Toyota Sienna Steering Problems
Owners have filed 524 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Toyota Sienna across 21 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (159). The words owners use most often: “rack pinion” (11% of reports).
- 524steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 17mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,550typical repair cost reported by owners
- 26%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.
- Rack pinion: mentioned in 59 of 524 complaints (11%)
- Steering shaft: mentioned in 48 of 524 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Toyota Sienna at $1,550, and half of them between $1,050 and $2,150.
Based on 53 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2026), 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 steering problems happen?
Based on 393 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 524 complaints, 17 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 11 an injury.
Toyota Sienna steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Sienna | 3 | 8% | 4,422 |
| 2017 Sienna | 7 | 5% | 15,550 |
| 2016 Sienna | 4 | 5% | 21,452 |
| 2015 Sienna | 11 | 5% | 39,000 |
| 2014 Sienna | 8 | 5% | 57,500 |
| 2013 Sienna | 11 | 6% | 76,000 |
| 2012 Sienna | 15 | 6% | 52,000 |
| 2011 Sienna | 24 | 4% | 58,568 |
| 2010 Sienna | 11 | 6% | 115,000 |
| 2009 Sienna | 12 | 6% | 61,674 |
| 2008 Sienna | 33 | 8% | 97,000 |
| 2007 Sienna | 12 | 3% | 93,000 |
| 2006 Sienna | 61 | 6% | 85,000 |
| 2005 Sienna | 79 | 7% | 90,000 |
| 2004 Sienna | 159 | 8% | 81,000 |
| 2003 Sienna | 4 | 4% | 1,012 |
| 2002 Sienna | 10 | 6% | 78,873 |
| 2001 Sienna | 8 | 4% | 23,300 |
| 2000 Sienna | 6 | 2% | 126,000 |
| 1999 Sienna | 21 | 10% | 65,000 |
| 1998 Sienna | 25 | 9% | 67,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering
Model years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Problem: Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain modified 2017-2020 Toyota Sienna vehicles. The steering shaft extensions may have been improperly manufactured, possibly causing the extensions to fracture.
Risk: If the steering shaft extension completely fractures, it can cause a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft extensions, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
My 2015 Toyota Sienna has âStickyâ steering. When on a curve, like an highway curved ramp, the steering locks in place. I have to pull the steering wheel back to keep the car on track. When it sticks I can literally let go on a curve and it will hold itâs position. Even when driving straight…
The power steering has a notch or almost a stickiness when turning. In turns around interstate ramps the steering almost locks in place requiring physical effort to get the steering to straighten back out. Even driving in a straight line one can feel this notch like feeling where the steering wheel…
The battery light came on suddenly and the power steering went out making it extremely difficult to steer the vehicle. An accident was narrowly avoided. We replaced the battery, alternator, and serpentine belt. The problem resolved for over 6 months, then reappeared. It starts with no issue, is…
The Traction Control System commonly malfunctions while making turns on curving road sections. I will lose power through turns as the TCS light blinks on my dashboard and makes a beeping sound. On some occasions the brakes will automatically engage in the tire that the car perceives as experiencing…
Vehicle often applies brakes on its own . At first it was only in turns . However now it does it when driving straight on the the freeway or just down the street at 45mph. I have fixed my alignment ,new tires, all of the front suspension and nothing prevents the car from trying to brake for me. it…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Siennas have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 524 owner complaints about steering 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 steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Toyota Sienna?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,550 (half paid between $1,050 and $2,150), from 53 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Toyota Sienna?
The most frequent phrase is “rack pinion”, in 59 of 524 complaints, followed by “steering shaft” (48).
Other Toyota Sienna problems
- Structure problems (2,745)
- Air Bags problems (876)
- Latches/locks/linkages problems (786)
- Electrical System problems (707)
- Power Train problems (554)
- Tires problems (521)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (465)
- Seat Belts problems (346)
See all Toyota Sienna problems.