2008 Toyota Sienna Owner Complaints

The contact owned a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while he was away, the fire department called to notify him that his vehicle had caught fire while parked in the driveway. The contact's neighbor was alerted to the fire by the vehicle's alarm system and called the fire department. The fire department extinguished the fire but was unable to determine the cause of the fire. A fire department report was filed. The fire destroyed the interior of the vehicle. The insurance company was made aware of the failure, but had not yet deemed the vehicle totaled. The vehicle remained in the driveway. The contact stated that the vehicle was an equipped BraunAbility handicap wheelchair ramp van. The contact also stated that prior to the fire, the vehicle had no failure and no warning light was illuminated. In addition, The fire wall of the engine performed as designed and protected the engine, although the interior of the vehicle was severely damaged as a result of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11727073

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

Mileage

107,000 mi

Throttle stuck while in reverse pulling out of a parking spot and accelerated resulting in backing into the building

NHTSA ID

11697917

Incident

Jul 16, 2025

I have had the traction control go on while driving on the highway even when I turn it off. Sometimes the VSC and TRAC OFF lights go on while driving. The roads are dry. Whenever I take it in to the mechanic, all the lights are off. They pulled a zero calibration code and recalibrated. It still kept happening. Then I was driving around a curve on highway speeds when the traction control light went on and the van suddenly braked on its own and I almost lost control. The tires are new and the roads were dry.

NHTSA ID

11641052

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

ODOMETER - FALSE - REPORTING -MONTANA TITLE - SIGNED AND NOTARIZED BY SELLER (CARVANA) "Federal and State State Law require that the owner state the mileage of a vehicle upon transfer of ownership. If you fail to complete this disclosure or provide a false statement, you may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment." We were sold Toyota Sienna 110477 miles, however the odometer reads 206625 miles. We reached out to Carvana to resolve the issue, they refused. -CARFAX History -PIC OF ODOMETER -Copy of the TITLE notarized false miles -Bill of Sale Thank You, AWAN AUTO GROUP

NHTSA ID

11630204

Incident

Sep 26, 2024

The head gasket that was repaired failed and the radiator system also failed. Im not sure if these issues are dealer related or manufacture related as i spoke to the previous owner and they stated they had the vehicle serviced at a manufacturer prior to doing a trade in with the dealer

NHTSA ID

11585798

Incident

Apr 16, 2024

The material used by Toyota to manufacture the dash is breaking down. Toyota is aware of this issue due to cracking and offered a limited extended warranty which I never received any notification (and many others did not per Toyota's chat forum). Cracking I can deal with. But now the material is continuing to break down and a thick sticky liquid is separating and rising to the surface creating a terrible sheen. When exposed to direct sunlight the visibility through the front windshield is dangerously low. The road basically disappears. I brought this to the attention of Toyota Brand Engagement Center on Nov. 10. 2023 (File #231110000552). I requested Toyota do the right thing, update their response policy, and authorize a dash replacement at a local Toyota dealership, but they refused based on the response policy they had established many years ago even after I explained the situation is not just cosmetic any longer. I explained the sudden loss of visibility and how incredibly dangerous and frightening it was, but they still refused to address the issue, so I am forced to bring this to your attention. Based on the Toyota's forum this is a widespread issue through several model years. Based on my experience I am confident there will be many accidents due to this manufacturing defect. Please investigate and request Toyota do the right thing to protect their customers.

NHTSA ID

11554652

Incident

Nov 4, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated at a high rate of speed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact desperately pressed on the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not slow down. The contact shifted the gear lever into neutral and the vehicle slowed down. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and shutoff the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 178,000.

NHTSA ID

11540621

Incident

Aug 24, 2023

Mileage

178,000 mi

Issues with VSC. The sensor alarm goes off when driving at more than 50 mph and slightly turning the steering wheel. The car brakes itself and this is DANGEROUS. It happens all the time, it has been more than 5-6 years and we are to the point of not using the car on the freeway to prevent a potential fatal accident. I found posts describing the same issue with this model of Toyota. Car should be recalled to get this fixed.

NHTSA ID

11532504

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while pulling into a grocery store, he heard an abnormal ticking sound. The contact stated upon parking and inspecting the outside of the vehicle, he noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground. Additionally, the oil dipstick was dry upon inspecting the oil level. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where oil was added in the vehicle and the contact drove to his residence. However, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust cam gear had fractured, causing damage to the engine and other unnamed components. The dealer diagnosed that the engine, the exhaust cam gear, and the timing chain needed to be replaced, and additional unknown repairs were also needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown Toyota Extended Warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist due to the vehicle manufactured date. The failure mileage was approximately 204,000.

NHTSA ID

11499391

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

Mileage

204,000 mi

The Vehicle VSC Engaged multiple times even at low speed of 30 mph under the road speed limit. The brake applied and even the vehicle stop to respond to the acceleration. We have 3 little kids and old parents in this vehicle.Toyota should own this problem and fix it free of charge as a factory recall.

