Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2004 Toyota Sienna — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2015 to Dec 2013
The most reported issue is structure problems (722 complaints). 51 complaints involved crashes. 8 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (10)
NHTSA Campaign: 14V273000
Component: TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Sienna vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The affected vehicles have a spare tire carrier assembly mounted under the vehicle whose attachment cable may corrode due to high concentrations of road salt splashing onto the spare tire carrier.
Risk: If the carrier cable is corroded due to road salt, the spare tire may separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota sent owners in August 2014 an interim notification to advise owners of the recall and that dealers will perform an interim remedy to remove the spare tire and relocate it to the luggage compartment, free of charge. Owners are being mailed a second letter as parts become available and dealers will replace the spare tire carrier assembly with an improved one, free of charge. The remedy campaign is being performed in phases. The first phase of the recall began July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. NOTE: 2004-2010 Siennas subject to this recall were subject to recall campaign 10V-160 initiated in 2010. Those owners are advised that they must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign and that having the earlier recall completed did not remedy their vehicles. Additionally, model year 1998-2003 Siennas were recalled as part of safety recall 10V-160. Owners of those vehicles that have not had not the remedy performed on their vehicles, should contact their Toyota dealer to schedule a free repair.
NHTSA Campaign: 11V539000
Component: 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. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
Risk: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V429000
Component: 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. In the affected vehicles, due to a problem within the shift lock solenoid, there is a possibility that the shift lever could be moved out of Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
Risk: If the shift lever is moved out of the Park position without the brake applied, the transmission will either engage a drive gear or Neutral, increasing the risk of a backover or roll away crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 09V023000
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING 26,501 EARLY 2004 MY SIENNA VEHICLES. IN THE EVENT THE RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER IS MISSING, THE COVER CAN INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO NEARLY THE FULL THROTTLE POSITION.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN BECOME STUCK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RETENTION CLIP AND FLOOR CARPET COVER AT NO CHARGE. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, IF THEY HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V036000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA Campaign: 08V244000
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TOYOTA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING 196,222 MY 2004-2006 TOYOTA SIENNA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER REAR LIFTGATE STRUTS. THE GAS STRUTS USED TO HELP LIFT AND SUPPORT THE REAR POWER LIFTGATE COULD WEAR OUT SOONER THAN EXPECTED. AS THE GAS STRUTS DETERIORATE, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIFTGATE WILL BEGIN TO DEGRADE AND THE POWER REAR LIFTGATE WILL OPERATE MORE SLOWLY THAN WHEN THE GAS STRUTS WERE NEW.
Risk: IF NOT REPAIRED, THE GAS STRUTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE LIFTGATE WHEN IT IS OPEN EVENTUALLY, THE GAS STRUTS COULD DETERIORATE TO THE POINT THAT THE LIFTGATE WILL FALL ABOUT TEN INCHES AFTER IT REACHES THE FULLY OPEN POSITION, AT WHICH POINT THE POWER MOTOR WILL ENGAGE AND POWER THE LIFTGATE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INJURY TO A PERSON WHO IS STRUCK BY THE LIFTGATE WHEN IT FALLS OR WHEN IT IS CLOSING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GAS STRUTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED GAS STRUTS THAT HAVE A LONGER SERVICE LIFE. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON AUGUST 8, 2008, AND WILL BE MAILED IN THREE PHASES ENDING IN LATE DECEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
NHTSA Campaign: 09V234000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2009 SIENNA AND 2009 LEXUS GX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AND THE GVWR ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INSUFFICIENT FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES WERE ACCESSORIZED THROUGH VEHICLE PROCESSING CENTERS AND HAD ACCESSORIES INSTALLED THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE GVWR VALUE. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS," AND 49 CFR PART 567.
