Toyota Sienna: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Toyota Sienna problems by model year, from 2,280 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2018 (48%, 32 drivetrain complaints), 2017 (43%, 61 drivetrain complaints) and 2020 (41%, 15 drivetrain complaints). 4 of the 13 Toyota Sienna years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
Best years on this measure: 2022 (9%), 2016 (10%) and 2021 (11%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2016 (10%) to 2017 (43%), up 33 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2011 drew the most drivetrain complaints (63 of 356 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Toyota Sienna year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Sienna | no elevated signal | 17% | 27 | 172 | 7/13 | 8 |
| 2011 Sienna | no elevated signal | 16% | 63 | 614 | 8/13 | 14 |
| 2012 Sienna | no elevated signal | 18% | 29 | 247 | 5/13 | 9 |
| 2013 Sienna | no elevated signal | 16% | 25 | 183 | 10/13 | 6 |
| 2014 Sienna | no elevated signal | 17% | 25 | 163 | 6/13 | 6 |
| 2015 Sienna | no elevated signal | 16% | 33 | 232 | 9/13 | 6 |
| 2016 Sienna | no elevated signal | 10% | 6 | 76 | 12/13 | 5 |
| 2017 Sienna | high | 43% | 61 | 154 | 2/13 | 10 |
| 2018 Sienna | high | 48% | 32 | 72 | 1/13 | 7 |
| 2019 Sienna | elevated | 38% | 15 | 45 | 4/13 | 7 |
| 2020 Sienna | high | 41% | 15 | 38 | 3/13 | 2 |
| 2021 Sienna | no elevated signal | 11% | 15 | 165 | 11/13 | 1 |
| 2022 Sienna | no elevated signal | 9% | 10 | 119 | 13/13 | 2 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Toyota Sienna years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Toyota Sienna transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns on the Toyota Sienna involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 41 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2011 | 11V306000 | power train: driveline: driveshaft | 2011 |
| Jul 2014 | 14V414000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2014 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V576000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2014 |
| Oct 2017 | 17V657000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2010 |
| Jan 2020 | 20V012000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2017–2019 |
| Nov 2020 | 20V682000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2017–2020 |
35 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2010 | 10V035000 | equipment: other: labels | 2010 |
| Feb 2010 | 10V036000 | equipment: other: labels | 2010–2011 |
| Apr 2010 | 10V160000 | structure | 2010 |
| Dec 2010 | 10V620000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2011 |
| Nov 2011 | 11V566000 | structure: body: roof and pillars | 2011 |
| Nov 2011 | 11V560000 | equipment: other: labels | 2011–2012 |
| Mar 2012 | 12V120000 | equipment: electrical | 2012 |
| Jan 2013 | 13V014000 | air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive | 2010–2013 |
| Apr 2013 | 13V123000 | equipment: other: labels | 2011–2012 |
| May 2014 | 14V273000 | tires: temporary/emergency spare tire | 2010–2011 |
| Nov 2014 | 14V743000 | seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler | 2010–2011 |
| Nov 2014 | 14V757000 | air bags: side/window | 2015 |
| Apr 2015 | 15V236000 | structure: body: roof and pillars | 2015 |
| Apr 2015 | 15V240000 | structure: body: roof and pillars | 2015 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V197000 | seat belts: front | 2016 |
| May 2016 | 16V340000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2011 |
| Jun 2016 | 16V396000 | seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler | 2010–2011 |
| Nov 2016 | 16V858000 | structure: body: door | 2011–2016 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V006000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2012 |
| May 2017 | 17V295000 | tires: temporary/emergency spare tire | 2017 |
| Dec 2017 | 17V831000 | equipment: other: labels | 2017 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V024000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2013 |
| Feb 2018 | 18V130000 | wheels | 2018 |
| Apr 2018 | 18V211000 | service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum | 2017 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V005000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2011–2014 |
| Mar 2019 | 19V244000 | equipment: other: labels | 2019 |
| Apr 2019 | 19V318000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2019 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V410000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2014–2019 |
| Jun 2019 | 19V503000 | equipment: other: labels | 2017–2019 |
| Jul 2019 | 19V532000 | steering | 2017–2020 |
| Jul 2019 | 19V553000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2012–2018 |
| Oct 2019 | 19V741000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2011–2013 |
| Nov 2021 | 21V889000 | seat belts: rear/other: anchorage | 2022 |
| Apr 2022 | 22V239000 | electronic stability control (esc): control module: software | 2021–2022 |
| Dec 2025 | 25V876000 | equipment adaptive/mobility: wheelchair restraints/securement: latch/anchor: | 2016–2017 |
What the free pages leave out on the Toyota Sienna
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Toyota Sienna
What are the worst years for the Toyota Sienna?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Toyota Sienna years are the 2018 (48% of relevant complaints, high), the 2017 (43% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2020 (41% of relevant complaints, high). 4 of 13 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Toyota Sienna?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Toyota Sienna years are the 2022 (9%), the 2016 (10%) and the 2021 (11%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Toyota Sienna have transmission problems?
In some years. Across the 13 scored years, 356 of 1,896 relevant NHTSA complaints (19%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is power train. The years with an elevated share are 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Is the Toyota Sienna reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 4 of 13 Toyota Sienna years we score have an elevated complaint share and 9 do not. Pooled across those years, 19% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Toyota Sienna?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Toyota Sienna years we track, out of 41 in total: 17V657000 (Oct 2017, 2010), 20V012000 (Jan 2020, 2017–2019), 20V682000 (Nov 2020, 2017–2020), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.