2016 Toyota Sienna Problems & Complaints

Better than average63% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sienna at the same age

Owners have filed 76 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Sienna with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 63% fewer than a typical Sienna model year at the same age, making the 2016 one of the better Sienna years. The most reported problem area is the body & structure (27 complaints, typically around 37,000 miles). 5 recalls cover this model year.

76complaints
5recalls
7crashes
1fires
6injuries
0deaths

Most common 2016 Toyota Sienna problems

  • Body & structure~37,000 miles
    2736%
  • Other / not specified~17,000 miles
    1418%
  • Electrical system~19,000 miles
    912%
  • Wheels & tires~13,000 miles
    68%
  • Seat belts~30,000 miles
    68%
  • Air bags~28,000 miles
    57%
  • Lights~17,000 miles
    45%
  • Steering~22,000 miles
    45%
  • Engine & cooling~16,000 miles
    45%
  • Locks & latches~70,000 miles
    45%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~50,000 miles
    34%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~6,000 miles
    34%
  • Seats~1,000 miles
    23%
  • Speed control & acceleration~30,000 miles
    23%
  • Suspension~37,000 miles
    23%
  • Brakes~14,000 miles
    11%
  • Driver assistance~0 miles
    11%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~35,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 76 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 →

2016 Toyota Sienna recalls (5)

Equipment adaptive/mobility › Wheelchair restraints/securement › Latch/anchor

NHTSA recall 25V-876 · Dec 17, 2025 · 86 vehicles

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints.

Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

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.

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

NHTSA recall 19V-410 · Jun 4, 2019 · 705 vehicles

Braun Corporation (Braun) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Toyota Sienna mobility van conversions. The brake lines may have incorrect tube nut fittings installed, which may cause a pressure drop within the braking system.

Remedy: Braun has notified owners, and dealers will install an adaptor to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Braun customer service at 1-800-488-0359.

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.

Seat belts › Front

NHTSA recall 16V-197 · Apr 7, 2016 · 234 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Sienna vehicles manufactured February 15, 2016, to February 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, incorrect front seat belt height adjusters may have been installed.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front seat belt height adjusters, free of charge. The recall began on April 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

What 2016 Toyota Sienna owners say

Body & structure all 27 →

The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (Structure); several years ago. The contact stated that the dealer only serviced the passenger's side sliding door, even though the recall indicated that both doors were included. The contact stated that the driver's side rear sliding door had not yet failed completely but was malfunctioning. While pressing the button, the power door closed but failed to latch or seal shut. The contact stated that closing the door manually worked properly. The dealer was notified of the issue but declined to assist and indicated that the repair had expired in July 2026. The failure mileage was 196,000.

196,000 miles · Jun 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the driver's side electric sliding door failed to properly open and close, and occasionally abruptly closed, causing a safety hazard to the occupants entering and exiting the vehicle. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V858000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

Body › Door › Hinge and attachments · Aug 2016

Electrical system

My 2016 Toyota Sienna that has 16,000 miles was parked at home and I went to go start it and it stalled. The car was towed to hendrick Toyota of apex, nc and they told me that rodents chewed threw the wiring and it was not covered by my warranty. I have complained to both the dealership and to Toyota. I have had another Toyota parked in within the same proximity for over 15 years. I have never had rodent issues with it. I am concerned for the safety of my family. Iif there are mice living inside the car, they could be leaving rat droppings that could be harmful to both of them. I am angry and concerned and don't understand why, when other vehicles parked in the same location aren't experiencing the same problem. After further research I found that auto manufacturers in order to go green are using soy based products on wires instead of petroleum. They are using sugar in their plastics. …

16,000 miles · Apr 2017

Our 2016 Toyota Sienna spontaneously caught fire while parked in our driveway after returning from a short drive. After pulling into our driveway and shutting off the ignition, my wife smelled smoke as she was exiting the parked vehicle. This smoke intensified and quickly accelerated becoming an engine compartment fire. She called for me & then called 911; but in the brief moments it took me to grab a fire extinguisher, the fire further intensified with sizable flames erupting out from around the hood, front grill & underneath the vehicle. I used up 2 fire extinguishers without any significant effect. I did not have any protective safety gear so after hearing several small explosions coming from under the hood & fearing more exposure to noxious fumes, I decided to abandon my attempts to extinguish the fire. The fire dept. …

35,000 miles · Dec 2019 · fire

Wheels & tires

3 run flat Bridgestone tires blown up while driving for no reason or road hazards in less than 21,000 miles and within 4 weeks. First tire in chicago highway, traveling about 40 to 50 MPH, second in arkansas/oklahoma highway about 60 to 70 MPH and 3rd in boston/revere area traveling 3 to 7 MPH while parking. No other damage to tires. 2 sidewalls blown and one cracked in the middle. Same brand tires, two different models. Bridgestone dueler and Bridgestone turanza.

13,000 miles · Jun 2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota Sienna equipped with Firestone fr710 tires, size 205/65r16. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard an explosion. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front driver side tire exploded. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was 3,750.

4,000 miles · May 2017

2016 Toyota Sienna engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
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 2016 Toyota Sienna a good car?

Based on 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Sienna rates better than average: 63% 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 2016 Toyota Sienna?

The body & structure — 27 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the electrical system (9) and wheels & tires (6).

How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Sienna have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2016 Toyota Sienna, the most recent from December 17, 2025 (latch/anchor). 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 2016 Toyota Sienna problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 19,000 miles; 79% 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.