RoadVitals

2008 Toyota Sienna Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
428
Latest Mar 25, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
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.
41

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Sienna, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

117
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY VEHICLE HAS 138,000 MILES AND WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT FIXING THE SLIDING DOOR, I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL WAS OVER IN 2016; HOWEVER, I KNOW OF A PERSON THAT WAS ABLE TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE FIXED BY TOYOTA. IN FACT, TOYOTA REPLACE BOTH THE DOOR SLIDING COMPONENTS / LATCHES. FOR MY VEHICLE I TRIED GETTING TOYOTA TO FIX THIS LAST YEAR AND TRIED AGAIN TODAY BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT COVER THESE REPAIRS. I WANT IT DOCUMENTED THAT THIS VIN HAS NOT BEEN FIXED REGARDING THE SLIDING DOOR AND SHOULD A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ARISE IN THE FUTURE DUE TO THESE DOORS, THIS WILL SERVER AS DOCUMENTATION. THE ISSUE BEGAN ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THIS YEAR I HAD TO TAKE IT ON MYSELF TO TRY AND FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO TOYOTA NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS. THE CABLE FOR THE SLIDING DOOR HAD FRAYED AND WHEN THE DOOR WAS MANUALLY OPENED, IT WOULD ONLY OPEN SOME BUT NOT FULLY. THE ROLLER LATCH FOR THIS DOOR ALSO APPEARS TO BE BENT AND NOW THE DOOR IS CLOSE TO HITTING THE SIDE PANEL WHEN OPENED; I HAD TO REMOVE THE CABLE COMPONENTS MYSELF TO ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN. I BELIEVE THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COSTS FOR HAVING BOTH DOORS MECHANISMS REPLACED IS $4,000 AND I CANNOT AFFORD THAT COSTS. IN 2016 I DO NOT RECOLLECT BEING INFORMED BY TOYOTA REGARDING THE SLIDING DOOR ISSUES AND NOW MY VEHICLE CANNOT BE REPAIRED FOR THAT SERVICE PROGRAM HAS EXPIRED.

NHTSA ID 11361310 · filed Sep 26, 2020

LIFT-GATE FRAME CRACKING AROUND LEFT HINGE. SAFETY HAZARD AS THE LIFT-GATE COULD BECOME UNSECURED WHILE DRIVING, OR DURING OPERATION, RESULTING IN INJURY OR CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID 11331498 · filed Jun 29, 2020
All 117 reports naming body & structure

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

77
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11697917 · filed Nov 6, 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 · filed Feb 6, 2025
All 77 reports naming driver assistance

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

51
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 29, 2024

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 · filed Dec 29, 2022
All 51 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

45
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 15, 2023

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 · filed Nov 2, 2022
All 45 reports naming electrical

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

43
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 6, 2025

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 · filed Dec 12, 2022
All 43 reports naming brakes

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

33
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 6, 2025

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 · filed Jul 15, 2023
All 33 reports naming steering

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 24, 2023

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 · filed Oct 28, 2022
All 29 reports naming powertrain (other)

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

22
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 25, 2026

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. WHEN THE CONTACT SWITCHED LANES OR MADE A TURN, THE BRAKES ACTIVATED ON THEIR OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FLAT OR CURVED ROADS AND WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY, BUT SOMETIMES THEY DID NOT WORK AT ALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE ON ITS OWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL TICKING NOISE. FURTHERMORE, THE VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA KNOXVILLE (10415 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922), BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO FOX TOYOTA (228 FOX FAMILY LN, CLINTON, TN 37716) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID 11222907 · filed Jun 27, 2019
All 22 reports naming other / unspecified

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 13, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRE, TIRE LINE: ALL TERRAIN K02, TIRE SIZE: 215/65/R16, DOT NUMBER: BFAEAT11. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE TIRE MANUFACTURER NOR THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,920; TIRE MILEAGE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11325392 · filed May 21, 2020
All 19 reports naming tires & wheels

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND STICKY. I HAVE HEARD TOYOTA HAD A RECALL AT ONE TIME, HOWEVER I CANNOT FIND IT. ALSO, SEATBELT IN THE MIDDLE AND REAR SEATS LOCK OFTEN IN PLACE WITHOUT BREAKING. MUST UNBUCKLE TO RELEASE AND RESET.

