2001 Toyota Sienna

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 180 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the structure › body › door. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
67,235 milesMedian miles at failure

124 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch14
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages13
000
Structure › Body › Door10
001
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine10
000
Electrical System10
000
Vehicle Speed Control8
200
Structure › Body8
000
Structure7
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
100
Engine and Engine Cooling6
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Structure10V160000
Filed Apr 20, 2010600,000 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.

Risk. THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Structure › Frame and Members01V072000
Filed Mar 5, 2001545 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 202175 milesWA

A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE 3.0 L V6 ENGINE. HEAVY SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. VISIBLE OIL SLUDGE UNDER THE OIL REFILL CAP.

Structure › Body
Filed May 30, 2018147,000 milesMA

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR HAS SEVERAL TIMES NOW REFUSED TO LATCH, AND WHEN IN EMERGENCY SITUATION I HAVE LOCKED IT AND FORCED IT TO SHUT THEN IT WILL NOT UNLOCK AND IT HAS TO BE TAKEN APART TO BE OPENED AND THE WHOLE LATCH AND LOCK MECHANISM REWORKED BY THE MECHANIC, AND IN THE MEANTIME THE DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED WHICH IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN I HAVE CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLE AND BACK ROWS OF THE VAN. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED, SO IT IS DEFINITELY AN ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE HARDWARE OF THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM ITSELF AND NOT SIMPLY A GLITCH THAT OCCURRED ONCE OR SOMETHING.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 20, 2017154,000 milesOH

MY 9 YEAR OLD SON AND I WERE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT AND I HEARD SOMETHING SNAP ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. I THEN HEARD SOMETHING DRAGGING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND REALIZED THE FUEL TANK WAS DRAGGING AND THE BACK STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK UP HAD BROKEN LOOSE CAUSING THE BACK SECTION OF THE TANK TO DRAG ON THE ROAD. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TOW VEHICLE TO THE MECHANICS. SINCE I WORK 18 MILES AWAY I FIND GETTING TO WORK DIFFICULT.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 12, 2016160,000 milesCA

I HAD JUST DROPPED MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OFF AT SCHOOL AND AS I WAS LEAVING I HAD TO STOP BECAUSE SOME CHILDREN WITH THEIR PARENTS NEEDED TO CROSS IN FRONT OF ME I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS NORMAL AND I HAD NO ISSUES IN STOPPING BUT THEN IT FEELS LIKE A "GHOST" PUSHES THE GAS PEDAL DOWN BECAUSE I CAN FEEL IT MOVE AND SEE MY RPM GAUGE GO UP AND I HEAR MY ENGINE "VRRRROOOMMMM" I PUSHED MY BRAKES HARDER AND STILL NOTHING, THE END RESULTS ME HAVING TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING INTO THE CROSSWALK ONTO THE PEOPLE. WHEN I GET HOME IT DOES THE SAME THING AND I ALMOST CRASH INTO MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE CAR IS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND AGAIN. IT WOULD ALWAYS HAPPEN AT RANDOM, AFTER I WOULD LET GO OF THE BRAKES ITS ALREADY MOVING FAST AS IF MY FOOT IS ON THE GAS, I SAY TO MY PASSENGER WHICH IS MY WIFE "LOOK THE VAN IS GOING ON IT'S OWN, I'M NOT EVEN PUSHING THE GAS" THE VAN WAS MOVING PRETTY FAST, BUT FAST ENOUGH FOR THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A STOP AND GO MOVEMENT. I NO LONGER DRIVE THE VAN BECAUSE I AM SCARED THAT I AM GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I EVEN HAD THE VAN CHECKED FOR CODES AND NOTHING CAME UP.

Engine
Filed Aug 7, 2016CA

TAKATA RECALL. WHITE SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE EXHAUST WHEN I START THE CAR. THEN SMOKE DISAPPEARS OR STAY AT LOW LEVEL DURING DRIVING. DECREASE OIL. I PUT ONE QUARTER OIL EACH WEEK. MECHANICS SAYS IT MAY HEAD GASKIT OR SEALS. COSTS 2000 AND ABOVE TO REPAIR. IF NOT BETTER TO GARBAGE THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS A CLEAN TITLE WITH 106K.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 20, 201690,000 milesCA

THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT STOPPED THE SRS DEPLOY AND HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 16, 2016118,203 milesNY

