Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6 | 16% | 3,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 9% | 20,000 miles |
| 2018 | 5 | 7% | 37,000 miles |
| 2017 | 15 | 10% | 22,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% | 16,000 miles |
| 2015 | 16 | 7% | 42,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 7% | 46,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 4% | 42,000 miles |
| 2011 | 29 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 5% | 45,000 miles |
| 2009 | 14 | 7% | 48,000 miles |
| 2008 | 51 | 12% | 77,000 miles |
| 2007 | 56 | 15% | 98,000 miles |
| 2006 | 15 | 1% | 118,000 miles |
| 2005 | 39 | 3% | 97,000 miles |
| 2004 | 58 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2002 | 19 | 10% | 48,000 miles |
| 2001 | 26 | 14% | 55,000 miles |
| 2000 | 68 | 19% | 82,000 miles |
| 1999 | 39 | 18% | 79,000 miles |
| 1998 | 34 | 12% | 77,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
ON jUNE 3, 2021 I experienced a drastic loss in power and all warning light illuminated on the dash , was able to get of the highway to a safe area and vehicle ceased to function . This happened after the fuel pump recall was performed at Ed Morse Toyota in Delray Beach around February. It had been functioning perfectly up until this massive failure. When tow truck operator arrived and tried to start, is caught fire and was severely damaged.
The vehicle is a 2020 Toyota Sienna. While driving, the engine suddenly shut off without warning, creating a dangerous situation and loss of power. This occurred while transporting children, increasing the safety risk. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a failure of the low-pressure fuel pump. The problem appears intermittently - sometimes the vehicle runs normally, and other times it stalls or loses power. The check engine light has turned on and off. This issue matches the known defect related to the Denso fuel pump recall affecting many Toyota vehicles from similar model years. However, my VIN is not included in the recall. This is a serious safety concern because the engine can shut off unexpectedly while driving, which could lead to an accident. …
Car was recalled for fuel pump and I repaired in 8/2020 with approximately 11,190 miles. I had complained that car, since time of purchase and had 4662 miles when I insisted Toyota fix this, (hunted for gears, hesitated, lagged when accelerator pushed, and had poorer gas mileage than expected). The car now has 34,875 miles on it and is doing the same thing, hesitating, lunging between gears. Our mechanic confirmed this and stated worse when using a.c. Called Toyota Customer Service and they said the car was out of warranty for the pump repair, but perhaps not the power train, transmission, etc. Have not gotten back to me yet, but has not been one working day after spending 2.5 hours on the phone with them yesterday. This is a safety issue, I press on the gas to make a turn and it lags leaving me in traffic. …
I pulled onto a highway and reaching about 25 MPH the 2019 Sienna hesitated for at least 10 seconds as if it was not getting gas. I pressed the gas wanting to get out of the way of traffic and it jumped slightly but would not go. Then it kicked in with a few hesitations and took off. Another 100' or so, it did it again. Prior to this I had already brought it to Toyota complaining that there is a hesitation when the van is not warmed up yet between 20-40 MPH. It is only slight, but noticeable and feels like it is not getting gas. The van does this every time after it has been sitting long enough to cool down. The long hesitation only happened twice so far (dangerous enough!), there have been a few shorter ones, and then there is the every time slight hesitation. Toyota has told me nothing shows in their diagnostics and they do not know what is wrong. …
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and lost motive power. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle shut off independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times due to the failure. The contact stated that the failure began in 2019 but had become a persistent failure. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under of an unknown recall and the fuel pump was replaced in 2020; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. While driving at low speeds making a right turn the oil warning indicator light illuminated and contact noticed the oil was low. The vehicle was taken to mechanicsville Toyota 6546 mechanicsville turnpike, mechanicsville, va 2311[phone] where it was diagnosed that the oil was low and additional oil needed to be added.the vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 3,700. The VIN was not available.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that occasionally while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power before jolting forward. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had progressed over time. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from June 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will check the crankshaft pulley to identify whether it was produced by the U.S. Supplier. If so, the dealer will replace the pulley with a new one at no charge.
NHTSA investigations
Engine seizure
Engine compartment fire
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Sienna years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (68), 2004 (58), 2007 (56), 2008 (51) and 1999 (39) model years. Engine complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Toyota Sienna engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 11V-539 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 9, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Sienna engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 37% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (81 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (74).
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.