Toyota Sienna Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls β NHTSA Data
Comparing used Toyota Sienna options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017β2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Toyota Sienna you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Toyota Sienna has 711 owner complaints and 34 safety recalls across model years 2017β2026. The most reported issue area is SEATS. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Toyota
- Model
- Sienna
- Model years analyzed
- 2017β2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 711
- Safety recall campaigns
- 34
- Crash-related complaints
- 33
- Fire-related complaints
- 6
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (148 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (9 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- SEATS
- Reliability signal
- Poor
Toyota Sienna: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used β lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record β lower risk starting points.
β NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
PoorThe TOYOTA SIENNA has 711 NHTSA complaints and 34 recalls on record. 33 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 711 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 34 federal recall campaigns
- 33 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
π NHTSA Safety Recalls
34 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017β2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
π§ Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 711 NHTSA complaints.
π NHTSA Complaint Reports
711 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
We brought our 2022 Toyota Sienna in for service January 2024 for the driver's seat. The seat would make really loud popping noises that sounded like something was loose when the seat moved forward and backward. We brought the vehicle in, and the service technician discovered that the driver's seat assembly was loose and cracking. The technician removed and replaced faulty components of the seat assembly under warranty. The seat starting having the same issues recently, and we are concerned of an on going safety issue given the instability of the driver's seat. The dealership informed us they will not repair the seat under warranty.
Rear windshield shattered between 4/16/2026, 10:04 AM and 4/16/2026, 6:43 PM without reason, no one near it to cause this broken windshield. I have Simplisafe camera that showed no one was near the car. See attached pictures.
I was pulling out onto a main road, pressed the accelerator and "not much" happened. The car accelerated to maybe 5 mph and no faster. Took my foot off the accelerator and pushed it to the floor. No response. It was like the vehicle only ran on EV mode and did not turn the engine on. In a second or more returned to normal and could not reproduce what happened. On coming traffic had to break. There was enough room to pull out under normal situations.
I am reporting a recurring safety-related defect involving driver-assistance and steering-wheel controls on my 2022 Toyota Sienna Limited, VIN [XXX] ry 8, 2026, I brought the vehicle to Parkway Toyota in [XXX] bec [XXX] tionβ warning appeared and cruise control stopped working. The dealer diagnosed the issue as related to the 12V battery, replaced the battery, and advised that the condition was resolved. The same malfunction later recurred. I returned to Parkway Toyota on March 18-19, 2026 for the same problem. I reported that the issue had reappeared after driving in cold conditions in Canada and that when the vehicle was warm there were no warning lights. The dealer diagnosed DTC U042381 (βinvalid data received from instrument panel clusterβ) and replaced the hybrid vehicle control ECU. I was told the repair was complete. Within about two days, the identical βLTA Malfunctionβ warning returned again and cruise control was again disabled. In addition, a broader failure then developed involving the steering-wheel-mounted controls: the steering-wheel buttons stopped responding, the instrument display became stuck on one screen and could not be changed, the cruise-control buttons stopped functioning, and the radio volume could no longer be changed from the steering wheel. This appears to be an intermittent but recurring defect affecting driver-assistance functions and vehicle controls while driving. The vehicle has now had two repair attempts for the same general condition, and the problem has not been resolved. Repairing dealer: Parkway Toyota, [XXX] . Repair dates: January 8, 2026 and March 18-19, 2026. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While braking, when the vehicle switches from regenerative braking to conventional, the vehical lurches or momentarily speeds up before stopping. All while brake petal is depressed.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while his pregnant wife was driving and using the sunroof to allow air into the cabin, the sunroof glass suddenly shattered without impact. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,978.
Passenger side mid row seat belt was completely pulled but wonβt retract anymore. I just brought my Sienna to Toyota to get it fixed for a $299.00 plus whatever extra cost will be. I want to make sure this is not a safety factory issue vs unfortunate event.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear of a stationary vehicle; however, the air bags failed to deploy. Additionally, the ABS failed to activate as designed. The contact sustained a back injury upon impact; however, medical attention was not sought. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 84,751.
When purchased "As Is", an airbag deployment was disclosed but not that the front passenger side airbag had not been replaced. In December of 2025, an SRS Airbag warning appeared. Upon inspection, the mechanic discovered a "resistor" had been inserted in the SRS cirucuity to avoid disclosure of the absence of a replacement airbag. The replacement airbag was installed at my cost of $1,578.09 +8% Ohio Sales Tax. I contacted the selling dealer, Toyota of Bedford (OH), in early January 2026 but have not received a response. The other dealer disclosed in the Carfax (likely responsible for the omission of the airbag when the vehicle was repaired in July of 2022) is Suburban Toyota of Troy, MI.
My Toyota sienna is a 2020, has 83,000 miles and has recently been squealing when I accelerate. I took the van to a local body shop and they said it seems to be my transmission. I called Toyota immediately and they knew that the transmissions were faulty and that they would try to work with Toyota to get it fixed. There is no way I can pay 9k for a new transmissions because they put in faulty ones.
