There are zero compromises when it comes to the comfort of eight passengers in the Toyota Sienna. Exactly why Toyota chose the name of the famous Italian city will never be known. Sienna, which is gorgeous, vibrant, and romantic, has almost nothing in common with Florence. All of the above are not true of the Toyota Sienna.
Minivans like this are reliable, though. There is no denying that crossovers and SUVs will inevitably replace this type of car. There is a slow death in the minivan market, and it will eventually disappear like the humble hatchback.
Unfortunately, if you remove off-roading from the equation, a reliable minivan would suffice. In addition to excellent fuel economy and sliding doors, the hybrid is just as spacious as a Land Cruiser.
A reduction in weight and improved handling also make it more like a car. A basic, yet functional all-wheel-drive system replaces a permanent or part-time four-wheel-drive system on the Toyota Sienna. Consequently, the Toyota Sienna is a reliable car that is perfect for an unassuming family man.
Siennas are known for their reliability, as are most Toyotas. In spite of this, there are some common Toyota Sienna problems you should be aware of. On the other hand, there are Toyota Sienna models from years that are nearly faultless.
It’s worth reminding ourselves what the current Toyota Sienna offers and what it costs before looking at the best and worst years.
About The Current Toyota Sienna
It was introduced in 2020 and launched in 2021 for the fourth generation of the Toyota Sienna. A minivan’s safety features are paramount to shoppers in the minivan market.
A minivan’s primary function is to transport the people who matter most to you, so it must have high safety ratings. Secondly, it must have good fuel economy ratings, especially in urban areas. In addition to favorable fuel efficiency within cities, long road trips only occur once or twice a year.
In the current Toyota Sienna, only a hybrid version is available. Combined with two electric motors, it produces 245 horsepower with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine.
AWD gets one mile less per gallon in the city than front-wheel-drive, but the front-wheel-drive gets 36 miles per gallon in the city. Additionally, it was awarded the highest safety rating possible by the IIHS, Top Safety Pick +.
Toyota Siennas aren’t cheap, especially brand new ones. MSRP for the LE is $37,685, while the Platinum has an MSRP of $53,145.
Let’s also discuss problems associated with the Toyota Sienna model years 2021 to 2024.
There has only been one recall for the Sienna so far. There may be a short circuit in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor that results in a failure to deploy the front passenger airbag.
It is an open recall, and buying a lightly-used four-generation vehicle two years old is not a significant concern. Purchasing a used Toyota Sienna with top-spec can save you approximately $10,000.
The Worst Toyota Sienna Years
NHTSA is the agency owners can go to if they want to file a complaint against their vehicle. NHTSA normally investigates complaints and issues recalls if necessary if there are enough complaints. NHTSA usually gets involved after the manufacturer recalls a car. If your vehicle’s VIN has outstanding work that needs to be done, you should run it through a recalls and service campaign checker.
Additionally, you can find patterns in complaints against vehicles on websites like CarComplaints.
It is possible to find the most problematic years using these websites. Sienna owners most often complain about the 2004 model year. There are several issues with the Toyota Sienna models, but the 2007 model is the most expensive to fix out of all of them.
Let’s look more closely at the Toyota Sienna years to avoid with the above information in mind.
2004 And 2005 Toyota Sienna
Those were the best Sienna years, so we’ll skip the first-generation model. The second generation starts with the first model year. Despite being the most reported model year, it’s also the most problematic. A company’s first batch of models is always the worst, no matter how much testing it does. The kinks of an automaker usually get ironed out within a year or two.
Two thousand five hundred and forty-four complaints were received by the NHTSA for the 2004 model year, resulting in ten investigations and ten recalls. There were several major defects fixed by these recalls, but not the thing owners complained about the most.
Used minivan owners complain most about the sliding doors, a must on a 2004 model. There have been issues reported with both the standard sliding door and the power sliding door. People (especially toddlers) can get seriously hurt when sliding doors malfunction, which is extremely dangerous.
A series of power door issues are present, rather than one specific issue. In almost every complaint, poor design and shoddy welding are mentioned. The latch, which holds open the door, can fail as well as various spot welds.
A cracked dashboard is another issue to keep an eye out for. It took roughly five years for cracks to develop in the dashboard, according to owners. Occasionally, cracks became severe enough to interfere with air conditioning. Some owners also reported that the cracks eventually caused their radios to stop working.
2007 Toyota Sienna
One model year you should stay away from is this one since the transmission system is problematic. Some owners complained that when they slowed down, they lost power. When they got back on the accelerator after slowing down for a turn, the engine suddenly lost power.
Downshifts were also clunky, and these transmission issues were not properly addressed. The problem caused transmission failure in a few cases, but some owners chose to replace the transmission instead. Approximately $3,000 was spent on repairs for this.
