2013 Toyota Sienna Problems & Complaints

Average21% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sienna at the same age

Owners have filed 183 complaints about the 2013 Toyota Sienna with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Sienna at the same age. The most reported problem area is the body & structure (44 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles). 6 recalls cover this model year.

183complaints
6recalls
7crashes
1fires
9injuries
0deaths

Most common 2013 Toyota Sienna problems

  • Body & structure~39,000 miles
    4424%
  • Other / not specified~64,000 miles
    3318%
  • Air bags~39,000 miles
    2212%
  • Electrical system~64,000 miles
    2212%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~86,000 miles
    148%
  • Brakes~72,000 miles
    127%
  • Steering~76,000 miles
    116%
  • Wheels & tires~50,000 miles
    116%
  • Locks & latches~74,000 miles
    95%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~7,000 miles
    84%
  • Engine & cooling~40,000 miles
    84%
  • Speed control & acceleration~28,000 miles
    63%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~17,000 miles
    63%
  • Stability & traction control~50,000 miles
    42%
  • Suspension~57,000 miles
    42%
  • Seat belts~115,000 miles
    42%
  • Seats~40,000 miles
    32%
  • A/C & heater~3,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 183 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Toyota Sienna complaints by model year

’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’202942153631801811052.1k1.1k1.0k36442920717261524718316323376155724538
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota Sienna. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Sienna years: 2020, 2019, 2018. Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2011, 2008, 2007. Compare all years →

2013 Toyota Sienna recalls (6)

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 19V-553 · Jul 25, 2019 · 303 vehicles

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage) is recalling certain 2012-2018 AMS Genesis wheelchair vans, built on a Toyota Sienna vehicles. The rubber brake hoses that attach to the rear wheel assembly may be too short, causing them to rub against the rear axle trailing arm.

Remedy: Vantage will notify owners, and dealers will install a set of rear brake hoses that will provide the proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2019.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-005 · Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-024 · Jan 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…

Structure › Body › Door

NHTSA recall 16V-858 · Nov 29, 2016 · 744,437 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Toyota Sienna minivans manufactured January 4, 2010, to August 12, 2016. If the power sliding door is unable to be opened when commanded, such as if the door is frozen shut, the door may subsequently open unexpectedly, possibly while the…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the junction block, rear sliding door wire harnesses, and install two sub wire harnesses, free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017.

Seats

NHTSA recall 13V-014 · Jan 16, 2013 · 3,235 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 Toyota Sienna:

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.

What 2013 Toyota Sienna owners say

Body & structure all 44 →

Pressed the button to open the rear passenger sliding door and it would open. When opened manually it would open only about 12 inches. Then when we were driving on the highway the door opened on its own. The door had to be manually closed and now it will not open. This is now a safety concern that in the event of a crash passengers may not be able to exit the vehicle or the door could open again while driving.

Body · Aug 2024

The passenger side automatic sliding door came off track and shattered the rear window. Glass flew all over our daughter in her car seat. The van had recall power sliding door service done, but it still failed. Roller bearings were badly worn.

Body · Aug 2021 · 1 injury

Air bags all 22 →

I had sever car accident while I am 7 months pregnant including my 5 years old sons . During the accident my airbag was not deployed which lead me hematoma in my uterus. That car is totally losses and the accident was severe .Thank God we put the sit belt and even if the frontdash board hit me bad . I will attach all the details of the accident and the police report. We tried to submit our complaint to Toyota and they refused to help .As if the air bug should not supposed to deploy with that kind of severe accident they say they don't use this information .

Jun 2022 · crash · 2 injuries

SRS Airbag check issue. Last few days, my car has been showing following symptoms 1) Day 1: SRS airbag check warning is flashing on the display. The passenger airbag is always OFF regardless of the passenger being seated or not. 2) Day 2: SRS airbag check warning goes away, but passenger seat airbag is always ON regardless of anyone sitting or not. Also the seat belt chime is sounded for the passenger seat. 3) Day 5: SRS airbag check warning comes back and passenger airbag is OFF. (same as Day 1). The auto mechanic says there is a code about Occupant classification system that is malfunctioning. Dealer wants to charge me a lot of money just to get it inspected and diagnosed. The car has not been in any collision. This seems like totally Toyota's design and part reliability issue. In no condition the driver or passenger safety should be compromised in such manner. …

Oct 2021

Electrical system all 22 →

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 83,535, and after researching the Carfax Report, the contact discovered that the mileage was 332,216.

Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer · 332,000 miles · Oct 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 100,000 and at the time of checking the insurance, it was discovered that the mileage was 207,000.

Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer · 207,000 miles · Apr 2025

2013 Toyota Sienna engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.7L 4-cyl6-speed automaticFWD19 / 24 / 21
3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automaticFWD18 / 25 / 21
3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automaticAWD16 / 23 / 19

EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Sienna a good car?

Based on 183 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Sienna rates average: 21% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sienna at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota Sienna?

The body & structure — 44 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the air bags (22) and electrical system (22).

How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Sienna have?

There are 6 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Sienna, the most recent from October 17, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Sienna?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2019 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2006, 2011, 2008 and 2007. See the full Toyota Sienna years comparison.

At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Sienna problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 55% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.