2001 Toyota Sienna: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 180 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (16% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 180 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“A known issue with these 3.0 l v6 engine. Heavy smoke from the exhaust pipe. Visible oil sludge under the oil refill cap.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2021
“The driver's side rear sliding door has several times now refused to latch, and when in emergency situation I have locked it and forced it to shut then it will not unlock and it has to be taken apart to be opened and the whole latch and lock mechanism reworked by the mechanic, and in the meantime the door is unable to be opened which is extremely unsafe when I have children in the middle and back rows of the van. This is the third time in the past 3 years that this problem has occurred, so it is definitely an actual problem with the hardware of the door latch mechanism itself and not simply a glitch that occurred once or something.”Owner report · Structure · May 2018
“My 9 year old son and I were on our way home from work last night and I heard something snap on my 2001 toyota sienna. I then heard something dragging so I immediately pulled over to check and realized the fuel tank was dragging and the back straps holding the gas tank up had broken loose causing the back section of the tank to drag on the road. I had to call a tow truck to tow vehicle to the mechanics. Since I work 18 miles away I find getting to work difficult.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“The seat belt pretensioner was faulty and not working properly. It stopped the srs deploy and have the airbag light on.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph, the hood was shaking violently and unlatched from the vehicle causing the windshield to crack. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2016
“Horn will not work in the rain or when you drive in water. It takes about a day for the horn to dry out for the horn to work at all. People could get killed when the horn will not work in the rain or water. Toyota needs to have a recall now to save the lives of millions of men, women and children in the usa.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“Takata recall. White smoke comes out of the exhaust when I start the car. Then smoke disappears or stay at low level during driving. Decrease oil. I put one quarter oil each week. Mechanics says it may head gaskit or seals. Costs 2000 and above to repair. If not better to garbage this vehicle. It has a clean title with 106k.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“Toyota sienna has air bag flashing, it just last 12/12/20014, so I brought it to fremont toyota for check up and told them about the flashing air bag ask them if if is part of toyota air bag recall. They charge me $152.00 to find out the problem. After 2 hrs, they say, they need more hours to find the problem and they are charging me another $152.00. I thought the $152.00 in the first place they tell you the problem.is this right when they estimate the hour. They can diagnose the problem. To pay extra I don"t have enough money.. Is this air bag problem is toyota recall. I am afraid for my family safety. Thanks: conrad”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2014
“The driver was unable to stop the van in time and the passenger side of front bumper of the 2001 toyota sienna van hit the wall of a house but no air bags came out or inflated. The van is totally damaged and not driveable. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2014
“The steel cable for the power sliding door snapped while door was being opened electronically. The right side sliding door was unable to open wider than a foot since the cable snapped while in operation. Passengers, including children, had to exit the parked vehicle through the driver's side sliding door into oncoming traffic. The door remained inoperable until we were able to cut the remaining length of steel cable hanging from the vehicle onto the roadway with wire cutters. The door now is a manual sliding door until the entire motor and steel cable system can be replaced. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sienna by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Sienna reliable?
NHTSA has 180 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Toyota Sienna. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (16% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Sienna problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,745 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Toyota Sienna have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:frame and members. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.