2001 Toyota Sienna Problems and Recalls (170 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2001 Toyota Sienna is Body / frame (15% of 170 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Body / frame — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 170 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 2001 Toyota Sienna?

26 of 170 filings named Body / frame (15% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (21 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2000 has 342 reports on file; this year has 170. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2001 Toyota Sienna

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Body / frame. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Body / frame 26 complaints · 15.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 13
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 11
  • Deaths 2
All Toyota Sienna years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Body / frame (STRUCTURE) appears in 26 of 170 owner complaints (15.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 26 complaints, 15.3% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 26 · 15.3% Engine (ENGINE): 21 complaints, 12.4% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 21 · 12.4% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 18 complaints, 10.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 18 · 10.6% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 15 complaints, 8.8% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 15 · 8.8% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 10 complaints, 5.9% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 10 · 5.9% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 9 complaints, 5.3% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 9 · 5.3% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 9 complaints, 5.3% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 2 crash reports 9 · 5.3% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 7 complaints, 4.1% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 1 crash reports 7 · 4.1% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 6 complaints, 3.5% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 4 crash reports 6 · 3.5% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 100 complaints, 58.8% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 6 crash reports 100 · 58.8% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 26 15.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 21 12.4% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 18 10.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 15 8.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 10 5.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 9 5.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 9 5.3% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 7 4.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 6 3.5% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 100 58.8% 6 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2000; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 2001. 2000-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2001-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2001-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2002-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2002-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2002-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2003-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2003-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2003-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2003-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2004-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2004-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2004-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2005-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2008-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2009-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2010-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2010-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2010-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2011-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2011-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2000 Jan 2021 Recall campaign 01V072000 ◆ Recall campaign 01V072000 Recall campaign 10V160000 ◆ Recall campaign 10V160000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2000-Q4 Owner reports 1
2001-Q2 Owner reports 2
2001-Q3 Owner reports 6
2001-Q4 Owner reports 4
2002-Q1 Owner reports 1
2002-Q2 Owner reports 4
2002-Q3 Owner reports 1
2002-Q4 Owner reports 3
2003-Q1 Owner reports 4
2003-Q2 Owner reports 6
2003-Q3 Owner reports 11
2003-Q4 Owner reports 5
2004-Q1 Owner reports 6
2004-Q2 Owner reports 8
2004-Q3 Owner reports 6
2004-Q4 Owner reports 2
2005-Q1 Owner reports 2
2005-Q2 Owner reports 1
2005-Q3 Owner reports 6
2005-Q4 Owner reports 2
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 1
2006-Q3 Owner reports 3
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2007-Q2 Owner reports 2
2007-Q3 Owner reports 3
2007-Q4 Owner reports 1
2008-Q1 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 4
2008-Q4 Owner reports 2
2009-Q2 Owner reports 4
2009-Q3 Owner reports 3
2009-Q4 Owner reports 4
2010-Q1 Owner reports 7
2010-Q2 Owner reports 3
2010-Q3 Owner reports 7
2010-Q4 Owner reports 4
2011-Q1 Owner reports 3
2011-Q2 Owner reports 4
2011-Q3 Owner reports 6
2011-Q4 Owner reports 2
2012-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 2
2013-Q3 Owner reports 3
2013-Q4 Owner reports 3
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q3 Owner reports 1
2015-Q1 Owner reports 2
2015-Q3 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
2016-Q2 Owner reports 3
2016-Q3 Owner reports 2
2017-Q2 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 01V072000
Recall campaign 1 10V160000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Body / frame.

  1. Recall campaign 01V072000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING LONG-TERM USAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 10V160000

    Safety recall 10V160000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THE CABLE MAY BREAK DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND THE SPARE TIRE MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 9 of 170 complaints · page 1 of 7
2021-03-13Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11402825
CrashFireInjuryDeath
A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE 3.0 L V6 ENGINE. HEAVY SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. VISIBLE OIL SLUDGE UNDER THE OIL REFILL CAP.
2018-05-30Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11098879
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2017-06-20Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11000310
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2016-09-12Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 10905861
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 THE VAN BECAUSE I AM SCARED THAT I AM GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON I EVEN HAD THE VAN CHECKED FOR CODES AND NOTHING CAME UP.
2016-08-07Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10893839
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2016-06-20Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
NHTSA ODI 10875380
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT STOPPED THE SRS DEPLOY AND HAVE THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON.
2016-05-16Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10865275
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 HAS NOT BEEN ANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ATTRIBUTED TO THIS PROBLEM AND SO IT'S "FLOWN UNDER THE RADAR", SO TO SPEAK.
2016-04-26Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10861483
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2016-02-25Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
NHTSA ODI 10838136
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2001 Toyota Sienna?

Owners named Body / frame most often — 26 of 170 reports (15%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Toyota Sienna?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Body / frame. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2001 Toyota Sienna?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources