TOYOTA SIENNA · model year

2001 TOYOTA SIENNA

238 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001TOYOTASIENNA carries 238 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 SIENNA is structure:body:door with 17 filings, followed by latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (16) and electrical system (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2001 SIENNA, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

238
Complaints
15
Crashes
0
Fires
13
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

238 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR17
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE10
STRUCTURE:BODY9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
TIRES7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7
STRUCTURE7
AIR BAGS6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
STEERING5
SEAT BELTS5

Recalls (2)

10V16000020/04/2010

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 HAMP

01V07200005/03/2001

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Recent Complaints

20210313ENGINE

A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE 3.0 L V6 ENGINE. HEAVY SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. VISIBLE OIL SLUDGE UNDER THE OIL REFILL CAP.

Mileage: 75

20180530STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 147,000

20170620FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 154,000

20160912VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAD JUST DROPPED MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OFF AT SCHOOL AND AS I WAS LEAVING I HAD TO STOP BECAUSE SOME CHILDREN WITH THEIR PARENTS NEEDED TO CROSS IN FRONT OF ME I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS NORMAL AND I HAD NO ISSUES IN STOPPING BUT THEN IT FEELS LIKE A "GHOST" PUSHES THE GAS PEDAL DOWN BECAUSE I CAN FEEL IT MOVE AND SEE MY RPM GAUGE GO UP AND I HEAR MY ENGINE "VRRRROOOMMMM" I PUSHED MY BRAKES HARDER AND STILL NOTHING, THE END RESULTS ME HAVING TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING INTO THE CROSSWALK ONTO THE PEOPLE. WHEN I GET HOME IT DOES THE SAME THING AND I ALMOST CRASH INTO MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE CAR IS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND AGAIN. IT WOULD ALWAYS HAPPEN AT RANDOM, AFTER I WOULD LET GO OF THE BRAKES ITS ALREADY MOVING FAST AS IF MY FOOT IS ON THE GAS, I SAY TO MY PASSENGER WHICH IS MY WIFE "LOOK THE VAN IS GOING ON IT'S OWN, I'M NOT EVEN PUSHING THE GAS" THE VAN WAS MOVING PRETTY FAST, BUT FAST ENOUGH FOR THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FROM A STOP AND GO MOVEMENT. I NO LONGER DRIVE

Mileage: 160,000

20160807ENGINE

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.

20160620AIR BAGS

THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT STOPPED THE SRS DEPLOY AND HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON.

Mileage: 90,000

20160620SEAT BELTS

THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT STOPPED THE SRS DEPLOY AND HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON.

Mileage: 90,000

20160516UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE HORN ON THE SIENNA WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION WHEN DRIVING AS A HORN COULD POSSIBLY PREVENT AN ACCIDENT WITH A CAR OR PEDESTRIAN. FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM IN 2014, BUT WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO TOYOTA, IT WOULD WORK, SO THEY COULDN'T CHECK IT OUT. IN APRIL 2015, THEY FINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE SPIRAL CABLE, SO THEY REPLACED IT, TO THE TUNE OF $400+. THREE DAYS LATER, WE HAD THE PROBLEM AGAIN. WEREN'T ABLE TO BRING IT BACK UNTIL RECENTLY. REPLACED SPIRAL CABLE AGAIN. PROBLEM RETURNED BEFORE THE CAR MADE IT HOME. VEHICLE IS BACK IN SHOP. I BELIEVE THEY SAID THEY ARE REPLACING THE HORN PAD ASSEMBLY, WHICH WILL COST ANOTHER $150 FOR THE PART. THEY ARE NOT CHARGING FOR LABOR AS IT IS UNDER A 1 YEAR SERVICE WARRANTY. FOUND OUT TODAY A COWORKER HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A 2005 SIENNA. I GOOGLED, "PROBLEMS WITH SIENNA HORN" AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL AS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THAT MAYBE THERE

Mileage: 118,203

20160426ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 142,112

20160225STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20160225VISIBILITY

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20150823UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING AREA OF A SHOPPING CENTER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING IN THE CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY. I BRAKED TO NO AVAIL. THEN I PUT ON THE FOOT EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHICH SLOWED BUT DID NOT STOP THE CAR. A PASSENGER THEN TURNED OFF THE KEY AND WE LURCHED TO AN ABRUPT STOP, SHORT OF A TYPICAL PARKING LOT LIGHT POLE. AFTER A BRIEF TIME I TURNED ON THE KEY AND WAS MET WITH A VERY LOUD GROWL FROM THE HOOD. AAA HAULED ME TO JOSEPH AIRPORT TOYOTA IN VANDALIA, OH. ON TUES, AUG 11, I CALLED TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD FOUND. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AFTER TESTING AND DRIVING THE CAR. I ASKED TO TALK WITH THE MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME HE HAD TESTED EVERYTHING THOROUGHLY AND COULD NOT REPLICATE WHAT I HAD EXPERIENCED.

