2002 Toyota Sienna: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 181 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (19% 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 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dear Sir, On April 2026, I need to do the semiannual smog check. Right now, I face DTC P0420 error code and I can't pass the smog check inspection. Note that I don't have the engine light on indicating the a/m error code. Only my OBD2 shows the error DTC Code P0420. I did some searhing and noticed that the ECM for Sienna should be updated to erase the a/m DTC code. I would appreciated to help me how the resolve this issue ASAP. It will enable me to renew my registration.You may contact on my cell phone 747 217 7254 or my email at massey.miri@gmail.com. Regards, Massey”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2026
“The lower rear mount for the passenger-side rear shock absorber was found when the vehicle was stationary to have become partially fractured over time. It is made of thin hollow metal with internal threads. There is no replacement for this except to purchase a large multi-functional unit costing $1,688.00”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota sienna. While the vehicle was parked with the engine turned off and the emergency brake engaged, the vehicle suddenly rolled backwards down a small incline and crashed into a fence post. A small child was present inside the vehicle, but there were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to maita toyota (2500 auburn blvd, sacramento, ca). The dealer indicated that the transmission experienced a mechanism failure, but the exact cause was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,200.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Incident #1 (6/3/2017) - took foot off accelerator pedal when turning on city street. Car proceeded to accelerate on its own went up to 35 mph for several blocks incident #2 (6/4/2017) - while parking car in driveway, applied foot on brake pedal. Engine roared and thrusted forward.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2017
“The cable for the passenger power door snapped and door would not fully shut. I was stopped, getting ready to turn left, when it snapped.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota sienna. The contact stated the vehicle leaked water from the air conditioning system and the srs air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000. ...updated 09/12/16 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired under an extended warranty. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2015
“All the locks keep unlocking, and locking without anyone in or around the vehicle, because locks are locking and unlocking it is causing the battery to drain. The doors lock and unlock while van is in gear, while driving, and when van is not running without key in ignition. I have 2 children and believe this is a safety issue! *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2015
“When I attempted to open driver side sliding door it would not open electrically or manually. After several failed attempts to open I cut the cable and was able to then open the door. At this point in time both sliding doors will not open electronically but will open manually. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2014
“Door handles break off during normal use due to electrical door malfunction. The design of these door handles are poor and a new design needs to be made. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while sitting with the vehicle at a complete stop, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle was pushed forward and the contact crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the left shoulder and neck. The front passenger sustained injuries to the left leg and whip lash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed as destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,700.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 2002 Toyota Sienna reliable?
NHTSA has 181 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2002 Toyota Sienna. The most complained-about area is structure (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Sienna problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 68,385 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Toyota Sienna have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning structure. 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.