The vehicle is a 2020 Toyota Sienna. While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning, creating a dangerous situation and loss of power. This occurred while transporting children, increasing the safety risk. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failure of the low-pressure fuel pump. The problem appears intermittently β sometimes the vehicle runs normally, and other times it stalls or loses power. The check engine light has turned on and off. This issue matches the known defect related to the Denso fuel pump recall affecting many Toyota vehicles from similar model years. However, my VIN is not included in the recall. This is a serious safety concern because the engine can shut off unexpectedly while driving, which could lead to an accident. I believe this vehicle may have the same defective component as those included in the recall, even though it is not currently listed. The issue has been confirmed by an independent mechanic and the vehicle is available for inspection if needed.
cable broke on sliding door and unable to open or access cabin on that side. turned off power to door and still unable to force door open making it difficult to unlatch car seat on that side. safety hazard in accident or rollover
The power sliding door assembly failed, and the driver side rear sliding door was bound shut, and could not be opened. Disabling the power door system did not resolve the issue. The cable for the power door mechanism was hanging below the rear vent windows; but for some reason the door still would not open. I ultimately with a lot of gentle force was able to get the door open enough to see the retract side of the cable was bound up, and was able to cut it with wire cutters, and ultimately get the door to work normally as a non-powered manual sliding door. Since the original NHTSA BULLITIN on this was published in 6/2019 before my 2020 Sienna was manufactured, and Toyota did not change the mechanism until the 2021 model redesign, I believe that RECALL should be extend to all 2019 and 2020 vehicles. This seems dangerous that the door does not default to manual operation in error.
"I've owned the vehicle for five years, and recently I started hearing a whining noise coming from the transmission. After doing some research, I discovered that I'm not alone in experiencing this issue. The dealer told me that the transmission itself is the problem and recommended replacing the entire transmission. However, a second opinion suggested that this kind of noise isn't normal. I'm worried about safety because, although it's just a whine right now, I fear it could fail unexpectedly. I have a child in a wheelchair, and ensuring my vehicle's safety is very important to me."
A catastrophic failed automatic transmission; UA80E of Toyota Sienna 2020 at 85,000 miles. It occurred while I've been driving downhill. No warning lights, not overheating, no diagnostic ODB code, no other indications prior to the failure. Failure created a substantial safety risk for myself, my four passengers and other road users. Sudden loss of transmission function could lead to potential dangerous situation. Minivan was towed to the nearest Toyota dealer where transmission assembly was confirmed for replacement.
In August of 2024, we noticed the drivers side rear view mirror had come loose from it's external housing and was only tethered by wiring that was for mirror movement, defrosting and blind spot awareness. In order for it to be safe to use, we had to duct tape it so that it would not move. Unfortunately, the mirror continues to loosen and has to be retaped frequently. We took it to our dealer (McGovern Toyota) in Portsmouth, NH 0n 23 September 2024 and were told that it could not be fixed but had to be replaced and were quoted an amount of $2025.29 .We were also told that the part was on national backorder and may take a few weeks to arrive. Due to the astonomical cost of replacement, I tried to find other solutions and contacted other dealers and body shops but was told it had to be replaced and could not be fixed. I brought the car into another dealer, nearby (Ira Toyota) in Saco, Maine and they also said it had to be replaced and quoted an amount of $1937.70.I asked them to order the part, which they too, said was in national backorder. I contacted our automobile insurance company (AMICA) who agreed to cover the part and labor and issued a check for $1,420.60. Every month, I would call the dealer and every month I was told that Toyota estimated a delivery within a month, but that month would come and go with no part. For the last several months, I have been in touch with TOYOTA and their "brand engagement advocate" named Julie has reviewed our concern and also has stated that the part will be available by the end of the months of February, March, April, May, June and now July. I have written emails to TOYOTA expressing my dissatisfaction and now have a vehicle which is unsafe to drive due to the instability of the mirror and a vehicle which will not pass inspection (according to the dealer). I feel TOYOTA is lying about the parts actual availability and being disingenuous to what was a loyal customer. I am at a loss what to do next.
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the pre collision, lane assist, and air bag warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and a fuse in the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) was replaced; however, the contact stated that approximately 10 days later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle remained for almost two weeks. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, the wiring harness was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Hinge rust on fuel door causing it to break and not let rear passenger door auto open (because switch won't make up) hinge is very weakly built
Sun roof leaking or clogging causing water to get inside vehicle. Causing extensive damages and malfunctions
Spontaneous and random: Blinkers come on, radio volume goes up or down when turning the other way, CarPlay USB shuts off and on, hiccups when accelerating (when ECO kicks on/in)β¦everything points to an electrical/computer issue. Purchased used from a dealership and noticed these issues after the 3-day return window.
Showing 20 of 711 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Toyota Sienna
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
π Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is β but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Toyota Sienna has 711 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Toyota Sienna has 34 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 33 of the Toyota Sienna's 711 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions β a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable β simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Toyota Sienna vehicles on the road β not any specific car. Two Toyota Sienna vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage β NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Toyota Sienna has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Buyers Also Compare
How does the Toyota Sienna stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
π Check a Toyota Sienna by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Toyota Sienna.