On this model, the oil cooler hoses wore out prematurely as well. Oil burnt excessively, eventually causing engine problems. It cost around $300 to replace the hoses or add oil to the engine every 500 miles to avoid it becoming a paperweight.
2011 Toyota Sienna
There must have been a lot of surprise among Toyota Sienna owners when the new model was released, and its power doors were also poorly constructed. Poor-quality doors caused the third-generation Toyota Sienna to be recalled, unlike its predecessor.
Toyota had to recall 744,437 Sienna models in 2016 because the doors could open while the car was moving. As far as we are concerned, this is more serious than a transmission breakdown.
The safety of minivans is paramount, as we mentioned earlier. Child safety is a dealbreaker when a car is moving.
Toyota’s fix was substantial, and all complaints about the doors have now been resolved.
Several years before the hybrid model was introduced, Toyota considered offering a four-cylinder engine. Toyota offered the Sienna with the naturally aspirated 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine from the Tacoma as a more cost-effective alternative to the V6 engine from the Tacoma.
2.7-liters were killed off after 2012 due to failure. The 2.7 is likely to have been purchased with the intent of improving fuel efficiency, but instead ended up being a much thirstier car. A V6 engine would have been able to handle the Sienna’s heavy body, but the engine couldn’t handle the heavier body and used more fuel.
You should walk away from a Sienna that has a 2.7 badge.
The Best Toyota Sienna Years
It’s easy to pick the best years. It is generally recommended to buy an older Toyota Sienna model. A first-generation model is hard to go wrong purely because there weren’t many problems. A reliable 3.0-liter V6 powered the car back in an era when ABS was still considered a luxury item.
There is a good reason why we chose at least one model year from the first generation.
2002 Toyota Sienna
Among the first-generation Siennas, the 2002 received the best safety rating. As Toyota included stability control, ABS brakes, side airbags, and airbags in the Sienna, it was well ahead of its time with regards to safety.
You don’t need anything more, so don’t feel bad if you can only afford a model from earlier. Third-generation Toyota Siennas or older are required if you want advanced driver assistance systems.
2017 to 2020 Toyota Sienna
It is a great buy for the third-generation Sienna, apart from the earlier models with the door issues. There are, however, a few tips we can offer.
There were a few recalls associated with this generation Sienna, as with most other cars. In our opinion, the later models from 2017 to 2020 are a better choice for two reasons. The Sienna was facelifted for the 2017 model year with an updated 3.5-liter V6 engine, and Toyota had ironed out all the kinks.
In addition to having a 3.5-liter V6, Toyota made an eight-speed automatic standard, and the V6 produces 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. You won’t find a more fuel-efficient V6 Sienna anywhere else.
For the 2018 model year, Toyota introduced its first-generation Toyota Safety Sense system. A pre-collision system that detects pedestrians, lane departure alerts, and cruise control were included. In comparison to Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, it’s not as advanced, but worth considering if you have the money.
Any Fourth-Gen Model
In 2021, Toyota introduced the XL40 Sienna, which is one of its best models yet. Minivans should be able to meet all the requirements. It was replaced by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated hybrid powertrain instead of the V6. With an average combined fuel economy of over 35 mpg, it is incredibly efficient for its size. Aside from that, it is a handsome beast, though styling isn’t high on its priority list.
There are several hidden storage compartments in the spacious interior, which can be adapted in multiple ways.
Safety Sense 2.0 is standard with the current Toyota Sienna, including pedestrian and bicycle detection during daytime and in low light, pre-collision warning, adaptive cruise control at full speed, lane departure alerts, automatic high beams, road sign assistance, and lane tracing assistance. As a result of stricter safety tests, it is the only minivan to receive IIHS approval.
Despite its good performance, the Sienna is losing value. An entry-level 2021 low-mileage model costs $36,000 on average based on a quick look at used models. Compared to when the car was new, that’s a $2,000 increase. Since the pandemic, things have been tumultuous on the used market, but they are slowly returning to normal. It should take another year or two for prices to level out.
Which Year Models of Toyota Sienna Are Safe to Buy Used?
Since its introduction more than 20 years ago, the Toyota Sienna has been quite reliable. Most models manufactured and marketed throughout the world have met buyer needs. Their durability and dependability make them a good choice. Toyota Sienna years with the lowest safety ratings are listed below:
- 1998 Toyota Sienna
- 1999 Toyota Sienna
- 2000 Toyota Sienna
- 2001 Toyota Sienna
- 2002 Toyota Sienna
- 2003 Toyota Sienna
- 2009 Toyota Sienna
- 2010 Toyota Sienna
- 2012 Toyota Sienna
- 2013 Toyota Sienna
- 2014 Toyota Sienna
- 2015 Toyota Sienna
- 2016 Toyota Sienna
- 2017 Toyota Sienna
- 2018 Toyota Sienna
- 2019 Toyota Sienna
- 2020 Toyota Sienna
First-generation Toyota Siennas were available from 1998 to 2003, and these model years were relatively trouble-free. Common problems include issues with the engine, brakes, and bodywork/paint. On cars with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, these problems are more common.
