Toyota Sienna Years to Avoid — the 2004–2006 and the 2011.
The 2004 Sienna drew 2,062 NHTSA complaints, more than any other year, 752 about the sliding doors. The 2018–2020 drew the fewest of any pre-hybrid Sienna, even though some owners steer clear of their eight-speed transmission.
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Quick Answer
- What Toyota Sienna years should you avoid?
- The 2004–2006 and the 2011. The 2004–2006 drew 4,209 complaints, 1,314 about the sliding doors and 370 about the liftgate, and the 2006 262 about an airbag light. The 2011 drew 615, 177 about the Takata inflator recall.
- What is the best year for a used Sienna?
- Leaving out years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints, 2020 (39), 2021 (45), 2019 (47) drew the fewest from 1998 to 2021. The 2017 drew 160, with the transmission the component owners name most.
- Are the 2017–2020 Siennas with the eight-speed bad?
- NHTSA's records do not show it. The 2017 drew 160 complaints, 38 mentioning the transmission, and the 2018, 2019 and 2020 drew 73, 47 and 39. Owners still debate the 2017, so drive it from a stop and listen for a whine.
Five checks for a used Sienna, by year
The Sienna's biggest complaint cluster is its doors, so test everything that opens before you test the drive.
- 1Read the year from the VINCharacter 10 is the model year; every Sienna VIN our visitors checked starts 4T3 or 5TD, both US codes.
- 2Both sliding doorsRun each door open and shut several times from the switch and the key fob; a stall, a grind or a frayed cable is the fault.
- 32004–2006: the liftgateRaise the liftgate and let go; if it drifts down, the struts are worn.
- 4Recalls by yearAsk for proof of the spare-tire cable, shift-lock, Takata and seat recalls that apply to the year.
- 5Check title and mileage recordsA salvage brand or a mileage gap shows up by VIN; a worn door cable does not.
Avoid: the 2004–2006 Sienna
The first three years of the second generation drew 4,209 complaints, more than every other Sienna year from 2007 to 2026 combined (3,485). The sliding doors lead: 1,314 complaints, many describing a power-door cable that snapped or a door that will not open or close.
The liftgate is next, 370 complaints about a gate that will not stay up; Toyota's campaign 08V244000 replaced the power liftgate struts on the 2004–2006. On the 2006, 262 complaints describe an airbag warning light that stays on, and many trace it to wiring connectors.
Recalls 13V429000 and 17V657000 cover a shift lock that can let the lever leave Park without the brake pressed, on 2004–2010 Siennas.
The 2004–2006 by the numbers
- 2,062 · 1,130 · 1,017 complaints on the 2004, 2005 and 2006.
- 1,314 about the sliding doors.
- 370 about the liftgate.
- 262 2006 complaints about an airbag light.
Avoid: the 2011, the third generation's first year
The 2011 drew 615 complaints, more than any other third-generation year. The airbags are the component owners name most: 177 complaints cite the Takata passenger-inflator recall 16V340000, most from owners told the part was not available.
145 more describe the sliding doors. Recall 16V858000 covers 2011–2016 Siennas whose power sliding door, after failing to open when commanded (such as when frozen shut), may open unexpectedly, possibly while driving.
The 2012 follows the same pattern on a smaller scale: 247 complaints, 71 about the inflator recall.
The 2011 by the numbers
- 615 complaints, the most of the 2011–2020 Siennas.
- 177 cite the Takata inflator recall.
- 145 describe the sliding doors.
- 14 recall campaigns list the 2011.