Risk: THE GVWR IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLES.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS INSTRUCTING THEM TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA OR LEXUS DEALER FOR AN EXCHANGE OF THE CERTIFICATION LABEL AND THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, AN INSTALLATION OF THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABEL, IF NECESSARY, AND A CORRECTION TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V160000
Component: STRUCTURE
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998 THROUGH 2010 SIENNA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 7, 1997 AND JANUARY 4, 2010, CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SPARE TIRE STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
Risk: THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS WITH AN INTERIM LETTER INITIALLY INSTRUCTING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AUTHORIZED DEALERS TO INSPECT FOR CORROSION. A SECOND NOTICE WILL BE SENT WHEN THE PERMANENT REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE TOYOTA'S AMENDED RECALL REPORT OF JULY 19, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 05V327000
Component: SEAT BELTS
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, IN THE MIDDLE ROW SEATING POSITION, THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT MAY BIND IN THE BEZEL TRIM PIECE. THE AFFECTED SEAT BELT BEZEL IS LOCATED ON THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT IN THE RIGHT SIDE SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER MODELS AND THE CENTER SEATING POSITION IN THE EIGHT PASSENGER MODELS.
Risk: IF THE SEAT BELT BINDS IN THE BEZEL, THAT EXTRA WEBBING MAY EXIST IN THE SEAT BELT WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN IMPROPERLY FITTED SEAT BELT ON A PASSENGER. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BEZEL AND CLIP. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 03V291000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A PART OF THE FUEL TANK MAY BECOME DAMAGED WHEN CRASHED IN THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY'S (IIHS) 40 MPH FRONTAL OFFSET CRASH TEST CONDITIONS, DUE TO THE SEVERE IMPACT FORCES GENERATED.
Risk: IF THE FUEL TANK BECOMES DAMAGED AND FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURS, A FIRE MAY RESULT IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 1, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 2062)
Steering,vehicle Speed Control,service Brakes →5 issues
Your Sienna's braking system is engaging on its own while driving straight, even at highway speeds, despite replacing tires, alignment, and front suspension components. The vehicle also cuts fuel delivery during these episodes, preventing acceleration until warning beeps stop. This creates a serious safety risk, especially in traffic where unexpected braking can cause collisions.
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Your traction control system is engaging unexpectedly at both highway and low speeds, causing your brakes to apply suddenly and pull the vehicle to one side. This happened at 70 mph on the interstate and 30 mph on a windy road, creating dangerous situations where you nearly collided with other vehicles or left the road. A mechanic found that a faulty hub bearing and spindle were causing incorrect steering angle signals, which confused the traction control system into thinking the wheels were slipping. Fixing this involves replacing the hub bearing and spindle, realigning all four wheels, and recalibrating the ABS system.
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Your Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system occasionally activates on its own during highway turns at speeds over 60 mph, causing the brakes to apply to individual wheels without your input. This makes it difficult to maintain control and stay in your lane, and the sudden braking could be dangerous, especially on slippery roads. The issue may require inspection and potential recalibration or replacement of the VSC system components.
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Your car's traction control system activates unexpectedly while driving at varying speeds, causing the brakes to engage and making it difficult to accelerate normally. This loss of acceleration control could make the vehicle harder to manage while driving.
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Your Vehicle Stability Control warning light and alarm go off unexpectedly while turning on curves at speeds of 25 mph or higher, even in dry conditions with no tire slipping risk. Sometimes the anti-lock braking system activates at the same time, causing jerky braking and loss of engine power, which has nearly caused accidents when other vehicles are close behind you. The problem started at higher speeds but now happens more frequently at lower speeds. The issue likely involves diagnosing the stability control sensors, wheel speed sensors, and brake system components to find what's triggering false warnings.
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Unknown Or Other →3 issues
Your rear hatch won't stay open on its own and will slam shut if you release it, which is a safety hazard. This happens even with the power door feature turned off. The hatch likely needs adjustment or replacement of its support struts.
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Your traction control system is activating unexpectedly while driving at speeds under 35 mph on dry roads, particularly when turning slightly to the right. When this happens, you'll see the traction control warning light, hear a beeping sound, and feel the vehicle brake. This has occurred multiple times.
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Your VSC Trac warning light and alarm activate when you make turns on highway ramps at normal speeds around 35 mph. This suggests a potential issue with your vehicle stability control system, which helps prevent skidding during turns. The system may need diagnostic scanning to identify whether there's a sensor malfunction or electrical problem affecting the stability control.
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Power Train →1 issue
Your shifter doesn't seem to be locking into park properly, even when you move it to the park position. This means your van could roll away even though you think it's parked, which is a serious safety concern. The issue likely involves the shifter mechanism or the transmission park lock system needing adjustment or replacement.
