Toyota Sienna 2011–2020
3rd generation (XL30)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,368 complaints, 1,260 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 13,000 and 75,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 18 complaints (1.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,400
- 25%
- 13,000
- Median
- 39,000
- 75%
- 75,000
- 90%
- 113,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 189 | 15.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 84 | 6.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 63 | 5.0% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 62 | 4.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 78 | 6.2% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 45 | 3.6% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 61 | 4.8% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 51 | 4.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 51 | 4.0% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 53 | 4.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 46 | 3.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 38 | 3.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 43 | 3.4% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 31 | 2.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 49 | 3.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 28 | 2.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 33 | 2.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 24 | 1.9% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 31 | 2.5% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 25 | 2.0% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 23 | 1.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 13 | 1.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 17 | 1.3% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 20 | 1.6% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 13 | 1.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 7 | 0.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 6 | 0.5% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 18 | 1.4% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,368 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011–2020 Toyota Sienna, and 1,260 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 13,000 and 75,000 miles. The median is 39,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are body structure (18.6% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles), the airbag system (15.3% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (10.8% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
36 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Body structure50,000median 50,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 86,000
- Airbag system52,000median 52,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 83,000
- Problems owners could not categorise50,000median 49,600 miles, middle half 20,000 to 78,000
- Electrical system35,000median 35,450 miles, middle half 9,500 to 72,000
- Transmission and driveline76,000median 75,656 miles, middle half 30,000 to 100,000
- Wheels33,000median 32,888 miles, middle half 22,000 to 76,000
- Engine41,000median 40,802 miles, middle half 22,000 to 87,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 440 | 18.6% | 50,000 | 22,000–86,000 |
| Airbag system | 363 | 15.3% | 52,000 | 21,000–83,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 256 | 10.8% | 50,000 | 20,000–78,000 |
| Electrical system | 222 | 9.4% | 35,000 | 9,500–72,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 152 | 6.4% | 76,000 | 30,000–100,000 |
| Wheels | 103 | 4.3% | 33,000 | 22,000–76,000 |
| Engine | 99 | 4.2% | 41,000 | 22,000–87,000 |
| Brakes | 84 | 3.5% | 33,000 | 12,000–50,000 |
| Steering | 83 | 3.5% | 50,000 | 22,000–70,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 71 | 3.0% | 35,000 | 17,000–74,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 39,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Body structure accounts for 18.6% of complaints (440 reports, 211 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 86,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 15.3% of complaints (363 reports, 82 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,304 and 83,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 10.8% of complaints (256 reports, 127 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 49,600 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 78,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 9.4% of complaints (222 reports, 154 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 35,450 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 9,300 and 72,100 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.4% of complaints (152 reports, 77 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 75,656 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 100,000 miles.
The wheels account for 4.3% of complaints (103 reports, 57 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 32,888 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 75,706 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2011 model year drew the most — 814 complaints — while 2020 drew the fewest at 48. The median year sits at 205.
That makes 2011 an outlier: roughly 4.0 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 36 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), equipment (7), the hydraulic brake circuit (4). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 2,368 complaints filed against this generation, 147 reported a crash; 46 reported a fire; 164 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 6.2% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 13,000 and 75,000 miles, with a median of 39,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, body structure and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Body structure in particular shows a median failure mileage of 50,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Power Sliding Doors 2011–2016
Sliding door roller bracket and latch failure can allow a door to open while the vehicle is moving; a large NHTSA recall covering the early years of the generation. The recurrence of sliding door failures across three consecutive Sienna generations is a nameplate-level pattern worth its own hub page.
Transmission 2017–2020
Shift quality complaints - hesitation and harsh downshifts - following the 2017 switch to the 8-speed UA80 automatic.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 814 | 416 |
| 2012 | 333 | 165 |
| 2013 | 227 | 123 |
| 2014 | 210 | 137 |
| 2015 | 293 | 172 |
| 2016 | 98 | 56 |
| 2017 | 201 | 107 |
| 2018 | 86 | 47 |
| 2019 | 58 | 25 |
| 2020 | 48 | 12 |
Recalls (36)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V876000 | 2026-02-05 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:wheelchair Restraints/Securement:latch/Anchor: |
| 20V682000 | 2021-01-21 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 20V012000 | 2020-05-01 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 19V553000 | 2019-12-16 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 19V741000 | 2019-11-20 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V503000 | 2019-08-23 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 19V532000 | 2019-07-25 | Steering |
| 19V410000 | 2019-06-25 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 19V318000 | 2019-06-21 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V244000 | 2019-05-24 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 19V005000 | 2019-02-15 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V211000 | 2018-05-09 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 18V130000 | 2018-04-20 | Wheels |
| 18V024000 | 2018-01-29 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V831000 | 2018-01-23 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 16V858000 | 2017-07-28 | Structure:body:door |
| 17V295000 | 2017-06-15 | Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire |
| 17V006000 | 2017-02-01 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V340000 | 2016-11-18 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V396000 | 2016-07-14 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler |
| 16V197000 | 2016-04-29 | Seat Belts:front |
| 14V273000 | 2015-07-07 | Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire |
| 15V240000 | 2015-06-05 | Structure:body:roof and Pillars |
| 15V236000 | 2015-05-22 | Structure:body:roof and Pillars |
| 14V743000 | 2015-01-29 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler |
What owners reported
During the test drive and inspection of 2011 Toyota Sienna van the driver's side rear sliding door would close without touching the button or handle. The dealer (rep) told me that he had pressed the close button too many times and that's why it shut during the inspection of the vehicle. After taking the vehicle home…
2011 · 3 miles · Body structure
Motor on sliding doors have not worked properly since we first purchased it brand new. We were told they "stick" because the rubber seals are so new. The doors only open part of the time. 50% Of the time when you open them, they beep loudly and get stuck, just like day one. Toyota continues to claim there is nothing…
2011 · 10 miles · Electrical system
Latches on the rear sliding doors of our 2011 Toyota Sienna ltd. Are not releasing properly. When the doors are opened from the handles, the motor pulls the doors open but the latches do not release. You hear a popping sound and the doors pop open. Dealer "reprogrammed" the doors to no avail. After dealer claimed…
2011 · 25 miles · Latches and locks
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that after driving in rainy weather conditions there were spots on the windshield that affected his vision. After attempting to clean the spots off of the windshield, he was unable to remove them. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that…
2011 · 46 miles · Visibility equipment
Built from 1,260 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page