Mileage: 133,000

20150224POWER TRAIN

[THIS INCIDENT HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA - CASE # [XXX].] I EXITED PARKING LOT AND TURNED LEFT TO TRAVEL NORTH ON TWO-LANE STREET AT 5 PM. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING THE LANE, MY CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, AND IT WAS STUCK IN POSITION. I TAPPED THE PEDAL, AT WHICH POINT THE PEDAL LOCKED IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND THE CAR RACED FORWARD, WITH TIRES SCREECHING. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES AND PUT IN CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT 5000-6000 RPM WHILE I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER ON THE RIGHT. AFTER PUTTING THE SHIFT INTO PARK, I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND, NOTED THERE WAS NO CARPET INTERFERING WITH THE PEDAL, YET IT WAS STUCK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. I PULLED BACK A FEW TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO FREE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOVEMENT, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE. I TESTED THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RESUMING MY ROUTE. AT MY FIRST LEFT TURN AFTER THE ACCELERATION INCIDENT, I NOTED THAT THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING, AND I WAS BARELY

Mileage: 131,000

20150224STEERING

[THIS INCIDENT HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA - CASE # [XXX].] I EXITED PARKING LOT AND TURNED LEFT TO TRAVEL NORTH ON TWO-LANE STREET AT 5 PM. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENTERING THE LANE, MY CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, AND IT WAS STUCK IN POSITION. I TAPPED THE PEDAL, AT WHICH POINT THE PEDAL LOCKED IN THE DOWN POSITION, AND THE CAR RACED FORWARD, WITH TIRES SCREECHING. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES AND PUT IN CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT 5000-6000 RPM WHILE I PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER ON THE RIGHT. AFTER PUTTING THE SHIFT INTO PARK, I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND, NOTED THERE WAS NO CARPET INTERFERING WITH THE PEDAL, YET IT WAS STUCK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. I PULLED BACK A FEW TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO FREE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOVEMENT, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO IDLE. I TESTED THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE RESUMING MY ROUTE. AT MY FIRST LEFT TURN AFTER THE ACCELERATION INCIDENT, I NOTED THAT THE CAR HAD NO POWER STEERING, AND I WAS BARELY

Mileage: 131,000

20150106AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 137,315

20140709CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 150,000

20140224WHEELS

THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM BROKE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THANKFULLY I WAS TRYING TO REMOVE THE SPARE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT GO FLYING INTO TRAFFIC. THE CABLE BROKE AT THE END WHERE THE CABLE GOES THROUGH THE METAL HOLDER/BRACKET THAT ACTUALLY CLAMPS TO THE WHEEL. IF THIS HAD BROKEN OFF WHEN THE VAN WAS MOVING, EITHER THE VAN WOULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SPARE GETTING CAUGHT BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE VAN OR THE SPARE MAY HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS MAYBE THE SECOND TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD THE SPARE OFF IN THE 258K MILES WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE INSPECT REGULARLY. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE VANS OUT THERE AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE BEHIND ONE WHEN THE SPARE LETS GO. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT MY VAN DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *TR

Mileage: 258,000

20140224TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM BROKE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA MINIVAN. THANKFULLY I WAS TRYING TO REMOVE THE SPARE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT GO FLYING INTO TRAFFIC. THE CABLE BROKE AT THE END WHERE THE CABLE GOES THROUGH THE METAL HOLDER/BRACKET THAT ACTUALLY CLAMPS TO THE WHEEL. IF THIS HAD BROKEN OFF WHEN THE VAN WAS MOVING, EITHER THE VAN WOULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SPARE GETTING CAUGHT BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE VAN OR THE SPARE MAY HAVE HIT ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS MAYBE THE SECOND TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD THE SPARE OFF IN THE 258K MILES WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE INSPECT REGULARLY. THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE VANS OUT THERE AND I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE BEHIND ONE WHEN THE SPARE LETS GO. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT MY VAN DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. *TR

Mileage: 258,000

20131112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE DOOR WAS AJAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,231 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,451.

Mileage: 32,231

20131015STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 160,000

Compare 2001TOYOTASIENNA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA have?
The 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA has 238 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 0 fires, 13 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA?
Yes, the 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA?
The most-complained component for the 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA is STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.