2003 Toyota Sienna: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 105 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (20% 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 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Takata recall air bags failed to deploy in a roll over accident that involved in car being airborne and rolling over. Car was totaled. No airbags deployed, car went through 50 foot of cornfield and landed on the roof. Windows were all collapsed door ripped off its hinges. I have pictures on my phone I can print and get to you.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Mva - other party rear-ended us at 35-40 miles/hr. While we were stopped at a light. Both driver and passenger front seat backs broke. Our vehicle was totaled , other vehicle air bags did not deploy . Appeared to be minimal damage to other vehicle. Pictures of both vehicles available”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while shifting into reverse, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000. Updated 3/13/13 *cn the consumer stated the dealer did not find anything mechanically wrong. The vehicle was sold back to the dealer. Updated 04/09/2013 *js”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“The rear window at driver side started to loose about 6 months ago. At the beginning, it made noise when open the rear window. So we kept it closed all the time. But gradually, it is getting worse and worse. Now even with the window closed, the window still shakes and makes noises, sounds like the window glass will drop at time. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sienna. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, she applied the brake and the pedal was locked. The failure recurred numerous times and the ABS brake light illuminated during the failure. Additionally, the wheels would seize at times, causing the vehicle to skid. The vehicle was taken to a personal mechanic four different times for a diagnosis, however the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 75,618.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sienna. The contact stated that the rear driver side sliding door would not open. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact also stated that the vehicle experienced a recurring failure in the past in which both rear doors would experience difficulty locking. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2012
“Tl* the contact owns 2003 toyota sienna. The contact stated the instrument panel on the vehicle does not work and when the vehicle exceeds 30-40 mph, it slows down and the all of the warning light illuminate. The local mechanic replaced the sensors for the computer, but that did not correct the problem. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 74,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sienna with toyo extensa tires, tire size 215/65/15. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning lamp illuminated and noticed the rear passenger side tire was flat. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that an object punctured the tire and a patch was used to remedy the failure. Three months later the same tire was punctured again by a small rock. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The tire was replaced. The failure mileage was 106,000 and the current mileage was 108,800.”Owner report · Tires · May 2011
“Driver and front passenger door started making loud clicking sounds when opening and closing doors back in may of last year. Then about 2 months ago, the front passenger door would not close fully and would only open up a few inches. After I was able to open up, I noticed the door weld had snapped and broken off (where it attaches to the door). I searched online and found out this is a common problem with siennas and there was a service bulletin for this problem, although not for my year. From what I've read, door welds are not suppose to break off on door and this is a serious defect that toyota should take care of. *tt”Owner report · Structure · May 2011
“We have a 2003 toyota sienna minivan. The drivers side automatic door now will not open manually or automatically. I have a daughter who is handicapped and this is the easiest door to put her in the car, so as of right now the car that holds her wheelchair is completely useless to us. Toyota has been absolutely no help. This is very dangerous. What is she was in the car an accident occurred and we could not get her out???? *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2003 Toyota Sienna reliable?
NHTSA has 105 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Toyota Sienna. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Sienna problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 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.