Every Toyota Sienna Model Year Compared
NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns for every Sienna from 1998 to 2026, read on 14 November 2026.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crash · fire reports | Recalls | Most-cited component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1st | 315 | 19 · 3 | 3 | Service Brakes |
| 1999 | 1st | 218 | 15 · 5 | 3 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 2000 | 1st | 381 | 22 · 4 | 1 | Engine And Engine Cooling |
| 2001 | 1st | 190 | 15 · 0 | 2 | Structure |
| 2002 | 1st | 207 | 19 · 4 | 1 | Structure |
| 2003 | 1st | 116 | 13 · 2 | 1 | Latches/Locks/Linkages |
| 2004 | 2nd | 2,062 | 51 · 8 | 10 | Structure |
| 2005 | 2nd | 1,130 | 39 · 8 | 12 | Structure |
| 2006 | 2nd | 1,017 | 37 · 2 | 11 | Air Bags |
| 2007 | 2nd | 364 | 29 · 6 | 10 | Structure |
| 2008 | 2nd | 429 | 37 · 4 | 9 | Structure |
| 2009 | 2nd | 207 | 15 · 3 | 10 | Structure |
| 2010 | 2nd | 172 | 15 · 2 | 8 | Structure |
| 2011 | 3rd | 615 | 34 · 7 | 14 | Air Bags |
| 2012 | 3rd | 247 | 10 · 4 | 9 | Air Bags |
| 2013 | 3rd | 183 | 7 · 1 | 6 | Structure |
| 2014 | 3rd | 164 | 6 · 2 | 6 | Structure |
| 2015 | 3rd | 233 | 17 · 7 | 6 | Structure |
| 2016 | 3rd | 76 | 7 · 1 | 5 | Structure |
| 2017 | 3rd | 160 | 13 · 4 | 10 | Power Train |
| 2018 | 3rd | 73 | 5 · 0 | 7 | Power Train |
| 2019 | 3rd | 47 | 2 · 0 | 7 | Power Train |
| 2020 | 3rd | 39 | 0 · 1 | 2 | Power Train |
| 2021 | 4th | 45 | 0 · 1 | 4 | Air Bags |
| 2022 | 4th | 20 | 1 · 0 | 5 | Service Brakes |
| 2023 | 4th | 70 | 8 · 0 | 3 | Service Brakes |
| 2024 | 4th | 69 | 6 · 0 | 4 | Service Brakes |
| 2025 | 4th | 272 | 3 · 0 | 6 | Seats |
| 2026 | 4th | 0 | 0 · 0 | 1 | — |
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not divided by sales. From 2021 NHTSA files the Sienna as the Sienna Hybrid; those complaints are included. NHTSA lists no complaints yet for the 2026.
Other Sienna Years With a Known Weak Spot
Smaller clusters in NHTSA's records, and the recalls behind them.
1998–2002: oil sludge
98 complaints on the first-generation V6 mention engine sludge, 39 on the 2000.
1998–2011: spare tire cable
Recalls 10V160000 and 14V273000: in salt-belt states the cable holding the spare under the van can corrode and let the tire drop.
2008: throttle
61 of the 2008's 429 complaints describe acceleration problems, from a lag before the van responds to sudden surges. NHTSA lists no accelerator recall for the 2007–2010.
2023–2024: hybrid brakes
56 complaints on the two years describe the brakes, many saying they briefly release or grab when coming to a stop.
2025: second-row seats
Recall 25V668000: the second-row seat rails may be welded improperly. 207 of the 2025's 272 complaints are about the seats, many from owners waiting for the repair.
2022–2026: seat backs
Recall 26V690000: on seven-seat models the second-row seat backs may not stay secured in a crash; 25V086000 covers third-row seatback bolts on the 2021–2025.
What Sienna Owners Say
High-mileage Sienna owners mostly report wear items. The arguments start over the sliding doors and the 2017–2020 eight-speed transmission.
In owners' words (paraphrased)
- 2004 at 225,000 miles: it has never left the family stranded and is the best value they have had in a vehicle.
- 2012 XLE, original owner, 270,000 miles: tires, brakes, oil changes and one alternator.
- 2014 LE: the power sliding doors repaired under a recall, and the fix lasted until the drive home.
- 2017 Limited at 150,000 miles: none of the common problems, only maintenance.
- 2019 Limited: a head gasket leak found at about 98,000 miles during a spark plug change.
- A Toyota Nation member: would skip the 2017–2020 because of the eight-speed automatic.
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Fewest vs. Most Sienna Complaints
Fewest is limited to 1998–2021 and leaves out years where one fault is a quarter or more of complaints (2004–2006 and 2009–2012).