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Steering,service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance →1 issue
Your Traction Control System frequently malfunctions when driving on curved roads, causing the TCS warning light to blink and a beeping sound to occur. During these events, your engine power cuts out unpredictably, and the brakes may automatically engage on individual wheels when the system detects slippage. This problem is getting worse and creates a safety hazard since the car reduces power or applies brakes at unexpected moments during normal driving.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,vehicle Speed Control,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
While driving on the highway at 60-65 mph, your van unexpectedly accelerated on its own and continued speeding up to 92 mph even when you pressed the brake pedal multiple times. The brakes didn't seem to slow the vehicle down, forcing you to weave through traffic. You had to physically pull up on the accelerator pedal while driving to regain control and slow the van enough to pull over safely. A mechanic cleaned carbon buildup from the throttle body, which may have contributed to the issue, though the throttle cable wasn't loose or disconnected. Addressing this may involve cleaning or replacing the throttle body and fuel injectors to remove carbon deposits.
Parts you may need:
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Vehicle Speed Control →1 issue
Your vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own while driving at 65 MPH, speeding up to over 90 MPH, and your brakes stopped working when you pressed the pedal. A passenger was able to manually pull your stuck fuel pedal up from the floor to slow the vehicle down after about 10 minutes. The dealer found that a small pin holding your fuel pedal in place was missing, which allowed the pedal to get stuck to the floor.
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Electrical System,service Brakes →1 issue
Your van's VSC/ABS system is unexpectedly activating when you drive through banked curves at speeds between 25-40 mph, causing the brakes to lock hard, the steering wheel to lock up, and the vehicle to jerk and skid uncontrollably. When this happens, the VSC and TRAC warning lights come on along with loud rapid beeping. This loss of steering control creates a serious safety risk for you and other drivers on the road.
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Seat Belts →1 issue
Your driver's side seat belt buckle stopped locking properly and then fell apart. Toyota informed you there was a recall for this issue, but you were told you're outside the recall window since you didn't receive the original notice. Even after speaking with a supervisor, you were denied coverage under the recall. You've had difficulty finding a replacement buckle at local mechanics.
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Electronic Stability Control (esc) →1 issue
Your car's stability control system (VSC) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) are activating unexpectedly on dry roads at speeds between 30–65 mph, causing your vehicle to pull to one side and brake suddenly without warning. When this happens, a skid light appears on your dashboard and you hear beeping. This is a serious safety concern that has occurred multiple times, and Toyota has been notified but declined to take responsibility.
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Engine And Engine Cooling →1 issue
Your warning lights have been turning on and off intermittently for days or months. A mechanic found error code P2241, which indicates your oxygen sensors need replacement. The dealer also performed an ECM software update, but that update damaged your engine control module instead of fixing the problem. You'll likely need new oxygen sensors and possibly an ECM replacement or reprogramming to resolve this issue.
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Steering →1 issue
Your van's traction control system is engaging unexpectedly during normal turns on dry roads, causing the brakes to engage and affecting steering even though you're not skidding or losing traction. This has happened at least 12 times at various speeds (35-50 mph) on both winding mountain roads and flat freeways, creating a safety risk when following traffic has to brake suddenly behind you. An independent mechanic hasn't been able to reproduce the issue. The problem likely involves a faulty traction control sensor or module that's misinterpreting wheel speed or vehicle motion.
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Steering,suspension →1 issue
Your slip indicator light and alarm come on randomly while driving on dry roads at speeds between 40-80 mph, even when going straight or turning. When this happens, the ABS system engages suddenly without warning. The issue may be caused by a faulty ABS wheel sensor, ABS control module, or related wiring that's incorrectly detecting wheel slip on dry pavement.
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Structure →1 issue
Your liftgate door unexpectedly closed while open and wouldn't stay propped up. The dealer found that the rear hatch door struts (the supports that hold the door open) were broken and needed replacement. Your vehicle is covered under a recall, but the replacement parts were on back order at the time.
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Electrical System,structure →1 issue
Your tailgate has been opening and closing on its own while the vehicle is parked, with no warning light to alert you. A mechanic diagnosed that the hydraulic struts that hold the tailgate up need to be replaced. Even after the repair, the problem happened again, particularly in cold weather around 30 degrees. Fixing this will likely require replacing the tailgate hydraulic struts with new ones.
Parts you may need:
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Related Vehicles
Other Toyota Sienna years:
Other 2004 vehicles: