car coming through that intersection, my family and I could have been T-boned due to the unexpected acceleration. -There are no warning lamps or messages active in the vehicle. -Symptoms likely started a few months ago, but the most severe instance was today, 9/16/2024. I finished driving my kids to soccer and while there I googled this and called my dealer. Apparently this is a known issue? -How can Toyota not notify owners of this serious issue? There needs to be a recall immediately. This is my family vehicle that we bought new just a few years ago, this is dangerous and absolutely unacceptable.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- VIN: 5TDKRKEC8MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Intermittently and randomly the vehicle will lunge forward with the brake applied. I engage the brake, the vehicle slows and then lunges/lurches forward as if I were not braking. Not only is this terrifying but it is also extremely dangerous. This has happened many times since purchase in February 2021 and continues to now.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-25
- VIN: 5TDYRKEC6MS
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: See attached document for complaint.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
- VIN: 5TDKSKFC7MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: While braking, the brakes will momentarily stop working. This has happened multiple times. Today, it caused the van to not be able to stop in time and the van finally came to a stop in the middle of a four way intersection. I did a Google search. There are many many people in online forums who have reported this same issue.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-10
- VIN: 5TDKSKFC1MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Acceleration or surge seemingly while transitioning from regenerative braking to friction braking. Observed numerous instances where at slower speeds, after removing my foot from the accelerator and beginning brake application, a surge or acceleration occurs. In these instances I ensured that my foot was NOT contacting the brake and accelerator simultaneously. There is a distinguishable surge in driveline when this occurs. The surge may also be caused or exacerbated by a change in driveline power (engine/battery) occurring simultaneously with the transition from regenerative to friction braking. One of the most concerning instances of the anomaly occurred while turning. When making accelerating, coordinated turn and expecting the vehicle to respond appropriately by decreasing speed, it instead momentarily accelerated. This caused great concern and a moment of panic as I had to immediately react to avoid striking other vehicles or obstacles because my intended path of travel changed as a result of this surge. Since this report of surging of the Sienna Hybrid is also reported by other owners on various forums, I’m willing to have additional sensors installed to enable ample recording of these events. This should be considered a safety event.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-06
- VIN: 5TDYRKEC9MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The car accelerates during breaking
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-20
- VIN: 5TDDSKFC4MS
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: There is a recall on the passenger side airbag sensor of this vehicle. The time it is taking to get it fixed is UNACCEPTABLE. Toyota makes new vehicles with working components. They care more about money than lives. Since the recall includes the air bag, people will die before this gets fixed. Toyota's solution is to tell us to not use the front passenger seat. That is ridiculous; this is a family vehicle and all seats are needed. We have contacted Toyota twice in which we have been advised to rent a car - for 2 years - and we will "probably" be reimbursed - after the recall is all fixed. We do not have the space for another car or the desire to put that much money up front into a rental car. We could sell the van and buy a newer one but would lose a lot of money in doing so, nor could we in good conscience sell this vehicle to anyone else. In our latest conversation with Toyota, we were told that the first customers to have access to the recall fix would be this September, but since we live in Utah, it would not be available to us until 2026! What? That is DISCRIMINATION. If the fix is available, it should be given to all who need it. I can't believe how Toyota is treating their customers, especially when the recall can be life-threatening.
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-12
- VIN: 5TDKSKFC4MS
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: This recall has been open for 7 months and a remedy has still not been issued - this doesn’t seem reasonable for a safety concern. I have also several times experienced a failure in the “extra” 8th passenger seat (middle row middle seat) sensor - it alarms that the seat belt isn’t buckled even when that seat is not in use and not even installed at the time.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-12
- VIN: 5TDYRKEC7MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: When applying light brake force to slow to stop for traffic light/sign the vehicle will feel like the brakes have released and stop slowing (feels like vehicle surges forward) requiring to either really apply much greater force to pedal or to release and reapply force to brake pedal to continue to slow the vehicle. Safety concern as without warning and not consistently happening additional 20 to 50 foot braking distance added to vehicle stop. Occurrence is random and happens approximately one in ten stops. The main consistency is a lower speed and gentle type stop: start braking speed generally in the 25-35mph range, brake release feel at 10-15mph range with light to medium braking force being applied. Seems to happen most often with a light downhill gradient. Occurs rendomly and cannot be reproduced on demand for service tech. Has happened since vehicle was bought new and still occurs randomly 26000 odo.