Fewest complaints
- 2020: 39 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2021: 45 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2019: 47 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2018: 73 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2016: 76 complaints, 5 recalls
Most complaints
- 2004: 2,062 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2005: 1,130 complaints, 12 recalls
- 2006: 1,017 complaints, 11 recalls
- 2011: 615 complaints, 14 recalls
- 2008: 429 complaints, 9 recalls
Recall counts include multi-model campaigns.
The Siennas Our Visitors Check
Between 7 June 2026 and 13 November 2026, visitors ran 644 different Toyota Sienna VINs through our free preview, all with US codes. 129 (20%) were second-generation 2004–2010 models, 311 (48%) 2011–2020 and 186 (29%) 2021-or-newer hybrids.
74 (11%) were 2004–2006s, the sliding-door years, and 104 (16%) were 2017–2020s. The single most-checked year was the 2026, at 75 VINs.
Sienna Complaints by Generation
The second generation (2004–2010) drew 5,381 complaints, more than the first (1,427), third (1,837) and hybrid fourth (476) combined.
What to Check on a Used Sienna
By year, the faults to look for.
Any year: sliding doors
Cycle both doors from every switch; listen for grinding and look for a frayed cable at the track.
2004–2006: liftgate struts
The gate should stay up on its own at full height.
2004–2010: airbag light
The light should go out a few seconds after start-up.
2011–2013: Takata
Confirm the passenger inflator was replaced under 16V340000 or the later campaigns.
2017: transmission
Pull away gently and hard from a stop; a whine, a hesitation or a harsh shift needs a closer look.
2021+: seat recalls
Check the VIN for the second- and third-row seat recalls.
Reading Sienna Complaint Numbers
NHTSA complaints are owner reports, not verified and not divided by sales. Most 2011 airbag complaints are about waiting for the Takata part, not an airbag that failed, and most 2025 seat complaints are about the recall.
The fault counts come from searching the words owners used, so they are a minimum. Newer years have had less time: the 2024 has 69 complaints and the 2023 70.
Related Checks and Guides
Recalls, history checks and the Sienna's rivals.
Where These Facts Come From
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's own records; owner experiences are linked so you can read them in full.
NHTSA records read 14 November 2026. Written by the CarCheckerVIN editorial team with AI assistance, from NHTSA's complaint and recall records, our own preview logs and the owner posts linked above; figures checked November 2026. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Toyota.
Toyota Sienna Years to Avoid — Frequently Asked Questions
Doors, airbags, the eight-speed and the hybrid years.
What is the worst year for the Toyota Sienna?+
By NHTSA complaint count, the 2004 (2,062), then the 2005 (1,130) and the 2006 (1,017).
Which Sienna years have sliding door problems?+
Every generation has some, but the 2004–2006 stand out: 1,314 complaints, 752 on the 2004 alone. On the 2011–2016, recall 16V858000 covers a door that may open unexpectedly.
Is the 2017 Sienna a year to avoid?+
It drew 160 complaints, fewer than any 2004–2015 Sienna, 38 of them mentioning the transmission. Some owners avoid it for the eight-speed; one 2017 owner reports 150,000 miles with only maintenance.
Are the hybrid-only 2021 and newer Siennas reliable?+
They drew few complaints except the 2025, where 207 of 272 are about the second-row seat recall. On the 2023–2024, 56 describe the brakes.
Which Sienna years are covered by the spare tire recall?+
Recall 10V160000 covers 1998–2010 and 14V273000 covers 2004–2011 Siennas sold or registered in salt-belt states.
Will your report show these problems?+
No history report can tell you a door cable is fraying. Ours lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos for the VIN. Recalls are free to check on NHTSA's site.
Work Every Door, Then Check the Title
On a 2004–2006 Sienna, cycle both sliding doors and the liftgate before the test drive; on a 2017, pull away hard from a stop. Free preview first; the full report is $14.99 and lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's public records as read on 14 November 2026; complaints are unverified owner reports. Owner comments are paraphrased from the linked pages. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Toyota. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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