THE HORN ON THE SIENNA WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION WHEN DRIVING AS A HORN COULD POSSIBLY PREVENT AN ACCIDENT WITH A CAR OR PEDESTRIAN. FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM IN 2014, BUT WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA, IT WOULD WORK, SO THEY COULDN'T CHECK IT OUT. IN APRIL 2015, THEY FINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE SPIRAL CABLE, SO THEY REPLACED IT, TO THE TUNE OF $400+. THREE DAYS LATER, WE HAD THE PROBLEM AGAIN. WEREN'T ABLE TO BRING IT BACK UNTIL RECENTLY. REPLACED SPIRAL CABLE AGAIN. PROBLEM RETURNED BEFORE THE CAR MADE IT HOME. VEHICLE IS BACK IN SHOP. I BELIEVE THEY SAID THEY ARE REPLACING THE HORN PAD ASSEMBLY, WHICH WILL COST ANOTHER $150 FOR THE PART. THEY ARE NOT CHARGING FOR LABOR AS IT IS UNDER A 1 YEAR SERVICE WARRANTY. FOUND OUT TODAY A COWORKER HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A 2005 SIENNA. I GOOGLED, "PROBLEMS WITH SIENNA HORN" AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL AS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THAT MAYBE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ATTRIBUTED TO THIS PROBLEM AND SO IT'S "FLOWN UNDER THE RADAR", SO TO SPEAK.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 2016142,112 milesAL

HORN WILL NOT WORK IN THE RAIN OR WHEN YOU DRIVE IN WATER. IT TAKES ABOUT A DAY FOR THE HORN TO DRY OUT FOR THE HORN TO WORK AT ALL. PEOPLE COULD GET KILLED WHEN THE HORN WILL NOT WORK IN THE RAIN OR WATER. TOYOTA NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL NOW TO SAVE THE LIVES OF MILLIONS OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE USA.

Structure › Body › Hood
Filed Feb 25, 2016120,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE HOOD WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND UNLATCHED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 23, 2015133,000 milesMD

I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING AREA OF A SHOPPING CENTER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING IN THE CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY. I BRAKED TO NO AVAIL. THEN I PUT ON THE FOOT EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH SLOWED BUT DID NOT STOP THE CAR. A PASSENGER THEN TURNED OFF THE KEY AND WE LURCHED TO AN ABRUPT STOP, SHORT OF A TYPICAL PARKING LOT LIGHT POLE. AFTER A BRIEF TIME I TURNED ON THE KEY AND WAS MET WITH A VERY LOUD GROWL FROM THE HOOD. AAA HAULED ME TO JOSEPH AIRPORT TOYOTA IN VANDALIA, OH. ON TUES, AUG 11, I CALLED TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD FOUND. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AFTER TESTING AND DRIVING THE CAR. I ASKED TO TALK WITH THE MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME HE HAD TESTED EVERYTHING THOROUGHLY AND COULD NOT REPLICATE WHAT I HAD EXPERIENCED.

Power Train
Filed Feb 24, 2015131,000 milesNY

[THIS INCIDENT HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA - CASE # [XXX].] I EXITED PARKING LOT AND TURNED LEFT TO TRAVEL NORTH ON TWO-LANE STREET AT 5 PM. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING THE LANE, MY CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, AND IT WAS STUCK IN POSITION. I TAPPED THE PEDAL, AT WHICH POINT THE PEDAL LOCKED IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND THE CAR RACED FORWARD, WITH TIRES SCREECHING. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES AND PUT IN CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT 5000-6000 RPM WHILE I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER ON THE RIGHT. AFTER PUTTING THE SHIFT INTO PARK, I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND, NOTED THERE WAS NO CARPET INTERFERING WITH THE PEDAL, YET IT WAS STUCK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. I PULLED BACK A FEW TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO FREE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOVEMENT, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE. I TESTED THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RESUMING MY ROUTE. AT MY FIRST LEFT TURN AFTER THE ACCELERATION INCIDENT, I NOTED THAT THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING, AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN THE CAR A SHARP 90 DEGREES TO THE LEFT. THE REMAINDER OF MY RIDE HOME, THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 4/19/2016*JS

