Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dear Sir, On April 2026, I need to do the semiannual smog check. Right now, I face DTC P0420 error code and I can't pass the smog check inspection. Note that I don't have the engine light on indicating the a/m error code. Only my OBD2 shows the error DTC Code P0420. I did some searhing and noticed that the ECM for Sienna should be updated to erase the a/m DTC code. I would appreciated to help me how the resolve this issue ASAP. It will enable me to renew my registration.You may contact on my cell phone [phone] or my email at [email]. Regards, Massey
I was driving the car to take dinner with my family when arrive to the restaurant I notice was a lot smog in the motor I open the hood was a lot smog so I plug out the battery and I call a mechanic and he tellme the fire was in the power steering pump he disconnect the cable from the power steering and tellme to bring the car to the dealer because is a safety problem and maybe have a recall. Thats by I want to no if is cover for the warranty or recall.
All the locks keep unlocking, and locking without anyone in or around the vehicle, because locks are locking and unlocking it is causing the battery to drain. The doors lock and unlock while van is in gear, while driving, and when van is not running without key in ignition. I have 2 children and believe this is a safety issue!
When I attempted to open driver side sliding door it would not open electrically or manually. After several failed attempts to open I cut the cable and was able to then open the door. At this point in time both sliding doors will not open electronically but will open manually.
Ever since novmber, 2008, my 2002 Toyota Sienna passenger side power door, has intermittently failed to open either by activating the button on the inside of the door column, by pulling the door handle outside, or the instrument panel door button, or worse, after opening, will not close. The dealer had to reinitialize the ECU in November, 2008, and have had intermittent problems since. Now, since at least December, 2012, the sliding door will not open at all by any of the 3 methods and cannot be reinitialized. Also, at times the manual drivers side passenger door, in the past ~ 1 1/2 years will not open either from inside door button release or outside door handle and passengers have to climb over from the front seats to enter or climb over the front seat & console to exit the vehicle. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sienna. Whenever the charcoal canister or any minor malfunction occurred in the vehicle the traction control was deactivated. The traction control also deactivated when the fuel cap was not replaced properly on the fuel tank. The failure has occurred several times and the dealer stated that they are aware of the defect; yet, they require the contact to come in whenever the check engine light was illuminated. The contact was concerned about the safety risk since it rains in florida and the traction control when activated engaged itself to assist with traction. The contact had to replace the charcoal canister valve. The dealer also stated that the failure was normal and not a danger. The contact is concerned about the safety risk. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Approximately a month ago the clock lost the time. 4/28/04 mileage 42K driving on nh highway rte 3 so. Approaching the bedford toll in the highspeed lane (40-45 miles per hour) through a construction zone when the vehicle lost all power! Enough speed left to pull into the left barrier and put the vehicle in park. Third attempt to start the vehicle and the power was regained. Autofair Toyota dealer ship indicated that Toyota had forwarded a champaign. Toyota corporate customer service indicated that the champaign is a service bulletin only and not to be confused with a recall. However, no warning light ever came on in the vehicle when this happened. Not check battery, check engine, nothing!
Tl contact owns a 2002 Toyota Sienna. While driving at approximately 60 MPH on a road undergoing construction, the tire pressure indicator light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and turned off the ignition. He checked all the tires but could find no problems. A month later, while driving on the same road (no construction this time) at approximately 60 MPH, the tire pressure indicator light illuminated on the instrument panel again. The contact inspected the tires again but found no cause for the light. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The current mileage was approximately 72,000.
2002 Toyota Sienna van. The vehicle computer will sporadically trigger the check engine light to come on based on no actual cause. This occurs around every 5,000 miles. It is typical for this computer failure to begin after 75,000 miles on this year of Sienna and Toyota's recall only covers vehicles up to 75,000 miles. The computer costs $1,000 to replace. This recall should be expanded to vehicles 10yrs old or less. There is probably an internal memo floating around Toyota with a dollar figure attached branzely boasting how much they saved by "smoking" a shorter recall period past the us government. Toyota customer services has been hostile toward resolving this complaint.
Sliding doors on 2002 Toyota Sienna fail to open. 7-17-06: 73,316 miles, both sliding doors will not open due to product defect, repair at dealership. 9-22-06: 76,829 miles, sliding door will open but not close, repair at dealership. 11-16-07: 92,730 miles, sliding doors not working, repair at dealership. 3-13-08: 97,991 miles, passenger sliding door not working, repair at dealership. 8-10-2009: 113, 814, passenger sliding door will not open. This vehicle has been in no accidents and well maintained. These doors continually fail.
Electrical complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Toyota Sienna, 13% of the model year's 181 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › front underhood (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Sienna electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 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 2002 Toyota Sienna electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.