TOYOTA SIENNA · model year

2003 TOYOTA SIENNA

124 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003TOYOTASIENNA carries 124 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 2 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 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 2003 SIENNA is vehicle speed control with 11 filings, followed by latches/locks/linkages (11) and latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (9). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 2003 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.

124
Complaints
14
Crashes
2
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

124 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES11
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR7
TIRES6
STRUCTURE:BODY5
SUSPENSION4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
EQUIPMENT3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3

Recalls (1)

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

Recent Complaints

20210601FireEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

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 the battery from the vehicle because the terminals might have been corroded. When I first put the charger on the battery it indicated full and did not start to recharge it, so I used jumper cables to charge the discharged battery from a good battery in my car and left the charger at 10 amps on the good battery at the same time so that battery would not become discharged. I left it to sit, figuring it would take several hours at that setting, and after about 5 minutes I saw smoke. Both 12v wires were hot and insulation burned or melted off. There is damage to the car where the wires rested on the painted plastic bumper and a plastic bit near th

20181015CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 1,200,000

20160606CrashSEATS

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

Mileage: 230,000

20150821STRUCTURE: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 RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V160000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

20140207VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 97,000

20140207FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 97,000

20130411STRUCTURE:BODY

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

20130411VISIBILITY

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

20130130CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 74,000

20120709SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 75,000

20120203STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 51,329

20120203STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

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

Mileage: 51,329

20120129STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 98,000

20120124STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 140,000

20120117ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20110906POWER TRAIN

SOME TIMES WHEN AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH(GO). *TR

Mileage: 114,254

20110823LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING REAR DOORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND OCCASIONALLY THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 1,000,000

20110801TIRES

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.

Mileage: 106,000

20110210LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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

Mileage: 102,000

20110209CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT THROUGH THE CONTACT'S GARAGE AND INTO THEIR LIVING ROOM. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

Mileage: 112,000

Compare 2003TOYOTASIENNA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA have?
The 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA has 124 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 2 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA?
Yes, the 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA has 1 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 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA?
The most-complained component for the 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES and LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH.
Is the 2003 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.