2001 Toyota SIENNA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
180 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,268 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 124 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Door is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 180 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 14.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Door | 17 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 16 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 15 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
Structure:Body:Door: 17; Electrical System: 16; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 16; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 15; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Structure:Body: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 12
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 56 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 17; 2002: 9; 2003: 27; 2004: 22; 2005: 11; 2006: 5; 2007: 7; 2008: 9; 2009: 11; 2010: 23; 2011: 15; 2012: 1; 2013: 8; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Door leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000116 · 2002-12-16 (December 16, 2002)
BRAKES HAVE BEEN ACTING UP SINCE PURCHASED AND HAVE TAKEN THIS VECHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES, THE NOISE STOPS WHEN I LEAVE WITH THE DIFFERENT THINGS THEY HAVE DONE BUT IT CONTINUES TO COME BACK. BEING A NEW VECHICLE I AM DISSATISFIED WITH IT AND HAVE ASK TO BE PLACED IN A DIFFERENT VECHICLE BUT THEY REFUSE. I FEEL UNSAFE
Owner-reported narrative. 1,272 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003524 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
LEASED VEHICLE NEW IN APRIL 2001. TO DATE, HAVE HAD 11 BRAKE REPLACEMENTS IN A PERIOD OF 21 MONTHS. BRAKES SQUEALING IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING REPLACED, SOUNDS LIKE A SEMI COMING TO STOP. FILED UNDER FLORIDA LEMON LAW, WHICH DEALER SAID "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN-OPERATING TO DESIGN & INTENT". BRAKES GRIND METAL TO METAL AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. VIBRATION & UNEVEN, PREMATURE TIRE WEAR DESPITE SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS. VEHICLE ALSO MAKES CLUNKING SOUND WHEN BREAKING IN REVERSE & INITIAL ACCELERATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025776 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTAINING FUEL INJECTOR RELAY FAILED. FUEL INJECTOR STOPPED WORKING AND CAR LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY. REPLACING RELAY AND FUSE BY DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIX PROBLEM, ENDED UP FAILING AGAIN AFTER BEING RETURNED FROM DEALERSHIP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040904 · 2003-09-29 (September 29, 2003)
OUR 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA HAS PROBLEM WITH THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE LIGHTS, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR, AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL OUTLETS PULSATE. THEY CONTINUOUSLY FLUXUATE FROM DIM TO BRIGHT. THERE ARE EVEN TIMES WHEN I HAVE IT ON CRUISE AND PRESS ON THE BRAKE THAT THE RADIO GOES OFF TEMPORARILY. TOYOTA HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT BUT NOW THEY TELL US THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE SIENNAS AND AVOLANS THAT HAVE AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL. THEY TELL US THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I JUST NEED TO DRIVE IT AS IS. WE CERTAINLY DISAGREE. SINCE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000309 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
2001 TOYOTA SIENNA XLE VAN, VIN [XXX], APPROX 34,600 MILES. VEHICLE STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY OF 36 MONTHS, 36,000 MILES. DRIVING STRAIGHT, LANE 2, NB 880 N OF MARKET STREET, APPROX. 50-55 MPH (ELEVATED FREEWAY, BROKEN CLOUDS, INTERMITTENT SUNSHINE WINDY AND LIGHT RAIN (RAINBOW CONDITIONS), ROADWAY GROOVED, AND ROADWAY UNDER 4 YEARS OF AGE). SUDDENLY, STEERING LIGHT, SIMULTANEOUSLY SENSED REAR SLIDING COUNTERCLOCKWISE VIEWED ABOVE, STEERED RIGHT, COUNTER SPIN. VEHICLE 1 DARTED UNCONTROLLABLY RIGHT, GROSSLY OVER STEERING, HEADING …
Owner-reported narrative. 34,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005292 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
07-08-01 34 MILES STEERING FAILURE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. 01-29-03 7552 MILES STEERING FAILURE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER SLOWING DOWN AT TOLLS,FAILS TO ACCELERATE,LOUD NOISE FOLLOW. WET/RAINY SURFACE,FRONT TIRES SPIN AT TAKE-OFF. WIND NOISE VERY PROMINENT ON HIGHWAYS. RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER LOCK DOES NOT LATCH/UNLATCH AT TIMES. REAR HEATER IS DEFECTIVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,552 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049084 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
I FLLLED THE FUEL TANK ON 26 NOV 2003, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE 13 MILES. IT REMAINED PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, WHICH SLOPES TOWARD THE REAR AT ABOUT 20 DEGREES, UNTIL 28 NOV 2003 AT 12:30 PM. THERE WAS AT THAT TIME RAW GASOLINE DRIPPING IN TEASPOON TO TABLESPOON QUANTITIES FROM A LINE IN FRONT OF THE FUEL TANK TO THE DRIVEWAY, WITH A PUDDLE ABOUT 18 BY 28 INCHES. I DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 1 MILE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING SMOOTHLY, AFTER WHICH FOR ABOUT 4 MILES THE ENGINE HESITATED AND SURGED AT SPEEDS OVER 35 MPH. THE REMAINDER OF THE 10 MILE TRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,602 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049084 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003059 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
INITIALLY OIL LEAK AFTER OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION PAN WAS LEAKING AND PAID FOR REPLACEMENT. TRANSMISSION FLUID THEN STARTED LEAKING. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER; TRANSMISSION PAN WAS TIGHTENED. NOTICED FLUID STILL LEAKING; RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETECT SOURCE OF FLUID LEAK; PLACED DIE IN OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS; ASKED TO RETURN VEHICLE IN A FEW WEEKS. RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP; WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK SURROUNDING ENGINE SEAL AND SEAL WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10350517 · 2010-08-19 (August 19, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. HE THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT STOPPED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE RUNNING BOARD MELTED AND FRACTURED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE RUNNING BOARD BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER IN STOCK. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND C…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,770 miles reported. Look up ODI 10350517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130633 · 2005-07-29 (July 29, 2005)
WE OWN A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA VAN, WE PURCHASED IT IN 2001 BUT IT WAS USED WITH 18,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SEVERAL THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. #1- PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW HAD A DEFECTIVE MOTOR AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO WE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THAT REPAIR. #2- DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. THE BUTTON GOT STUCK FROM THE INSIDE WHICH PREVENTED THE DOOR FROM LATCHING SHUT. THIS HAD HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE BUT WE WERE ABLE T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130633 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10421331 · 2011-08-24 (August 24, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SIENNA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART SO IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD-UP AND OIL JELLING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 134,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10421331 at NHTSA ↗