NHTSA ID

11497165

Incident

Dec 12, 2022

Driving on dry pavement in mountainous terrain the slip indicator light/sound activates temporarily and the brakes can engage by themselves! Usually happens during right turns. I've been to several automotive specialists for mechanical & electronic diagnosis. I've replaced the lower control arm & the clock spring behind the steering wheel but the issue persists. Online searches indicate this is a common problem with Toyota siennas that is extremely difficult to diagnose & very costly to replace all the possible problematic components! I've had this problem since buying the car used several months ago.This should be a recall issue!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ID

11491948

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

The transmission shift cable broke during parking. Although the transmission shift lever was moved to the park position, the transmission was not placed in park. The first observation was the vehicle started to roll when the driver was loading the purchases at a store. The parking brake was then applied. Then the vehicle engine could not be started, regardless of where the shift lever was positioned. The vehicle was towed to an independent auto service provider. The provider identified the problem as the transmission still in the reverse position and replaced a $10 bushing on the transmission cable with a labor charge of $510.

NHTSA ID

11491320

Incident

Oct 26, 2022

Vehicle starting beebing and automatically engaged abs braking on highway. Dry and clear.

NHTSA ID

11478285

Incident

Aug 7, 2022

The traction control light is coming on during low speed turns on dry pavement.

NHTSA ID

11471964

Incident

Jun 30, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the spare tire hatch control cable snapped and dropped the spare tire onto the roadway. The vehicle rode over the spare tire on the passenger’s side rear wheel causing a jolt to the vehicle. The contact pulled off the road safely and determined that the vehicle was drivable. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.

NHTSA ID

11460697

Incident

Apr 12, 2022

Mileage

195,000 mi

The vsc begins to beep and then the car sometimes applies brakes, or the motor seems to lug. This can happen at any any speed. This has been happening for years and is becoming more frequent.

NHTSA ID

11446362

Incident

Sep 23, 2020

Anti skid/slip malfunctions, Brakes are automatic applied while turning a corner. When this happen one dry road surfaces it was harder to control the car. This happen multiple times in the pass. Yes my safety and others on the road was put at risk. Yes been confirmed by independent service centers. 4.) UNKNOWN 5).No. The warning indicator light and buzzer comes on at the time the incident happens.

NHTSA ID

11440625

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

The dashboard lights up. abs and traction control light, vsc and brake. It seems like the bushings by the rack and pinion become loose and leads to random brake failure.

NHTSA ID

11431470

Incident

Sep 2, 2021

2008 Toyota Sienna. Driving down steep right turns, VSC light comes on, urgent beeping alarm and tires grip and grip vehicle brakes going 20-30+ mph on dry road. Very scary and dangerous, and has continues repeatedly over the past year on curvy right turns. Local mechanics don't know what is wrong with the vehicle. Many Sienna owners have similar problems listed on Carguru. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c9152_ds656326 Please insist on a manufacturing recall for this vehicle. It is unsafe and could easily cause an accident. Thank you. Concerned original car owner.

NHTSA ID

11420705

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

CAR SPEED VARIES WHEN DOING A MODERATE SPEED EXAMPLE 40 MPH SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE ITS ENGINE SLIPS AND SPEED SLOWS CAR JUMPS FORWARD FEELS LIKE ENGINE SLIPS OR GEAR SHIFTS. ENGINE BOGS DOWN OR SOMETIMES REVS UP A LITTLE..SCARES ME SOMETIMES BUT NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE

NHTSA ID

11416631

Incident

Apr 6, 2021

Mileage

108,000 mi

WHEN USING HEATED SEAT FEATURE DRIVERS SIDE REMAINS HEATED EVEN LONG AFTER BEING OFF. HAVE CHECKED FUSES AND STILL SAME ONLY USE SEASONAL. SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE HEAT IS ON WHEN NOT IN USE

NHTSA ID

11416628

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

104,000 mi

BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, AND CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN WET WEATHER WHEN BACKING UP AND SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING ALSO A 🔊 NOISE AND BRAKES SEEM TO SLIP HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IT SCARES ME CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT CONTINUES TO PERSIST. BOTH IN HIGHWAY DRIVING AND REGULAR STREET DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11416627

Incident

Apr 6, 2021

Mileage

108,000 mi

WHILE ON AN ON-RAMP; THE VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35 MPH STARTED BLINKING THE SLIP LIGHT AND SLOWED THE VAN DOWN, ALSO CAUSING I THINK THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE WITH FORCE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AND ON RAMPS. I HAD THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED AND STILL HAS DONE THIS.

NHTSA ID

11404919

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Mileage

146,892 mi

THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ENGAGE IN INSTANCES WHERE IT SHOULDN'T ACTIVATE. THE MOST COMMON IS A LONG, SLIGHT CURVE ON AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE SECOND MOST COMMON SCENARIO IS ACCELERATING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. WHEN VSC ENGAGES, THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH TO THE SIDE IT WAS ACTIVATED ON AND CURTAIL ANY ACCELERATION. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL WHEN ON A FREEWAY CURVE AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY, CAUSING UNEXPECTED MOTION THAT IS A HAZARD TO REMAINING ON THE ROAD OR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THERE ARE MALFUNCTIONS IN ANY SYSTEM THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS TO OCCUR. NOTE: MILEAGE ON THE ODOMETER IS ~170,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11378530

Incident

Oct 23, 2020

Mileage

170,000 mi

2008 SIENNA DASHBOARD CRACKING AND IS SHINY AND STICKY. THE SHININESS PRODUCES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS PROBLEM STARTED A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFERED BY TOYOTA EXPIRED. TRIED CONTACTING TOYOTA AND REFUSED TO HELP.

NHTSA ID

11372319

Incident

Oct 29, 2020