2006 Toyota Sienna Owner Complaints

The TPMS system failed in the ECM or engine computer. It uses the wheel speed sensors on each hub to measure differences in wheel speed and uses this to infer if any one wheel has low tire pressure. (This vehicle does not have TPMS sensors in the wheels.) However, with this failure, it reports a tire pressure problem even though all 4 tires are inflated properly. This problem persists even after cleaning then replacing wheel speed sensors. The problem appears to be in the ECM or engine computer, which is very difficult and expensive to replace. With this problem, the driver is never able to tell if any tire actually has low pressure because the system always reports that a tire has low pressure. Toyota should be required to fix this issue in all affected vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11722856

Incident

Apr 15, 2023

While driving, there was a recurrent sound like doors locking and unlocking, several dozen times over a half hour drive at 50 miles per hour. When stopped, the passenger side sliding door opened by itself. Luckily, my dogs were in a kennel or they might have jumped out of the car. I closed it and it opened by itself again. At home, the passenger side sliding door opens when my neighbor presses the button on his key fob to open his non-Toyota pickup truck. It will not open or close when I press the button on my Sienna key fob.

NHTSA ID

11708132

Incident

Dec 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna equipped Hercules Tires, Tire Line: Roadtour 855 SPE, Tire Size: 215/65/R16, DOT Number: U96VH260H21. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH during a trip, the steering wheel started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop, and the contact was informed that the two front tires had sustained tread belt separation and bulges. The two front tires were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the tire shop, and the contact was informed that the rear passenger's side tire had sustained tread belt separation, and the metallic belt was poking through the rubber. The contact requested that the rear tires be replaced as a precautionary measure. The rear tires were replaced. All four tires were replacement tires. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was 173,414. The tire failure mileage was approximately 16,022. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11680059

Incident

Jul 31, 2025

Mileage

173,414 mi

I am contacting you regarding Toyota Warranty Enhancement Program – ZE6. This concerns sticky and cracking dashboard and glare from this. I had no idea this existed. I own a 2006 and a 2010 sienna. I have not received any mailers from Toyota regarding either Sienna's . My van's dashboards are included in this program. Problem is, I never received notice from Toyota about either dashboard. Is there anything that can be done about this?

NHTSA ID

11610775

Incident

Aug 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the liftgate was opened and raised; however, the liftgate failed to remain open and raised as intended. The contact stated that when the liftgate was raised, the liftgate independently fell due to faulty liftgate struts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11608315

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!

NHTSA ID

11576496

Incident

Mar 10, 2024

Bought the van used last year. Previous owner said mechanic could not diagnose the issue. On slight curves similar to on-ramps while accelerating the Vehicle stability control (VSC) will engage unexpectedly, sound an alarm and jerk the steering wheel. Some times to the point of pulling the vehicle out of its lane. Road speed is decreased dramatically as it feels as though the ABS is engaging. This has happened to me at least half a dozen times since June 2023. The condition will continue for maybe five or ten seconds until the wheel is straightened and speed reduced. Searching the Internet seems it's a fairly common problem. The fix might be to replace the steering rack or disable the VSC system. It's reported by those experiencing the issue get little to no help from the dealerships which strikes me as quite strange... From what I've read it seems to affect 2004-2009 Siennas

NHTSA ID

11548154

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

The bushing for the gear shift is broken causing the lever to disconnect from the cord preventing the vehicle from shifting gears. This caused the vehicle to become stuck in reverse. The car was stuck in reverse when attempting to shift to drive, nearly causing my wife to crash into another vehicle. There are multiple videos on YouTube demonstrating this problem, it is a known issue. The vehicle/component has not been manufactured. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms.

NHTSA ID

11544413

Incident

Sep 13, 2023

Vehicle traction control system will activate around a curve and break the vehicle while the traction control warning system activates. Breaking around a curve in a wet road situation can be very risky. Numerous other Toyota owners have filed similar complaints.

NHTSA ID

11540120

Incident

Aug 22, 2023

Mileage

232,000 mi

The vehicle stability control system randomly engages and activates the brakes without cause. This can happen on a gentle curve going under the speed limit. It is very scary and I am afraid it is going to cause an accident. Internet research shows many owners with this issue and no information on the cause or a fix

NHTSA ID

11514074

Incident

Mar 27, 2023

Slip light indicator comes on and alarm goes off, while anti-lock brakes engage. This is happening while I'm driving on the highway never in the city. The car starts pulling to the right sometimes almost pulling me off the road. The road conditions are completely normal and dry no gravel in it no reason whatsoever for the anti-lock brakes to start engaging. When this first started happening it only happens on curves while I was driving approximately 35 mph. After a couple of months it started happening also while I was driving approximately 70 miles an hour going straight on a dry road. It almost pulled me off into a ditch. The steering is affected I can barely steer but I have managed to keep the car on the road. This is now happening more frequently. I was almost pulled into another car to my right once. At first it was only every couple of months but now I had it happen twice in about a hundred mile trip. There's no way I can get a mechanic to have this happen because you can't predict when it will happen and many miles it won't happen. It is very very dangerous and I'm afraid to take my Toyota sienna on the highway now. After researching it I have found that many people are having this trouble with their Toyota Sienna's there needs to be a recall or a repair. Apparently Toyota mechanics have replaced all kinds of things in the Sienna's but nothing has fixed the problem.