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
- VIN: 5TDKRKECXMS
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: the bottom/floor of the center console between the 2 front seats getting warm or hot everytime I drive the car for a while
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-27
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5TDYRKEC4MS
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: When breaking, mostly during downhill, the brakes feel like they simply “let go” for an instant. Most times this is very short and It feels like a typical downshift during breaking in an ICE car. However, last time it really gave me a lurch and I almost ended up falling off a cliff face. Many reports all over the internet but nothing from Toyota.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-18
- VIN: 5TDKRKEC0MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The brakes release for a period of time when stopping. This has been ongoing since owning the vehicle. It feels like a lurch forward when my foot is actively braking.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-10
- VIN: 5TDJRKEC9MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Intermittently, when braking to slow down towards a stop, the brakes let loose, and the vehicle surges forward for a very short spurt (like less than 1 second). While continuing to apply brake pedal pressure, the brakes, then, continue to work. This is VERY unnerving, and we are afraid that, if there were to be a pedestrian in a crosswalk in front of the vehicle they may be hit as this does cause a slightly greater braking distance overall. I reported this to my Toyota service department relatively soon after I purchased the vehicle (new), but they indicated they know nothing of the issue. I now see many people reporting this in various Internet discussion threads. This is a very serious issue.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-03
- VIN: 5TDKRKEC1MS
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Check engine light came on - Taken to dealer, diagnosed following 2 codes : P24517F and P14502A Both of these codes are known problems to Toyota, and as such a Service buliten for the Evap Emission System Switch Valve has been issued per NHTSA. This problem should be a recall, not a known service issue - it is obviously a common problem with Toyota in the Hybrid engines.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-06
- VIN: 5TDJSKFC4MS
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Sometimes when each of us 2 are slowing to a stop while applying the brake, the Sienna will lunge forward. This unexpected event may cause a rear-end collision if too close. Also, it is enough to cause us to hit our head on the head rest. Can’t understand why this happening. We are sure we only have our foot on the brake and not the accelerator.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-20
- VIN: 5TDDRKEC1MS
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Safety of self and others at risk due to odd breaking. Feels like you have to put pedal to the floor to break! Especially if turning. I found a Toyota service bulletin when googling the issue. This is a major safety issue!
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-16
- VIN: 5TDYRKEC2MS
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: There has been several incidents when I step on the brakes and the vehicle seems to accelerate forward after what feels like an attempt to find the right gear when decelerating. This occurs infrequently but usually when decelerating along with an external factor. I was able to consistently replicate when I’m coming off the highway onto a service road then have to make quick turn at a corner. It feels as if the vehicle is trying to search for a gear and once it finds it there’s a momentarily acceleration forward.
2021 Toyota Sienna recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2021 Toyota Sienna.
- 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.
Negative 2021 Toyota Sienna car reviews
Positive 2021 Toyota Sienna car reviews
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After three months of owning our 21 LE AWD, we are overall pleased with it. We did experience a minor issue with water coming in from the passenger side front window during a carwash, but the dealer quickly fixed the problem by adjusting the mounting tab. We are very happy with the LE package, which is perfect for a family vehicle without the need to spend an extra $10k+ on leather and technology that will be outdated in a few years. Although we wish the 2nd row seats were removable, there is still a good amount of space regardless. The hybrid system is new to us, but we have noticed that the engine kicks in at random intervals to charge the battery while idling. We strongly recommend the LE package, which includes radar cruise, blind spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and lane assist. It's a great way to save money and keep your kids entertained with their phones. We purchased ours for $40k out the door, and it's even more affordable if you don't need the AWD. Living in a snowy part of the country, we opted for it and have been very happy with our decision.
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I recently purchased a 2021 Toyota Sienna XLE and I'm already in love with it! My kids are especially thrilled with the spacious interior of the 3rd row and the foot motion feature that opens the sliding doors. The second row middle seat is perfect for my baby's car seat and the adults can sit comfortably facing the doors, which is a huge improvement from my previous 2012 Honda Odyssey. Although there are a few minor dislikes, such as the small buttons for the climate control that require some effort to regulate while driving, the XLE model comes with front and back parking sensors that make it easy to avoid dents. The gas mileage has exceeded my expectations and I'm likely to achieve the 35 mpg as stated by Toyota. Overall, the 2021 Sienna is a perfect combination of functionality, aesthetics, and value. I'll be sure to update with a second review once I reach 3k miles.
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Our first time buying a new car at 53 and we chose the Toyota Sienna. We absolutely love it! I especially love the bridge in the middle, which gives it a unique feel compared to the vast interiors of other minivans. The driving assistant features work extremely well and the new tech screen is simply awesome.
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The 2021 hybrid is very smooth and quiet, an improvement over our previous 5 Siennas. However, I must say that moving the cruise controls from the little stalk on the steering wheel to a series of buttons on the wheel itself is a bit inconvenient. It's not as easy to operate by feel, and you have to look down to find the correct button, which can be a bit of a safety hazard. It seems to contradict the benefit of the heads-up display.
