Toyota Sienna Structure Problems
Owners have filed 2,745 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Toyota Sienna across 24 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (962). The words owners use most often: “sliding door” (37% of reports).
- 2,745structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 23mention a crash
- 170mention an injury
- 7related recalls
- $2,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 31%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.
- Sliding door: mentioned in 1,016 of 2,745 complaints (37%)
- Open close: mentioned in 196 of 2,745 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the Toyota Sienna at $2,300, and half of them between $1,550 and $2,900.
Based on 295 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2020), 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 structure problems happen?
Based on 2,075 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,745 complaints, 23 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 170 an injury.
Toyota Sienna structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Sienna | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2019 Sienna | 6 | 13% | 42,500 |
| 2018 Sienna | 5 | 7% | 8,700 |
| 2017 Sienna | 14 | 9% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Sienna | 27 | 36% | 33,256 |
| 2015 Sienna | 61 | 26% | 26,000 |
| 2014 Sienna | 44 | 27% | 63,500 |
| 2013 Sienna | 44 | 24% | 39,000 |
| 2012 Sienna | 72 | 29% | 53,205 |
| 2011 Sienna | 154 | 25% | 71,500 |
| 2010 Sienna | 57 | 33% | 70,500 |
| 2009 Sienna | 97 | 47% | 81,000 |
| 2008 Sienna | 117 | 27% | 81,850 |
| 2007 Sienna | 102 | 28% | 70,000 |
| 2006 Sienna | 261 | 26% | 68,000 |
| 2005 Sienna | 499 | 44% | 65,000 |
| 2004 Sienna | 962 | 47% | 80,000 |
| 2003 Sienna | 18 | 17% | 80,000 |
| 2002 Sienna | 42 | 23% | 75,000 |
| 2001 Sienna | 35 | 19% | 78,000 |
| 2000 Sienna | 52 | 14% | 120,000 |
| 1999 Sienna | 36 | 17% | 95,500 |
| 1998 Sienna | 35 | 12% | 101,000 |
| 1996 Sienna | 1 | 33% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (7)
Structure:body:door
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna minivans manufactured January 4, 2010, to August 12, 2016. If the power sliding door is unable to be opened when commanded, such as if the door is frozen shut, the door may subsequently open unexpectedly, possibly while the vehicle is moving.
Risk: If door opens while the vehicle is moving, there would be an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the junction block, rear sliding door wire harnesses, and install two sub wire harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G04.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Model years: 2015
Problem: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Sienna vehicles manufactured January 23, 2015, to April 13, 2015, and equipped with non-Toyota-brand overhead entertainment accessories installed by GST. During reassembly of the interior after the overhead entertainment system installation, a trim panel securing clip may have been reused instead of being replaced.
Risk: If the clip was damaged during the entertainment system installation, in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment, the trim panel may detach and strike one of the vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GST will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trim panel securing clip, free of charge. The recall began June 5, 2015. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 15R1.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Model years: 2015
Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2015 Sienna vehicles manufactured September 1, 2014, to April 13, 2015 and equipped with overhead entertainment accessories installed by SET. During reassembly of the interior after the overhead entertainment system installation, a trim panel securing clip may have been reused instead of being replaced.
Risk: If the clip was damaged during the entertainment system installation, in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment, the trim panel may detach and strike one of the vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the trim panel securing clip, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET15B.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Model years: 2011
Problem: Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 corolla vehicles equipped with a non-toyota, blue tooth hands free device or navigation unit and certain model year 2011 toyota sienna vehicles equipped with a non-toyota, overhead entertainment system and/or bluetooth hands free device. There is a possibility that the front a-pillar trim panel retention clip may have been damaged during the installation of the aftermarket accessory.
Risk: A damaged a-pillar trim panel retention clip may allow the trim panel to come loose and injure an occupant in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the a-pillar trim panel retention clip and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 30, 2011. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Structure
Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 1998 through 2010 sienna passenger vehicles manufactured between august 7, 1997 and january 4, 2010, currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington district of columbia, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin. The subject vehicles are equipped with the spare tire stowed under the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated in the cold climate regions of the united states where road salt is frequently used, water splashed backwards with high concentrations of road salt can reach the spare tire carrier and corrode the spare tire carrier assembly cable.
Risk: The cable may break due to excessive corrosion and the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners with an interim letter initially instructing them to bring their vehicle to authorized dealers to inspect for corrosion. A second notice will be sent when the permanent remedy is available. For more information, please see toyota's amended recall report of july 19, 2010. The safety recall is expected to begin on october 12, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006
Problem: Toyota is conducting a safety improvement campaign involving 196,222 my 2004-2006 toyota sienna vehicles equipped with power rear liftgate struts. The gas struts used to help lift and support the rear power liftgate could wear out sooner than expected. As the gas struts deteriorate, the performance of the liftgate will begin to degrade and the power rear liftgate will operate more slowly than when the gas struts were new.
Risk: If not repaired, the gas struts may not be able to support the weight of the liftgate when it is open eventually, the gas struts could deteriorate to the point that the liftgate will fall about ten inches after it reaches the fully open position, at which point the power motor will engage and power the liftgate to the fully closed position. This condition may cause injury to a person who is struck by the liftgate when it falls or when it is closing.
Fix: Dealers will replace the gas struts with newly designed gas struts that have a longer service life. The campaign began on august 8, 2008, and will be mailed in three phases ending in late december 2008. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371.
Structure:frame and members
Model years: 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front sub frame assembly has not been adequately welded.
Risk: This condition could cause failure of the assembly following long-term usage, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front sub frame, if necessary. Owner notification began april 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should 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.
The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure); several years ago. The contact stated that the dealer only serviced the passengerâs side sliding door, even though the recall indicated that both…
This is the 2nd Occurrence where Sliding Door Cable Breaks and the doors are disabled where you can not open or close the sliding door and its jammed shut. Attempts to press the Power Sliding door buttons do not work. This is the 2nd Occurrence on this Vehicle. The First occurrence happened…
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for a recall repair, the mechanic discovered large holes in the center of the subframe caused by rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was…
The fuel filler door assembly on this 2017 Toyota Sienna failed structurally due to a defective hinge mechanism. This defect directly compromises a critical vehicle safety system. The Sienna is engineered with a physical safety interlock cable that links the fuel door to the driver-side sliding…
Power sliding door on driver side cable snapped. After closing door and trying to use the door without power unable to open or close the door at all. Passengers forced to use alternate door for exit of vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Siennas have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,745 owner complaints about structure 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 structure?
Yes: 7 safety recalls list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the Toyota Sienna?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,300 (half paid between $1,550 and $2,900), from 295 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Toyota Sienna?
The most frequent phrase is “sliding door”, in 1,016 of 2,745 complaints, followed by “open close” (196).
Other Toyota Sienna problems
- Air Bags problems (876)
- Latches/locks/linkages problems (786)
- Electrical System problems (707)
- Power Train problems (554)
- Steering problems (524)
- Tires problems (521)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (465)
- Seat Belts problems (346)
See all Toyota Sienna problems.