Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2000 Sienna with 305000 miles. I have never had trouble with this vehicle until about 2 weeks ago. When I am stopped and my car is in drive, I just tap the gas pedal for a second and the engine RPM will increase to about 2000 RPM and will stay there until I put the car in neutral or turn the engine off. This is a problem because my breaks barely hold this and I must put the car into neutral for the car to stop pulling forward. Putting the car into neutral resets the rpm. If there is no car in front of me, I can release the brakes and the vehicle will continue to accelerate until the transmission switches to second gear, at this point I can drive normally. One time the vehicle continued to accelerate even after switching gears, I put the vehicle into neutral and the engine went to over 4000 RPM, the brakes could not stop the vehicle, I had to turn the engine off. …
While parking the vehicle and curbing the tires on a medium downward grade, with car in "drive" and my right foot fully on the brake pedal, the engine suddenly and unexpectedly went full throttle. By applying maximum pressure on the brake pedal, I was able to slow the forward motion of the vehicle as it jumped the curb, heading for the wall of a local school. By continuing applying maximum brake pressure and disengaging the transmission, I was able to stop the vehicle...approximately two feet short of impact with the wall. By good fortune, there were on injuries, and no property damage. But it could have been a tragedy. There was a function at the school on the day of the incident, and parents with children were on the sidewalk in the area both before and after the incident. …
Yesterday afternoon, I was driving on a semi busy road in tucson, arizona at about 40 MPH and the van suddenly began to accelerate. I immediately thought I had hit the cruise control button but the dash showed no indication that this was case. I repeatedly pushed the cruise control button and jiggled the lever arm hoping to toggle something off but it had no effect. I began to push the breaks but they were not capable of slowing the car below about 25. I threw the van into neutral and the engine revved up to about 7000 RPM. That sound concerned me so I threw it back into gear and the van began to accelerate again. I pushed the emergency breaks, and with my pedal break fully compressed I could get the car to 5-10 MPH but there was absolutely no way to stop the van. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. When the ignition was started, the vehicle started to accelerate and moved forward without shifting into drive. The contact depressed the brake pedal and applied the emergency brake, but both failed to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into neutral gear. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer and the manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 210,581.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle, it would rev up than accelerate up to 60 MPH without warning. The vehicle would also independently accelerate when attempting to accelerate from a stop. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. While driving at an unknown rate of speed, the vehicle independently surged forward at a high rate of speed. The contact swerved and crashed into a wall. The driver's and front passenger side air bags deployed. The driver sustained extensive bruising to the left knee and sternum, which required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The vehicle did a stop and go action that occurred every time the vehicle moved. The contact had to place the vehicle in neutral in order to stop it completely. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There were no recalls on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. While driving various speeds, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 189,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Sienna. On several occasions, the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 226,000.
In summer of 2000, I had an accident in a 99 Toyota Sienna and my accelerator stuck causing me to have to put the car in reverse to stop forward motion after impact. I reported the stuck accelerator to dealer, and state farm. My car was totaled. The accident occurred at an intersection and another driver hit me from the right - he ran a red light and was cited as at fault, but after the impact, my car continued to go forward and although I had my foot on my brake all the way to the floor the car would not stop. I had my two young children in the car who were screaming in fear and pain, and there were two rows of cars in every direction stopped at the intersection. I looked at a concrete pillar in a parking lot and thought about running my car into it to stop. Instead, I reached for the gears and tried to shift to park. …
Acceleration complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2000 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2000 Toyota Sienna, 6% of the model year's 363 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Sienna acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2000 Toyota Sienna, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Sienna acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 153,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.