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 2008 Toyota Sienna owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while pulling into a grocery store, he heard an abnormal ticking sound. The contact stated upon parking and inspecting the outside of the vehicle, he noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the ground. Additionally, the oil dipstick was dry upon inspecting the oil level. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where oil was added in the vehicle and the contact drove to his residence. However, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the exhaust cam gear had fractured, causing damage to the engine and other unnamed components. The dealer diagnosed that the engine, the exhaust cam gear, and the timing chain needed to be replaced, and additional unknown repairs were also needed. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The head gasket that was repaired failed and the radiator system also failed. Im not sure if these issues are dealer related or manufacture related as i spoke to the previous owner and they stated they had the vehicle serviced at a manufacturer prior to doing a trade in with the dealer
Upon exiting the interstate, we began to smell a burning smell and the light for the A/C started flashing and wouldn't turn back on. We drove about a mile thinking that the smell was roadwork, but then we decided to stop and check it under the hood. Once we opened the hood, we were hit with a plume of smoke, and realized there was a pool of oil under the van. We began to look on the internet for causes, where we came across several instances of the oil hose blowing and the vehicle catching fire. We called the dealership the next day to see if there was a recall. They didn't know of one, but stated that they'd fixed several vehicles for the same issue. This is very alarming since the check engine light, oil light, etc didn't even turn on. Had we driven another mile, would the van have caught fire? …
While putting on the brakes to stop for a traffic light the engine suddenly revved up to 6000 RPM and tried to take off by itself. I pushed the gear shift into neutral and put my left foot on the brake to keep the car from moving. I kicked the accelerator pedal several times until it disengaged. This is the 4th time this has happened. There was not a floor mat involved as there was not one in the car at this time. The last time I talked to a Toyota dealer about this they said this could not happen and I was wrong about what happened. The dealer did not document any of this and wanted nothing further to do with me. This is dangerous and happens with no warning when you push the brake pedal to stop for a traffic signal or to pull into a parking space. My wife was also in the car two of the times and saw what happened. She was not in the car for the latest episode.
Early am on 6/1/10 I was driving to my cabin in the country and heard a soft popping sound, stopped my car and smoke began flowing out all opening around the hood, when I looked under the car I saw fire falling to the road. I went to the passenger side and opened the door only to find that area filled with toxic fumes, shutting the door I realized all was hopeless except to get away from the vehicle. Within seconds my car was engulfed in flames. I ran as fast as I could to get help. Had I been less alert, inactive, less proactive I would have probably died. The car was purchased new in nov, 2008 and had a little over 10,000 miles. There was no smell of fuel or another strange odor. The car was burned totally, with nothing remaining except the steel frame.
That was around 2012 new year time when I , my wife and my kid visited our friend at atlanta, ga. We drove our van on interstate highway I-75, in the middle of our trip, our van started shaking vigorously. I felt that was from engine, it forced me to stop on the side of I-75. After a while we restarted our van, we could only drive for < 65 miles/hour. Any acceleration resulted in vigorous shaking. After we came home I drove my van to an auto service center, and was checked. It turned out that 3 ignition coils, spark plugs, and manifold gasket had to be replaced. Yesterday (9/10/2015) the same problem happened again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. While operating the vehicle, the engine hesitated and shuddered before stalling. The vehicle was taken to Toyota of orlando (3575 vineland rd, orlando, fl) where it was diagnosed that the engine camshaft was faulty and the engine would need to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle previously experienced the same failure in 2011 and the engine was rebuilt. Furthermore, in 2016, the camshaft was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Vvti oil line has large hole all of a sudden, caused very quick loss of all oil in car. I was in motion on the highway, and oil light came on. I was able to get the car pulled over and stopped. If I had been in a worse position, it would have caused engine seizure. There is a limited service campaign on this, my vehicle had it replaced in 2014, and it failed again because they put the same faulty part with rubber hose connector. In 2010 they actually released same engine with an all metal oil hose, but thats not what they replaced it with on the technical service campaign.
This vehicle has 3 open recalls on it I have contacted my local Toyota dealership in wooster ohio and the service advisor informed me it would take a few hours to do all the repairs and id have to wait or drop it off I as a customer feel its unfair for Toyota to make a customer wait for hours to fix repairs that are faults of the car manufactuer I asked for a loaner car while the work is completed they refused saying the only way a loaner is given is is the recall is door related
While driving with my autistic children the check engine light, the vsc light and the trac off light all came on and the wheels locked up on the right side and through the van into a ditch. This is very dangerous since this vehicle was made for families. I am now keeping a log and I do plan on retaining an attorney as no one has addressed this issue as a safety hazard.
Engine complaints in other Sienna years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Toyota Sienna?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Toyota Sienna, 12% of the model year's 429 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Sienna engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Toyota Sienna, though it has 9 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 2008 Toyota Sienna engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 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.