Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. While the contact's wife was pulling into the parking space, the transmission shifter was shifted into park(P), and the vehicle suddenly rolled forward approximately four feet. The parking brake was activated, preventing the vehicle from crashing into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. While examining the vehicle, the contact determined that the shifter cable bushing had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. Additionally, previously while driving there was smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the oil cooler line had failed causing engine oil to spill from the engine. …
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH going up a curvy road, the ABS service warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power for several seconds before independently regaining motive power. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
As a result of the transmission cooler being a part of the radiator system, the transmission cooler ruptured while driving causing immediate loss of power and the engine to overheat. This malfunction also caused coolant and transmission oil to contaminate the engine compartment as well as the transmission. This is a major iengineering flaw and safety issue as I was on the interstate when it happened and was stranded on the side of the highway until help could be obtained.
The rubber part of the VVT-I oil line appears to worn and leaking. There is a Toyota Campaign to replace this faulty designed oil line with a full metal line, but for some reason my 2007 Toyota Sienna VIN is not showing up with this campaign. The oil will leak from the engine and cause failure. Please re-check which vehicles are impacted by this Toyota design problem in this VVT-I oil line.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. While driving 60 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to a nearby fuel station. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine oil cooling hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the drive belts in the tensioning system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that they extended a warranty, but would not pay for the repair. The failure mileage was 100,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. While driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal grinding noise and a burning odor in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (burnsville Toyota, 14790 buck hill rd, burnsville, mn 55306) where it was diagnosed that the oil coolant line needed to be replaced and there May be engine damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under a recall or warranty. The failure mileage was 121,766.
I believe the product to be defective because of the issue that I had faced with this vehicle 2 weeks back while driving in the freeway. Two weeks back while I was driving with my family (wife and 2 kids) the vehicle on 275 s freeway @ 70mph on 8th March 2015 1:00 am, the engine check light turned on and I noticed the engine heat indicator fluctuate like a fuel indicator. I tried to slow down, but by that time I lost the power of the vehicle , which made it really hard for me to steer the vehicle between the lanes and take it out of freeway to a shoulder, the brakes were not functioning either. It was one of my scariest ride I had in my life (you can imagine yourself, engine loosing power while driving in a freeway, I was with my entire family, and not having control on the vehicle), it put me and my family at such a big risk. …
I was told today that my cooler hose ruptured and I had to take it immediately to a auto repair shop. I was driving to work and the car started making a clicking noise and felt weird to drive. I got to work and was told to check the dip stick. Was told it sounded like I had no oil. I was thinking, that wouldn't be right I just got an oil change about a week earlier. It was bare. Completely empty. I then proceeded to get it to a repair shop as it was an emergency. The auto place told me that it needed a kit that they would have to buy to replace the cooler hose and would take awhile to fix this. It would be the only way to fix this. And they cant guarantee me the engine didnt get effected by this situation. I did my research on this issue and it is extremely dangerous and expensive. I am now out $500 and half a day at work. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while stopped at traffic light, the vehicle stalled with the brake pedal depressed. Several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact shifted the vehicle into neutral and coasted into a driveway. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine. The contact refilled the oil however, the oil immediately leaked out the vehicle. A mechanic arrived on scene and replaced an oil hose. After the hose was replaced, the contact heard an abnormal knocking noise in the engine. The contact took the vehicle to several independent mechanics and was informed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to suburban Toyota of farmington hills (25000 haggerty rd, farmington hills, mi 48335) who confirmed there was an engine failure. …
Toyota Sienna 07 to 13 has oil cooler hose leakage problem,cause it made of rubber and aluminum,rubber part of this cause leakage,because engine oil goes from it with pressure and after some time rubber part goes bad and start leaking when you start the van it comes out,it happens with me twice,first my 07 Sienna has happens I buy a used pipe from junk yard and fix it,after fifteen twenty days it happens again,all of a sudden on a free way my van heat up in left lane and stop engine,I almost got killed for this sudden stop,van has no oil left in engine and it heats up,I pull my van asside and find out that engine oil cooler pipe is off the hook and I am out of engine oil,how I come back its a different story,but when I call Toyota dealer ship for recall they told me this is not a safety reason so l have to fix it myself,my question is that for there cheap material pipes I can got …
Engine complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Toyota Sienna, 15% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Toyota Sienna engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Toyota Sienna, though it has 10 recalls 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 2007 Toyota Sienna engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.