NHTSA ID 11100747 · filed Jun 10, 2018

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL MY FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT USING LATCH, I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE HOOK FOR THE TOP TETHER, THAT SHOULD BE LOCATED BEHIND EACH OF MY 2ND ROW SEATS. DESPITE CHECKING THE MANUFACTURERS MANUAL, I WAS MERELY ABLE TO LOCATE WHAT FELT LIKE A HOOK THAT IS COMPLETELY COVERED BY FABRIC. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER, I MISTAKENLY HOOKED THE TETHER STRAP TO ANOTHER HOOK THAT WAS LOCATED BEHIND THE SEAT. IN COMPLETING A CPST COURSE, I'VE LEARNED THAT THIS PRACTICE COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INJURED OR KILLED MY CHILD IF WE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK. MY CPST INSTRUCTORS AGREED WITH MY SUSPICION THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE SEATS, AND THAT THE TETHER BAR SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETELY COVERED BY FABRIC. MY FEAR IS THAT OTHER FAMILIES WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE PUTTING THEIR CHILDREN AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE THEY AREN'T UTILIZING THE TOP TETHER SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ACCESS THE BAR FOR IT.

NHTSA ID 11099001 · filed May 31, 2018
All 15 reports naming seat belts

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND STICKY. I HAVE HEARD TOYOTA HAD A RECALL AT ONE TIME, HOWEVER I CANNOT FIND IT. ALSO, SEATBELT IN THE MIDDLE AND REAR SEATS LOCK OFTEN IN PLACE WITHOUT BREAKING. MUST UNBUCKLE TO RELEASE AND RESET.

NHTSA ID 11100747 · filed Jun 10, 2018

THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS FLASHING WHEN THE VAN IS TURNED ON.

NHTSA ID 10885242 · filed Jul 16, 2016
All 14 reports naming airbags

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC SLIDING DOORS ON THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS ERRONEOUSLY SLID OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THE SLIDING DOORS WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO OPEN WHEN USING THE DOOR HANDLE. THE DOORS, AT TIMES, WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND WOULD BECOME JAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (KOLAR TOYOTA, 4781 MILLER TRUNK HWY, HERMANTOWN, MN 55811, (218-733-0100) WHO REPLACED THE CABLES AND GREASED THE DOOR PARTS, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11118793 · filed Aug 9, 2018

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL MY FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT USING LATCH, I'VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE THE HOOK FOR THE TOP TETHER, THAT SHOULD BE LOCATED BEHIND EACH OF MY 2ND ROW SEATS. DESPITE CHECKING THE MANUFACTURERS MANUAL, I WAS MERELY ABLE TO LOCATE WHAT FELT LIKE A HOOK THAT IS COMPLETELY COVERED BY FABRIC. NOT KNOWING ANY BETTER, I MISTAKENLY HOOKED THE TETHER STRAP TO ANOTHER HOOK THAT WAS LOCATED BEHIND THE SEAT. IN COMPLETING A CPST COURSE, I'VE LEARNED THAT THIS PRACTICE COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INJURED OR KILLED MY CHILD IF WE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A WRECK. MY CPST INSTRUCTORS AGREED WITH MY SUSPICION THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE SEATS, AND THAT THE TETHER BAR SHOULD NOT BE COMPLETELY COVERED BY FABRIC. MY FEAR IS THAT OTHER FAMILIES WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE PUTTING THEIR CHILDREN AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE THEY AREN'T UTILIZING THE TOP TETHER SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ACCESS THE BAR FOR IT.

NHTSA ID 11099001 · filed May 31, 2018
All 14 reports naming interior & seats

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Nov 11, 2023

INSIDE DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY AND ALWAYS SHOWS A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING (SAFETY ISSUE); THE DASHBOARD DURING THE SUMMER TIME IS VERY MALLEABLE, IF YOU GENTLY PRESS ON IT, IT MOVES AS IF IT WAS MELTING SLOWLY. THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR A FEW YEARS, WHEN I CONTACTED TOYOTA THEY SAID THERE WAS A REPLCEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS IN WHICH OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN 2015 AND EXPIRED ON 2018, I EXPLAINED WE NEVER RECEIVED THIS NOTICE AS WE ARE AT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE 2000 AND ARE THE ORIGINAL NEW OWNERS OF THE VAN, THEY DID NOT AGREE TO REPLACE AS THE PROGRAM HAD EXPIRED. I EXPLAINED THE SAFETY RISK NOT TO MENTION ITS A KNOW ISSUE, THEY SAID YOU DIDN'T RESPOND IN TIME SO THEY WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE SUPERVISOR WAS RUDE AND SAID THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ID 11301825 · filed Jan 25, 2020
All 12 reports naming visibility

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 5, 2022

MY DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS 4 OR 5 LITE UP, TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER, HE PUT IT ON A COMPUTER AND STATED THAT ,YOUR CATALITIC CONVERTER, MUFFLER AND OTHER PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECH. HE PUT A PINT OF LUKUS GAS TREATMENT,TOLD ME TO FILL THE TANK WITH HIGHER OCTAINE GAS AND RUN IT IN 4TH GEAR .

