Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
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Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Toyota Sienna submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
My Toyota sienna is a 2020, has 83,000 miles and has recently been squealing when I accelerate. I took the van to a local body shop and they said it seems to be my transmission. I called Toyota immediately and they knew that the transmissions were faulty and that they would try to work with Toyota to get it fixed. There is no way I can pay 9k for a new transmissions because they put in faulty ones.
The vehicle is a 2020 Toyota Sienna. While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning, creating a dangerous situation and loss of power. This occurred while transporting children, increasing the safety risk. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failure of the low-pressure fuel pump. The problem appears intermittently — sometimes the vehicle runs normally, and other times it stalls or loses power. The check engine light has turned on and off. This issue matches the known defect related to the Denso fuel pump recall affecting many Toyota vehicles from similar model years. However, my VIN is not included in the recall. This is a serious safety concern because the engine can shut off unexpectedly while driving, which could lead to an accident. I believe this vehicle may have the same defective component as those included in the recall, even though it is not currently listed. The issue has been confirmed by an independent mechanic and the vehicle is available for inspection if needed.
"I've owned the vehicle for five years, and recently I started hearing a whining noise coming from the transmission. After doing some research, I discovered that I'm not alone in experiencing this issue. The dealer told me that the transmission itself is the problem and recommended replacing the entire transmission. However, a second opinion suggested that this kind of noise isn't normal. I'm worried about safety because, although it's just a whine right now, I fear it could fail unexpectedly. I have a child in a wheelchair, and ensuring my vehicle's safety is very important to me."
A catastrophic failed automatic transmission; UA80E of Toyota Sienna 2020 at 85,000 miles. It occurred while I've been driving downhill. No warning lights, not overheating, no diagnostic ODB code, no other indications prior to the failure. Failure created a substantial safety risk for myself, my four passengers and other road users. Sudden loss of transmission function could lead to potential dangerous situation. Minivan was towed to the nearest Toyota dealer where transmission assembly was confirmed for replacement.
My car was not shifting gears, and it would go into brief periods of erratic acceleration. I took it to the dealer service dept. The transmission went bad. It had metal pieces broken off inside it. The car is 3 years old and only has approximately 70,900 miles on it. It was dangerous to drive. It put me, my kids, and other drivers at risk due to the erratic shifting it would do while driving. The issues started slowly on 6/23/23. The check engine light was on by 6/24/23.
For a month prior, there were intermittent incidents of the van shuddering and the RPM needle jumping upon ignition. Sometimes the van would have a hard time accelerating before jerking and driving normally. No issues before this started in late July and no indication when/where would occur. •September 15: drove the van all day running errands. It drove normally. Filled up the gas tank (Gulf gas station), then continued errands. About a half hour later, while at a stop sign, a notification appeared that the “Traction Control System has been turned off” and the check engine light came on. Tried to move through the stop sign, but the van would barely go. Applied the gas, but no results. Able to turn onto a side street and had to have it towed to Toyota of Irving. The Service Advisor stated the issue was due due to bad gas and indicated the van needed to be flushed and the fuel injection system cleaned. Paid $725 for these repairs. •September 17: Started van in driveway. Shuddering and RPM needle jumping again. Drove normally. •September 21: Same as above. •September 25: Drove the van all day with no issues. Filled up with Valero Plus gas. As we pulled out of the gas station and sitting at the light, the Traction Control message and check engine light again appeared. The van would barely go to get us through the traffic light and into a nearby parking lot. Once we parked, the screen displayed the following message:"A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle, or automatic transmission has been detected." Had the vehicle towed to Toyota of Irving. The service advisor called 2 days later to say they cannot detect any issues.
Car has about 16,000 miles. When accelerating slowly from a stop, vehicle hesitates, shakes, and runs rough as it slowly progresses thru first, second, & third gears. After transmission gets in fourth gear, hesitation and roughness goes away. This issue is rapidly getting worse.
PURCHASED RENTAL PROGRAM VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM SERVICE ADVISOR THAT AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN HAD FOUND A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. IT WAS STATED THAT A HOSE HAD COME LOOSE/APART IN THE AXLE AND FLUID WAS LEAKING. NOW, WE HAD PURCHASED VEHICLE DAY BEFORE AND THE FOLLOWING DAY DROPPED VEHICLE FOR SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. AS A CONSUMER, I NEED A MAINTENANCE BASELINE. THE BRIEF TIME DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE/AUDIBLE CLUE THAT MECHANICAL ISSUE WAS PRESENT. EXACT DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED [DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY, AXLE COMING APART INTERNALLY] REPLACED DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY. FORTUNATELY, VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AND THIS COMPONENT DID NOT FAIL WHILE IN MOTION.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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