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Very satisfied!!! Have owned for 2 years. Do not understand those who complain about hybrid acceleration. Only slightly slower than gas engine. I just have a little problem trying to find a specific control on dash when driving - so many controls! I have had 40.6 mpg on one trip of over 600 mile one way. Currently averaging 37.6 over last year of mixed driving.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Toyota Sienna problems:
Recurring issues with 2021 Sienna for 6+ months, seeking help ...
Feb 13, 2023 ... My wife and I bought a brand new 2021 Toyota Sienna in July 2021 and have had constant problems since September 2022 and are looking for ...
Common Toyota Sienna Hybrid Problems: Battery, Repair & More
Jul 15, 2023 ... You're right, the 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid LE is a very reliable minivan. It has a predicted reliability score of 74 out of 100 from U.S., ...
2022 toyota Sienna issues so far : r/ToyotaSienna
Dec 27, 2022 ... Yes the 12 Volt battery is a known issue in cold climates. It's undersized for the Sienna (its a Camry/Rav4/Prius Battery) Considering the Van ...
2021 Sienna Limited Issues | Toyota Sienna Forum - siennachat.com
Apr 11, 2021 ... Go to the dealer close. Any dealer will service it under warranty. Some others have reported "hybrid system malfunction" here on this forum as ...
Jamaal Smith 2025-01-06
Hello! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my thoughts on the XLE. While I was checking it out, I noticed that the center row seats do not come out, which may affect the cargo space. Additionally, I found the third row seat to be a bit uncomfortable due to the hard cushion and lack of headroom. However, I did appreciate the attention to detail in the most expensive Sienna, although I noticed that the front passenger seat only has 4-way power. If you're looking for a minivan with a full 8-way power passenger seat, the Pacifica and Sedona may be better options. Thank you for considering my thoughts!
Efrain Moore 2024-10-17
We recently purchased a new limited edition vehicle on March 31st, 2021 and embarked on a long journey from Florida to Minnesota, which took us about 30 hours. Although we encountered a flat tire on the rear driver's side just 8 miles away from our destination at 1:00 in the morning, we were able to handle the situation with the help of a kind stranger who stopped to assist us. Despite the inconvenience of the situation, we were able to resolve the issue and continue on our journey. We did experience some difficulty with Toyota's roadside assistance, but we have since filed a complaint and hope to see improvements in their service. If you're in the market for a new van, we recommend considering Honda as an alternative. Our neighbors have a new Honda van and they absolutely love it! Thank you for taking the time to read about our experience.
Newton Wisoky 2024-09-09
The second issue cannot be easily removed. This is a challenge for us.
Colten Stoltenberg 2024-08-20
I was curious about the difference in ratings between IIHS and NHTSA for front occupants, so I test drove one and easily figured out why. For those who aren't familiar with the difference, IIHS is a better measure of a vehicle's structural integrity, and NHTSA is a better measure of seatbelts and airbags. When the front seats are slid back all the way, there is a massive gap between the shoulder belt and the shoulder. The gap is so enormous that it is almost the same as not wearing a seatbelt. In the models with 2nd-row seats which slide back 25 inches (unique to the Sienna), Toyota has solved this problem by installing the seatbelt right into the seat, and not from the side pillar. This needs to be done for the front seats also, otherwise, you end up with a false sense of security if your seat is slid back all the way. If you are a tall person who requires the front seat to be slid back all the way, this could be a dangerous vehicle. Otherwise, the van drives slightly better than my 2001 Odyssey. I read a lot of reviews about poor control of the brake pedal, but I did not notice anything different with the brakes compared to any other vehicle I have ever driven. Upon acceleration, the Sienna noise is slightly more than my Odyssey. Overall, the 2021 Sienna is slightly better than my 20-year-old Odyssey in terms of handling and comfort, but probably much better in terms of crashworthiness and safety features (unfortunately, I can't tell unless I crash both vehicles). The real killer is the seatbelt safety issue.For a vehicle that is marketed for its safety features, I am surprised and disappointed to see such an obvious design flaw in its release.
Stanley Shanahan 2024-08-15
Since 1998, we have owned 10-15 new Sienna LE’s. While our new 2021 LE has some great features, we have noticed that it doesn't feel as stable on the road as our previous models. Additionally, we have found it inconvenient that there is no place to hang clothes in the rear of the vehicle. This can be especially frustrating when needing dress clothes upon arrival at our destination. We have also noticed that the redesign of the front area has made it more crowded and taken away some useful features. However, we are pleased to report that the gas mileage is better than previous models, and we are looking forward to testing it on our upcoming 4,000 mile road trip in May. While we wish we had checked out the Honda van before purchasing, we are still satisfied with our Sienna LE. We do miss the HomeLink feature that our 2016 LE had, but we understand that technology changes. Overall, we are disappointed with some of the changes made by Toyota, but we still appreciate the quality of their vehicles. We did try to contact Toyota about our concerns, but unfortunately, we did not receive the level of customer service we were hoping for.