Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 18% | 60,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 9% | 7,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 10% | 175,000 miles |
| 2017 | 20 | 13% | 13,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 12% | 19,000 miles |
| 2015 | 44 | 19% | 19,000 miles |
| 2014 | 16 | 10% | 46,000 miles |
| 2013 | 22 | 12% | 64,000 miles |
| 2012 | 27 | 11% | 45,000 miles |
| 2011 | 69 | 11% | 60,000 miles |
| 2010 | 20 | 12% | 94,000 miles |
| 2009 | 28 | 14% | 115,000 miles |
| 2008 | 45 | 10% | 72,000 miles |
| 2007 | 18 | 5% | 45,000 miles |
| 2006 | 85 | 8% | 72,000 miles |
| 2005 | 65 | 6% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 132 | 6% | 82,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% | 18,000 miles |
| 2002 | 24 | 13% | 93,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 11% | 56,000 miles |
| 2000 | 17 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 14 | 5% | 140,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the pre collision, lane assist, and air bag warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and a fuse in the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) was replaced; however, the contact stated that approximately 10 days later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle remained for almost two weeks. The contact was informed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced; however, the wiring harness was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Toyota Sienna. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 88,044. It was later discovered upon checking with the local DMV that the mileage was 288,044.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to lower while using the remote. While reversing, the back-up camera became inoperable. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated the failure was due to the remote start feature that was installed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that she noticed the mirrors were fractured. While driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown safety features became inoperable. There was a burning odor detected inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and offered to pay a nominal portion of the repair for the mirrors and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
The microphone has an issue and it is tied to the SOS call button in the car. I asked my dealership, they wanted to charge $200 to run a diagnostic scan, I contacted Toyota directly, they basically said the dealer can charge it if they want and reverse the charge if they find a problem under warranty. I originally thought the issue was with the Blue Tooth. I found this video on YouTube, his fix did work-my concern is, if I had needed Emergency help-the button would not have called anyone, disconnecting your car battery is NOT something I should I have to do to fix a 2019 vehicle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkAdMRKHS_0
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 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 dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 57,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,152.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2018 Toyota Sienna. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 49,000. While attempting to resell the vehicle, the Auto Check report indicated that the mileage was 324,000.
I was driving my 2017 Sienna on 5/10/2022 and was approaching a roundabout. As I was going thru the roundabout, my van stalled. I coasted into a gas station. After a few minutes I notice smoke coming from under my hood. I popped the hood and noticed the smoke was coming from the air intake. We called AAA and they towed it to the dealership we bought it new from and had all services done at. The next day we authorized them to do a diognostic on it where they found a burnt airfilter and melted housing. Heiser Toyota in Milwaukee WI has not repaired the van yet and we wanted to talk to Toyota customer service and your office to see what we should do. We called insurance and a claim has been started - not sure if they have inspected the van yet. It is available for you to inspect. All warning lights were on when it stalled. There was no power loss or any warning before it stalled.
Today I had a crash and luckily walked away. I went down an embankment at speed into trees where the vehicle rolled and struck trees head on. All the vehicle airbags deployed and vehicle came to rest on the drivers side. Although there was electrical power and the engine still running none of the right side doors would open and neither would the rear hatch which was clear of obstruction! Had there been a fire I wouldn't be making this report! Doors need to be operable regardless of situation when none of them are jammed from an accident!
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles, Mini vans and passenger vehicles equipped with a theft deterrent systems (tds) supplied by audiovox corporation and distributed by southeast Toyota distributors, inc. In the states of alabama, florida, georgia, north and south carolina.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code label on the security system harness and any displaying the manufacturing/final date code will be replaced with newly produced harnesses.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Sienna years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (132), 2006 (85), 2011 (69), 2005 (65) and 2008 (45) model years. Electrical complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota Sienna electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 98V-278 (control module, Oct 19, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Sienna electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument panel › speedometer/odometer (15 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (12).
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.