Air Bags
Filed Jan 6, 2015137,315 milesCA

TOYOTA SIENNA HAS AIR BAG FLASHING, IT JUST LAST 12/12/20014, SO I BROUGHT IT TO FREMONT TOYOTA FOR CHECK UP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE FLASHING AIR BAG ASK THEM IF IF IS PART OF TOYOTA AIR BAG RECALL. THEY CHARGE ME $152.00 TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER 2 HRS, THEY SAY, THEY NEED MORE HOURS TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE CHARGING ME ANOTHER $152.00. I THOUGHT THE $152.00 IN THE FIRST PLACE THEY TELL YOU THE PROBLEM.IS THIS RIGHT WHEN THEY ESTIMATE THE HOUR. THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. TO PAY EXTRA I DON"T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.. IS THIS AIR BAG PROBLEM IS TOYOTA RECALL. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY SAFETY. THANKS: CONRAD

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jul 9, 2014150,000 milesTX

THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VAN IN TIME AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF FRONT BUMPER OF THE 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN HIT THE WALL OF A HOUSE BUT NO AIR BAGS CAME OUT OR INFLATED. THE VAN IS TOTALLY DAMAGED AND NOT DRIVEABLE. *TR

Wheels
Filed Feb 24, 2014258,000 milesOH

THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM BROKE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THANKFULLY I WAS TRYING TO REMOVE THE SPARE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT GO FLYING INTO TRAFFIC. THE CABLE BROKE AT THE END WHERE THE CABLE GOES THROUGH THE METAL HOLDER/BRACKET THAT ACTUALLY CLAMPS TO THE WHEEL. IF THIS HAD BROKEN OFF WHEN THE VAN WAS MOVING, EITHER THE VAN WOULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SPARE GETTING CAUGHT BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE VAN OR THE SPARE MAY HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS MAYBE THE SECOND TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD THE SPARE OFF IN THE 258K MILES WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE INSPECT REGULARLY. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE VANS OUT THERE AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE BEHIND ONE WHEN THE SPARE LETS GO. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT MY VAN DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 12, 201332,231 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,231 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,451.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 15, 2013160,000 milesNY

THE STEEL CABLE FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR SNAPPED WHILE DOOR WAS BEING OPENED ELECTRONICALLY. THE RIGHT SIDE SLIDING DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN WIDER THAN A FOOT SINCE THE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE IN OPERATION. PASSENGERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, HAD TO EXIT THE PARKED VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DOOR REMAINED INOPERABLE UNTIL WE WERE ABLE TO CUT THE REMAINING LENGTH OF STEEL CABLE HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE ROADWAY WITH WIRE CUTTERS. THE DOOR NOW IS A MANUAL SLIDING DOOR UNTIL THE ENTIRE MOTOR AND STEEL CABLE SYSTEM CAN BE REPLACED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 2, 2013275,000 milesOH

WITHIN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE REPLACED MY BRAKE PADS REPLACE 3 TIMES. JUST LAST MONTH I REPLACED MY PADS , ROTORS AND CALIPERS. BUT NOW MY PADS ARE GRINDING REALLY BAD AGAIN AND IT'S BEEN 30 DAYS SINCE I HAD NEW PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS PUT ON. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG! I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF TOYOTA SIENNA VAN. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2013170 milesSD

INSTRUMENT AND VEHICLE LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER. ELECTRIC DRIVERS SEAT WORKS RANDOMLY AND BACKGROUND LIGHT FOR RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE CRUISE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2013145,000 milesSD

THE REAR AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR FAILS TO OPEN OR CLOSE. CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED MANUALLY FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. SEEN REPORTS OF SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES ON LINE. OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE APPEARED WITH THE VEHICLE AS WELL. *TR

Seats
Filed Jul 19, 2013115,699 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT INDEPENDENTLY MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S BACK REST BOLT WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,699.

20 of 180 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202038210Routine
201945700Routine
201871700Routine
20171531040Routine
201675510Routine
2015231670Above average
2014163620Routine
2013183610Routine
2012247940Above average
20116141470Above average
2010172821Fatalities reported
20092071030Above average
2008429940Above average
20073641062Fatalities reported
20061,0171121Fatalities reported
20051,1301281Fatalities reported
20042,0621082Fatalities reported
2003105120Routine
2002181140Routine
2001 — this page180202Fatalities reported
2000363140Above average
1999215341Fatalities reported
1998294330Above average
19972000Routine
19963000Routine

Compare every Sienna year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 20, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.