Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated when he walked outside, he noticed that the vehicle had rolled backwards into the middle of the street. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back into the driveway; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V657000 (Power Train) and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 140,000.
shifter broke at 55 mph wouldn't stay in 5 gear, was easily moved to R, N, and flopped around! won't stay in 4 now when used either, or PARK unless held when turning car off. NO warning, shifted down for a hill, speed limit change, and corner in neighborhood as usual, no lights on in car. just happened but upon research, have found many others with this problem online, same veh and same kind of miles.Toyota knows but won't recall their broken plastic piece and no notification to consumer
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the while the vehicle was parked but unsure if the emergency parking brake was engaged, the vehicle stated rolling down her driveway which had a small incline. The contact stated that her 4 year old child stated, "that he shifted the gear shift" and the vehicle started rolling backwards. The contact stated that the key was not in the ignition and no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that she attempted to depress the emergency brake pedal while slowly running with the vehicle but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated was able to turn the steering wheel to the left hitting two boulders and a fence, then coming to a stop. The contact stated sustained bruising to her legs and back injuries which required medical attention 3 days later. A police report was not filed. …
The door check was replaced by Toyota for previous owner.the door welds are broke and pops and the door check has broken plastic.Toyota replaced the spark plugs, but just the front. Front were denso and back were ngk. Local dealer says they do not mix plugs. Local dealer says they will inspect the shifter and leave it when the recall says they will replace it. On the dash , it was also fixed by the dealer because it melted. I was told by local dealer I had until 2024 to get it fixed when actually it goes out in 2017. I am being misled on purpose so they do not have to fix their problems. No one is watching them and letting them do what ever they want no matter you spend over $40,000 plus for their trash they will not stand behind. If their is a factory defect it should be an automatic recall because they cannot be trusted to do the right thing. …
Shift gear stuck in neutral mode for Toyota Sienna 2005. Driving Sienna out of my garage in reverse, then stepped on brake--to proceed to move gear to drive mode. Then van got stuck in neutral mode. Attempted to move shift lever all the way back to p to get out of n mode, and nothing happened. Light stays on "n" position. Looked at vehicle manual to follow directions ie. If can't shift automatic transmission lever... Ignition key to lock, park brake on. Push down shift lock override button. Shift out of p position only while using a button. Shift to "n" position, start engine while keeping brake pedal depressed. Will have to have van towed to Toyota dealer. This happened at home in the driveway outside of the garage. I was reversing out of the garage to drive out of the driveway to road.. …
I've only had the van for 5 months and this problem has occurred over a dozen times, beginning with the day I bought it. And every time this problem has occurred I've been driving on dry roads. It usually happens when driving around a corner, anywhere from 35-65 MPH, far. All of a sudden the traction control light starts beeping, the brakes engage on their own, and then engine makes a loud noise (likely downshifting itself). It's as though the vehicle thinks it is slipping, even though it is not, I drive very cautiously so it's not me flying around a corner super fast, it also happens when my partner drives the van as well. I finally took the van to a mechanic and they told me it was the steering angle sensor that was faulty and needed to be replaced, so I spent $900 to have it replaced. …
I noticed a clunking noise when turning into a parking spot. It also felt like my van was diving into the parking spot. I took my van into Toyota for another reason and was told at the time it was leaking at the rack and needed a new drive shaft and boot to the tune of 1200 dollars. We are still debating what to do and are very disappointed in Toyota. We purchased this vehicle based on Toyota's reputation for quality but have found this vehicle particularly repair prone. We have already replaced the radiator, parking brake and had a very expensive serpentine belt replacement due to the fusion of dissimilar metals. It seems to me that Toyota's engineers should have understood the consequences of designing a vehicle with dissimilar metals that come into direct contact. We have never owned such a repair prone vehicle.
Toyota Sienna le van was placed in park, turned off and keys removed. The gear shift was able to be moved out of the park position into drive by a 7 year old child. The van rolled approximately 400-500 feet and hit another vehicle and a tree. After a quick google search, I discovered a video posted by another Toyota Sienna owner which demonstrated if you gently wiggle the gear shift, it will easily move into any gear, with no keys or pedals pressed. I can recreate the issue every time. Serious safety issue and I want to prevent the injury or worse to another child. I have an open case with Toyota, however awaiting their inspection/ response.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. While driving 35 MPH and shifting gears, the shifter was very loose. The vehicle was taken to city Toyota (255 san pedro road, daly city, ca 94014) where it was diagnosed that the gear shift failed and needed to be repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V429000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the part needed for repairs was not covered under the present recall. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when a small child shifted the vehicle from park to neutral with minimal force. As a result, the vehicle rolled forward and crashed into a trailer. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008.
Remedy: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge.
Transmission complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Toyota Sienna, 4% of the model year's 1,130 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Sienna transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-657 (automatic transmission, Oct 18, 2017); NHTSA recall 13V-429 (automatic transmission, Sep 26, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Sienna transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.