It was during the second generation that things began to change. In this section, we present models made between 2004 and 2010. In the next part of this article, we’ll discuss the problems with most models, except for the 2009 and 2010 model years.
Between 2011 and 2020, Toyota Sienna will be in its third generation. There have been very few complaints about these models, except for the 2011 model. There is no commonality among all the years reported in terms of the problems. Depending on how the car is used, owners may have seat belt/airbag problems or other miscellaneous issues.
Which Year Models of Toyota Sienna to Avoid
There are many Toyota Sienna models available to suit your needs. Most of the second generation models don’t make it, and only a few make it. Their reliability is questioned and they receive a lot of complaints. The following Toyota Sienna years should be avoided:
- 2004 Toyota Sienna
- 2005 Toyota Sienna
- 2006 Toyota Sienna
- 2007 Toyota Sienna
- 2008 Toyota Sienna
- 2011 Toyota Sienna
There are the most complaints about the 2004 Toyota Sienna. It was the body and paint of the 2004 model that received the most complaints. Due to high repair costs and more problems at lower mileages, the 2007 model year ranks last.
Are Toyota Sienna Generally Reliable?
While the Toyota Sienna is a reliable minivan, there are better options available. Toyota Sienna scores 74.05 out of 100 on Withclutch.com, which ranks other cars based on reliability.
A second opinion can also be helpful. 3.5/5 stars are awarded to the Toyota Sienna on repairpal.com when it comes to reliability. According to the market research, it ranks sixth among eight minivans.
Compared with average repair costs, Sienna drivers report $554 in annual repair costs. There is a 15% chance of major or severe issues occurring if there is a problem.
In a given year, Toyota Sienna vehicles require approximately .4 unexpected repairs. The same number applies to similar minivans.
Which Sienna Years Are The Least Reliable?
The best way to ensure a used car is reliable is to check its reliability before you buy it. It is possible to avoid expensive Toyota Sienna repairs by comparing the least reliable Toyota Sienna years.
Among the years of Toyota Sienna reliability, the following are listed:
- Toyota Sienna 2004
- Toyota Sienna 2005
- Toyota Sienna 2006
- Toyota Sienna 2007
- Toyota Sienna 2008
- Toyota Sienna 2011
Stay away from these models if you want to determine which Toyota Sienna year is the most reliable.
It is not worthwhile to purchase these models despite the fact that they are cheaper. The cost of repairs is likely to increase during these years, hurting your wallet in the long run.
There are common problems with Toyota Siennas regardless of their year of manufacture. Before you purchase one, it’s a good idea to understand how they work.
Is The Toyota Sienna Worth It?
For those who need a minivan, Toyota Sienna used vehicles are reliable for a long time. Repairs will not be necessary because of its reliability.
Toyota Sienna is an excellent vehicle, even though it has some flaws. A Toyota Sienna is one of the best minivans on the market, and it must be reliable as well.
Avoid paying a lot for unexpected repairs by choosing a reliable year. You shouldn’t rush your decisions, and you should be wise in your decision-making.
Common Toyota Sienna Problems
Reliability scores for the Toyota Sienna are excellent. Based on RepairPal’s reliability rating, the Sienna ranks 8th out of 32 competitors in its segment. In any case, potential buyers should be aware of the following Sienna issues:
Engine power loss
When slowing down, owners of the 2007 Sienna complain about losing engine power. Further, transmission problems such as jerking and slipping often accompany this symptom. It is currently unknown what is causing this issue.
Cracking dashboard
Numerous reports indicate that the dashboard of the Sienna is susceptible to cracking. Owners are all too aware of this unsightly issue. Dashes are usually replaced altogether, but the process can be extremely expensive.
Transmission failure
Approximately 78,000 miles is the average time for a transmission to fail on an older Toyota Sienna. Owners have reported that their vehicles’ RPMs increase but they cannot accelerate. Replacement of the transmission system may cost more than $3,000, which is another potential fix.
Power door issues
Occasionally, the power door on a Sienna might not work, posing a serious safety hazard. Possibly, the door’s cable has been damaged, causing this issue.
Read: Best & Worst Acura MDX Years
Read: Best & Worst Honda Pilot Years
Read: Here Are The Honda CR-V Years To Avoid
Conclusion
Despite a few bumps along the way, Toyota has had a great journey so far.
You will find in this guide a list of Toyota Sienna years that you should avoid, as well as those that you should purchase.
Has your Sienna been parked in your driveway for a long time? During what year did you live with them? People considering buying Siennas would benefit greatly from knowing your experience.
