Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 21% | 31,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 16% | — |
| 2018 | 20 | 28% | 35,000 miles |
| 2017 | 37 | 24% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% | 6,000 miles |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% | 48,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2013 | 14 | 8% | 86,000 miles |
| 2012 | 17 | 7% | 98,000 miles |
| 2011 | 30 | 5% | 81,000 miles |
| 2010 | 17 | 10% | 80,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2008 | 38 | 9% | 56,000 miles |
| 2007 | 31 | 9% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 40 | 4% | 76,000 miles |
| 2005 | 48 | 4% | 75,000 miles |
| 2004 | 89 | 4% | 63,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% | 93,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 7% | 81,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% | 44,000 miles |
| 2000 | 67 | 18% | 70,000 miles |
| 1999 | 11 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 1998 | 23 | 8% | 99,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
"I've owned the vehicle for five years, and recently I started hearing a whining noise coming from the transmission. After doing some research, I discovered that I'm not alone in experiencing this issue. The dealer told me that the transmission itself is the problem and recommended replacing the entire transmission. However, a second opinion suggested that this kind of noise isn't normal. I'm worried about safety because, although it's just a whine right now, I fear it could fail unexpectedly. I have a child in a wheelchair, and ensuring my vehicle's safety is very important to me."
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. …
June 17, 2022, driving on San Diego freeway north near Sherman oaks California, the Transmission suddenly loses power, however the engine still running feels like the gearbox out of any actions, luckily it's downhill, managed sliding to the shoulder stopped, The warning light says" turn off traction control", and " check engine " It was rush hour, it was dangerous, after parked few minutes turn off and turn on the engine shift to drive gear the transmission only shifting to lower gears ( 1 or 2) moving slowly, So I managed get of next exit, and stop for few minutes, the I try starting again and driving low gear home, Next morning I turn on the engine the check engine light still on but transmission acted normal, I drove to the Northridge Toyota dealer, which is 2 miles away from my house, Took them 3 day, to return to me, they said it was a coil issue and luckily they didn't charge me,
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the "Pull Over - Take to Dealer" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in Customer Support Program: ZJC (Coverage for UA80 Transmission). The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and ascending a hill, the vehicle started making an abnormal whining sound and hesitated while accelerating. The vehicle was driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated before shifting hard into gear. The contact stated that after the failure, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to provide a specific diagnosis for the cause of the failure; however, the contact was informed that there were known issues with the transmission of similar vehicles. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the Customer Support Program Bulletin: ZJC. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the brake pedal was rigid. The contact stated the failure reoccurred while driving. The brake warning light and traction control warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer she purchased the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer who sold her the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 14,500.
Related recalls (4)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2005-2007 and 2009-2010 Toyota Sienna vehicles. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock assembly, the shift lever may be moved out of the 'Park' position without depressing the brake pedal.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid and reapply the grease, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0V.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 Sienna vehicles manufactured June 17, 2014, through June 24, 2014. The affected vehicles have a transmission shift control cable whose protective cable sleeve may have been damaged during assembly.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmission shift control cable, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2005 Sienna vehicles manufactured January 10, 2003, through August 10, 2005; and model year 2007-2009 Sienna vehicles manufactured February 20, 2007, through December 12, 2008.
Remedy: Toyota will mail interim notifications to owners beginning in late October 2013. When parts are available, owners will be sent a second notice and dealers will replace the shift lock solenoid, free of charge.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2011 venza and sienna passenger cars manufactured from March 7, through March 10, 2011. There is a possibility that the front, right, drive shaft May break due to insufficient heat treatment.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will inspect the drive shaft, and, if the drive shaft is identified as one that May not have been correctly manufactured, it will be replaced with a new one at no charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Sienna years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (89), 2000 (67), 2005 (48), 2006 (40) and 2008 (38) model years. Transmission complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota Sienna transmission problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 17V-657 (automatic transmission, Oct 18, 2017); 14V-414 (gear position indication (prndl), Jul 8, 2014); 13V-429 (automatic transmission, Sep 26, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Sienna transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (167 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › torque converter (9).
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.