2003 Toyota SIENNA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 77 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 105 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 21 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 7 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Structure:Body:Door: 7; Tires: 6; Structure:Body: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 28 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 17; 2004: 10; 2005: 7; 2006: 9; 2007: 6; 2008: 8; 2009: 7; 2010: 22; 2011: 6; 2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000557 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
UNSAFE DESIGN OF OVERDRIVE FEATURE ON TOYOTA SIENNA. EVERY TIME CAR IS PUT INTO DRIVE, IT DEFAULTS TO 'OVERDRIVE' MODE - WHICH MEANS IT IS FREE WHEELING WHENEVER DRIVER'S FOOT COMES OFF THE ACCELERATOR. NO ENGINE BRAKING!! TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE CAR ROLLS FREELY. THIS IS GROSSLY UNSAFE, PARTICULARLY IN TOWN DRIVING. TO GET ENGINE BRAKING, DRIVER MUST PUSH A BUTTON. THE DEFAULT SHOULD BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND: CAR SHOULD BE DESIGNED SO IT AUTOMATICALLY PROVIDES REGULAR, SAFER ENGINE BRAKING MODE, AND THE DRIVER SHOULD HAVE TO P…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015200 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH SLIDING DOOR, TRANSMISSION. MR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015704 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
THE VEHICLE PULLED SEVERELY TO THE LEFT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,083 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017970 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
THERE WAS A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022073 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
STEERING IS MISALIGNED BECAUSE VEHICLE PULLS EXCESSIVELY TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022772 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL SQUEAL AND MOAN. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022876 · 2003-06-11 (June 11, 2003)
WHEN BRAKING OR ACCELERATING THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER SAID THAT ROTORS AND BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,488 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024063 · 2003-06-16 (June 16, 2003)
NO PARTS AVAILABLE. RECALL ON AIR BAG LIGHT. RECALL NUMBER UNKNOWN. DUTCH MILLER [phone removed]. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024063 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V160000 · Structure
Reported: 2010-04-20 (April 20, 2010)
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 STOWED UNDER THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THE COLD CLIMATE REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES WHERE ROAD SALT IS FREQUENTLY USED, WATER SPLASHED BACKWARDS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT CAN REACH THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER AND CORRODE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER ASSEMBLY CABLE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