NHTSA ID

11512351

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

This is a Braun Side Entry Rampvan Conversion. In 2008 there was a safety bulleting 34238 in which I took the vehicle in for inspection and any corrections. On January 19,2023 the rear axle mount broke off while driving. The vehicle was inspected by my insurance company, who denied my claim saying it was a result of wear and tear. The car fax report states it is a total loss due to flooding, which I am in the process of disputing. The cost to repair is several thousand dollars. Do I have any recourse regarding my vehicle. I had the vehicle serviced at Toyota for some normal mtce December 22 & 14th total cost of $3000.00, and there was no mention from them that there was an issue, which could have caused an accident.

NHTSA ID

11506867

Incident

Jan 19, 2023

Every time I go around a curve, the ABS TRC and vehicle beeps like I'm sliding. It happens on every curve. Its very dangerous. I have unplugged the sensor under the front passenger seat and all problems go away. i have replaced this part and it still has not fixed the problem. with part unplugged i have no ABS TRC Airbags none of the safety equipment is working while unplugged, but is safer than having my brakes slammed in every curve.

NHTSA ID

11504238

Incident

Aug 19, 2020

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that she heard a strange noise while decelerating and the brake pedal failed to engage. There were no warning lights. The contact continued to depress the brake pedal with force until the antilock braking system engaged but failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the brake pump was replaced but the failure recurred. The contact then had the brake pump replaced for a second time, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS needed to be replaced and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11480843

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

Mileage

90,000 mi

Vehicle Trac Control/ABS system engages periodically especially on winding roads between speeds of 30-60mph. Trac Control alarm goes off and vehicle pumps brakes automatically, then resolves. This is extremely dangerous especially when roads are wet/icy or when being followed too closely by another vehicle. Tried replacing front right wheel speed sensor but problem persists. Research shows this is a chronic problem with Sienna vans and needs to be repaired or guidance provided by Toyota on how to resolve before someone gets hurt. Please help!

NHTSA ID

11464622

Incident

May 13, 2022

While driving vehicle on dry, non slippery roads with slight to moderate curves, vehicle illuminates Traction Loss light, sounds alarm buzzer, and at times applies brakes and dethrottles engine, even when no loss of traction has occurred. This happens while driving on straight roads with slight unevenness. Had to disconnect wheel speed sensor harness to disable ABS/VSC system. When this happens, the vehicle automatically applies brakes to certain wheels and dethrottles the engine, this can pull the vehicle to one side sharply and can cause an accident.

NHTSA ID

11463875

Incident

Apr 8, 2022

Airbag warning light intermittently flashes, upon personal research on owner forums this is a common issue that is most commonly fixed by wiggling or disconnecting/reconnecting the airbag sensor wiring below the front seats.

NHTSA ID

11460099

Incident

Mar 9, 2022

Airbag system warning light due to failing connector under the front passenger seat. Code 44 / B0111. See Toyota T-SB-0069-12. This is a pattern failure in a critical safety system.

NHTSA ID

11454282

Incident

Feb 1, 2022

Swollen lug nuts. Won’t fit any wrench. Affects ability to remove a tire in case of needing to repair a flat tire.

NHTSA ID

11441604

Incident

Jun 6, 2019

My Toyota Sienna XLE 2006 VSC and ABS comes on when I drive uphill or downhill mostly when I steer to the left. This is a situation common on freeway ramps in or out. When this happens the car slows down abruptly beeps a loudly. This is an issue reported by many owner of that vehicle model across several years.

NHTSA ID

11440333

Incident

Oct 16, 2021

I've had multiple instances of driving along at varying speeds ranging from 35 to 65 mph, where the traction control kicked in abruptly, the slip indicator lights come on along with the traction control light on the dashboard, a beeping sound occurs, and the van brakes suddenly on its own. This has happened on dry pavement without any reason for traction control to kick in whether I'm driving straight or going around a curve. It is very dangerous and I've stopped driving the vehicle since I often drive with my 3 young children and I fear for our safety.

NHTSA ID

11437926

Incident

Apr 5, 2021

When driving on a curve traveling about 30 to 45 MPH. The traction control engages in perfectly dry road conditions. It automatically brakes and jerks the car one way or the other. Very dangerous, especially since you're traveling on a curve when it most often happens and you basically lose your ability to control the vehicle. I won't even let my wife drive the car. There's no known remedy for this problem and I can't even sell the car.

NHTSA ID

11432627

Incident

Jul 25, 2021

The back hatch power struts will not hold up the hatch. These are the replacement struts from the first recall. The hatch will open up and then automatically begin to close. Any attempt to access the back of the van results in the hatch closing down on my head. I have read online that many other Sienna owners are having the same issue with the replacement struts. There needs to be another recall. The cost of replacing the "replacement struts" is nearly $800. This is a faulty part from Toyota; they should be held responsible.

NHTSA ID

11431803

Incident

May 26, 2021

Vehicle shut off when going over the drain pipe I rolled it into a gas station turned it on and off switched gears and it started to roll back on drive I tried to move the gears and turned off the the vehicle after ward no gear worked.

NHTSA ID

11425228

Incident

Jul 10, 2021

VCS lights activate, alarm sounds and auto breaking while traveling at posted speeds while going around curved roads. Creates loss of control. Dealer has no remedy, mechanic has no remedy. Many similar issues found on on-line forums.

NHTSA ID

11422155

Incident

Jun 24, 2021