RoadVitals

2002 Toyota Sienna

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
181
Latest Feb 15, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 20, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
20
19 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 181 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Toyota Sienna, most frequently naming the body & structure, interior & seats and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 109 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE

Apr 20, 2010
600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: 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.
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number AOEView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE01036ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

Opened Oct 19, 2001
Closed Feb 11, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Feb 15, 2026

Dear Sir, On April 2026, I need to do the semiannual smog check. Right now, I face DTC P0420 error code and I can't pass the smog check inspection. Note that I don't have the engine light on indicating the a/m error code. Only my OBD2 shows the error DTC Code P0420. I did some searhing and noticed that the ECM for Sienna should be updated to erase the a/m DTC code. I would appreciated to help me how the resolve this issue ASAP. It will enable me to renew my registration.You may contact on my cell phone 747 217 7254 or my email at [email protected]. Regards, Massey

NHTSA ID
11718059
Incident
Feb 7, 2026
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2023

CHECKING ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF SLIDE DOOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ID
11515584
Incident
Apr 5, 2023
Suspension
Filed Mar 25, 2021

THE LOWER REAR MOUNT FOR THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WAS FOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY TO HAVE BECOME PARTIALLY FRACTURED OVER TIME. IT IS MADE OF THIN HOLLOW METAL WITH INTERNAL THREADS. THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR THIS EXCEPT TO PURCHASE A LARGE MULTI-FUNCTIONAL UNIT COSTING $1,688.00

NHTSA ID
11404845
Incident
Mar 24, 2021
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 1, 2019

BRAKES MAKE A NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STOP. THERE IS A SQUEAL AND THUMP THAT CAN BE HEARD. HAVE TAKEN THIS IN SEVERAL TIMES TO BE FIXED. THEY SAY THE BRAKES ARE SAFE. I AM 74 YEARS OLD AND HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND THE ONLY TIMES OTHER CARS HAVE MADE THIS KIND OF NOISE IT WAS TIME TO CHANGE THE BRAKES. IN THIS CASE THE BRAKE PADS SEEM TO HAVE PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT. FUNNY THAT WHEN THE REAR DRUMS ARE REMOVED AND THE BRAKE AND DRUMS ARE THOROUGHLY CLEANED THE NOISE DOES NOT HAPPEN FOR A WHILE. THE FIRST COMPLAINT WAS MADE AT 15,523 MILES AND CONTINUES TOO THIS DAY. AT 31,842 MILES THE REAR DRUMS WERE REPLACED PER TSB BR003-04. TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AT 125,559 MILES AND WE WERE TOLD WE NEEDED NEW REAR DRUMS. THEY HAD BEEN REPLACED. THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BRAKES AND NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11228644
Incident
Mar 18, 2003
Mileage
15,523 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 22, 2018

STEERING GETS STIFF HARD TO TURN STEERING

NHTSA ID
11074246
Incident
Nov 17, 2017
Mileage
104,273 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 8, 2018
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A SMALL INCLINE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE POST. A SMALL CHILD WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAITA TOYOTA (2500 AUBURN BLVD, SACRAMENTO, CA). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCED A MECHANISM FAILURE, BUT THE EXACT CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,200.

NHTSA ID
11061205
Incident
Nov 11, 2017
Mileage
136,200 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 4, 2017

INCIDENT #1 (6/3/2017) - TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN TURNING ON CITY STREET. CAR PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WENT UP TO 35 MPH FOR SEVERAL BLOCKS INCIDENT #2 (6/4/2017) - WHILE PARKING CAR IN DRIVEWAY, APPLIED FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. ENGINE ROARED AND THRUSTED FORWARD.

NHTSA ID
10993094
Incident
Jun 3, 2017
Mileage
208,000 mi
AirbagsHeating & air conditioning
Filed Jul 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LEAKED WATER FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. ...UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JS

NHTSA ID
10884763
Incident
Jul 14, 2015
Mileage
24,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0038-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

T-SB-0039-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.

T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

T-SB-0061-23 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.

T-SB-0062-23 Rev2

STRUCTURE:BODY

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.

T-SB-0038-24 Rev1

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Sienna by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020362049.1
2019457059.7
2018697056.5
201715210064.3
2016755053.4
20152296059.0
20141626157.4
20131836158.2
20122479156.9
201161114158.3
20101728055.5
200920710057.2
20084289055.0
200736410055.4
20061,01611358.7
20051,13012662.2
20042,062101063.1
20031051044.3
2002Viewing1811149.1
20011802048.2
20003631248.5
19992153257.3
19982943257.1
1997201
1996301

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.