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 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. …
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.
Vehicle was parked on slight incline in driveway (not running). Key was in ignition, but vehicle was not running and it was in the off position. Four year old child shifted vehicle out of park into neutral causing it to roll down a hill and impact several trees (no injuries). After the incident, we have found that the vehicle can occasionally be easily shifted out of park with no key in the ignition and without applying pressure to the brake pedal. Most of the time it functions as it supposed to (and won't let you take it out of park).
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. …
I was northbound on interstate 15 in utah and noticed smoke coming out from underneath my car. I pulled into a Firestone service center where they diagnosed the issue to be a faulty oil cooler hose assembly on my 2007 Toyota Sienna Mini-van. I contacted Toyota dealer who said that the part had been upgraded from a rubber hose to a metal hose that would not burst like mine had. I was not informed of the option to upgrade prior to this incident and in fact had had my car into the dealer for an oil change the week before this incident. Firestone said I was down to two quarts of oil remaining in the oil pan. I feel lucky that I did not burn up my engine by stopping before the oil pan ran dry. Also, I am lucky that I was driving and not my wife with a car full of kids as there seemed to be a risk of a car fire based on the smoke. …
On August 11, 2007, my family experienced a head on collision. We were driving a 2007 Toyota Sienna. My husband was driving and died at the scene. The investigation never found any reason for the cause of the accident. My husband crossed the center line while going round a slight curve. He was 47, poor weather was not issue. If the accelerator on the Sienna malfunctioned and did not respond, that could definitely have been a factor. Our van had less than 3000 miles on it. We purchased in May 11, 2007. The autopsy for my husband came back negative for any medical condition concern. Please investigate our accident report and be sure the safety and reliability of Sienna's is sound. Updated 03/10/10 updated ivoq 08/24/10 update 9/19/2011
Car started having problems approx 55,000 miles, left me stranded on the side of the road twice. First time check engine light came on and started to stall. Pulled off freeway, checked manual and it referenced electronic throttle control, shut off the car and restarted and was able to get on the road. Check engine light came on again, checked code ignition coils, had to replace #6. Another instance, car started to stall, check engine light flashed at me, pulled off the road. Was able to take it to dealer in which they stated they couldn't find a problem. Now within days my car's transmission completely went out, current millage 65, 987. Toyota will no absolutely nothing to assist because its "out of warranty". Absolutely unacceptable.
At my 120,000 service, the Toyota dealer technician reported a leaking front differential. He said it would take 16 hours to repair. The technician also mentioned that he had 3 Toyota cars currently in the shop for the same thing. This seems beyond coincidental. Clearly, Toyota has a problem with leaking seals. The difficulty to fix this problem translated into a bill of $1,404.60 plus $31.79 for a rental car. The bill May have been more: the car's rack and pinion was also leaking, so some of the labor was shared with that job. This amount seems extreme and either Toyota has faulty seals or, if this is a "normal" wear and tear item at 120,000 miles, Toyota has made it way too difficult to fix. Either way, this amount of expense is inordinate.
Transmission had been hesitating at times, but mechanic couldn't find any problems. At 60,400 miles, the transmission died completely and we were stranded far from home. This occurred on a well-maintained vehicle. Because it was over the 60 months/60,000 miles warranty, Toyota offered no assistance. Between towing and replacing transmission, it cost us $5900. Even the mechanic was surprised by the failure at such low mileage, as Toyota Sienna is what he normally recommended to his customers looking for a reliable family vehicle. We were lucky no one in our family was injured, but we are extremely disappointed with Toyota not standing by its product. In hindsight, I wish we had purchased the Honda odyssey.
On 11/12/15, the radiator body around the lower transmission oil line fitting on the radiator cracked, allowing the fitting to break away from the radiator. This caused almost all of the transmission oil to be pumped into the right side of the engine compartment. The vehicle was being driven in heavy rain on rain soaked roads at 55mph on secondary roads when smoke was observed. When the vehicle was stopped heavy smoke was coming from under the hood and bottom of vehicle, but no fire started. No oil leak was observed before the incident (no oil on garage floor). Leak happened suddenly after approximately 3 miles of driving. The vehicle odometer reading was 95,510.
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 2007 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Toyota Sienna, 9% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 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 2007 Toyota Sienna transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries and 1 death 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.