2003 Toyota Sienna problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (11) · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch (9) · Structure:body:door (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Sienna model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
77 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Structure 2010-04-20 · campaign 10V160000 · 600,000 vehicles
Defect: 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
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.
Service bulletins (108)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 108 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-06-01 · Equipment:electrical · 🔥 fire“a plug-in battery charger failed. you may inspect it. it got hot and smoked, and i suppose was a fire hazard. the problem has not been confirmed nor inspected. there were no symptoms of the problem before the failure. - - - - i used the automotive charger to charge a battery after a light had been on overnight, discharging the battery. i removed t…”
2018-10-15 · Air Bags · 1,200,000 mi · 💥 crash“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.…”
2016-06-06 · Seats · 230,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2015-08-21 · Structure:body“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota sienna. while driving approximately 45 mph, an abnormal squeaking sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle. the failure recurred intermittently. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where it was diagnosed that spare tire carrier assembly cable was corroded. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact rec…”
2014-02-07 · Vehicle Speed Control · 97,000 mi“the toyota sienna's gas pedal has been and remains intermittently sticky. it takes some foot stomping to depress the gas pedal in order to accelerate the vehicle. toyota does not believe this to be a major problem when i questioned them a few years ago. *tr…”
2013-04-11 · Visibility“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…”
2013-01-30 · Vehicle Speed Control · 74,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 …”
2012-07-09 · Service Brakes · 75,000 mi“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 …”
2012-02-03 · Structure:body:door · 51,329 mi“july 31, 2009 this was the state of the car: driver side door makes a popping noise. automatic passenger sliding door is not smooth when opening. feb 2, 2012: the driver side popping noise has gotten much worse. the passenger sliding door no longer works. *kb…”
2012-01-29 · Structure:body · 98,000 mi“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). …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.