NHTSA ID 11189820 · filed Mar 18, 2019
All 12 reports naming fuel system

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE BRAKES BY ITSELF AND VSC AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD START FLASHING AND BEEPING WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES OR HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS WAS FRIGHTENING, AND CAUSED ME TO NOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THE VEHICLE OUTRIGHT TO ANOTHER PERSON, SO I LOST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BY TRADING IT IN. THIS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY FOR OVER A YEAR. ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS $4000.00. *TR

NHTSA ID 11330108 · filed Jun 22, 2020

BOTH FRONT SPRINGS BROKE. PART OF THE LEFT FRONT SPRING CONTACTED THE TIRE, DAMAGING IT. IF VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IT WOULD HAVE RIPPED THE SIDEWALL AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. THIS WAS PRECEDED BY A CLANKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID 11185608 · filed Mar 10, 2019
All 10 reports naming suspension

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY 2008 SIENNA HESITATES WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED AFTER SLOWING DOWN. THE ENGINE REVS FAST (ENGINE IS LOUD) BUT CAR DOES NOT RESPOND ACCORDINGLY BY MOVING AHEAD UNTIL A COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER. USUALLY I WOULD RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL TO PREVENT THE ENGINE REV FROM GOING VERY HIGH. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SERVICE MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY A DELAY IN TRYING TO GET THE CORRECT SHIFT. THERE WAS NO TSB ON THE PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE MANAGER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10412309 · filed Jul 14, 2011

UPON ACCELERATING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR (7-15) MILES AN HOUR, ESPECIALLY AFTER BREAKING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S GO UP BUT THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE. THIS MAINLY HAPPENS WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN NOT FULLY STOPPING. I ALSO HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN GOING ACROSS TRAFFIC TRYING TO GET ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN REPRODUCED BY THE SERVICE TECH. I HAVE TAKEN THEM OUT ON A DRIVE ALONG ONLY TO NOT REPRODUCE IT ALSO. THIS IS MY MAIN VEHICLE I DRIVE MY FOUR CHILDREN AROUND IN AND I WOULD HATE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE OCCUR WHEN I REALLY NEED TO ACCELERATE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. APPARENTLY, I AM NOT THE ONLY INDIVIDUAL WHO OWNS THIS VEHICLE THAT HAD WITNESSED THIS HESITATION PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND A POSSIBLE RECALL/FIX. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVER TIME I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10373674 · filed Jan 1, 2011
All 9 reports naming transmission

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, VSC LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT ON AND OFF LIGHT INTERMITTENT. AT ANY TIME THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF. IT IS NERVE BREAKING KNOWING THAT THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE FIXED BY TOYOTA. I HAVE MY TOYOTA SIENNA 2008 AND IT HAVE A VERY LOW MILES DUE TO LIGHTS SAFETY REASONS THAT CAN NOT BE SOLVED BY TOYOTA. EVERY TIME WE COMPLAIN, WE WERE ALWAYS TOLD THAT BRING THE CAR IN WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON IT WILL BE OFF WHEN WE GET TO THE DEALERSHIP. WE NOTICED WHEN THE CAR REACHED APPROXIMATELY 98,000 MILES. THE CAUSE OF THE ON AND OFF LIGHTS ARE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11350809 · filed Aug 23, 2020

WHILE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR IS DOWN SMOKE STARTS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HEAD LINER. WHEN THE VISOR IS PLACED BACK IN THE CLOSED POSITION SMOKE CLEARS OUT AND STOPS. PER THE MECHANIC, A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS RESULTED IN A MELTED ELECTRICAL BOARD AND THE ENTIRE HEAD LINER AND ELECTRICAL BOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VISOR CAN NOT BE USED OR THE SHORT MAY START A FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. VAN FILLED WITH SMOKE QUICKLY. HAD TO PULL OVER AND OPEN DOORS TO CLEAR THE SMOKE.

NHTSA ID 10822624 · filed Jan 27, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, HOT AIR CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE AIR VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE FREON WAS ADDED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER O RINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ID 10873496 · filed Jun 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE TIRES WERE PROTRUDING IN DIFFERENT ANGLES INWARD AND OUTWARD. THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS LEAKING INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT WORK BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS ACTUALLY DESIGNED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE, BUT WAS INSTALLED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT . THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING GREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ID 10356138 · filed Sep 17, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .