Toyota Sienna Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Toyota Sienna across 23 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (89). The words owners use most often: “rear differential” (6% of reports).
- 554power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 43mention a crash
- 21mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $3,200typical repair cost reported by owners
- 32%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rear differential: mentioned in 31 of 554 complaints (6%)
- Gear shift: mentioned in 31 of 554 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Toyota Sienna at $3,200, and half of them between $2,150 and $4,850.
Based on 31 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 338 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 554 complaints, 43 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 21 an injury.
Toyota Sienna power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Sienna | 8 | 21% | 30,723 |
| 2019 Sienna | 7 | 16% | — |
| 2018 Sienna | 20 | 28% | 35,000 |
| 2017 Sienna | 37 | 24% | 35,000 |
| 2016 Sienna | 3 | 4% | 6,000 |
| 2015 Sienna | 12 | 5% | 33,000 |
| 2014 Sienna | 7 | 4% | 60,000 |
| 2013 Sienna | 14 | 8% | 83,000 |
| 2012 Sienna | 17 | 7% | 96,500 |
| 2011 Sienna | 30 | 5% | 81,000 |
| 2010 Sienna | 17 | 10% | 73,100 |
| 2009 Sienna | 6 | 3% | 48,000 |
| 2008 Sienna | 38 | 9% | 56,000 |
| 2007 Sienna | 31 | 9% | 68,000 |
| 2006 Sienna | 40 | 4% | 73,900 |
| 2005 Sienna | 48 | 4% | 75,000 |
| 2004 Sienna | 89 | 4% | 62,125 |
| 2003 Sienna | 10 | 10% | 75,399 |
| 2002 Sienna | 13 | 7% | 81,443 |
| 2001 Sienna | 6 | 3% | 44,280 |
| 2000 Sienna | 67 | 18% | 68,500 |
| 1999 Sienna | 11 | 5% | 82,500 |
| 1998 Sienna | 23 | 8% | 99,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: If the shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V. Vehicles that were previously recalled under campaign 13V-429 are not affected by this recall.
Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Model years: 2014
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Sienna vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, through June 24, 2014. The affected vehicles have a transmission shift control cable whose protective cable sleeve may have been damaged during assembly. This could cause the control cable to bind or separate during gear shift operation causing incorrect gear selection. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect."
Risk: If the transmission shift cable separates while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission shift control cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Power train:automatic transmission
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
Fix: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2011
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 venza and sienna passenger cars manufactured from march 7, through march 10, 2011. There is a possibility that the front, right, drive shaft may break due to insufficient heat treatment.
Risk: Should the drive shaft break during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose power without prior warning. Loss of motive power without warning may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will inspect the drive shaft, and, if the drive shaft is identified as one that may not have been correctly manufactured, it will be replaced with a new one at no charge. The safety recall began on june 22, 2011. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Whining noise when accelerating, transmission shop reported discovery of damage to transmission upon removal and inspection of transmission.
Transmission has high pitch wine that is consistent and rises with speed... Toyota expains I have 500 to 5000 miles before carrier bearing completely fails... Toyota has an extended warranty for Sienna UA80e transmission in 2017/2018... The issue is exactly as they explain in their warranty…
Transmission whining above 20mph. Toyota customer care program [XXX] states my vehicle falls within timeframe but dealer and corporate will not honor repairs INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle: 2018 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD, VIN [XXX], approximately 112,000 miles. Component: Power Train / Automatic Transmission (UA80F 8-speed). The vehicle has developed a pronounced whining noise from the transmission that rises with road speed, accompanied by harsh/rough shifting. A Toyota dealer…
I, as well as other owners of 2017â2018 Toyota Highlanders and 2017â2018 Siennas are experiencing serious transmission issuesâincluding high-pitched whining, erratic shifting, clunks, hesitation, and premature failure. My 2017 Toyota Sienna has the UA80 8-speed automatic transmission at issue…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Siennas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 554 owner complaints about power train for the Toyota Sienna. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Sienna power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Toyota Sienna?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,200 (half paid between $2,150 and $4,850), from 31 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Toyota Sienna?
The most frequent phrase is “rear differential”, in 31 of 554 complaints, followed by “gear shift” (31).
Other Toyota Sienna problems
- Structure problems (2,745)
- Air Bags problems (876)
- Latches/locks/linkages problems (786)
- Electrical System problems (707)
- Steering problems (524)
- Tires problems (521)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (465)
- Seat Belts problems (346)
See all Toyota Sienna problems.